Welcome to the Stratford Library Adult Department.
Women’s History Month / March Adult Programs
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH“Our collective experience has shown that when women have the power to make their own choices, good things happen.”
— Madeleine AlbrightWomen’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month 2023 will take place from Wednesday, March 1 – Friday, March 31, 2023.
CLICK HERE for more information on ways to honor the month.
MARCH PROGRAMS
BOOKS:
Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, March 6 | 11am | Lovell Room
Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!
Little Gems Book Discussion
Wednesday, March 8 | 11am | Lovell Room
We will discuss “Sweet Bean Paste” by Durian Sukegawa, a short, quietly poignant novel. In Japan, Sentaro, whose life has not turned out as anticipated, makes pastry filled with sweet bean paste in a small shop. One day, the mysterious Tokue answers a “Help Wanted” notice, and as she begins to share her many years of cooking expertise with Sentaro, she also shares life lessons.
Copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk. Also available as downloadable ebook or eaudio through the Hoopla app with your Stratford Library card.Books on Tap
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, March 28 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us at the Oar and Oak restaurant located at 2385 Main St, Stratford, CT.
We will be discussing “In Love: a memoir of love and loss” by Amy Bloom. In this heartbreaking and surprising memoir, Bloom sheds light on a part of life we so often shy away from discussing—its ending. Written in Bloom’s captivating, insightful voice and with her trademark wit and candor, In Love is an unforgettable portrait of a beautiful marriage, and a boundary-defying love.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
Books Over Coffee: BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson
Wednesday, March 29 | noon | Lovell Room
SPECIAL FOR “WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH”!
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Oprah Daily, NPR, PopSugar, Book Riot, She Reads
Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.CRAFTS:
Knit Wits
Wednesdays, March 1, 15, 29 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects. Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.
Coloring & Coffee
Monday, March 6 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Friday, March 10 & 24 | 11am | Board Room
Don’t let stress get you down! Try coloring for adults! Coloring has many benefits including helping you to focus and de-stress. Stop in and give it a try. The Library will supply coloring pages, colored pencils and markers, plus coffee and tea. You are welcome to bring your own supplies too.MOVIE:
Monday Matinees: SHE SAID
Monday, March 13 | 12 noon | Lovell RoomSPECIAL FOR “WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH’!
Two-time Academy Award® nominee Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman, An Education) and Zoe Kazan (The Plot Against America limited series, The Big Sick) star as New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who together broke one of the most important stories in a generation–a story that helped propel the #Metoo movement, shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood and altered American culture forever.ACTIVITIES:
Board Game Night
Thursday, March 9 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Looking for something fun to do? Grab your friends or family and join us for an evening of board games and fun! We will have a variety of games for you to enjoy and snacks!Please let us know if you plan to come by registering.
This program is for ages 12 and up.
TALKS:Sunday Afternoon Talks: “Early Voting in CT – What Does it Mean?” with Lou Decilio & Jim Simon
Sunday, March 19 | 2 -3:30pm | Lovell RoomSunday Afternoon Talks: Stratford Historical Society “Memoirs” Event
Sunday, March 26 | 2-4pm | Lovell Room
Nancy Kessler, CEO and founder of Memoirs Plus, will present stories and words of wisdom from “living historians” for whom she has written memoirs.Play It Again Square One: Agnes of God
Tuesday, March 28 | 2pm | Lovell Room
Join director and cast members from the Square One Theatre Company’s recent production of AGNES OF GOD to discuss the play and ask questions.
Free and open to the public.
Continue reading →February Adult Programs & Black History Month
BLACK HISTORY MONTHBlack History Month 2023
“Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
– John Lewis, civil rights activist and former US House of Representative from GeorgiaSince 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. This year’s Black History Month theme is Black Resistance and is a call to everyone to study the history of Black Americans’ responses to establish safe spaces, where Black life can be sustained, fortified, and respected.
CLICK HERE for more information on ways to celebrate & honor the month.FEBRUARY PROGRAMS
BOOKS:
Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, February 6 | 11am | Lovell Room
Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!Books Over Coffee
STORIES FROM THE TENANTS DOWNSTAIRS by Sidik Fofana- In person/Online
Wednesday, February 22 | noon | Lovell Room
SPECIAL FOR “BLACK HISTORY MONTH”! From a superb new literary talent, a rich, lyrical collection of stories about a tight-knit cast of characters grappling with their own personal challenges while the forces of gentrification threaten to upend life as they know it.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
CRAFTS:
Knit Wits
Wednesdays, February 1 & 15 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects. Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.Coloring & Coffee
Monday, February 6 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Friday, February 10 & 24 | 11am | Board Room
Don’t let stress get you down! Try coloring for adults! Coloring has many benefits including helping you to focus and de-stress. Stop in and give it a try. The Library will supply coloring pages, colored pencils and markers, plus coffee and tea. You are welcome to bring your own supplies too.
MOVIE:Monday Matinees: TILL
Monday, February 13 | 12 noon | Lovell Room
SPECIAL FOR “BLACK HISTORY MONTH”!
TALKS:
Sunday Afternoon Talks: The Convoys of the North Atlantic
Sunday, February 12 | 2pm | Lovell Room
Bob Begin will discuss the longest single campaign of WWII. From Sept of 1939 until May of 1945, the Germans came extremely close to starving England while the convoys bravely defied U-boats and the deadly weather.
Sunday Afternoon Talks: Poli’s Palace and Majestic Theatres Memories Project
Sunday, February 26 | 26 | 2pm Lovell Room
This Memories Project brings to life the two magnificent dormant theatres in Bridgeport, CT. The Theatres are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. See the photographs, listen to the stories, and share memories.All talks are free and open to the public!
Continue reading →January 2023 – Library Programs for Adults
BOOKS:
Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, Jan. 9 | 11am | Lovell Room
Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!Little Gems Book Discussion
Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 11am | Lovell Room
We will discuss “Our Riches” by Kaouther Adimi. In this little gem of a novel, we learn about Edmond Charlot and Les Vraies Richesses (Our True Wealth), an Algerian bookstore/publishing house/library. The story of Charlot and his bookstore includes Charlot’s discovery of the young Albert Camus in 1937. The momentous events of this novel also encompass WWII, the 1961 Free Algeria demonstrations in Paris, and a modern-day story in 2017, when a young man is hired to empty the famous bookstore.
Copies available at the Checkout Desk.
Books Over Coffee:
The Day the World Came To Town by Jim DeFede – In person/Online
Wednesday, Jan. 25 | noon | Lovell Room
Linda LiDestri will lead this discussion of the true story behind the events on 9/11 that inspired Broadway’s smash hit musical Come from Away.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
Books on Tap
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
We will discuss: “What Strange Paradise” by Omar El Aldad. A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR From the widely acclaimed, bestselling author of American War—a beautifully written, unrelentingly dramatic, and profoundly moving novel that looks at the global refugee crisis through the eyes of a child.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.CRAFTS:
Knit Wits
Wednesdays, Jan. 4 & 18 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects. Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.Coloring & Coffee
Monday, Jan. 9 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Friday, Jan. 13 & 27 | 11am | Board Room
Don’t let stress get you down! Try coloring for adults! Coloring has many benefits including helping you to focus and de-stress. Stop in and give it a try. The Library will supply coloring pages, colored pencils and markers, plus coffee and tea. You are welcome to bring your own supplies too.JOB & CAREER RESOURCES:
Resume Workshop & Resume Review – In-Person
January 18 | 10-12, 1-3 | Career Coach bus (library parking lot)
The Career Coach is back for a Resume Workshop and Resume Review. This program will be offered twice today: in the morning from 10am to 12pm and in the afternoon from 1pm to 3pm.
MOVIE:Monday Matinees: THE WOMAN KING
Monday, January 9 | 12 noon | Lovell RoomTALKS:
You Wrote a Book, Now What? Secrets to Getting Published
Saturday, Jan. 28 | 2 pm | Lovell Room
Writing your book is only the first step! Getting published presents its own unique challenges. Join Jan Kardys of Black Hawk Literary Agency for an in depth look at the publishing process from start to finish. The workshop begins from manuscript to printed book, how to write a query letter, how to find a literary agent, nonfiction book proposals, social media marketing, subsidiary rights, contract deal points, and many other vital topics for writers who wish to get published today. Self-publishing vs traditional publishing is discussed as well.
Free and open to the public, registration is required.Further reading available at the Stratford Library:
Book Writing & PublishingBook Writing & Publishing
Continue reading →
