Welcome to the Stratford Library Adult Department.
October Adult Programs
FEATURED PROGRAMS
A Postcard Party with the League of Women Voters
In-Person
Saturday, October 3 | 10am-12pm | Library Lobby
Wednesday, October 7 | 2-4pm | Library Lobby
You’re invited to A Postcard Party, hosted by the League of Women Voters. Stop by and write a postcard to encourage registered voters to exercise their voting rights in November.
Meet the Author – Claude Clayton Smith
Sunday, October 18 | 2:00 – 3:30pm | Perry House*
Meet the Author Claude Clayton Smith and learn about the 2nd edition of his book Red Men in Red Square: Chief Big Eagle and the Russian Indianists. Claude Clayton Smith will present a reading from his book. He will be joined by Olga Sharp, Assistant Professor of Psychology from the University of Hartford, who is working on a Russian translation of the book. Olga will speak briefly about her translation and early life in Russia.
*THIS PROGRAM WILL BE HELD AT THE PERRY HOUSE
An afternoon with the Stratford Fire Department
Saturday, October 24 | 2-3:30pm | Lovell Room
Join us for a meet and greet with the amazing Stratford Firefighters! Explore the fire truck and boost your knowledge of fire prevention and safety.
This is an all ages program. Light refreshments will be served
Registration requiredWORKSHOPS:
Workshop: AARP SAFE DRIVER COURSE
Saturday, October 24 | 10am | Board Room
The Stratford Library, in conjunction with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), will offer another session of the “AARP Safe Driver Course”, a classroom driver retraining program designed to help older persons improve their driving skills. The one-day class program is the first comprehensive driver retraining course geared to the specific needs of older motorists.
Persons 50 years of age or older are eligible to participate and will receive a certificate of completion at the end of instruction. The course is limited to 20 participates only and there is a nominal fee of $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members charged by the AARP.
Reservations requiredCAREER & TECH HELP:
Career Coach: JOB SEARCH HELP
Tuesday, October 6, 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career but feel lost in the world of job searching? Stop in to the “Job Search” session and equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to land your dream job!
The same materials are covered in both sessions today.
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:
Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, October 12 | 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
Wednesday, October 14 | 11am | Lovell Room
Join the adult book discussion of the novel Heritage by Miguel Bonnefoy, a special book for Hispanic Heritage Month. Through this intergenerational tale of a family in Chile, the reader is immersed in the complexity of the characters’ lives, as well as the historical and heartbreaking world events into which they are flung. A dazzling family saga, brimming with poetry and passion, that skillfully weaves together the private lives of individuals and major historical events in South America and Europe.
Copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk.
Register HERE
Books on Tap (BOT)
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, October 13 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us for a casual, and unique book discussion at Riverview Bistro, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, CT 06614.
We will meet at 7:00pm and then start our discussion at 7:30pm. We will be discussing Once I Was You by Maria Hinojosa The Emmy Award–winning journalist and anchor of NPR’s Latino USA tells the story of immigration in America through her family’s experiences and decades of reporting, painting an unflinching portrait of a country in crisis in this memoir that is “quite simply beautiful, written in Maria Hinojosa’s honest, passionate voice” (BookPage).
Copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk.
Books Over Coffee
Wednesday, October 28 | 12 noon | Lovell Room
This month BOC will be discussing Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. A New York Times bestseller and a Read With Jenn book club pick. “A glorious sweep of a novel” (Ann Patchett) that weaves the intimate lives of two midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century. Sweeping yet intimate, resplendent with moments of deep emotion and unforgettable characters, Buckeye is a transportive story of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk and on Libby or Hoopla.
CREATE:Continue reading →
KNIT WITS
Wednesday, October 28 | 6pm | Children’s Department Café
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.PROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap and Community Seed Share
Thursday, October 29 | 6pm | Lobby
Bring cuttings from your houseplants and exchange them for new plant babies. If you haven’t had a chance to propagate your clippings, no worries! Just bring your fresh cuttings, and we will take care of propagating them for you.August Adult Programs
ADULT SUMMER READING 2026
June 1st – August 10th
Summer reading isn’t just for kids.
There is still time to join our Adult Reading challenge and
enter to win our prize drawing for gift cards.Celebrate AMERICA 250 with the Stratford Library
SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER
Monday, August 10 | Reference Department
Stop by the Reference Desk and pick up a “Spice Up Your Summer: MARJORAM”
In honor of America’s 250th, we are featuring spices commonly used in early American cooking. Stop by the Reference Desk on the date listed and pick up a grab & go kit while supplies last. Each kit contains a sample of the spice plus information and recipes. One kit per household.
Beginning Monday, August 10, you can stop at the Reference Desk to pick up a kit. There is no registration. Kits are first come, first served. Supplies are limited. One kit per household.
250th AMERICAN BOOK CLUB
Thursday, August 13 | 11am | Board Room
Join us for a special book club celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. We will discuss The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson. America’s bestselling biographer reveals the origins of the most revolutionary sentence in the Declaration of Independence, the one that defines who we are as Americans—and explains how it should shape our politics today.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
Register HERE
250th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN BEER
Wednesday, August 26 | 6:30pm | Lovell Room
To mark America’s 250th Anniversary, Em Sauter, illustrator, author and Advanced Cicerone, will give an illustrated presentation discussing the role of beer and brewing in American history. Starting from the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock (because they were out of beer!) to the modern craft brewery movement and the beers we love today, beer has been woven through the fabric of American history.
Register HEREFEATURED PROGRAMS
MEDIUM PATRICIA GRIFFIN
Monday, August 10 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Patty Griffin is a gifted Psychic medium, intuitive, clairvoyant, empath, Reiki Master, certified Angel Card Reader, and Angel Links Facilitator. She has had this gift her entire life, at first afraid and unsure of what to do with it. Now she’s embraced it to help you connect with your loved ones, in spirit. Her readings can help you find closure, peace, and validation. At the Library, Patty will discuss her gifts and do select readings of audience members.
Register HERE
TAI CHI Easy/Qigong
Saturday, August 15 & 29 | 10am | Library lawn
Tai chi easy/qigong practice uses gentle movement, massage, meditation, and mindfulness to support overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Class will focus on integrating body, breath, and mind to promote relaxation and restore balanced energy. Each session encourages individuals to engage at their own pace and according to their personal needs.
August 15 – Register HERE
August 29 – Register HERE
LEARN TO PLAY MAHJONG
Thursday, August 20 | 6pm | Lovell Room or Saturday, August 22 | 10:30am | Lovell Room
Interested in learning how to play Mahjong? Here’s your chance! Esther from Mahjong Haven will be teaching us Hong Kong Style Mahjong, a great foundation for understanding the game and learning other styles.
All supplies will be provided. Registration is required.
This class is offered on Thursday 8/20 OR Saturday 8/22 – please only sign up for one session, not both. Adults 18+ only
August 20 – Register HERE
August 22 – Register HEREWORKSHOPS:
SECURING YOUR LEGACY
Wednesday, August 12 | 6:30pm | Perry House
The How and Why of Making a Will: Join a discussion with Probate Judge Max Rosenberg and Chris Green, Financial Advisor. Ask questions and figure out your personalized first step toward this important financial goal.
NEW LOCATION: This program will now take place at The Perry House (1128 West Broad St, Stratford)CAREER & TECH HELP:
Career Coach: LEARNING MICROSOFT WORD
Tuesday, August 4, 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
Learn what you need to successfully use Microsoft Word. Discover handy shortcuts you can use to finish up your document faster! There will be time to practice what you learned at the end of the session.
The same materials are covered in both sessions today.
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, August 3 | 11am | Children’s Program 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
Wednesday, August 12 | 11am | Lovell Room
Join the adult book discussion of The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love edited by Alice Hoffman. Whether you are a dog fan or not, there’s a lot to love and learn through these heartfelt essays by famous writers including Emily Henry, Isabel Allende, Paul Yoon, Amy Tan and more.
Copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk.
Register HERE
Books on Tap (BOT)
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, August 25 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us for a casual, and unique book discussion at Riverview Bistro, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, CT 06614.
We will meet at 7:00pm and then start our discussion at 7:30pm. Please tell all your friends this is so exciting. We will be discussing The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami a riveting and utterly original novel about one woman’s fight for freedom, set in a near future where even dreams are under surveillance.
Copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk.
CREATE:KNIT WITS
Wednesday, August 5 & 19 | 6pm | Children’s Department Café
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.PROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap and Community Seed Share
Thursday, August 27 | 6pm | Lobby
Exciting news this month! In addition to our Propagation Station Houseplant Cutting Swap, we are thrilled to introduce the Community Seed Share with our partner Divinity Adivina®️!
For the Community Seed Share – Whether sowing your first seed indoors or outdoors, tending a flourishing garden, or nurturing a small farm or homestead, all are welcome.
MOVIES:
Continue reading →
SEND HELP
Monday, August 24 | noon | Lovell Room
When two business colleagues become stranded on a deserted island as the only survivors of a plane crash, they must overcome past grievances and work together to stay alive. But they’re not in the office anymore, and an unsettling, wryly humorous battle of wills and wits begins in this original, darkly comedic psychological thriller. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien.
113 mins / rated RJuly Adult Programs
ADULT SUMMER READING 2026
June 1st – August 10thSummer reading isn’t just for kids.
Join our Adult Reading challenge & enter to win our prize drawing for gift cards.Celebrate AMERICA 250 with the Stratford Library
SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER:
Monday, July 13 | Reference Department
Stop by the Reference Desk and pick up a “Spice Up Your Summer: NUTMEG”
In honor of America’s 250th, we are featuring spices commonly used in early American cooking. Stop by the Reference Desk on the date listed and pick up a grab & go kit while supplies last. Each kit contains a sample of the spice plus information and recipes. One kit per household.
Beginning Monday, July 13, you can stop at the Reference Desk to pick up a kit. There is no registration. Kits are first come, first served. Supplies are limited. One kit per household.WHAT A GLORIOUS CRASH THEY MADE:
Musick of Connecticut’s Revolution
Thursday, July 30 | 6:30pm | Lovell RoomRE-SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
In a time when secular music was discouraged as an “extravagance and dissipation,” the fledgling composers of the American Colonies found fiery inspiration in the culture of Liberty. With songs published or performed in Connecticut during the American Revolution, historian and musician Richard Franklin Donohue will illuminate the colony’s often overlooked contribution in this spirited repertoire of musicFEATURED PROGRAMS
PLANT BINGO
Thursday, July 16 | 6:30pm | Library Amphitheatre
What could be better than a BINGO night? How about a Plant BINGO night! Enjoy a fun evening of BINGO with fellow plant lovers, and take home plant prizes!
Did we mention there will be plants?!
This is an adult program ages 18 and up. Registration is required.
Register HEREWORKSHOPS:
GARDENING WORKSHOP: Succession Gardening
Saturday, July 11 | 11am | Perry House*
Join Giulia Gambale, UConn Extension Master Gardener, to learn how to think smarter about when to start your seeds and how to time succession sowings of vegetables for an extended harvest well into fall.
*This program will be held at the Perry House, located at 1128 W Broad St, Stratford, CT 06615. The Perry House is the Yellow House that shares the parking lot with Stratford Library and The Baldwin Center
Register HERETHEATRE:
OTHELLO (Hudson Shakespeare Company)
Saturday, July 25 | 2pm | Library Courtyard
Hudson Shakespeare returns to Stratford Library with a gripping story of passion, deception, and devastating jealousy, Othello draws audiences into one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies.
This free performance will be held outside in the Library Courtyard (weather permitting). Bring a chair or blanket. If the weather is bad, the event will be held in the Lovell Room.CAREER & TECH HELP:
Career Coach: RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
Wednesday, July 15, 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
Make your resume shine and position yourself to stand out in the crowd of job-seekers!
The same materials are covered in both sessions today.
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, July 6| 11am | Baldwin Center*
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!
PLEASE NOTE: DISCUSSION AT BALDWIN SENIOR CENTER! SIGN IN AT BALDWIN CENTER GREETER’S DESK TO GET A ONE-DAY PASS
Register HERE
Don’t Know Much About (DKMA)
Wednesday, July 8 | 11am | Children’s Program Room
Join the adult book discussion of Hanna’s Daughters by Marianne Fredriksson. Explore Scandinavian history through this novel about three generations of Swedish women, their traumas, sacrifices, tender moments, compromises and joys.
Register HERE
Extra copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk.Books on Tap (BOT)
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, July 14 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us for a casual, and unique book discussion at Riverview Bistro, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, CT 06614.
We will meet at 7:00pm and then start our discussion at 7:30pm. Please tell all your friends this is so exciting. We will be discussing A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern. From the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office, comes a deeply personal memoir chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering inspiration to a new generation of leaders.
Extra copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk.
CREATE:Continue reading →KNIT WITS
Wednesday, July 8 & 22 | 6pm | Children’s Department Café
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.PROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap and Community Seed Share
Thursday, July 30 | 6pm | Lobby
Exciting news this month! In addition to our Propagation Station Houseplant Cutting Swap, we are thrilled to introduce the Community Seed Share with our partner Divinity Adivina®️!
For the Community Seed Share – Whether sowing your first seed indoors or outdoors, tending a flourishing garden, or nurturing a small farm or homestead, all are welcome.
Register HERE
