FEATURED PROGRAMS
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH FILM FESTIVAL:
Selena
Friday, October 4 | 12pm | Lovell Room
Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos star in this celebration of Selena Quintanilla Perez, a girl from South Texas with global talent, incredible will and magnetic charm. Young. Beautiful. Enormously gifted. At 23, Selena shone as a fresh star in a vibrantly new musical field. But just as she was poised to be the next pop-music sensation, her life was tragically cut short.
Rated PG, 127 minutes
Coco
Friday October 11 | 12pm | Lovell Room
This animated feature fro Disney follows 12-year-old Miguel who is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family and to reverse his family’s ban on music.
Rated PG, 105 minutes
TALKS/WORKSHOPS/CONCERTS:
Sunday Afternoon Talks: HAMISH LUTRIS
Sunday, October 6 | 2pm | Lovell Room
Hamish Lutris will discuss his new novel, “Earth Ascendant: Awakening”, the first of four volumes of a fast-paced, character-driven fantasy/science-fiction series. Hamish Lutris is an Associate Professor of History, Political Science, and Geography for Connecticut’s Community Colleges and is a well-known speaker and educator throughout Connecticut and the region.
Talk is free and open to the public.
Workshop: Guided Chair Yoga & Meditation
Thursday, October 10 | 12:30pm | Lovell Room
Thursday, October 24 | 12:30pm | Lovell Room
Instructor Laurie Trupp leads this unique one hour class that combines gentle chair yoga poses with relaxing guided meditation at the beginning and end of class. The yoga poses will be done seated, as well as standing with the chair used as a prop for balance. Registration is required.
Register HERE for October 10
Register HERE for October 24
Concert: Marc Berger
Sunday, October 13 | 2pm | Lovell Room
Marc’s life has been about pursuing twin passions: creating and recording his American roots songs and exploring remote areas of the desert and mountain West. He has performed at Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival and The Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals and has opened shows for Bob Dylan and other national acts. You don’t want to miss this unique and soulful performance.
Talk: RAILS TO INDUSTRY
Tuesday, October 15 | 7pm | Lovell Room
Author and local historian Sue DelBianco will discuss the railroad line that ran from Bridgeport to Pittsfield, Mass, which was called The Housatonic Railroad.
Registration is required.
Talk: ELECTION COUNTDOW!
Saturday, October 19 | 2pm | Lovell Room
Join us at the Stratford Library for an inside look at administering the 2024 presidential election in Stratford. Registrars Of Voters Jim Simon and Louis DeCilio will discuss election safeguards and what procedures have changed for the 2024 presidential election.
Learn more @ VOTE 2024
Meet the Psychic: PATTY GRIFFIN
Sunday, October 20 | 2pm | 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. At the Library, Patty will discuss her gifts and do select readings of audience members.
Registration is required.
CAREER & TECH HELP:
CAREER COACH: Excel Workshop
Thursday, October 3 | 10am to 12pm or 1 to 3pm | Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
Think Excel is tough? No longer! Come to our workshop and participate in a fun, two-hour, hands-on session!
The same material will be presented in each 2-hour workshop, participants only need to attend one of the sessions.
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
Computer Training – INTERNET BASICS
Tuesday, October 15 or Thursday, October 24 | 2pm | Board Room
A beginner’s computer class to help you learn how to effectively and safely navigate the Internet to find relevant and reliable information.
Register HERE for October 15
Register HERE for October 24
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:
Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, October 7 | 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! Meets the first Monday of the month.
Books On Tap
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, October 8 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us at the Whiskey Barrel located at 251 E. Main St, Stratford.
We will be discussing AFTERLIFE by Julie Alvarez, the internationally best-selling author of In the Time of the Butterflies and How the García Girls Lost Their Accent.
Afterlife is a compact, nimble, and sharply droll novel. Set in this political moment of tribalism and distrust, it asks: What do we owe those in crisis in our families, including – maybe especially – members of our human family? How do we live in a broken world without losing faith in one another or ourselves? And how do we stay true to those glorious souls we have lost?
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
Don’t Know Much About Book Discussion
Wednesday, October 9 | 11am | Lovell Room
HOW NOT TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER by Angie Cruz
From GMA BOOK CLUB PICK and WOMEN’S PRIZE FINALIST Angie Cruz, an electrifying novel about a woman who has lost everything but the chance to finally tell her story. Learn to know the vibrant and voluble Cara Romero through her own words, as she narrates the story of her life through her twelve sessions with a job counselor. With perseverance, humor and warmth, Cara navigates hardships, mistakes and heartache, all while caring for family, friends & neighbors.
Copies of the book are available at the Checkout Desk. An audio download is available through Hoopla.
Books Over Coffee
Wednesday, October 30 | noon | Lovell Room
EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE by Benjamin Stevenson
A darkly comedic murder mystery where every member of a dysfunctional family has blood on their hands. “A jaunty and clever mystery with unexpected twists. Absolutely not to be missed.” — Karin Slaughter
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
CREATE:
DIY: Scented oil reed diffuser
Thursday, October 3 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Come and make your very own custom scent reed diffuser with essential oils. We will also create a label for it using the cricut sticker maker. All materials will be supplied. This craft is is adults only 18 and up.
Registration is required.
Coloring & Coffee
Monday, October 7 | 6pm | Lovell 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.
Knit Wits
Wednesday, October 2, 16 & 30 | 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.
DIY: Witch Hat – Adult Craft
Saturday, October 19 | 11am | Lovell Room
Get into the Halloween spirit by decorating you very own witch hat. Whether you use it for decoration in the home or to wear around town, its sure to be a fun afternoon!
Registration is required.
MOVIES:
Monday Matinees:
Monday, October 14 | 12pm | Lovell Room
LONGLEGS
Starring Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, and Blair Underwood. FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.
Rated R. 101 minutes.