Catalog
Happy Almost-Spring!
Below are some of our exciting upcoming programs!
Check out our full event calendar for a list of all our programs.
In-person Chess Club for Kids!
Wednesdays at 4:30 PM
Welcome to Mystic Noank Library’s Chess Club! The club welcomes children grade 3 and up! We will be meeting on Wednesdays after school from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Children should know how the chess pieces move before their first visit. We teach chess strategy, chess sportsmanship, and organize games.
Sportsman-like conduct is always a goal. Members must be respectful of each other's play, and at the end of each game, win or lose, members must be cordial with one another.
Instructor:
Michael Grater, library associate and chess enthusiast, leads our Chess Club. He grew up playing chess and continues to play for fun. Chess is a great game that builds concentration, patience, planning, sportsmanship, and problem-solving skills in children, teens and adults.
Free Conversation Class for Adult English Language Learners
Fridays from 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Email Kathy Busse at kbusse6@gmail.com to register
Fridays at 11:00 AM
Family Storytime!
Join us for an in-person storytime in the library! Come listen to your favorite stories! Best for ages 2-5.
Class size is limited. Registration required.
Indoor Yard Sale
Friday March 17 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Saturday March 18 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Friends Indoor Yard Sale offers many treasures including household goods, vintage items, pottery, glassware, and art as well as DVDs and music CDs. There will be something for all ages! All monies raised are used by the Friends to support the Library.
Hike at Gungywamp: Local Archaeological Site
Saturday, March 18 @ 10:00 AM
An educator from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will lead us through this hike through a full view of the land that makes up Gungywamp, an archaeological site of distinct natural and cultural interest. It has rocky ridges, glacial erratics and swamps along with enigmatic stone shelter and structures whose use and origin are open to interpretation. Walk with us through the woods and absorb the mysteries of Gungywamp. Participants should be comfortable walking two miles over uneven terrain.
Meet us at the old Shepherd of the Sea Chapel parking area on 231 Gungywamp Road, Groton. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of our hike.
Registration is required to attend this program as space is limited. In the event of a waitlist, we will require each registrant to confirm their attendance.
Digital Program: Women Leaders for Social Justice
Monday, March 20 @ 6:00 PM
All people regardless of their gender, race, and sexual orientation, have a right to equal access to education, healthcare, and voting rights. In the last 400 years, the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame Inductees have fought discrimination and persevered to reduce the disparity felt between men and women, transgender people, immigrants, and more. Some of the inductees highlighted in Women Leaders for Social Justice are: Maria Miller Stewart, Constance Baker Motley, Ann Stanback, Jerimarie Liesegang, Kica Matos and Teresa Younger!
Registration is required to attend this program.
Cooking Scraps to Compost: Easy Steps to Fantastic Vegetables
Thursday, March 23 @ 6:00 PM
Composting is good for your soil, good for the environment and easy to do at home. Let Sally Ruggeri, former Pfizer chemist, Master Gardener/Composter and Assistant Garden manager at the East Lyme Giving Garden walk you through the steps to create your own compost using materials from your own home and yard.
Registration is required to attend this program.
Poetry from the Heart
Wednesday, March 22 @ 5:30 PM
This monthly poetry writing group led by Sarah Page will culminate in an online publication of poetry in April for National Poetry Month. Each group session will begin with a sharing circle to connect with how we're feeling, followed by a brief meditation and light yoga stretches before we dive into writing with prompts. Sarah is a local poet who grew up in Mystic and attended St. Bernard High School. She published Out of Our poetry magazine when she lived in San Francisco, CA. Sarah is also a certified yoga teacher at Mystic Yoga Shala and a practitioner of heartfulness meditation.
Registration is required to attend this program.
Digital Program: Food Explorers presents a Baking Workshop for Kids!
Friday, March 24 @ 5:00 PM
Join Food Explorers to make Apple Pie Bars with a Maple Glaze!
You’ll need the following ingredients:
1 stick butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, 2 large apples, cinnamon, powdered sugar and maple syrup. You will need an 8x8 inch baking dish
For ages 7 and up!
Using What You Know (and What You Would Like to Know) to Write a Mystery: Panel Discussion on Zoom
Monday, March 27 @ 6:00 PM
Live on Zoom. Otis Library, in partnership with Sisters In Crime New England, will host the virtual panel discussion "Using What You Know to Write a Mystery." On this panel, authors Trish Esden, Sharon Healy-Yang, and BJ Magnani will discuss how they draw upon their different backgrounds and areas of expertise, ranging from academics to antiquing to toxicology, to write compelling mysteries. You may think your life has been boring, but exciting plots can be buried in your own experience. In this discussion, audience members will find the clues to the novel only they can write.
Register here to attend this free program. This program is hosted by Otis Library and co-sponsored by the Groton Public Library and Mystic & Noank Library.
Storytime: Pizza and Pancakes
This winter storytime for families will include some of our favorite books,songs and games! Great for ages 2 - 5 with a caregiver.
Pop up Art Studio for Kids
Tuesday, March 28 @ 2:00 PM
Chalk Pastels
Focus on space and the galaxy!
Join us for a drop in art studio where kids can create a masterpiece using a different technique each week! Great for 1st grade and up.
Poetry from the Heart
Wednesday, March 29 @ 5:30 PM
This monthly poetry writing group led by Sarah Page will culminate in an online publication of poetry in April for National Poetry Month. Each group session will begin with a sharing circle to connect with how we're feeling, followed by a brief meditation and light yoga stretches before we dive into writing with prompts. Sarah is a local poet who grew up in Mystic and attended St. Bernard High School. She published Out of Our poetry magazine when she lived in San Francisco, CA. Sarah is also a certified yoga teacher at Mystic Yoga Shala and a practitioner of heartfulness meditation.
Registration is required to attend this program
Snatched from the Headlines: Debut Novelist's Dark Tale of Boarding School Life
Thursday, March 30 @ 6:00 PM
Join us for this compelling author talk with Deborah Levison about her debut novel A Nest of Snakes, a tale woven right from the headlines about abuse in boarding school. It's a timely topic: World media reported this summer that Denmark's Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik pulled their son out of his prestigious European boarding school amid allegations of rampant abuse and bullying. Students described a culture of physical violence and sexual abuse to which the school's leadership turned a blind eye. We will meet in the Ames Room. Deborah Levison will be selling and signing copies of the book at the end of her talk.
Fourteenth Annual Edible Book Festival
April 2 @ 2:30 PM
Fourteenth Annual Edible Book Festival at the Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road, Groton, CT 06340
What is an Edible Book?
An edible book is a food that can look like a book, be a pun on a book title, refer to a book character, or have anything to do with a book, as longs as it's edible.
Everyone is invitedto create an edible entry -- you can enter as a book group, family, or on your own. Entry forms are available at your library.
Viewing, tasting, and a raffle begins at 1:30 PM. Join us!
Note: Due to COVID-19, tasting may occur outside or be offered in a "to-go" format.
An award-winning event brought to you by:
Friends of the Bill Memorial Library: 860-445-0392 friends@billmemorial.org
Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library: 860-536-7721 friends@mysticnoanklibrary.org
Groton Public Library Circle of Friends 860-441-6750 gpl.circleoffriends@gmail.com
Haiku Workshop: Capturing Moments in Nature
Monday, April 3 @ 6:00 PM
Do you have a favorite season? Can you think of a moment that reflects everything you love about that time of year? The snow gently falling. A flower blossoming. The leaves bursting with color. Join poet Jennifer Y. Montgomery on a journey through the history of haiku and other forms of Japanese micro poetry. From frogs to Zen meditation to clandestine feudal love letters. She’ll then guide us through the basics of writing and illustrating haiku. It’s much more than just counting lines and syllables; each haiku captures a season and a single moment in nature. Think about your favorite season and come prepared to write your own haiku.
Registration is required to attend this program
Library Giving Day
Tuesday, April 4 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mystic & Noank Library is raising funds through a Library Giving Day campaign!
This one-day online fundraising event will occur on April 4th and will encourage patrons and library lovers to make a gift to their individual library. This campaign reminds us that libraries, small and large, serve as a cornerstone for our communities. In addition to well-loved books, many libraries offer innovative programs that promote lifelong learning.
As we know, public libraries are known for books and research materials, but they also offer many programs that promote lifelong learning, connect patrons to technology, and advance our knowledge.
#LibraryGivingDay is a one-day fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their individual library system. And in turn, that support will go toward the incredible programs, services and materials provided by local libraries all over the country.
Donate here to support us this Library Giving Day!
Storytime: ABC and 123
Tuesday, April 4 @ 11:00 AM
This spring storytime for families will include some of our favorite books,songs and games! Great for ages 2 - 5 with a caregiver.
Kids in the Garden Series
Wednesday, April 5, 12 & 19 @ 11:00 AM
Join Alan Newton, University of Rhode Island Master Gardener, for a fun, hands-on series based on science and horticulture practices. This week we will learn which flowers attract good bugs. Registration is Required. Best for ages 4 and up.
This program is in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension/ Master Gardener Program.
Speaker Bio
After 40 years as a minister and educator Alan Newton enrolled in the URI Master Gardener Program. Having a lifelong interest in gardening he decided that he would like to share knowledge about gardening with others. He graduated in the class of 2020. He volunteers with Public Presentations, the Hotline, the Greenhouses, and co-leads the CCAP Gardens in Cranston. He also is the Technical Support Coordinator.
The Art of Container Gardening
Thursday, April 6 @ 6:00 PM
Dive into the world of container gardening with our expert gardener, Mark Gostkiewicz! In this workshop, you'll learn everything you need to know to create a thriving container garden in any space. From selecting the perfect containers, to choosing the right plants, and designing a layout that showcases your style, this class will cover it all.
- Learn about the different types of containers available, and their pros and cons
- Discover the importance of proper soil and drainage in container gardening
- Get tips on choosing and caring for plants in a container garden
- Learn how to design and layout your container garden for maximum impact
- Get advice on seasonal considerations and hardiness zones
Throughout the class, Mark will share his expertise in sustainable and organic gardening practices, so you can trust that everything you learn will be in line with those values. Plus, you'll receive a list of all the notes and recommended reading to continue your learning.
Registration is required to attend this program
Digital Program: Is it Too Early to Plant?
Saturday, April 8 @ 9:00 AM
This program is part of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center's Regenerative Gardening Program Series with Craig Floyd, Farm Manager of DPNC Coogan Farm. The series is also sponsored by the Eastern Connecticut Community Garden Association and supported by regional libraries.
Is it Too Early to Plant?
The weather is warming and we’re all getting anxious to start the garden. Don’t be fooled into thinking early is best. Learn the natural life cycle of plants and use that knowledge to start, feed and plant in tune with nature’s timing.
Registration is required to attend this meeting.
Preschool Spring Crafts
Monday, April 10 @ 11:00 AM
Join us for a spring themed craft and story. We'll be reading Spring by Ailie Busby and painting cork print hyacinth flowers. Please dress for painting. Registration required. Ages 2 - 5.
Storytime: Kittens
Tuesday, April 11 @ 11:00 AM
This spring storytime for families will include some of our favorite books,songs and games! Great for ages 2 - 5 with a caregiver.
In-person: Food Explorers presents a Cooking Program for Kids: Chopped!
Wednesday, April 12 @ 3:00 PM
Join Food Explorers for a round of “Chopped”! In this new cooking class, you’ll be working in teams to design and create your ideal energy ball.
What is "Chopped" Inspired by the popular TV series featuring chefs creating recipes from a random assortment of ingredients, this program challenges kids to work as a team and create a delicious dish.
You’ll be choosing from an assortment of ingredients, then mixing and tasting to design your energy bite.
All ingredients are nut free but dairy may be used.
For ages 7 and up!
Titanic: The Connecticut Connections
Thursday, April 13 @ 6:30 PM
When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, there were 33 passengers onboard with Connecticut connections. This presentation focuses on the story of the ship itself as well as those passengers on it with interesting stories, especially those with Connecticut connections: the very sad story of James Kelly, the character assassination of William T. Sloper of New Britain, the moving and tragic story of Jane Carr of Windsor Locks and others.
