Little Mermaid Sing-a-long

Friday, August 11th from 3-4:30 pm

Children and caregivers can visit the library this Friday to sing along with the classic Disney’s Little Mermaid. Make a craft ( or 3) take a picture as a mermaid and have some popcorn. 

Registration is encouraged by not required. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Kids Tag Sale

Saturday 7/15 at 10 AM. Rain Date 7/29

Set up 9 AM-10 AM * Sale 10 AM-12 PM

A sale where only kids can sell, but anyone can buy! 

We are looking for sellers ages 5-18 (12 & under with a parent).

Registration for sellers opens on June 19th. Register online using the library’s calendar or call the library at 860-749-9544

Summer Reading 2023 Kids, Teens, Adults

Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice

Join us this summer for a fun and exciting reading program. Starting on June 20th, head to the library to pick up a summer reading log. If you’ll be entering 6th grade in the fall of 2023, please skip to the Teen Program. If you’re not yet in Kindergarten ask for a board game. Adults, don’t leave empty-handed, make sure to take an Adult BINGO board.


Birth -Pre K – Board Game

Starting Tuesday, June 20th  parents and children ( ages 0-4, not entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2023) can visit the Summer Reading Desk and pick up a Pre-K Summer Reading Challenge.  If their child is entering kindergarten this fall start them with the K-5 program, Read & Bead.


Kids in Grades K-5- Read & Bead

Kids in grades K- 5 ( as of Fall 2023) will be doing Read & Bead.

To register, simply visit the library’s Summer Reading Desk and grab a Summer Read & Bead Activity Log along with your Read & Bead chain and your first brag tag. If you can’t make it to the library right away, you can print your log at home and backdate any activities with your caregiver’s approval.

Here’s how to play:

  • Read or complete any other activities listed in your log each day
  • Color in the day to mark your progress
  • There’s no timing or counting necessary, just have fun and enjoy the program
  • Bring your log to the Summer Reading Desk and collect the beads you’ve earned
  • Trade in your beads for more exciting shapes and colors

Remember, you must bring your log with you to the library to collect your beads. If you’re exchanging beads to level up, please bring them with you as well.

To finish the program, simply turn in your log by September 1st and receive a small surprise. And don’t forget, all beads earned are yours to keep.


Teens ( Grades 6 -12 in the Fall of 2023)

Teens entering grades 6-12 in the fall of 2023 are invited to stop by the summer reading desk and grab a Teen BINGO card. When they’ve completed a row they can turn the board in as an entry for several possible prize baskets.

Teens can complete as many BINGO cards as they like until 8/13.

In order to be eligible for a prize basket players need to return their filled-out Bingo cards with their name and contact information fully filled out.

All prizes by September 1st.


Adults

Adults 18+ (or older teens who would rather do the adult bingo) can participate by picking up Bingo Card.

To register, simply visit the library’s Summer Reading Desk or the front desk and grab an Adult Bingo Card.

Participants can play as many cards as they like, there is no limit. Finished one? Grab another!

In order to be eligible for a prize basket players need to return their filled-out Bingo cards with their name and contact information fully filled out.

Starting July 7, there will be a drawing every two weeks for the summer reading prize. There will be a total of 4 drawings. If a name is not selected, it will be kept in the drawing for the subsequent rounds.

The four drawing dates are as follows: July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18.

All Prizes must be claimed before September 1st

Museum Magic: Meet the Baldizzi Family

Wednesday, April 7 at 6 PM. Visit the 1930s home of Adolpho and Rosaria Baldizzi, immigrants from Sicily who lived at 97 Orchard Street in New York City! Via Zoom, take a tour of one of the Tenement Museum’s landmarks led by staff of the museum! We’ll explore their daily lives and experiences as immigrants living through the Great Depression. How did they manage economic struggles? What supports did they have from community and government programs, and what lessons can we draw from their story for our lives today? 

Registration required. Zoom information will be sent to registrants prior to the event. Click here to register.

Questions? Email Miss Lauren at lredfield@durhamlibrary.org

This program is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and the Peach Pit Foundation.

Special Event! Saturday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m.

Join us for a Virtual Harbor Seal Encounter via Zoom with the New England Aquarium! Engage with a marine mammal trainer as they conduct a training session with an Atlantic Harbor Seal, located right out front of the Aquarium! Learn about how they train, why they train, and what you can do to protect the ocean environment for these amazing animals! 

Geared towards children and families of all ages.

Registration required. As registration is limited, we request that if you register you plan to attend. Register HERE.

Zoom link will be emailed out in advance of the program to registered participants.

This program is taking place as part of our Virtual Take Your Child To The Library Day 2021 celebration!

Thinking About Homeschooling?

Thinking about homeschooling? Join us for a panel discussion with the Connecticut Homeschool Alliance on Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 PM, via Zoom. 

Topics will include the difference between homeschooling and e-learning, considerations when deciding to homeschool, and resources available to you. There will be a question & answer portion, as well. 

For Zoom login in formation, please register at: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=DURHAMCT&curName=2020/08/13_Thinking_About_Homeschooling?

Teddy Bear Picnic

Enjoy this childhood classic from home! First, watch the video and enjoy the song!

Next, have a Teddy Bear Picnic with your own stuffed animals at home! Or put a teddy bear in your window – and see who else in your neighborhood does too. While you are out searching, make sure to drive by thee library and see our picnicking teddy bears in the children’s room window.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your teddy bear adventures with us on our Facebook Page!

Show Your Support in Our Windows!

Hello, patrons! We miss seeing you at the library and we are looking forward to when the Durham Public Library will reopen and we can visit with you all again. In the meantime, we would like to show our support for our essential personnel.  We have great windows at the library and we would like to fill them with hearts as a big “Thank You” to all of our front line workers who have kept our community going during this time.

We are asking our patrons of all ages to make hearts to display in our windows. You can make any kind of heart you would like, any size, decorated, drawn, painted, cut out or not.  Use your imagination and sign them if you wish. Bring them to the library and drop in the collection box on the bench in front.  We will hang them in our windows as we receive them. Thanks for showing your support for our front line workers!

Stay healthy and safe,
The Durham Public Library Staff