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Executive Director's Letter
Dear Library Patrons,
November features Otis Library's 9th Annual O'tis a Festival, Saturday, November 18, 10am - 3pm, aptly subtitled "a marketplace of all things creative!" Each festival features an eclectic mix of crafts and entertainment showcasing the work of local artisans and artists. Thousands are drawn to this annual event, with ancillary benefits accruing to local restaurants and more generally to the ambiance of the city center.
O'tis a Festival is also a reminder that one of principal reasons for Otis Library's presence in downtown is to facilitate the renascence of the business district. Between July 2016 and June 2017, there were approximately 150,000 visits to the library, including 17,000 during January as Otis hosted the Smithsonian's exhibit Human Origins: What Does It Mean to be Human?". There is an opportunity here that ought not to be ignored in marketing the city: a center of community activity which actively pursues a large, diverse audience from Norwich and surrounding communities, attracting visitors who seek out our collections, services and cultural events. It is our goal to enhance the quality of life in the community and to serve as the keystone of a vibrant commercial district. O'tis a Festival is exemplary of what Norwich can offer to residents and visitors, and Otis Library is an active partner in making our community a welcoming and attractive destination.
Robert Farwell
Executive Director
For Your Information: Passport Applications
The Connecticut Passport Agency is expecting an increase in passport applications through 2018. Do not jeopardize your travel plans! Otis Library is a Passport Acceptance Facility. Call 860.889.2365 ext. 122 for more information and to make an appointment.
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Otis Library will be closed on Saturday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
We will close at 5pm on Wednesday, November 22, and will be closed all day on Thursday, November 23, for Thanksgiving Day.
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Saturday, November 18, 10am - 3pm
Join us as Otis Library transforms into a two-floor holiday shopping plaza with a vast variety of handmade items and all-day entertainment!
O'tis a Festival is a wonderful community event. Celebrity parkers will line the street to welcome you and direct you to free nearby parking. Shop a variety of beautiful handmade items, take a chance on winning a wreath, a unique gift made by one of our vendors, or one of the beautiful baskets in our raffle, and enjoy the singing, dancing, crafts and free activities taking place throughout the day.
After leaving the library with your arms full of gifts, enjoy a meal at one of our many neighborhood restaurants. It's a day full of fun for all ages!
For a full list of events, please visit our website.
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Neiley Rushford Snide of A Peace of Space Yoga and Wellness Center |
Introduction to Yoga for Teens and Adults
Otis Library is offering "Introduction to Yoga" classes for teens and adults on Monday evenings in November from 6pm to 7:15pm in the Community Room. These free classes are presented by instructors from A Peace of Space Yoga and Wellness Center. Wear comfortable clothing; yoga mats are available to borrow. No registration required. This program is sponsored by The Friends of Otis Library. For more information call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.
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Delicious Discussions Author Series
Please join us for our next Delicious Discussions Author luncheon with Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine, authors of
The Last Mrs. Parrish. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 9, 12-1:30pm at Michael Jordan's Steak House at Mohegan Sun. This luncheon is part of an ongoing partnership with Bank Square Books and Michael Jordan's Restaurants and generously sponsored by GUINAN & HOULE, Attorneys at Law.
The cost for the luncheon is $45 and includes lunch, a copy of the book, dessert and author signing. To register, please contact Julie Menders at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128 or [email protected].
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Separated by three states, they spend hours plotting via Skype and burning up each other's emails. They attribute their ability to concoct dark story lines to the hours they spent listening to tales handed down by their Greek grandmother. They live in Connecticut and Maryland, respectively.
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Friends of Otis Library
The Friends of Otis Library would like to thank everyone who came out in support of the Friends of Otis Library book sale. It was a great success! And thank you to all the volunteers who help organize this semi-annual event. The book sale will return in April!
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Programs for Adults
Technology Classes
Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm & Fridays, 10am - 1pm
Feeling a little lost with all the new technology? Maybe even some of the old technology? We are ready to assist you with one-on-one instruction tailored to your specific needs. Topics include basic computer skills, navigating the internet, e-mail, e-readers, and Microsoft Office. Assistance will be provided by appointment only. Please call 860-889-2365, ext. 100, for additional information or to make an appointment.
Technology Classes are offered in Spanish on Mondays between 5pm - 8pm by appointment only. Please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100, to register.
NEW! Otis Library is now be providing computer/technology instruction to seniors at the Rose City Senior Center on Tuesdays from 10am - 12pm.. Please call 860-889-2365, ext. 100, for additional information.
Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm in the Business Center
Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess. Use one of our chess sets or bring your own.
Drop-In Knitting Group
Fridays, 10am - 11:15am, Meeting Room
The Rows City Knitters meet every Friday. All skill levels welcome! For more information, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.
Author Katherine Hauswirth
Saturday, November 4, 1pm - 2pm, Community Room
Join Deep River nature writer Katherine Hauswirth, author of The Book of Noticing: Collections and Connections on the Trail, as she shares slides of her nature writing adventures and reads from her book. Copies will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be served. No registration required. You can read more about the author here.
Wednesday, November 8, 5pm, Meeting Room
The group will be discussing Hunger: A Memoir Of (My) Body by Roxane Gay. Join us in the Meeting Room for conversation and refreshments! No registration required. Copies of the book are available to borrow at the Front Desk.
Otis Library Genealogy Club
Tuesday, November 21, 1pm - 2:30pm
The club will be meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month to learn and to brainstorm about family history projects. Please bring with you any basic information you have about the family members for whom you are looking. This club will be useful for beginners as well as experienced researchers. For more information and to register, please call Kathleen Wieland, Genealogy Librarian, at (860) 889-2365, ext. 108
John-Manuel Andriote:
Stonewall Strong
Wednesday, November 29, 6:30pm, Community Room
Otis Library presents a discussion and book signing with John-Manuel Andriote, author of the new book
Stonewall Strong: Gay Men's Heroic Fight for Resilience, Good Health, and a Strong Community. Free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.
John-Manuel Andriote has written about LGBT, HIV-AIDS, and other health and medical subjects since the early 1980s, for publications ranging from the
Advocate to the
Washington Post. He is the author of
Victory Deferred: How AIDS Changed Gay Life in America;
Hot Stuff: A Brief History of Disco/Dance Music;
Tough Love: A Washington Reporter Finds Resilience, Ruin, and Zombies in his 'other Connecticut' Hometown, and
Wilhelmina Goes Wandering. His articles have appeared in the
Washington Post
,
The Atlantic, the
Huffington Post, and leading LGBT publications across America. Andriote regularly speaks to audiences at conferences and universities, is interviewed and profiled by print and broadcast media, and has been an adjunct communications professor at Eastern Connecticut State University.
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Please Note
The following October programs of the Youth Service Department at Otis Library were funded by the Parks and Recreation Department of Norwich: Mother Goose and More, Kids' Imagine Book Club, and the Tween Book Club.
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Programs for Tweens and Teens
All programs are offered at no charge to the public. Registration is required for some programs. Please register in person at the Front Desk; by calling (860) 889-2365, ext. 100; or you may register for our programs via our
online calendar.
Drop-In Chess
Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm in the Business Center
Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess. Use one of our chess sets or bring your own.
Teen Art Lounge (grades 7 and up)
Wednesday, November 8, 6pm - 7pm, Young Adult Room
Teens, stop by and create a cool piece of art for yourself! No registration required.
Tween Advisory Board (grades 6 - 8)
Wednesday, November 15, 6pm - 7pm, Story Room
Share your ideas and participate in program planning! Meet other students your age and make new friends! Register
online or by contacting the Front Desk at (860) 889-2365. Refreshments will be served.
Tween Book Club (grades 6 - 8)
Monday, November 27, 6pm - 7pm, Meeting Room
Sponsored by the Norwich Recreation Department
The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks will be featured this month. The book will be discussed, followed by an activity related to the book. Pizza will be served. Please
register. Pick up a copy of the book at the Front Desk.
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Children's Programs
All programs are offered at no charge to the public. Registration is required for some programs. Please register in person at the Children's Desk; by calling (860) 889-2365, ext. 114; or you may register for our programs via our
online calendar.
Build It! Clinic (grades K - 8)
Saturday, November 4, 10:30am - 12pm
Build structures using a variety of materials in the Meeting Room. No registration required.
Bella! Therapy Dog Extraordinaire (all ages)
Saturday, November 4, 12pm - 1pm
Courtesy of Ms. Pepin - thank you!
Visit and read to our very favorite therapy pug, Bella. No registration required.
Mother Goose & More: Rhyme Time and Playgroup (ages newborn to 23 months)
Mondays, November 6 & 13, 10:30am - 11am (Rhyme Time); 11am - 12pm (playgroup)
Sponsored by the Norwich Recreation Department.
Enjoy 30 minutes of rhymes, songs, and other activities for the very young,
then stay (or not) for a one-hour open play group. Older siblings are welcome! No registration required.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-6)
Thursdays, November 2, 9, & 16, 10:30
Children enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and a craft while their grownups wait in the Children's Department. Space is limited; please
register.
Kids Imagine! Book Club (grades 3 - 5)
Monday, November 20, 6pm - 7pm
Sponsored by the Norwich Recreation Department.
Read
Zita The Spacegirl: Far From Home by Ben Hatke
. The book will be discussed, followed by an activity related to the book. Pizza will be served. Pick up a copy of the book at the Front Desk. Please
register. Program will take place in the Storytime Room.
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CORE: A Shared Calendar of Regional Events
Looking for things to do this weekend? Visit the CORE calendar! CORE is a collaborative of organizations based in eastern CT with a shared goal of providing the community one regional go-to calendar of events for all things happening in the area. Be sure to check back often as it is updated daily!
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Hours
Monday & Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays in July & August
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