Hours
Mon - Tue: 11-6
Wed: 11-8
Thu - Fri: 11-6
Sat: 11-3
Come Bloom With Us (April 11 - 17)
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Library Building Committee Update
Peggy Lorence
Library Survey Drawing Winner
Please join us in congratulating the recipient of our library survey drawing prize of an iPad Mini, Peggy Lorence! And many thanks to the Friends of the Library for providing the funds to purchase the iPad Mini. Please know that we are listening and working to be responsive to our community's needs. We were so pleased to hear that 90% of survey respondents felt that BPL was extremely or very important to Bloomfield. We are working hard to get that number to 100%! Visit our webpage dedicated to the Library Building Committee to read the full summary and/or executive summary of the survey results. As we move forward, we still need your input. Join us for the first in a series of BPL Building Project Info Sessions on April 28 at 6:30 on Zoom. All are welcome.
April is National Poetry Month
I'm Tom Nicotera and I coordinate the Wintonbury Poetry Series. Now in its 24th year and the second oldest currently running poetry series in the state, the series offers featured poets from various states and an Open Mic monthly from October-April. In May, we offer two poetry workshops by a noted regional poet. For National Poetry Month, I am pleased to announce that on April 15 the CT State Poet Laureate, Margaret Gibson, will be our guest. Margaret has just produced an anthology of "green" poetry called "Waking Up to the Earth" that features 64 CT poets (including myself). I hope to see you at the April 15 reading. For the Open Mic. you might want to consider reading a poem of an "eco" nature but that is not a mandate!
Tom Nicotera
Library Services Assistant
Online Resource Highlight: Consumer Reports
It's Money Smart Week!

Access the Consumer Reports website for free through BPL Online (library card required for home access). Consumer Reports, the world’s largest independent product testing organization, provides expert buying advice, recommendations, and ratings on thousands of consumer products each year.
Upcoming Programs
On The Farm Storytime with Miss Sheila
Starts Sunday, April 11
What farm stories will Miss Sheila read? Find out on April 11!
Tanglewood Marionettes: Hansel and Gretel
Available Friday, April 9 - Friday, April 16
Hansel and Gretel is based on the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, and features melodies from the Humperdinck opera. The colorful set is in the shape of a giant story book, and all the staging, scenery, and marionettes are handcrafted by Tanglewood Marionettes. As the tale unfolds, Hansel and Gretel must call upon their inner reserves and learn new methods to overcome the challenges they encounter while lost in the wood. Running time: 45 minutes. Recommended for grades K and up. All Ages.
Storytime with Miss Mara
Monday, April 12 at 10:30AM
Miss Mara is going to get curious with Curious George.
Mystery Book Discussion: One Coffee With
Monday, April 12 at 4PM
There was more than cream in the now deceased Professor Quinn's last coffee, and NYPD detective Sigrid Harald suspects that someone in the art department is responsible. For Adults.
Line Dancing with Heidi
Monday, April 12 at 6:30PM
Learn a few basic line dancing steps! We will spend time walking through the steps for all the dances. Then the music goes on and we practice what we just learned! No previous experience necessary. For Adults.
Opera Talk: La Gioconda
Tuesday, April 13 at 1PM
With a story line involving passionate love, infidelity, murder, suicide, revenge, deception, a poisonous potion that is not poisonous, a ship set ablaze, a classic ballet minus alligators and hippopotami, and splendid arias, “La Gioconda” has all the ingredients for a stirring dramatic opera. Jeffrey Engel will detail the background of Amilcare Ponchielli’s best known work and play recordings of musical highlights. For Adults.
Podcast Chat: Red Table Talk
Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30PM
Join Jada Pinkett-Smith, her daughter Willow Smith, and mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris as they open their home for a series of groundbreaking and healing conversations. Red Table Talk brings together three generations of women to tackle the most provocative topics of today, from race and sexuality to infidelity and addiction. No topic is off limits. Take a seat at the table by listening to the Red Table Talk podcast. For Adults.
Chair Pilates & Toning
Wednesday, April 14 at 11:30AM
Come join Jeff Shealey for chair pilates and toning. Pilates is designed to strengthen core and abdominal muscles, which results in improving your entire body, making daily tasks easier. You will need 2-3 lb. weights, a medicine ball, and resistance bands. This class is presented in collaboration with The Bloomfield Senior Center. For Adults.
Meditation
Wednesday, April 14 at 1:30PM
Take a break during your day by going on a guided meditation journey with our community partners at Seabury. Seabury is an active life plan community located in Bloomfield, Connecticut. For Adults.
Teen Anime Club
Wednesday, April 14 at 5:30PM
It's Spring break in Bloomfield...which is the perfect time for one of our Teen Anime Club meetups! Join Miss Nicole on Zoom for a couple of hours of anime viewing. You must register to ensure you receive the zoom information to join. For teens in grades 7-12.
Money Smart Week: Credit Education
Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30PM
The objective of the Hartford Federal Credit Union’s comprehensive Credit Education Program is to raise awareness and educate consumers to effectively manage, and if necessary, repair their credit. This program is part of Money Smart Week, an initiative from the American Library Association. Find more Money Smart Week virtual programs at: www.moneysmartweek.org. For Adults.
Diabetes Self-Management (7 Week Series) 
Thursday, April 15 at 12:30PM
In partnership with the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, we present this program for individuals with type 2 diabetes who are newly diagnosed or who may simply need a refresher. Topics covered include: meal planning, eating out, label reading, checking blood glucose and target blood glucose levels, medications, exercising safely and much more! For Adults.
Pre-registration with WHBHD:
860-561-7916
Pokémon Club
Thursday, April 15 at 3:30PM
Join Miss Nicole for an afternoon of all things Pokémon virtually on Zoom! We'll do an activity together, and then watch some Pokémon episodes or a movie through Miss Nicole's shared screen. For Children & Tweens.
Wintonbury Poetry Series
Thursday, April 15 at 7PM
Margaret Gibson, current State of Connecticut Poet Laureate, is the author of 12 books of poems, all from LSU Press, most recently Not Hearing the Wood Thrush, 2018. A new book, The Glass Globe, is forthcoming in the autumn of 2021. For Teens & Adults.
Talewise: Earth Day: Revenge of the Toxic Robot
Available through April 30
When the town’s park is suddenly gated and locked, a group of friends decides to investigate. Their adventure leads them deep into the woods, where they are chased away by an eccentric robot powered by toxic sludge! For Children & Tweens.
  • Call ahead for available services at each location, including curbside delivery, reference services, and technology appointments (computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax). Browsing by appointment available at McMahon Wintonbury Library.
  • Study spaces by appointment.
  • Printing and reference services available via email at askbplct@gmail.com
  • Tax Forms and COVID-19 Vaccine information available.
  • Laminate your COVID-19 Vaccine Card for free at both physical locations.
  • BPL Online library is always open — read, watch, listen, research!
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