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Executive Director's Letter
Our Executive Director is on a well-deserved vacation. We can put away our dictionaries until next month!
Please Note: Otis Library will be closed on Monday, October 8, in observance of Columbus Day.
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Support Otis Library
Calling all Charter Oak Credit Union Members!
Charter Oak will match any donation between $25 and $500 that you make to Otis Library from August 14, 2018 - Wednesday, November 21, 2018! Please click this link for more details, https://charteroak.org/content/matching-gifts/. Thank you!
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Friends of Otis Library
National Friends of Libraries Week is October 21 - 27!
The Friends of Otis Library is a group of volunteers who work year-round on a variety of events that benefit the library. Through their fundraising efforts and donation of their time and talents, they provide immeasurable support to the staff, programs and services of Otis Library. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people supporting us! Thank you, Friends!
The Friends of Otis Library Book Sale is here! They have thousands of items,with something for everyone. All proceeds benefit Otis Library.
Book Sale Dates:
Early Bird Preview, Friday, October 19, 9am - 10am, $10
Friday, October 19, 10am - 3pm
Saturday, October 20, 10am - 3pm
Sunday, October 21, 12pm - 3pm
The Friends are accepting donations of gently used books for their October book sale. Please drop off your books, two bags at a time, to the Front Desk. For larger donations, please call ahead to (860) 889-2365. Please, no encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines or VHS tapes. Thank you for your support!
Interested in becoming a Friend? Learn more about the Friends of Otis Library here.
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Save the Date: O'tis a Festival!
Come help us celebrate the 10th Annual O'tis a Festival: a marketplace of all things creative at Otis Library on
Saturday, November 17, 2018, 10am - 3pm!
This event gets bigger and better every year! Enjoy the music and dancing taking place throughout the day as you get all of your holiday shopping done! We will have two full floors of vendors selling their beautiful handmade crafts. Santa will be here from 11am - 1pm to hear all of the kids' wish lists, and more activities are being planned! It's a wonderful day in downtown Norwich, and celebrity parkers will direct you to ample free parking. Visit our website and social media pages to stay up to date on all of the plans!
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Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni:
The Long Journeys Home
Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni will speak at Otis Library on Wednesday, October 3, at 6pm in the Millie and Martin Shapiro Community Room. He will discuss his new book The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry Opukaha'ia and Albert Afraid of
Hawk
. This program is free and open to the public.
Henry Opukahaʻia (ca. 1792-1818) and Itankusun Wanbli (ca. 1879-1900) lived almost a century apart and came from different Indigenous Nations - Hawaiian and Lakota, yet the circumstances of Western
imperialism
that led them to leave their homelands and come to Connecticut where they died and were buried have striking similarities. Both young men died while on their "journeys" to find fulfillment and both were buried in Connecticut cemeteries. In 1992 and 2008, descendant women had visions that their ancestors wished to "come home" and started the repatriation process of their remains. Connecticut State Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni oversaw the archaeological disinterment and forensic identifications in returning these men to their respective Native families. The Long Journeys Home chronicles these significant stories as examples of the wide-reaching impact of colonialism and the resurgence of Hawaiian and Lakota cultures.
Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni is an associate adjunct professor in the anthropology department at the University of Connecticut and Emeritus Connecticut State Archaeologist at the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History.
Copies of The Long Journeys Home will be available for sale and signing.
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Disability Awareness Week
Tuesday October 9 - Saturday, October 13, 2018
Disability Awareness Week is sponsored by the Norwich Commission for Persons with Disabilities, with the essential support of the City of Norwich Office of the Mayor, Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank, Norwich Public Utilities, and Otis Library.
Free activities include:
- Municipal and legislative forums on disability-related issues
- Americans with Disabilities Act workshop
- Special Needs Trust Seminar
- Service Animal Demonstration
- Resource Fair
- "Jazz in the Stacks," a concert by Blue Soul Jazz Unit, featuring Greater Hartford's Ricky Alfonso on trumpet. Sponsored by Eastern CT Savings Bank.
In addition, the exhibit Character and Characters: The Disability Rights Movement in Eastern Connecticut, 1980 - 2000, will be on display in the Community Room from October 2 - October 31.
For material in alternative format, please contact Elanah Sherman at
[email protected]
or 860-614-7200.
For sign language interpretation, please contact Julie Menders before October 2 at
[email protected]
or 860-889-2365, x 128.
Independence ~ Rights ~ Access
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Free Citizenship Classes
October 15 - December 17, 2018
Mondays, 4pm - 7pm
(No classes November 12 & 19)
Have you had a green card for at least 5 years? Consider citizenship.
Applicant must: Read, write and comprehend basic English. Bring your Green Card to register. Commit to attend all 8 classes.
To register: Stop by the Information Desk at the Business Center, call 860-889-2365, ext. 110, or e-mail Bassem Gayed at [email protected].
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Programs for Adults
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 by appointment only. Please call Bassem at (860) 889-2365, ext. 109 or 110 to register.
Para reservar una cita, apersonese a la biblioteca o llame a Bassem
860-889-2365, ext. 109 o 110.
Otis Library provides 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.
Members of the Rows City Knitters would like to thank
Driftwood Yarns
of Groton for their continued support!
Money Smart for Older Adults
Thursday, October 4, 11am - 12pm, Community Room
Sponsored by Liberty Bank
Learn how to avoid scams and keep your money safe. Presented by Pam Days-Luketich of Liberty Bank. Light refreshments will be served. Free event; registration required. Call 860-889-2365, ext. 128, or register on our
online calendar.
Wednesday, October 10, 5pm
Meeting Room
The group will be discussing Obscura by Joe Hart. Refreshments will be served. No registration required. Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk.
Otis Library Genealogy Club
Tuesday, October 16, 1 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room
The club meets 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. Please contact Kathleen Wieland, Genealogy Librarian, at 860-889-2365, ext. 108, or [email protected].
Saturday, October 20, 10am - 1pm (workshop, 1 - 1:30pm (question and answer pane)
Featuring the following topics: "Patient Safety" Ilene Corina, Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy; "Patient Safety for Persons with IDD & Autism in a Hospital Setting" Arlene Reith, Parent Advocate; "Dental and Oral Health" Izabella Pulvermacher, Department of Developmental Services Dental Coordinator; "Medication Safety" Wendy Mikolinski, PharmD., owner Salem Pharmacy; and "Connecticut Center for Patient Safety: Introduction to Services" Lisa Freeman, Connecticut Center for Patient Safety. This workshop is geared towards individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, healthcare providers, and professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Program will take place in the Community Room. Refreshments will be served. Please register.
Otis Library Classic Book Club
Saturday, October 20, 10:30am
Craftsman Cliff Roasters
We read a variety of classic works, from the ancient to modern, and meet four times a year in various locations around the City. Our Fall discussion is
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Meet us at
Craftsman Cliff Roasters, 34 Broadway, Norwich. To register, call Julie at 860-889-2365, ext. 128.
Wednesday, October 20, 6pm, Community Room
Local author Christine M. Rockledge will discuss her new book "Norwich State Hospital."
Norwich State Hospital (NSH), established in 1904, was more than just a series of mortar and brick buildings to house and treat persons suffering from mental illness. For nearly 100 years, generations of people dedicated their careers and lives to developing NSH as a humanitarian community for mental illness rehabilitation.
Free event; no registration required. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.
Author F. Brett Cox
Saturday, October 27, 1pm, Community Room
Author F. Brett Cox will be speaking at Otis Library as part of the Jim Lafayette Memorial Series of Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Mr. Cox is the author of the new book
The End of All Our Exploring: Stories
(Fairwood Press, 2018). This is a free event; no registration required.
In addition to the fiction collected in The End of All Our Exploring: Stories, his poetry, plays, essays, scholarly articles, and reviews have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. With Andy Duncan, he co-edited the fiction anthology Crossroads: Tales of the Southern Literary Fantastic (Tor, 2004). He is a co-founder of the Shirley Jackson Awards and currently serves as Vice-President of the SJA Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Cambridge Science Fiction Writers Workshop. A native of North Carolina, Brett is Charles A. Dana Professor of English at Norwich University and lives in Vermont with his wife, playwright Jeanne Beckwith.
This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Copies of The End of All Our Exploring: Stories will be available for sale and signing.
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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, Business Center
Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess. Use one of our chess sets or bring your own.
Youth Advisory Board Meeting (grades 7 & up
)
Saturday, October 20, 2 - 2:30pm, Young Adult Room
Build leadership skills, earn community service hours, boost your resume and college application, network and socialize with other students. Pizza and snacks will be served. Register online or call 860-889-2365, ext. 100.
Tween Book Club (grades 6-8)
Monday, October 29, 6 - 7pm, Meeting Room
Discuss
Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger and Paul Dellinger, followed by an activity related to the book. Pizza will be served. Registration required; call 860-889-2365, ext. 100, or
register online. 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.
Mother Goose & More: Rhyme Time and Playgroup (newborn - 23
months)
Mondays, October 1 - November 5
(no class October 8)
10:30 - 11am, (Rhyme Time), 11am - 12pm (playgroup)
Enjoy 30 minutes of traditional rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and other activities for the very young; then say (or not) for a one-hour open playgroup. Older siblings are welcome to attend! Drop-in.
NEW! Monthly Mother Goose & More: Rhyme Time and Playgroup (newborn - 23 months)
Saturday, October 6, 10:30 - 11am (Rhyme Time), 11 - 11:30am (playgroup)
Enjoy 30 minutes of traditional rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and other activities for the very young; then stay (or not) for a half-hour open playgroup. This is a great opportunity for working parents to enjoy this new weekend program! Older siblings are welcome to attend! Drop-in.
Drop-In Scarecrow Craft (all ages)
Saturday, October 6, 11am - 1pm
Drop in and enjoy making a paper scarecrow with your child. No registration required. Fun for all ages!
Time For Twos (FILLED)
Tuesdays, October 2 - November 13, 10:30am - 11am
Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and a simple craft with your child! This program is age appropriate for your active two-year-old!
Preschool Storyime (ages 3-5
)
Thursdays, October 4 - November 15, 10:30 - 11:15am
Children enjoy stories, songs and rhymes while their grownups wait in the Children's Department. Caregivers are encouraged to join the fun during craft time at the end of the class! Space is limited;
please register.
Build It! Clinic (grades K-8)
Saturday, October 13, 10:30am - 12pm
Build structures using a variety of materials in the Children's Room. No registration required.
Creative Movement (ages 3-5)
Wednesday, October 17, 10:30 - 11:15am
Join us for this joyful movement class hosted by Eastern Connecticut Ballet. This month's theme is The Orchestra. Hear a story around this theme and do 35 minutes of movement.
Please register.
Kids Imagine! Book Club (grades 3-5)
Monday, October 22, 6 - 7pm
Discuss
Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater. There will be pizza and related activities! Please
register online or call 860-889-2365, ext. 114. Pick up a copy of the book at the Front Desk. Program will take place in the Story Room.
Spooktacular! (all ages)
Saturday, October 27, 11am - 1pm
Get in the spirit of the season! Come to the Children's Department at Otis
Library dressed up in a costume (or not) and enjoy crafts, games and a few tricks or treats! No registration required.
Bella! Therapy Dog Extraordinaire (all ages)
Saturday, October 27, 12 - 1pm
Courtesy of Ms. Pepin - thank you!
Visit and read to our very favorite therapy pug, Bella! No registration required.
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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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