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From The Desk of the Executive Director
A Big Hello to 2023
I’m starting 2023 off with a bang, absent the first week. A few of my friends tested positive for Covid on January 1, and I thought it would be nice to stay put until I was sure I wasn’t going to share it with all of you in the library. I’m testing negative, and I am grateful to Eva Geertz for stepping in and creating our newsletter for the new year. Wishing you all a healthy and exciting new year. Take it away Eva.
Jan Swiatek
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Back at the circulation desk...
Your Operations Manager knows it's 2023, for sure, because on re-opening today she had to write membership cards that had expiration dates in 2024. This was extremely sobering, especially for so early in the day.
We hope you all have had a relaxing and pleasant holiday season, full of the things that make December fun and as little as possible of the things that make it a challenge. Did you get time to escape with a book?
We have been entirely heartened, here, by the generosity of our community, in a number of ways: one, none of you got visibly angry at our taking a holiday break; and two, many of you have made donations to our Annual Appeal. We offer thanks to you all for both. The break and your donations are both hugely appreciated by staff and volunteers at the Institute Library. On the off chance that you've been meaning to make a donation, but haven't yet: it's not too late! If you'd like to contribute to the Annual Appeal, just click on the green Annual Appeal button below to make a donation online!
Now that it's January, we're looking at our winter/spring calendar and taking a deep breath, because there is a lot going on. We've got our usual programs but we've also got an author event coming up -- a visit with the ever-impressive Calvin Ramsey -- and also, later this winter, the return of the Caravan Theater Company New Plays series! Scroll down and see for yourself. If you have any questions, please drop a line (Eva@InstituteLibrary.org works) or phone us (203-562-4045). Also, do remember that in the event of inclement weather, Library closures will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and these can be seen by the general public: you don't need an account to see us there, but if you do have an account, you might find it worthwhile to follow us.
Now: keep reading, and mark calendars appropriately!
Warmly,
Eva Geertz
Operations Mgr.
| Programs and Events In January |
Friday Happy Hour Jazz | Fridays in January | 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 6 -- Michel LeGrand & Larry Vuckovitch
- Friday, January 13 -- Pepper Adams & Gerry Mulligan
- Friday, January 20 -- Bill Evans with horns & Art Tatum with horns, including Freddie Hubbard, Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster and Jeremy Steig.
- Friday, January 27 -- Sonny Rollins with Jim Hall, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie
Join a congenial little group up on the third floor of the Institute Library to listen to recordings you forgot about or never knew about and stick around a bit to discuss the music! BYOB beverage and treat
Friday Happy Hour Jazz is presented in concert with and support from Jazz Haven.
Please consider making a $5 donation when you come to Friday Happy Hour Jazz.
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DOWNTOWN BRIDGE: FIRST Mondays!
Except this month! (Because Jan. 2 was a holiday)
A member wondered if anyone would be interested in joining him to play bridge at the Institute Library.
After some investigation it turned out there was a
secret population of closet bridge players and aspiring bridge players in our midst.
Now, once a month, from 6:30-8,
people play bridge at 847 Chapel Street.
Folks who haven't played in years, folks who are just starting to learn to play, and expert old hands are all congregating here on the following Monday nights to play bridge.
This is a BYO Bridge Mix situation until we can arrive at a consensus as to what constitutes Bridge Mix.
Hoping to see you here:
January 9
February 6
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The evenings will start at 6:30 and end around 8:00. We've got a couple of tables available, and decks of cards. | |
Sew Sew Social: The Sewing Bee at the Institute Library
Sew Sew Social is moving to Wednesday evenings!
A slight reboot, so as to reduce Thursday evening conflicts.
We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.
THIS MONTH, due to illness, the January 4th Social is cancelled,
but we are ON for the 18th!
Just ring the doorbell and we will let you in.
Bring your latest project, or revive one you let get away from you! Absolutely free and open to all -- old, steady hands and people who barely know what they're doing should all feel welcome!
No registration necessary. Light refreshments served. So what, come sew!
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Story Sharing at the Institute Library -- JANUARY on ZOOM
January 12, 7:00-9:00
The Story Sharing Group meets from 7-9 P.M. on the second Thursday of each month. Anyone may join at any time. People share stories at any stage of development; from maybe-this-is-a-story first tries to polished pieces. The stories may be about personal experiences, folk tales, or any other genre. Those who wish it get feedback from the group. People may also come just to listen. The meetings are very informal, friendly, and fun. See you on Zoom? https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82984857044 is where to go!
Questions? Contact Arnie Pritchard (apritchard01@snet.net).
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Gallery @ The Institute Library
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Closing at the end of January, 2023.
Curators Martha Lewis and Rashmi Talpade assembled a remarkable and magical exhibit in the Gallery Upstairs @ The Institute Library. Come visit! Open all hours that the Library is open.
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OTHER NEWS FROM THE GALLERY:
Open call for works of art!
Sound & Vision II: For the Record....
WPKN Independent Community Radio and The Gallery Upstairs at The Institute Library are collaborating on an event to celebrate Women’s History Month, and we want YOU to participate!
How?
By making art for an exhibition of fake album covers celebrating women.
Imagine bands we'd like to see, rework one that exists, or make up an all-new album and performer. Protest, celebrate, rewrite history,
imagine a future, dream a dance craze...
The idea is to create a visual and sonic tribute to musical women everywhere. This is a unique celebration of women’s history month through images words and music. We consider “women” to be all who wish to identify as such, and we celebrate by creating an inclusive space for breadth and diversity of vision.
FAQs for CALL FOR ARTISTS HERE!
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AUTHOR EVENT:
Playwright CALVIN RAMSEY
January 28th, 2023
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Calvin Ramsey, whose children's book Ruth and the Green Book brought the story of the Negro Motorists' Green Book to the attention of people of all ages across the country, is now working on a new project of local interest: the life of Edward Bouchet, the first Black man to earn a doctorate in the United States (physics, Yale, 1876). Bouchet lived in New Haven for a significant part of life, and Mr. Ramsey, who also lives in New Haven, will talk to the Institute Library community about this work in progress, and the hyper-local angles he is taking on the subject.
We've been lucky to enjoy Mr. Ramsey's company around the Library as he comes and works here from time to time -- but Jan. 28th will be your chance to come meet him and listen to him speak. Light refreshments provided.
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A p.s. from the Operations Manager:
2023 is logistically complicated by people unfortunately being felled by the various types of creeping crud going around, and I hope you'll be patient with us as we navigate these choppy waters. Zoom events and cancellations aren't anyone's idea of a good time but we have to do what we have to do and we know you understand.
In the meantime, new books keep showing up. A few titles we're happy to be adding to the shelves:
Fiction:
Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murphy. The Personal Librarian (that novel you meant to read about the woman who worked as J.P. Morgan's personal librarian)
Joshua Cohen. The Netanyahus (Winner of 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction!)
Non-Fiction:
Susan Godshall & Jack Tripp. The Builder Book: Carpenters, Masons and Contractors in Historic New Haven (a recently published work from the New Haven Preservation Trust, and utterly fascinating if you know the streets of New Haven!)
Jamise Harper & Jane Mount. Bibliophile: Diverse Spines (an illustrated book about books, lots of fun)
Ruben Pater, Caps Lock: How Capitalism Took Hold of Graphic Design, and How to Escape from It. A visually rich book, very dense, and a deep dive.
If you have any questions about books, or anything else we may be able to help with, email the Library: Home@InstituteLibrary.org, or me, directly: Eva@InstituteLibrary.org. Onward to 2023, y'all.
--Eva Geertz
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Hours of Operation
Closed Sunday & Monday | Tuesday-Friday: 11:00-5:00 | Saturday: 12:00-2:00
Location
The Institute Library, 847 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 562-4045
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