Hours
Mon - Tue: 10-6
Wed - Thu: 10-8
Fri: 10-6
Sat: 10-3
Come Bloom With Us (May 16 - 21)
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BPL Shines at the CT Library Association Conference
At the statewide library conference last week, the BPL team was proud to both share our good work and learn from other amazing library workers from around the state. Important conference topics included the integral role libraries play in public health, employment, and education, and how libraries combat information redlining and censorship. 

Bloomfield staffers Allison Wilkos and Elizabeth Lane presented in a session titled Library Marketing: A Fresh Perspective, where they discussed BPL’s fun logo and team driven approach to sharing everything BPL has to offer using collaborative design, open communication, and clear strategic goals.

BPL Board Member Maxine Ursery and Elizabeth Lane were in a panel of library directors and board members from Bloomfield, Southington and Coventry titled How We Did It: Three Recent Successful Building Referenda Campaigns. They outlined Bloomfield’s thoughtful and concerted effort to include as many Bloomfield residents as possible in the planning of the library projects, including sending a library survey to every residence in the Town through the mail. Scroll further down in this newsletter to sign up to attend this week's Library Building Committee meeting. Public comment is a part of every meeting and we value your input.

Pictured above from left to right: Mara Whitman, Allison Wilkos, Elizabeth Lane, Carol Walters and Maxine Ursery
BPL Online Highlight
Petersons test and career prep take online practice tests search for colleges and scholarships and more free with your BPL card includes SAT GED Teaching military citizenship and more
This Week's Featured Events
Using Music Therapy to Promote Wellness and Improve Mental Health
Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30PM
Have you ever heard a song, and then realized your mood started to improve after listening to it? For Mental Health Awareness Month, Emily Bevelaqua of CT Music Therapy Services, LLC will provide information about using music not only to improve mental health, but also promote general wellness. Emily will explain the field of music therapy, discuss how music can help with a variety of ailments, provide case scenarios, and answer any questions you may have. For Adults.
Wintonbury Poetry Series Workshop - The Soul of the Poem: Using Voltas, or Turns, to Bring Life to Your Poems
Thursday, May 19 at 7PM
The volta or poetic turn is a powerful technique that can bring greater dimensionality and tension to create a more interesting experience for the reader. As the poet Jane Hirshfield says, “to say one thing [in a poem] is simply not to say enough.” In this interactive session, we will examine how poets have created these turns in their work, and using generative exercises, we will practice using this technique to awaken our poems. Taught by Luisa Caycedo-Kimura. For Adults and Teens.
Food Explorers: Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies
Friday, May 20 at 4PM
Join Food Explorers to make Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies! This recipe takes your average brownie up a notch with a raspberry cheesecake filling. You’ll need the following ingredients: butter, 8oz chocolate/chocolate chips, sugar, 4 eggs, flour, 8oz cream cheese, raspberry jam and optional vanilla and fresh raspberries. For Teens and Tweens.
Recurring Programs
Line Dancing with Heidi
Monday, May 16 at 6:30PM
This is a fun, beginner, get-you-moving activity! 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.
Opera Talk: Lucia Di Lammermoor
Tuesday, May 17 at 1PM
Donizetti’s “Lucia” is his 48th opera, and ever since its 1835 premiere, has been one of the most popular works in the 19th century repertory. “Lucia” is based on Sir Walter Scott’s 1819 novel The Bride of Lammermoor and it overflows with dramatic elements: insanity, murder, suicide, a forced marriage, and mistaken infidelities. It contains the most famous operatic sextet, rousing choruses, and the greatest of all mad scenes, a tour de force for coloratura soprano. Jeffrey Engel will detail the origins of “Lucia,” explain its plot, and play some musical excerpts. For Adults.
Great Decisions: Drug Policy In Latin America
Tuesday, May 17 at 2PM
Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Articles will be supplied by the Library, either electronic or print. This series runs from January until May, attend the sessions that work for you. A partnership between BPL and Seabury. For Adults.
Welcoming Wednesday Storytime @ McMahon Wintonbury
Wednesday, May 18 at 10:30AM
Join our children's librarians at McMahon Wintonbury for an in-person program. We'll share stories, songs, rhymes, and more! Class size will be limited so that all participants can practice social distancing. Masks are required for adults. Best for ages 5 and under.
In-person at McMahon Wintonbury
Gentle Yoga with Pia Oliveri 
Wednesday, May 18 at 11:30AM
Pia is the Owner and Director of Wabi-Sabi Yoga and Wellness Center in Windsor, CT. Through yoga, meditation, and breathwork, she believes healing happens from the inside out. At this class, we will start with meditation and breathwork followed by seated postures and standing postures with the assistance of a chair. For Adults.
Meditation
Wednesday, May 18 at 1:30PM
Take a guided meditation journey break out of your day with our community partners at Seabury. Seabury is an active life plan community located in Bloomfield. This program is open to all.
Teen Anime Club: Multi-town event
Wednesday, May 18 at 6PM
Joins together with fans from West Hartford, Avon, and Bloomfield for a virtual anime club, hosted by Jeannette Hall (facilitator of the former West Hartford Sci-Fi and Anime Club). This group is open to teens with an interest in anime, manga, cartoons, comics, video games, and other related things. For Grades 6-12.
Library Building Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 18 at 6PM
All meetings of the Library Building Committee are open to the public, including this virtual meeting. View the agenda and more information here.
Atlantic Magazine Discussion Group
Thursday, May 19 at 11AM
Discuss current events as reported in the Atlantic Magazine. All are invited to join the conversation or to just listen. The conversations will be facilitated by Elizabeth Lane, Library Director. Copies of the articles are available at Prosser, McMahon Wintonbury, and BPL Online (ResearchItCT). For Adults.
Fun Friday Storytime @ Prosser
Friday, May 20 at 10:30AM
Join our children's librarians at Prosser for an in-person program. We'll share stories, songs, rhymes, and more! Class size will be limited so that all participants can practice social distancing. Masks are required for adults. Best for ages 5 and under.
In-person at Prosser
Book Shelf: 2023 Nutmeg Award Nominees
j r and the great barber battle by dillard book cover showing boy in yellow sweatshirt holding a hair buzzer
J.D. and the Great Barber Battle
by J. Dillard
Elementary School
the total eclipse of nestor lopez by cuevas book cover showing young boy with flashlight and woodland animals in the woods at night
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez
by Adrianna Cuevas
Intermediate School
black brother black brother by rhodes book cover showing two young men with their backs to each other and the title wrapping around the image
Black Brother, Black Brother
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Middle School
We are not free by traci chee book cover showing three teens drawn on a wall behind a pile of suitcases
We Are Not Free
by Traci Chee
High School
What are you reading? Tag us and let us know on Instagram or Facebook @bplct
  • Starting March 21: Masks are optional in BPL. Social distancing is still required. Please wear a mask if you are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms and be gracious to those who choose to wear a mask. Masks available upon request.
  • Computers/browsing/reference services/study space available
  • Technology services (computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax)  
  • Call ahead for curbside delivery, or email print requests to askbplct@gmail.com
  • Visit the Event Calendar for virtual programs (or view Printable Event Calendar)
  • Museum Passes for free or discounted admission to many area attractions
  • Laminate a copy of your Vaccine Card for free (COVID-19 Vaccine info)
  • BPL Online library is always open — read, watch, listen, research!
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