Library Highlights 5/8

May

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health America’s

2021 Mental Health Month Toolkit #Tools2Thrive has practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency.

Free screening tools and more.

Learn more: mhanational.org/may

Local free events in Southwestern CT

TheHubCT.org

FEATURE PROGRAM

VIRTUAL EVENT

Connecting Cultural History:

Historic Public Libraries off the Merritt Parkway

Wednesday, May 12

6:30 p.m.

Considered one of the nation's greatest accomplishments, the public library movement left a legacy of literacy and landmark buildings now part of their community's identity.

Join the Merritt Parkway Conservancy for a virtual architectural tour exploring Fairfield County's outstanding collection of public libraries and the stories behind them, connected by a scenic byway designed for "pleasant transit."

Wes Haynes is Executive Director of the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, a non-profit, member-supported organization committed to the protection and stewardship of Connecticut’s largest and most heavily used cultural resource.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Tech Help:

hoopla

Thursday, May 13

11:00 a.m

This week we focus on hoopla, our service offering patrons ebooks, digital audiobooks, e-comics, music, movies, and television all free with your Fairfield library card. hoopla's got over 900,000 items available available instantly - no waiting.

Join us weekly as we explore another digital service offered free to Fairfield residents. You will leave knowing how to borrow or access at least one of our digital resources.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Understanding Your Senses

Monday, May 17

6:30 p.m.

Join us as we welcome back Sydney Sherman, author of

You Are Not Alone, for this popular workshop.

In Understanding Your Senses, she will discuss the many ways in which anyone can learn to use their senses to connect to their loved ones.

Ms. Sherman starts with a very detailed explanation of how each sense works, how it can be tricked, how to use it effectively, and how to encourage a spiritual interaction with your loved one. She'll provide step by step demonstrations for each sense and, with her guidance, you'll have the opportunity to feel how these techniques work.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

Coming Up!

PARENT PROGRAM

VIRTUAL EVENT

5 Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss and Prepare Your Student for Fall

Tuesday, May 18

7:00 p.m.

In this free 30 minute webinar, parents will learn:

• What are the 5 things students can do to get ready for school this fall

• What proven activities stop academic learning loss

• What can students do this summer to be prepared for fall

• How to encourage a student’s personal and emotional growth

• Getting over quarantine fatigue

• How to reduce student stress and anxiety

Registration is required.

About the presenter:

Nine years and 7,100 students ago, Michelle Sagalyn created Successful Study Skills for Students (S4) by observing her sons’ lack of study skills as they entered 6th and 9th grades. The S4 evidence-based study skills system teaches time management, organization, note taking, test prep, and executive functioning so students can become independent learners. Michelle received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Senior Literary Society

Wednesday, May 19

11:00 a.m.

"A poignant, charming novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined."

Please join us by Zoom for a virtual session of the Senior Literary Society book club that usually meets in-person at the Bigelow Center. We will be discussing May's selection Anxious People by

Fredrik Backman.

Please sign up with your email address and you will get the Zoom link to join the meeting. f you have any questions please email

Mary Coe at mcoe@fplct.org. Hope to 'see' you there!

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Reiki 101

Wednesday, May 19

6:30 p.m.

Come learn about Reiki, a Japanese healing practice which helps reduce stress, promote relaxation and balance your energy levels. We will talk about the 7 major chakras that are part of everyones inner energy system.

Lisa Ficco is a Reiki Master from the Jiiva School of Reiki. Certified in attunements, hands on and distant Reiki and crystal bowl sound bath healing.

She also holds degrees in Psychology, Speech Communication and Theater Arts and a Master Degree in Costume Design.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311