Happy New Year!
Thank you for your continued support and patience during this difficult time as we recover from extreme damage caused by the flooding on August 18 and 19, 2024. We are excited to announce that the Southbury Public Library will be opening a temporary storefront within the Heritage Hotel Golf, Spa & Conference Center, located at 522 Heritage Road, Southbury, CT! The opening of this temporary storefront and its hours of operation are still to be determined.
The Southbury Public Library, the “Heart of the Community,” will reopen at our Poverty Road location as soon as possible. For the most up-to-date information, please follow our website and social media accounts or the Town of Southbury’s website and social media accounts (Town Facebook & Town Instagram). If you need assistance with anything related to your library card account, please call 203-262-0626 or email asksbylib@biblio.org.
Check out some of our favorite online resources that you can access for free from home (or anywhere with an internet connection) with your Southbury Public Library card! Download ebooks, audiobooks, movies, television shows and more! While our building is closed, please join us for virtual and off-site events.
For children: we have two separate (and cute) animal events on Wednesday, January 15! Ages 2-5 and their Caregivers: join us from 10:30-11:30am at Southbury Parks & Recreation for Pet Presentations with Furry Scaly Friends. Many animals such as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles, snakes and more will be present at this critter learning adventure! Grades K-5 can join us later that day from 4:30-5:30pm for an Animal Meet & Greet with Furry Scaly Friends! Interaction with many of the animals is encouraged at this event, but not mandatory! Space is limited, so make sure to register on our website if you'd like to join us!
Grades 6-12: Satisfy your sweet tooth (and get a taste of summer) with us on Tuesday, January 14 from 4-5pm with our Peaches & Cream Whoopie Pies cooking class with Food Explorers!
Adults: Join us Tuesday, January 7, online via Zoom for “But It’s a Great Story” Debunking American Legends! This lecture, presented by accomplished historian and storyteller Valerie Gugala, will delve into some widely popular American legends that have been passed down through generations, exploring the truth behind these tales. Stories like George Washington’s false teeth, Paul Revere’s Ride, Johnny Appleseed, and the Curse of the Hope diamond are included.
To find out more about all of our exciting events in January, see below!
Best wishes,
The Staff of the Southbury Public Library
Table of Contents
- Flood Recovery Updates
- How to Get a Library Card
- Museum Passes
- Our Favorite Online Resources
- Adult Events
- Adult Book Clubs
- Children and Teen Events
- Children and Teen Reading Challenges
- Children's Events
- Teen Events
- The Friends of the Southbury Public Library
Flood Recovery Updates
Now that the library basement cleanup is completed, the Town is focusing on plans for replacing the library infrastructure and securing an engineer to create a plan to move forward. The upper floors of the building continue to be monitored for humidity; temporary industrial cooling and heating are regulating temperatures.
As we recover from extreme damage caused by the flooding, the Southbury Public Library will be opening a temporary storefront within the Heritage Hotel Golf, Spa & Conference Center, located at 522 Heritage Road, Southbury, CT. The opening of this temporary storefront and its hours of operation are still to be determined.
How to Get a Library Card
Southbury residents: apply online to get your library card, and pick it up in person during select library events! To get a library card, we need proof of Southbury residency. Proof can be anything with your name and address on it, such as a bill, piece of mail, or lease agreement. For children who don’t have proof of residency, we need proof of residency from one of their parents or legal guardians. If you don’t live in Southbury, you can borrow materials when we are open again with a valid library card from your hometown library. Once you get a card from your home library, you can register it with us. To apply for a library card online for Southbury Residents, click here.
While the library remains closed due to flood damage, you can pick up your card in person and verify your address during our library storytime programming on Mondays from 10:30-11:30am and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30am at Southbury Parks & Recreation. For more information about applying for a library card online, click here.
Museum Passes
Museum Passes are back in circulation! A list of available museum passes can be found here. Our passes can be checked out and returned during our library storytime programming on Mondays from 10:30-11:30am and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30am at Southbury Parks & Recreation. The passes can be checked out for 7 days.
Our Favorite Online Resources
Kanopy, Consumer Reports Online, & Libby
Check out some of our favorite online resources that you can access for free from home (or anywhere with an internet connection) with your Southbury Public Library card! We have more details on our website here about Kanopy, Consumer Reports Online, and Libby. Kanopy offers streaming of movies and television shows, including many popular BBC shows, The Great Courses, and Sesame Street. You can access all that Consumer Reports Online has to offer through the link on our website and using your Southbury library card number. Last but not least, is Libby: our app for ebooks, audiobooks, and many popular magazines. For all of these online resources, you need the number on the back of your library card that starts with "24019" and enter it in with no spaces. While Kanopy and Consumer Reports online are for Southbury library card holders only, many area libraries have access to Libby, which is our favorite for ebooks, audiobooks, and many popular magazines.
Adult Events
Information and Registration: Reference Department at 203-262-0626
All programs require registration unless otherwise noted. The majority of programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget. All virtual adult programs require registration, registrants will receive an email with the Zoom links the morning of the program.
“But It’s a Great Story” Debunking American Legends
Tuesday, January 7, 2-3:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
This lecture, presented by accomplished historian and storyteller Valerie Gugala, will delve into some widely popular American legends that have been passed down through generations, exploring the truth behind these tales. While these legends may have become ingrained in popular culture, it is important to critically examine their historical accuracy. To register, click here.
With a Song in My Heart: A History of Singing in the Movies
Thursday, January 16, 2-3:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
From the moment movies learned to talk, they learned to sing. This talk, presented by Brian Rose, will look at the varying ways Holllywood captured its star vocalists through the decades, and provided audiences then and now with an invaluable record of indelible performances. To register, click here.
Food Explorers for Adults: Ricotta Gnocchi
Tuesday, January 21, 6:30-7:30pm, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required – Space Limited
Join Food Explorers for a delicious evening where you’ll be making homemade ricotta gnocchi! You’ll learn how to make, knead, roll and shape your gnocchi to make them light and fluffy. Recipe is nut free but will contain dairy, eggs and gluten. Space is limited, so make sure to register on our website if you'd like to join us! To register, click here.
Sour and Savory: Mastering the Art of Fermented Foods
Thursday, January 23, 7-8:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
Master the art of fermented foods with Mark Gostkiewicz, owner of Tri Gable Lea Farm! In this class, we'll take you on a journey through the delicious world of homemade pickles, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods. From classic dill pickles to spicy kimchi, we'll cover all the key steps for success and give you the tools to create your own signature fermented foods at home. To register, click here.
Adult Coloring Club
Monday, January 27, 2-3:30pm, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
Welcome to the Adult Coloring Club! Join us for a relaxing hour of therapeutic coloring. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Registration is requested, not required. Please sign up so we know how many people to expect and to receive event updates! To register, click here.
Adult Book Clubs
The Southbury Public Library offers three book clubs for adults: Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club, Nonfiction Book Club and Mystery Book Club. Registration is requested, not required. Join us for a discussion about this month’s books! Please sign up so we know how many people to expect and to receive event updates!
Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, January 8, 10-11am, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
This month we'll be discussing Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America, by Leila Philip (a Connecticut author!).
From award-winning writer Leila Philip, Beaverland is a masterful work of narrative science writing, a book that highlights, though history and contemporary storytelling, how this weird rodent plays an oversized role in American history and its future. She follows fur trappers who lead her through waist high water, fur traders and fur auctioneers, as well as wildlife managers, PETA activists, Native American environmental vigilantes, scientists, engineers, and the colorful group of activists known as beaver believers. What emerges is a poignant personal narrative, a startling portrait of the secretive world of the contemporary fur trade, and an engrossing ecological and historical investigation of these heroic animals who, once trapped to the point of extinction, have returned to the landscape as one of the greatest conservation stories of the 20th century.
Registration is requested, not required. Please sign up so we know how many people to expect and to receive event updates! To register, click here.
Mystery Book Club
Monday, January 13, 3-4pm, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
This month we'll be discussing Heirs and Graces: A Royal Spyness Mystery, by Rhys Bowen.
London, 1934. Entrusted by Her Majesty the Queen with grooming Jack Altringham—the Duke of Eynsford’s newly discovered heir fresh from the Outback of Australia—for high society, Lady Georgiana Rannoch now has the luxurious opportunity to live in one of England’s most gorgeous stately homes. But upon her arrival at Kingsdowne Place, Georgie finds herself in a manor full of miscreants, none of whom are pleased with the discovery of her new ward. Then the duke announces he wants to choose his own heir and causes quite the hubbub. Somewhere along the way Jack’s hunting knife ends up in the duke’s back. Eyes fall, backs turn, and fingers point to the young heir. But while Jack may be wild, Georgie would bet the crown jewels it wasn’t he who killed the duke...
Registration is requested, not required. Please sign up so we know how many people to expect and to receive event updates! To register, click here.
Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, January 28, 6:30-7:30pm, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
This month we'll be discussing Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers: A Novel, by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to. Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands.
Registration is requested, not required. Please sign up so we know how many people to expect and to receive event updates! To register, click here.
Children and Teen Events
Information and Registration: Children/Teen Department at 203-262-0626
See below for information about our upcoming Children's and Teen Programming! All of our Children's and Teen Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget.
Children and Teen Reading Challenges:
January Monthly Mini Reading Challenge (All Ages)
January 1-31, Online on Beanstack
Join us on Beanstack for our next Mini Monthly Reading Challenge! Ready, set, READ! Become a reading machine this winter! Read for five hours (about 1-3 books for elementary, middle, and high school readers) and get a SurPRIZE. Find out more and sign up on our Beanstack page!
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (Birth to Entering Kindergarten)
Ongoing, Online on Beanstack
Read a book (any book!) to your newborn, infant, or toddler and keep track on Beanstack. Repeats count! If you read 1 Book a Day for 3 years, that’s 1,095 books! 10 books a week for 2 years is 1,040 books, and 3 books a day in one year is 1,095 books. Every book you read you get one sticker, and if you finish you can get a certificate, small prize, and your picture on our wall of fame if you’d like! Visit Beanstack to get started online.
100 Books Before Graduation (Grades 9-12)
Ongoing, Online on Beanstack
Read 100 books before High School Graduation! 100 books may seem like a lot (and it is), but it works out to about 1 book every 2 weeks. When you sign up, get a special tracking bookmark to fill out as you read. Make it to half way and get a $5 Gift Card to Dunkin' or The Bakery. Read 100 books and get a special throw blanket! Every 10 books you read, pick out something from the prize box (pins, stickers, animal sticky notes, and more!). Visit Beanstack to find out more and get started!
Children's Storytimes:
Drop-In Storytime (All Ages)
Monday, January 6, 13, 27, 10:30-11am, Multi-Purpose Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, No Registration Required
Join Jen for an all-ages storytime! We'll share books, rhymes, and songs, and a small craft will be available to take home. Find out more on our website here.
Babies & Books Storytime (6-24 Months)
Tuesday, January 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18, 10:30-11am, Nursery Room, United Church of Christ, 283 Main Street North, Registration Required - Space Limited
Babies & Books is a 6-week lapsit program for children 6 to 24 months and their parents/caregivers. Listen to short stories and songs, and enjoy a small craft or sensory play. Find out more on and register our website here.
Toddler Time Storytime (Ages 2 & 3)
Wednesday, January 22, 29 and February 5, 12, 19, 10:30-11am, Multi-Purpose Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Toddler Time is a 6-week program for children ages 2 & 3 years and their parents/caregivers. Listen to stories and complete a small craft or sensory play activity. Find out more on and register our website here.
Special Events for Children:
Tunes & Tales (Recommended for Ages 5 & Under)
Thursday, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 10:30-11am, Multi-Purpose Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, No Registration Required
Join Jen for a morning filled with music and stories! Children will sing, dance, and experiment with simple musical instruments. Find out more on our website here.
Pet Presentations with Furry Scaly Friends (Ages 2-5)
Wednesday, January 15, 10:30-11:30am, Multi-Purpose Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Furry Scaly Friends on a critter learning adventure! Many animals such as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles, snakes and more will be present for the event! Find out more and register on our website here.
Animal Meet & Greet with Furry Scaly Friends (Grades K-5)
Wednesday, January 15, 4:30-5:30pm, Multi-Purpose Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Furry Scaly Friends for an interactive animal event! Critters such as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles, snakes, prairie dogs and more will be present, and interaction with many of the animals is encouraged, but not mandatory. Find out more and register on our website here.
LEGO Club (Grades K-5)
Thursday, January 16, 4:30-5:30pm, Mat Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Michelle and Jen for an afternoon of LEGO fun! We’ll provide the LEGO bricks, and you bring the creativity! You can free build, or work off of instructions. Find out more and register on our website here.
Quiet Book Club (Grades 2-5)
Thursday, January 23, 4:30-5:30pm, Parlor, United Church of Christ, 283 Main Street North, Registration Required - Space Limited
Quiet Book Club is a great time to read, hang out with fellow book enthusiasts, and share book recommendations! You bring a book (or several) that you are currently reading, make yourself comfortable, and... READ! For the first and last 10 minutes of the club, you will have a chance to chat and share what you are reading, then for the remaining 40 minutes you can read uninterrupted in a quiet space! The room has comfortable chairs and sofas, but feel free to bring a pillow or cozy blanket. Find out more and register on our website here.
Special Events for Teens:
Food Explorers: Peaches & Cream Whoopie Pies (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, January 14, 4-5pm, Kitchen of Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Food Explorers for a sweet treat. This recipe is nut free but will contain dairy, eggs and gluten. Find out more and register on our website here.
Teen Crochet & Knitting Club (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, January 14, 6:30-7:30pm, Kitchen of Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for our crochet and knitting club, open to both new and experienced crafters alike. If you’re already working on a project, bring it with you. If you’re new to knitting and crocheting, get started with us! We will have basic knitting and crocheting supplies available. Find out more and register on our website here.
Felt Book Keychains & Earrings (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, January 23, 6-7pm, Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us to make mini books out of felt and turn them into keychains or earrings! These tiny felt books are easy to make, and you can add them to a keychain or onto earrings! There will be a very small and simple amount of sewing. Find out more and register on our website here.
Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, January 28, 6-7pm, Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Application Required
Want to make a difference in the Teen Department? Consider joining the Teen Advisory Board! We meet once a month to discuss ideas for the Teen Department and work on special projects. A membership application is required, but we are seeking new members! You can find out more and apply on our website here.
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library are a non-profit, voluntary, incorporated organization that sponsors almost all of our fun virtual and in-person programs found on the calendar page of our website. For information about how to become a member of the Friends, click here. If you would like to donate to the Friends, please use the PayPal donate button on our website. You do not need to have a PayPal account, just a credit or debit card. To do a regular donation, select "Donation" under the "Use this Donation For" drop down menu.
Donations
Friends’ Donation Center, located in the Southbury Plaza between Catalyst Gym and The Paper Store
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am, and Wednesdays from 5-7pm
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library are accepting donations for future book sales to raise funds for library programs and services to benefit the community. The Friends’ Donation Center is located at their new space, generously donated by Gatto Development Corporation, in the Southbury Plaza between Catalyst Gym and The Paper Store. The Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
Items accepted include gently-used hardcover, softcover, and paperback books in all genres, both fiction and nonfiction, for adults, teens, and children. The Friends also accept DVDs, music CDs, vinyl records, audiobooks on CD, jigsaw puzzles, and games. Donation receipts for tax purposes are available.
The Center will be closed through January 6, and will resume regular hours on January 7. The closing will give the Friends volunteers a much needed break, and will accommodate increased holiday traffic at the Plaza. If you're donating items to the Friends, we ask you not to leave items outside when the Donation Center is closed.
The floods of August 18-19, 2024, completely destroyed the entire Friends’ inventory of material collected in the past year from generous donors. The Friends are extremely grateful to all those in the community, the surrounding towns, and even out of state, who have so generously donated books and other materials. The success of past sales allows us to continue to fund almost all programs offered by the library.
For more information about the Friends of the Southbury Public Library, click here.