Hello, Friends!
Happy June! We hope you'll stop by to visit our temporary location within the Heritage Hotel to check out a book or pick up a hold. There may be times we have to reduce our services to holds pick up only (with no browsing or newspapers) or fully close depending on outside events at the Heritage Hotel; changes will be listed on our website here, posted at our location in the hotel, or you can call us at 203-262-0626 to check. These hours are subject to change, but we will post any changes to our website and at our location in the Heritage Hotel as soon as we know.
Summer Reading is almost here! From Saturday, June 7 through Friday, August 15, we invite everyone, regardless of age or town of residency, to join us on our Summer Reading Software, Beanstack for this summer’s reading challenges! This summer's theme, Level Up at Your Library, reminds us that libraries are not just a space for knowledge, they are a space for fun!
Children and Teens: Each hour you read counts as one raffle ticket for a variety of prizes and a bead for Read-for-Beads. Pre-Kindergartners can earn stickers or beads!
Adults: Each book you read earns a raffle ticket towards one of several $25 gift card prizes. All submitted tickets are eligible for this summer's grand prize, a $150 Visa Gift Card! We are excited to announce that there is an additional Bookopoly reading challenge this summer! Completed Bookopoly game boards will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a $200 Visa Gift Card!
Find out more about Summer Reading for all ages on our website here! While Summer Reading doesn't start until Saturday, June 7, you can pre-register now on Beanstack to get signing up out of the way.
We hope you'll join us for our virtual and off-site events this month! Some highlights include a Let's Draw Animals! online class for Grades K-5, hanging out with cute animals for Grades 6-12, and the lecture Gods and Monsters: The Story of Monsters for adults. To find out more about all of our exciting events in June, see below!
If you need assistance with anything related to your library card account, please visit us at the Heritage Hotel, call 203-262-0626, or email asksbylib@biblio.org.
Best wishes,
The Staff of the Southbury Public Library
Table of Contents
- Flood Recovery Updates
- Museum Passes
- Adult Summer Reading Challenges
- Adult Events
- Adult Book Clubs
- Children and Teens
- Children and Teen Summer Reading Challenges
- Children's Events
- Teen Events
- The Friends of the Southbury Public Library
- Artist of the Month: Laura Modlin
Flood Recovery Updates
We are very grateful for the letters and signatures submitted by patrons in support of our Community Project Funding (CPF) request to Jahana Hayes' office. In less than four days, the First Selectman's office received 14 letters of support and 1,540 signatures, many with comments. These letters and signatures were submitted along with the Town's application on our behalf to Jahana Hayes' office to be considered for FY26 Community Project Funding.
Work continues inside and outside the library building, with progress made on drywall installation, fireproofing improvements, and repairs to outdoor lighting. A bid has been accepted for elevator replacement. Throughout these repairs, the library building at 100 Poverty Road continues to remain structurally sound with consistent temperature and humidity throughout the main floors. While not yet ready, we remain on schedule to reopen to the public in November 2025.
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). In the meantime, please come visit us at our temporary location in the Heritage Hotel at 522 Heritage Road!
Museum Passes
Take a daytrip with one of our museum passes and get reduced or free admission to a variety of attractions. Find a full list of our passes here! Our passes can be checked out and returned at our temporary location within the Heritage Hotel. The passes can be checked out for 3 days and are first come, first served with one at a time per household.
Adult Summer Reading Challenges
Bookopoly (Ages 18 & Up)
June 7 – August 15, Online on Beanstack
We invite adults, regardless of town of residency, to join us on Beanstack for Southbury Public Library's Bookopoly reading challenge! Click here to view the game board and get started!
From June 7 to August 15, 2025, select books to read for each theme on the game board’s boardwalk. For each theme you complete on the game board’s boardwalk, you will earn raffle tickets that can be entered into the Adult Summer Reading Challenge's drawing for one of several $25 gift card prizes! Completed game boards will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a $200 Visa Gift Card!
Raffle tickets and completed game boards submitted by August 15, 2025, will be eligible for this summer's prizes. A drawing will occur to decide the winners. If you cannot use the digital version of Bookopoly on Beanstack, please visit the library’s Circulation Desk to request a print version.
2025 Adult Summer Reading Challenge: Level Up at Your Library (Ages 18 & Up)
June 7 – August 15, Online on Beanstack
From June 7 to August 15, 2025, we invite adults, regardless of town of residency, to participate in Southbury Public Library's Adult Summer Reading Challenge! This summer's theme, Level Up at Your Library, reminds us that libraries are not just a space for knowledge, they are a space for fun!
For each book you read this summer, earn a raffle ticket towards one of several $25 gift card prizes. All submitted tickets are eligible for this summer's grand prize, a $150 Visa Gift Card! Click here to log your books and submit your raffle tickets on Beanstack!
Raffle tickets must be submitted by August 15, 2025, to be eligible for this summer's prizes. If you cannot submit your raffle tickets digitally, paper raffle tickets and prize boxes are available at our temporary location within the Heritage Hotel. A drawing will occur to decide the winners. For more information about this summer's prizes, click here.
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.
Lexington & Concord
Thursday, June 12, 2-3:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
On April 19, 1775, 700 British Regulars were met by 77 colonials at Lexington. Eight patriots were killed and the British column moved on to Concord. Here 400 militiamen waited and the battle was joined. This led to more colonials grabbing their rifles and joining their neighbors. Join us as Mark Albertson explores this battle that started the American Revolution. To register, click here.
Chicago: 50 Years of "All That Jazz"
Friday, June 13, 2-3:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
Chicago premiered on June 3, 1975 at the 46th Street Theater. The original production ran for 936 shows. The 1996 production is now the longest running production currently on Broadway. Join us as entertainment historian John Kenrick explores the story of the 1920s crime story that is Chicago. To register, click here.
The Battle of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill)
Thursday, June 19, 2-3:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
On June 17, 1775, the Americans fought against the British. While the British won the day, the cost of victory was high. Join us as Mark Albertson explores this battle and its impact on the American Revolutionary War. To register, click here.
Gods and Monsters: The Story of Mythology
Friday, June 20, 2-3:30pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
Join us as Dr. Bill Thierfelder explores some of the world’s great myths with a focus on the gods and heroes who create or fight remarkable foes, both natural and invented. Whirlpools, dragons, and towering beasts are among the many challenges that humans and deities must overcome. Because these myths have become the basis for the archetypes of literature, art, and psychology, their importance to modern culture is immeasurable. To register, click here.
Adult Coloring Club
Monday, June 23, 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!
Mystery Book Club
Monday, June 9, 3-4pm, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
This month we'll be discussing The Maid: A Novel, by Nita Prose. To register, click here.
Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, June 11, 10-11am, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
This month we'll be discussing What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds, by Jennifer Ackerman. To register, click here.
Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, June 24, 6:30-7:30pm, Offsite at Parks and Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Requested
This month we'll be discussing The Great Divide: A Novel, by Cristina Henriquez. To register, click here.
Children and Teen Summer Reading 2025
Summer Reading Program: Level Up at Your Library (PreK to Grade 12 & Class of 2025 Graduates)
June 7-August 15, Online on Beanstack
Log your reading time to enter to win different raffle prizes, join us for fun events, and more! This year, all our Summer Reading registration and raffle tickets will be online with Beanstack, our virtual summer reading tracker. While you will have to use Beanstack to enter in the time you've read and earn tickets or rewards, we will have paper logs you can use to help organize your time read before entering it into Beanstack. Readers who cannot use Beanstack can talk to Teen Librarian Eli or Children's Librarian Jen directly to arrange an alternative.
We have something special for each age group!
Pre-K (0 through entering Kindergarten): Keep track of the days you read; earn one sticker or one bead for every day you read to add to a Sticker Book or Read-for-Beads necklace.
Entering Grades 1-5: keep track of how much time you read for; every hour earns you one raffle ticket for a variety of prizes and a bead for a Read-for-Beads necklace.
Entering Grades 6-12 (and Class of 2025 Graduates): keep track of how much time you read for; every hour earns you one raffle ticket for a variety of $25 Gift Cards and a bead for a Read-for-Beads necklace or keychain.
Grades 1-12 can also participate in our Scavenger Hunt: 12 board games are hidden around the town of Southbury. Can you find them for a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card? See the full challenge in Beanstack for more details!
Our all-year-round challenges of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (for birth to entering Kindergarten) and 100 Books Before Graduation (for Grades 9-12) are still continuing over the summer on Beanstack!
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's Storytimes:
Tunes & Tales (Recommended for Ages 5 & Under)
Thursday, June 12, 26, 10:30-11am, Multipurpose 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 enjoy a thematic craft. Find out more on our website here.
Storytime & Crafts at the Farmers’ Market (All Ages)
Thursday, June 19, 26, 3:30-4:30pm, Southbury Town Hall Green, 501 Main Street South, No Registration Required
Stop by the Southbury Farmers' Market and enjoy stories and a take-and-make craft with the librarians from the Southbury Public Library! Find out more on our website here.
Special Events for Children:
Tiny Food Explorers: Breakfast Tacos (Ages 2-5)
Wednesday, June 4, 11am-12pm, Kitchen, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Get ready for a fun, hands-on cooking adventure for your tiny chef as we dive into the delicious world of Breakfast Tacos! Preschoolers and their grown-ups will explore basic cooking skills while creating their own tasty taco masterpieces. Recipe is nut-free and vegetarian but will contain dairy, eggs, and gluten. Find out more and register on our website here.
Food Explorers: Strawberry Lemonade Pie (Ages 6-12)
Wednesday, June 4, 4:30-5:30pm, Kitchen, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Food Explorers for a delightful dessert class where you'll learn to make a refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Pie! This no-bake treat combines the perfect balance of sweet strawberries and tangy lemon in a graham cracker crust. Come enjoy a fun, hands-on experience and leave with a delicious personal pie! Recipe is nut-free and vegetarian but will contain dairy, eggs, and gluten. Find out more and register on our website here.
Take & Make Craft (All Ages)
Monday, June 9, 16, 23, 30, Heritage Hotel, 522 Heritage Road, While Supplies Last, No Registration Required
Stop by our Heritage Hotel location on Mondays for a Take & Make Craft. Bring home everything you'll need to make a fun and exciting thematic paper craft. Appropriate for all ages. Young children may need assistance. Find out more on our website here.
Father’s Day Pebble Art Plaques with the Southbury Garden Club (Ages 7-12)
Saturday, June 14, 11:30am-1pm, Mat Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join the Southbury Garden Club to create Pebble Art Plaques for Father’s Day. Find out more and register on our website here.
Family Games Night (All Ages)
Thursday, June 19, 6:30-7:30pm, Mat Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, No Registration Required
Join us for an evening of board games! Families or teen groups of friends, drop in to enjoy a variety of board games. If a team is not made of middle schoolers and above, an adult must be present. Find out more about June 19th's Family Games Night as well as our upcoming July and August dates on our website here.
Monday Grab & Go Craft: Coffee Filter Butterfly (Grades 1-5)
Monday, June 16, Beginning 11am, Heritage Hotel, 522 Heritage Road, While Supplies Last, No Registration Required
Stop by our temporary Heritage Hotel location to pick up your Coffee Filter Butterfly Grab & Go Kit! Recommended for children in Grades 1-5. Younger children may need assistance. Find out more on our website here.
Let’s Draw Animals! With Rick Stromoski (Ages 7-12)
Monday, June 16, 2-3pm, Online via Zoom, Registration Required
Award-winning cartoonist Rick Stromoski will show you how to draw amazing animals! This is our third time hosting Rick’s popular drawing program. Find out more and register on our website here.
Storytime & Crafts at the Farmers’ Market (All Ages)
Thursday, June 19, 26, 3:30-4:30pm, Southbury Town Hall Green, 501 Main Street South, No Registration Required
Stop by the Southbury Farmers' Market and enjoy stories and a take-and-make craft with the librarians from the Southbury Public Library! Find out more on our website here.
Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, June 20, 6:30-8pm, Multipurpose Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for another Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.
Monday Grab & Go Craft: Perler Bead Pipe Cleaner Snake (Grades 1-5)
Monday, June 30, Beginning 11am, Heritage Hotel, 522 Heritage Road, While Supplies Last, No Registration Required
Stop by our temporary Heritage Hotel location to pick up your Perler Bead Pipe Cleaner Snake Grab & Go Kit! Recommended for children in Grades 1-5. Younger children may need assistance. Find out more and register on our website here.
Special Events for Teens:
To Go Craft Kit: Rainbow Elastic Bookmarks (Grades 6-12)
Beginning 11am Monday, June 16 from the Library’s Location at the Heritage Hotel at 522 Heritage Road, While Supplies Last, No Registration Required
Pick up complete kits to make a felt and elastic rainbow bookmark while supplies last. These colorful bookmarks feature an elastic strap, helping them to stay in place for either your current book or a notebook or journal. Each kit will have instructions and all supplies needed (except scissors). Find out more on our website here.
Cute Animals Hangout (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 26, 6:30-7:30pm at Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Can attend any or all. Come hang out with a variety of cute animals, both furry and scaly! You can attend one or both sessions. Meet, interact with, feed snacks to, and pet a variety of animal friends including bunnies, ferrets, sugar gliders, snakes, a bearded dragon, and more! Find out more and register on our website here.
Teen Crochet Club (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, June 19, 6:30-7:30pm, Kitchen of Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Can attend any or all meetings. 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.
Family Games Night (All Ages)
Thursday, June 19, 6:30-7:30pm, Mat Room, Southbury Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, No Registration Required
Join us for an evening of board games! Families or teen groups of friends, drop in to enjoy a variety of board games. If a team is not made of middle schoolers and above, an adult must be present. Find out more about June 19th's Family Games Night as well as our upcoming July and August dates on our website here.
Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, June 20, 6:30-8pm, Multipurpose Room of Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for another Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.
To Go Craft Kit: Mini Narwhal Plush (Grades 6-12)
Beginning 11am Monday, June 30 from the Library’s Location at the Heritage Hotel at 522 Heritage Road, While Supplies Last, No Registration Required
Pick up complete kits to make a mini narwhal plush while supplies last. These pocket sized pals have all the charm of these real-life unicorns while being much easier to carry around. Each kit will have instructions and all supplies needed (except scissors). Find out more on our website here.
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library sponsor almost all of our fun virtual and in-person programs found on the calendar page of our website. Find out more about the Friends here!
Friends Summer Pop-Up Sale
Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 9am-4pm, Parks & Recreation, 561 Main Street South
Stop by the Friends' summer pop-up sale of fun reads for all ages! Cash, checks, or PayPal only. There will be beach reads for adults and teens, as well as fun books for children! Also included are puzzles and games for all ages. Genres include fiction, mystery, vampires, and more.
Proceeds from this sale will go to the Friends, who sponsor almost all of our events for all ages. This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the Southbury Parks & Recreation Department.
More details about the sale can be found here. For more general information about the Friends of the Southbury Public Library, click here.
Artist of the Month: Laura Modlin
This June, Southbury Public Library’s online art gallery will feature nature photos by Laura Modlin.
The images are a deep dive into our environment seen through the lens of this professional photographer/lover of nature.
Laura lives in Southbury and is an award-winning environmental journalist as well as a radio producer/host on WPKN 89.5 FM, where she has a monthly show on the natural world at 5:30pm on the first Sundays of each month. Laura holds a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Film & Video Production from NYU, where she learned to tell stories visually as much as through the spoken word.
She grew up in Manhattan and her family spent summers in Connecticut where she eventually moved full-time in order to pursue her environmental goals.
For more information, click here. To view this virtual exhibit, click here.