In with the New but Always the Old
By Pat Rutkowski | New Britain Public Library Director at December 24, 2023 | 8:15 am | Print
It’s that time of year when folks start looking forward to the New Year - a time of renewal, a time to wipe the board clean and start afresh. Maybe try something different.
We look forward to what the New Year brings and as always we will be trying some new programming and continuing with some old.
This year’s new craze is all about coloring. Color and relax. I, myself, am giving several adult coloring books as Christmas presents and have treated myself to one, too. I look forward to its promise of relaxation. However, I can’t promise that I will stay within the lines. I remember when my kids were young – many times I would color along with them. Coloring and reading were two of the easiest, pleasant and low cost ways to spend time with the kids. I can actually recall that relaxed feeling that coloring provided.
The library is jumping on the coloring craze. We will be offering a new program, Cookies and Coloring, a club for adults. It will meet will meet monthly, 6:30 to 7:30 pm: beginning on Wednesday, January 20. Everything will be supplied along with some good company and cookies. Try it out. Discover your inner artist.
A couple of other programs we have been offering for a while, that we need help spreading the word about are the Homework Center and Time for Tots. Knowing how hard it is to find a program for the very little ones, this is a program for kids under 3. The program is offered weekly on Friday mornings, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Community Room. It is a low keyed program which gives both children and their caretaker the opportunity to connect and socialize. There is lots of age appropriate, educational toys for the kids to play along with a story time and songs. Dads, moms, kids, aunts, uncles, babysitters, or grandparents are all invited. Give your child a chance to play with other kids and as have an opportunity for yourself, to connect with other parents and caretakers.
Another very worthwhile program is the Homework Center. Since it’s about half way through the school year, now is a good time to assess your kid’s progress in school. Are they struggling? Do their grades need to be improved? Is there a subject they are having difficulty with or is there a homework assignment they don’t understand. The Homework Center is available to kids, grades 6 through 12 in the comfort of the Teen Room. Half hour, free appointments are available to work with our experienced tutors, Monday – Thursday, 4-6:30. You can make an appointment to guarantee a space by calling the Teen Room, 860-224-3155, ext. 130. This extremely important service is made possible with funding from the American Savings Foundation.
So the New Year is coming and there are ample opportunities for you at the library to make it a good year : read a good book, join a book discussion group, learn a new skill, figure out how to download e-books or e-magazines, experience a new craze, catch a movie or learn to play chess. We make it easy. Happy New Year!
