Where’s the Library?
By Pat Rutkowski | New Britain Public Library Director at July 28, 2024 | 6:45 pm | Print
Last month the library got wheels. This month we were out on the library lawn. Why not! Inside, outside, out in the community, on the move, the library is humming with energy and activity.
Just recently, from my office window on the top floor, I heard a commotion outside. Not unusual as I often hear noise –music, sirens, dogs barking, and voices. This sounded different and it also lasted more than the usual few minutes. On investigation and to my delight, there were about 70 kids on the library’s front lawn in various poses, giggling, smiling and doing their best, learning what to do with a Frisbee – at a library program. A few days later our summer hip hop workshop was out on the lawn practicing their dance moves. Last month, we joined the Consolidated School District on a beautiful Saturday morning and were the last stop of their Story Walk as kids traveled through downtown. Along the way they stopped at various businesses and read a page of one of my favorite books “Library Lion”, finishing at the library with the final page. We also held our day long 3rd annual Summer Reading Bash on the lawn with a readathon, clown, crafts, snow cones and summer reading signup.
If you’re wondering about the library bus which is out visiting in neighborhoods, we are having lots of fun. Staff has been enjoying meeting kids and parents. We have been so welcomed. The kids are endearing, engaging and full of wonderful energy. They are checking out books and getting library cards. They are enjoying the stories Miss Denise is telling and doing lots of crafts. They love the crafts and entertaining us making up knock knock jokes.
Connecting to the community is not new for the library. We are always looking for a way to do that whether going to the schools, out on the lawn, or on the bus. That brings me to August. We will be part of the City’s Wednesday Farmers’ Market. On a couple of days, Miss Cathy will be doing stories with a connection to farming and vegetables. Librarians will have lots of information about our upcoming programs and services the library offers, and a great booklist and bookmark on farming topics – recipes, organic gardening and nutritional foods. We do library everywhere. Stop by and visit us!
