With Christmas right around the corner, smart holiday shoppers can still pick up some very special items for gift giving when they visit the library. The "virtual book store" set up in the gallery provides a plethora of like-new items, some still in original shrink wrap - from cookbooks to art books to children's picture and chapter books--perfect for holiday/hostess gifts. The Giving Tree in the gallery is a beautiful sight to behold with myriad items available to be purchased for the library's collection. Patrons may choose any of the items to be given in honor, in celebration or in memory of someone. A bookplate will be put on the item and placed in the library's collection. The donor will receive a receipt and an acknowledgement card that can be given to the honoree or the family. For information: 762-3950.
Free movies for kidsKids have their free movie day on Thursday, Dec. 27 with Angelina Ballerina: The Silver Locket in the morning at 10:30 and Shrek the Third at 2. Children under 8 must be accompanied by adults; children 8 and over must have caregivers remain in the building. The movies are free and no registration is required. Popcorn and lemonade will be served. The movies are sponsored by Louis Dreyfus Corporation.
Kwanzaa craftsKids can drop in any time between 10 and 6 on Friday, Dec. 28 for Kwanzaa-themed crafts. Samples of the crafts will be available for children to follow. The materials are supplied by the library. The crafts are free of charge and there is no registration.
Museum Pass programThe kids are minutes away from vacation and after the blur of Christmas, the panic sets in on what to do with the them for the remainder of the time. The library's Museum Pass program may be just what parents and grandparents are looking for to fill the days with fun, entertainment and education. The Museum Pass program provides free or discounted admission to more than 10 Connecticut museums ranging in scope from dinosaurs at Dinosaur State Park to marine life at Mystic Aquarium and the Maritime Aquarium, and from contemporary art at Aldrich Art Museum to American art at the New Britain Museum of American Art. The passes are free of charge to library patrons, may be reserved up to one month in advance and go on loan to patrons for three consecutive days. Patrons are responsible for any parking or reduced admission fees stated on each pass. In addition to the museums already listed, the participating museums also include Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, Discovery Museum and Planetarium, Earthplace: The Nature Discovery Center, Mark Twain House & Museum, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, and the Wadworth Atheneum Museum of Art. For more details and to reserve passes, call 762-3950.
Bonus DVD weekendWith the library closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, patrons taking out DVDs on Friday, Dec. 21 can enjoy their movies for 5 days rather than 3 for the same low price of $1 per DVD. This means that while "the weather outside is frightful," families can enjoy hours and bonus days watching their favorite movies. The movies taken out on Friday are due on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Patrons may also want to make note that at any time in Adult and Teen Services, TV shows on DVD are free and available for loan for 7 days; movies on VHS videos now have a 3-week loan period for $1, and TV shows on VHS are loaned for the same 3-week period for free. Children's Library entertainment DVDs are on loan for 3 days for $1 and VHS videos are on loan for 3 weeks for $1. Children's non-fiction DVDs and VHS videos are free of charge and on loan for 7 days and 3 weeks respectively. If children join the Young Readers Club, feature film DVDs are loaned for 7 days for $1 rather than 3 days. For more details on becoming a Young Reader, call the Children's Library at 762-3950 ext. 217.
Reminder: The library is closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24 and 25.