Introducing Lauren O'Neill!

Our new Information/ Reference Assistant, Lauren O'Neill, joined us in October. We asked Lauren to share a little about herself:

Favorite reading genre? Fantasy

Currently reading? Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Favorite childhood author? Rick Riordan

What inspired you to work in libraries? I got my start here at Waterford when I was a volunteer during high school. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to learn more about libraries, and I'm now working on my Master of Library & Information Science at Southern Connecticut State University.

Favorite thing to do in CT in December? Drive around looking at the lights and decorations with my family.

Anything else to share? Besides reading, I also write in my free time. Currently, I'm working on the second draft of a young adult fantasy novel that hope to publish someday.

A Note from the Library Director, Chris Johnson

I know that I say this every year, but it is hard to believe that we have made it to yet another December! It has been a very busy year at the library and we have been so pleased to see so many familiar faces returning, along with new readers joining us, at the library.

As you will see from this e-newsletter, our December calendar offers a wide range of educational, fun and festive programs for all ages. I hope that you can join us for some or all of these events. Also, our friends at the Waterford Firefighters Association are planning to once again install their popular winter village train layout later this month - more details to come soon...

As always, our shelves are stocked with many good reads, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDS and puzzles to enjoy with a hot cup of cocoa at home.

Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you!

Library Hours

Saturday, December 24: Christmas Eve, Open 9am- 1pm

Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day, Library Closed

Monday, December 26: Christmas Day Observed, Library Closed

Saturday, December 31: New Year's Eve, Open 9am- 5pm

Sunday, January 1: New Year's Day, Library Closed

Monday, January 2: New Year's Day Observed, Library Closed

Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

Ongoing Holiday Book Sale In Library's Front Lobby!

Town of Waterford Tree Lightings

Friday, December 2, 6:00 p.m. at Jordan Green

Saturday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. at Quaker Hill Green

Featured Programs!

'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime: An Entwyned Early Music Christmas Concert

Saturday, December 10

3:00- 4:00 p.m.

To celebrate the Christmas season and wintertime, the group has chosen repertoire for this  program well-suited to their ensemble: Renaissance or Baroque flutes, lutes, Baroque guitar, harp, and viola da gamba, either collectively or individually. “We hope you enjoy taking this Christmas journey with us through time and from many lands as much as we enjoy performing it” -- Dee Hansen, Neal Humphreys and Eric Hansen, Entwyned Early Music

Lionheart Puppet Show
Wednesday, December 28
2:00- 3:00 p.m.

Join us for an engaging performance of the Little Red Hen by the Lionheart Puppet Company, based out of Vernon, CT. The show will last about 45 minutes and includes an interactive, behind the scenes look from the puppeteers as well as time for a question and answer session. Recommended for ages 3 and up, no registration is required.  This program is presented with the generous support of CT Humanities.

Talk About Town: The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
Thursday, December 8     
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Our Talk About Town Community Conversation series continues with a new focus on Waterford's Hidden Gems. In December, we welcome Tiffani Gavin, Executive Director and Rob Mooney, Director of External Relations, of The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.  The "Launchpad of American Theater," the O’Neill is the country’s preeminent organization dedicated to the development of new works and new voices for the stage.

Join us to learn more about the history and current programs offered by this hidden gem in Waterford. Registration is suggested. Click here to register.

Explore Connecticut History

Who was Colonel William Ledyard
Saturday, December 3
3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

We all know Colonel William Ledyard as a soldier and hero from the Battle of Groton Heights but what about his personal life as a successful Groton merchant, businessman, legislator and family man?  

We welcome John Steward, Tossing Lines columnist for The Day, who will tell us a little more about this local hero. 

The Christmas Cartel: a story of the American Revolution
Tuesday, December 13
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In 1776, on Christmas Eve, 225 sickly American prisoners of war were marched from British military jails in New York City to the docks along the East River. There, they boarded a former merchant ship called the Glasgow. Most of the men were enlisted soldiers from Connecticut who had been captured during the recent battles on Long Island and Manhattan. This presentation will describe the men’s harrowing journey and what became of them.

Our speaker is Tom Hogan, a retired Connecticut probation supervisor and former officer in the Connecticut Army National Guard. His passion for American history has led him to research a number of military and civil topics.

Adult Programming Highlights

The Basics of Breathing: an online workshop

Tuesday, December 6

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Without even thinking about it, you take 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Think about your breath and you can use it to relax or energize you. Breathing is an important tool that fuels every system in your body. In this workshop we’ll go over a number of breathing exercises, breathing patterns, and learn to sync breath patterns to gentle movements to help you feel stretched and revitalized. We highlight breathing for stress reduction.

Please register  for this Zoom event.

Our presenter is Maggie Downie of  Personal Euphoria.

Author Talk: Tom Verde
In A Class All Their Own: Unique and Historic Boats of New England
Wednesday, December 7
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Each boat has a story to tell and this book features nearly forty profiles of classic/unique boats, drawn from articles written for the Westerly Sun newspaper during the summers of 2014 and 2015. Explore not only the histories of the individual vessels, but of their classes and designers, as well as their relationships to the environs in which they sailed, raced, cruised and, in some case, still operate as working vessels. Tom's books will be available for sale.  Pick one up as a Christmas gift for friend or family!

We welcome back Tom Verde, Tom Verde is a freelance journalist who writes for the New York Times, National Public Radio, AramcoWorld magazine, the New London Day, and the Westerly Sun. He lives in Pawcatuck.

Register to save your seat!

Visit our Virtual Author Talks website to register for upcoming talks or to view recordings of previous events.

Morning Coffee Craft: Holiday wall art

Saturday, December 10

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Bring your coffee and spend the morning creating a beautiful holiday wall craft.  All supplies included. Limited to 15.  Click here to register.

We welcome back Pam Harrigan of Pam's Picassos!

Curl Up with Libby!

Download the Libby app to access e-books, e-audiobooks and magazines – all free with your Waterford Public Library card.

Click here to get started today!

Tree Lighting Activity

Friday, December 2

4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Stop by the library before the town Tree Lighting Ceremony for some family friendly activities and to make a winter craft to take home! At 5:00 pm local author, John Lehet, will be sharing his new picture book Milton the Rein-Moose!

No registration required, all ages are invited to take part in the fun before the town's festivities begin on the Jordan Green at 6 pm.

Family Story Time!                             

Mondays: December 5, 12, 19

10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Get ready to read and get your wiggles out! Join Ms. Jenna at the library for some fun stories, songs, and dancing. Recommended for ages birth to five years old with a caregiver.

In the lower level Meeting Room. No registration is required.

Drop In STEM Adventure: Make a Paper Parachute

Monday, December 5

4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Stop by the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:30 pm for a fun STEM activity.

In this science activity you will try your hand at making a parachute.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

No registration is required.

Read to Police K-9 Hodges

Tuesday, December 6

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Stop by the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm to practice your reading with K-9 Officer Hodges from the Waterford Police Department! Community Engagement Officer and Service Dog Handler, Eric Fredricks, will also accompany the visit and be available for any questions about Officer Hodges.

Recommended for ages 4 and up with a caregiver. No registration required.

Drop In Creation Station

Tuesday, December 13

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Stop by the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to get your creativity flowing! Each session will be a different project such as index card art, sun catchers, and jewelry making. Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Mohegan Tribe Outreach

Saturday, December 17

2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Join us to learn about the history and culture of the local Mohegan Tribe! An outreach specialist from the Tribe will be presenting and answering questions as well as sharing artifacts and items with participants. No registration required, recommended for ages 6 and up.

Drop In Craft: 3D Holiday Star and Origami Santa

Monday, December 19

4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Join us in the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. for a fun holiday craft! You will learn how to make a 3D star and an origami Santa. Use them to decorate your tree or home.

 Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration is required.

Drop In Build Club

Tuesday, December 20

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Stop by the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm to build with some various STEM sets that we have! Try some challenges and prompts from the library or just let your imagination take over. Recommended for ages 4 and older, no registration required.

Decorate A Tree

Saturday, December 24

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Stop in the Children's Room between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to create your very own little holiday tree to take home!

No registration is required.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Cookie Decorating

Tuesday, December 27

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Decorate some delicious sugar cookies to make some colorful winter themed creations. This event is for ages 4 and up. Registration is required and will begin on Monday, December 5. Please register for only one session: morning OR afternoon and be sure to register each child that is participating by visiting our online event calendar.

Teen Programming Highlights

New Date!
Teen Craft Night
Thursday, December 15
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

At this festive Teen Craft Night you will be able to create a handful of unique ornaments to decorate your home or to give as gifts! 

Registration required for teens, ages 12-18   All materials provided.

Teen Drop In Craft

Thursday, December 15 to Friday, December 23

Teens, ages 12 to 18, are invited to drop in to the Teen Section any day between Thursday, December 15th through Friday, December 23rd to make an origami paper bow and a bow made from recycled magazines. Materials and instructions will be on the tables in the Teen Section. No registration is required.

Teen: Gingerbread Houses

Thursday, December 29

2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Teens, are you feeling creative? Come and build a graham cracker house and deck it out with an assortment of icing, candies, and chocolates!

Registration is required and will begin on Monday, December 5.

Ages 12-18.

For 2022, the library will feature an activity-packed monthly calendar to support early literacy skills based on the Every Child Ready to Read® practices of reading, writing, singing, talking, playing -- and now counting!  This resource contains twelve months of learning activities, book lists, nursery rhymes, and more. On one side is a calendar with a fun skills-building activity for each day and the other contains supplementary content like nursery rhymes, early literacy tips, song lyrics, or suggested reading material.  Available in both English and Spanish on our website and in print at the library!  Click here to access this resource. Content is provided by the Public Library Association.

December Artist: Valerie Cheng Duet Gallery

This month, the library's Art Wall will feature the work of Valerie Cheng.

Art had always been of interest to Valerie. She started studying art at six years old with Liu Qi Min. First learning Chinese Ink Paintings and later experiencing other art styles. She is now using watercolor and acrylic. Valerie also has a passion for music. Practicing and playing instruments with her peers in an orchestra. Valerie also participates in many sports.

Please contact Andy Cheng at 860-710-3098, if you have any suggestions about Valerie’s artwork.

Want to keep up with the latest titles? Download our monthly New Arrivals list from the library's website!

Borrow A Museum Pass!

December is a wonderful time to visit New London’s Lyman Allyn Art Museum. The library’s museum pass admits up to 4 people of any age for free.

Regular admission is $12.00 Adult, $9.00 Senior & Student (18+), $5.00 Student (under 18), and Children 12 and under are free.

Check pass availability here! Check out for two days with your library card.

A sampling from our monthly contributors to Staff Picks.  To see what else they recommend, click here!

Laura's Picks:

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell (2021)
A murder mystery, a high-stakes political intrigue, a slow-burn queer romance, an intergalactic thriller—this book has it all and more. Especially recommended for fans of The Goblin Emperor.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows (2022)
A high-stakes political intrigue, this time set in a fantasy world. Another slow-burn queer romance that sets a high standard, paired with exquisite meditations on trauma and healing.

Amy's Pick:

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron (2022)
An absorbing historical fiction, based on true accounts of a fake illness, which was part of an elaborate hoax contrived by hospital staff to rescue Jews from Nazi soldiers in Rome during World War II.  Dual timelines increase the suspense as British dancer Julia (1943) is drawn into the scheme to hide Italian Jews, and Delaney (present day) uncovers her grandfather’s hidden past.

John's Picks:

So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon (2011)
The twelfth studio by Paul Simon and his highest charting record debut at the time.  Containing diverse musical elements similar to 1986’s Graceland, many consider this his finest work in the past thirty years.  With a combination of religious and somber themes, it’s an album that deserves multiple listens.

A Hot Night in Paris by Phil Collins Big Band (1999)

The only album released of this short-lived side project conceived by Phil Collins. It served as a tribute to the big band influences that Collins grew up on such as Buddy Rich. There is no singing on the album, but rather it is a collection of Phil Collins and Genesis hits reinterpreted for a big band ensemble.  It is also a live recording, which only serves to elevate its musicality.

Me by Elton John (2019)
The autobiography of Sir Elton John. There’s not too much I can really say about it. It’s a complete history of Elton’s life and music up to that point from a first-person perspective.  Additionally, it contains many anecdotes from Elton’s life that I was previously unaware of, making it an enjoyable read for fans of all types.

Jenna's Picks for Teens:

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus (2022)

Are you looking for a fast paced mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end? Look no further! Karen McManus (One of Us is Lying) is back at it with a teen thriller set at a prestigious private school. Brynn has recently moved back to her hometown and is set on uncovering the truth behind the unsolved murder of a favorite teacher while working an internship at a popular true-crime show. Will she be able to survive as all the secrets of her friends, family, and classmates slowly emerge? Check out our copy to find out!

Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad (2022)

Perfect for fans of popular author Jenny Han (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), this young adult debut is the ideal cozy winter read. It follows the four Singh sisters: Nidhi, Avani, Sirisha, and Rani as they navigate grief, love, life, and family at their father’s Songbird Inn located in the dramatic landscape of the Pacific Northwest. While the sisters all have their own individual personalities, all four are in for a shake-up when the Songbird Inn is named the Most Romantic Inn in America. This heartfelt book will have you rooting for the diverse and relatable cast of characters through all of their ups and downs.

Book Discussions & Writers' Group Meeting

Monday, December 12
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
ONLINE
Speculative Fiction Book Discussion Group

This month, the group will discuss Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (2018). Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father’s inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty—until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold. When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk—grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh—Miryem’s fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered. She will face an impossible challenge and, along with two unlikely allies, uncover a secret that threatens to consume the lands of humans and Staryk alike.

Please register to attend this Zoom discussion.

Pam Bedore, Associate Professor of English, UConn at Avery Point, leads our discussions.

The Town of Waterford is updating its Plan of Preservation, Conservation and Development and wants your input! Visit www.PlanWaterford.com to learn more and complete the survey.

hoopla offers no-waiting digital downloads of e-books, e-audiobooks, music and films. All free with your Waterford Public Library card. Check-out their holiday collection today!