Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28 –Friday, November 29*
*Pequot Library will be closed for library services on Friday, November 29, but will be open for shopping at the Black Friday/Saturday Book Sale.
DESIGN: Victoria Konopka
FRONT COVER
Rennell Room, Pequot Library [circa 1962], Pequot Library Special Collections
CONTENT: Adela Ardrey, Grace Calderon, Christine Catallo, Stephanie J. Coakley, Cecily Dyer, John Kofron, Owen Lockwood, Jane Manners, Jessica McEntee, Charlie McMahon
‘Under the Arches’ is printed on recycled paper.
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Pequot Library Friends,
As Pequot Library Association celebrates its 135th anniversary, I invite you to take time to imagine what the next decades may hold in store for the library and future visitors. As you dream about all of the possibilities and opportunities, be sure to reflect on all Pequot Library has been able to accomplish in the last several years, thanks in large part to donors like you. We have properly cared for the on-site Special Collections, completed Children’s Library renovations and refurbishments, unveiled the Wright Classroom, fully repaired the red-tiled roof, restored the auditorium floors to their original glory, and more. We accomplished all of these building improvements while remaining the beloved place you can rely on for excellent programming and library services. I am confident that together we can continue to visualize what Pequot Library will be for future generations—a vibrant, relevant, and important gathering place for all to enjoy.
In honor of our anniversary year, we invite you to attend one of the many upcoming programs that explore just how critical libraries are as public gathering places where we come to learn and grow. Within these pages you will find a variety of thought-provoking programs for all ages. I hope you will join me on Friday, September 13, for an important fundraiser, the Literary Luncheon with Beatriz Williams, which promises to be a fun afternoon in support of Pequot Library. Later this fall, be sure to join us for the library’s Annual Meeting, which features Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander, who will discuss the role of libraries today. There is much to see and do here, and we hope you will invite friends and family to visit and explore this special place.
Please send me a note and let me know how we are doing. I may be reached at director@pequotlibrary.org or by phone at 203-259-0346, ext. 112.
Best wishes,
Stephanie J. Coakley, Executive Director
LIBRARY NEWS
NEW LIBRARY CARDS
We are excited to announce the imminent arrival of new Pequot Library cards for Fairfield and Southport residents, which feature a design showcasing marbled end papers from our Special Collections. These cards will still grant access to all the materials and digital resources to which patrons are accustomed, including resources from Fairfield Public Library and other Connecticut libraries. We like to think of it as the same story in a new edition, with fresh cover art. New cards will be given to new library registrants, but if you already have a library card and would love a new one, ask Pequot Library’s circulating desk and we will be happy to replace your old card.
MEET THE AUTHOR
MATHEW DUMAN
Thursday, September 19
6:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Armed with only a camera, a sense of humor, and a host of frequent flier miles, Mathew Duman embarked on a “grotesque safari,” traveling to 10 universities around the country to photograph the unique grotesques and gargoyles roosting on their academic buildings. Duman found that these scupltures make their home within a style of architecture known as Collegiate Gothic, which was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. He has collected his findings in his book The Grotesque 10: Amazing Architectural Sculpture from Ten American Colleges and Universities , and he presents a selection in this illustrated lecture, giving you a taste of the variety of ornament, history, and humor these campuses have to offer.
DAVID STERLING BROWN
Thursday, September 26
6:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Join renowned Shakespeare scholar David Sterling Brown, Associate Professor of English at Trinity College in Hartford, as he describes his recent book, Shakespeare’s White Others. Patricia Akhimie, director of the Folger Institute at the Folger Shakespeare Library, writes “Brown’s much-needed study powerfully and persuasively demonstrates how the policing of whiteness within Shakespeare’s plays recruits and reproduces antiBlackness at the heart of early modern English culture.”
HUGH HOWARD
Thursday, October 10
6:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Many people think that Pequot Library’s building was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and that our landscape was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead. In reality, neither man was directly involved in the library’s history, but the stories suggesting their involvement shine a light on our founding.
In Architects of an American Landscape, historian Hugh Howard explores the friendship and collaborations of two of the great masters of 19th-century design: Henry Hobson Richardson and Frederick Law Olmsted.
TIM MANNERS
Thursday, October 17
6:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Waite “Schoolboy” Hoyt’s improbable baseball journey began when the 1915 New York Giants signed him as a high school junior, for no pay and a $5 bonus. After nearly having both his hands amputated and cavorting with men twice his age in the hardscrabble minor leagues, he somehow ended up being the best pitcher for the New York Yankees in the 1920s.
Using a trove of Hoyt’s writings and interview transcripts, Tim Manners reanimates the baseball legend’s untold story, entirely in Hoyt’s own words. Schoolboy dives straight into early 20th-century America and the birth of modernday baseball.
TIMOTHY NAFTALI
Thursday, October 24
6:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Join renowned CNN historian Timothy Naftali in conversation with Fairfield University Professor Philip Eliasoph Ph.D., who serves as the university’s Special Assistant to the President for Arts and Culture. Naftali has helped to establish the study of modern international and espionage history, and he has also written extensively on U.S. presidential impeachments. Apart from serving as the founding executive director of the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Naftali was a consultant to both the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group and to the 9/11 Commission. Naftali is the author of numerous bestselling titles, including Kruschev’s Cold War and Impeachment: An American History.
LITERARY LUNCHEON WITH AUTHOR BEATRIZ WILLIAMS
Friday, September 13
11:30 a.m. VIP Reception 12:00 p.m. Luncheon
PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: PEQUOTLIBRARY.ORG/LITERARYLUNCHEON/ Join Pequot Library and local Connecticut author Beatriz Williams for a glamorous afternoon discussing her recent release Husbands & Lovers. See details on page 7.
As a member of the Library Speakers Consortium, Pequot Library is proud to present an expanded roster of author events. Thanks to our partnership with libraries across the country, we offer online events each month with authors like Geraldine Brooks, Cassandra Clare, Joy Harjo, and Amor Towles. Explore a selection of upcoming online author talks below; scan the QR code to view the full calendar of upcoming talks.
SEPTEMBER
GARRETT GRAFF
The Only Plane in the Sky
Tuesday, September 10 2:00 p.m.
NATE KLEMP
Open
Wednesday, September 18 2:00 p.m.
LIANE MORIARTY
Here One Moment
Saturday, September 21
7:00 p.m.
OCTOBER
THE SMITHSONIAN
Bat Island
Wednesday, October 2 2:00 p.m.
SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
The Seventh Veil of Salome Wednesday, October 9 7:00 p.m.
Join Pequot Library and local Connecticut author Beatriz Williams for a glamorous afternoon discussing her recent release Husbands & Lovers. Williams is the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of Our Woman in Moscow, The Summer Wives, Her Last Flight, The Golden Hour, The Secret Life of Violet Grant, A Hundred Summers, and several other works of historical fiction. Williams will deliver a talk followed by a Q&A and book signing. Each ticket includes lunch, a glass of wine, and a $5 voucher to purchase a Beatriz Williams book of your choice. VIP tickets include a private, pre-luncheon “Meet and Greet” with the author and a glass of Henri’s Reserve champagne. Several raffle items, including a Zoom appearance by the author herself at your next book club meeting, will be offered as well.
BLACK FRIDAY/SATURDAY BOOK SALE
Friday-Saturday, November 29-30 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days | In person
Start your holiday shopping at our annual Black Friday/ Saturday Book Sale! Enjoy a selection of thousands of books and media items in “like new” and “gently used” condition, ideal for gift-giving. With over 10,000 items to choose from, including books and media, there will be something for everyone on your list, including hundreds of CDs and DVDs priced at $1-3 each. Book Sale categories and specialty items include Art/Photography, Children’s books, Christmas/Holiday, CDs/DVDs, Cookbooks, Fiction, and so much more.
Admission is free and all items are priced as marked. All proceeds support Pequot Library’s annual programs for adults and children, exhibitions, and library services, serving over 45,000 participants a year.
ADULT PROGRAMS
SOUTHPORT WALKING TOURS
Saturdays: September 21, October 19, November 16
10:00 a.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
$10 PER PERSON
Join our trained docents and historians to learn the story of Southport’s Golden Age, tracing the community’s rise as an agricultural outpost in the Colonial period through its evolution into a thriving commercial center, replete with stellar examples of mid-19th-century architectural styles. A stroll through Southport is not only a walk through time—it invites participants to contemplate the significance and worth of our collectively built environments. This tour, redesigned in the last year, will delight everyone from history buffs and architects to curious neighbors and weekend walkers.
12:00–2:15 p.m. Rosemary’s Baby 2:30–4:30 p.m. Psycho In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Gather at Pequot Library for a healthy dose of vintage horror. Participants are encouraged to dress in campy costumes. The afternoon kicks off with Rosemary’s Baby followed by 1960’s Psycho from the “Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock. Popcorn will be provided, and movie-specific cocktails will be available for purchase.
PEQUOT LIBRARY PRESENTS:
A FAREWELL TO “PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD”
Wednesday, October 16 11:45 a.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Celebrate 20 years of Play With Your Food bringing professional daytime theater to your neighborhood with one fabulous FINAL performance at Pequot Library. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. You’ll see some of your favorite actors and one-act plays that will make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired, all to be followed by a delicious boxed lunch from a popular local restaurant. Expect some extra surprises as Play With Your Food honors and celebrates the joy, the fun, and the community of live professional theater in your own backyard. For more information and tickets, visit jibproductions.org.
THE CONNECTICUT ACCORDION ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE
Saturday, October 19
2:00 p.m. | In person
TICKETS: $10 AT THE DOOR FREE FOR KIDS AGES 12 AND UNDER
The Connecticut Accordion Association presents “Hello Again!” Under the direction of Peter Peluso, the Connecticut Accordion Orchestra, with special guests, returns to Pequot Library to perform a variety of songs from musical theater, classic Latin and American composers, classic choral pieces, jazz, and Neil Diamond.
Ticket proceeds support the Connecticut Accordion Association and Pequot Library.
VOLUNTEER AWARDS AND APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
Thursday, November 14
12:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Library volunteers are invited to an informal luncheon and awards ceremony in appreciation of their dedication to Pequot Library throughout the year. Look forward to a catered luncheon to show the library’s appreciation for all your work throughout the year. Invitations will be sent out in the fall.
ADULT PROGRAMS
DAY TRIPS
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: $50 PER PERSON PER TOUR; $140 PER PERSON FOR ALL THREE TOURS
In celebration of Pequot Library’s 135th anniversary, please join us for three field trips to historic sites in Connecticut with connections to the library’s founding. Participants will travel to each of the three destinations on their own, where they will meet with Pequot Library staff members and the respective museum curators for detailed tours. Space is limited to 25 attendees per tour. Each ticket includes lunch and admission.
HILL-STEAD MUSEUM
Thursday, September 5
12:00 p.m. | Lunch at Hartford Baking Co. 1:30 p.m. | Tour in person
Located in the beautiful Farmington Historic District, the Hill-Stead Museum is renowned for its worldclass collection of impressionist paintings, including Claude Monet’s Grainstacks and Edgar Degas’ Dancers in Pink. Participants will learn about the fantastic collection, as well as the woman and family who made it all possible. Theodate Pope Riddle designed her family’s estate, Hill-Stead, and became the first female architect licensed in New York, establishing herself as a boundary pusher much like Pequot Library’s founder, Virginia Marquand Monroe.
BEINECKE RARE
BOOK & MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY
Thursday, October 3
1:00 p.m. | Tour in person
2:30 p.m. | Lunch at Mory’s
Located in an original and innovative structure built in 1963 by Gordon Bunshaft, the Beinecke Library serves as the rare books repository for Yale University. It contains such treasures as the Gutenberg Bible and the cryptic Voynich Manuscript. Pequot Library has maintained a special relationship with the Beinecke Library for decades, and on this trip participants will look at a selection of items from the Monroe, Wakeman, and Holman Collection of the Pequot Library Association.
WADSWORTH ATHENEUM
Thursday, November 7
12:00 p.m. | Lunch at the Museum Café 1:00 p.m. | Tour in person
The Wadsworth Atheneum holds the distinction of being the oldest continually operating art museum in the United States, and its American decorative arts collection is especially noteworthy. Participants will tour this collection with special attention paid to its incredible examples of Marquand and Co. silver, which helped to pave the way for the eventual opening of Pequot Library. Frederick Marquand, our founder Virginia Marquand Monroe’s uncle and adopted father, worked laboriously to transform his family’s company into a worldrenowned brand name.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
MAY ROOM EXHIBITION ON VIEW SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 – JANUARY 9, 2025
LEWDNESS & MURDER: THE ETERNAL
FASCINATION WITH TRUE CRIME
Tales of dark misdeeds have held American audiences captive for centuries. Blending 18th-century sermons and published books from Pequot Library’s Special Collections with modern works from the circulating collection, this exhibition explores the evolution of true crime as a genre and a national pasttime.
Background image: Truman Capote, In Cold Blood (New York: Random House, 1965); Pequot Library Special Collections.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CURRENT EXHIBITION | ON VIEW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2024
WASTE
NOT: PRESERVATION AT PLAY
Pequot Library’s Special Collections contain many examples of bindings created from reused materials, including vellum manuscripts, wallpaper, newspapers, and handwritten paper documents. Other books in the collection serve purposes not originally intended, used by their owners as scrapbooks or to press and preserve botanical specimens—some of which are now considered endangered.
Waste Not examines the ways that book creators and owners have reused materials available to them, made their own “folk repairs,” or given new purpose to books. Explore a diverse selection of Special Collections books dating back to 1570 while considering the value of reuse and preservation of resources in a culture built on disposability.
WASTE NOT EXHIBITION-RELATED
PROGRAMS
CHILDREN’S LIBRARY BOOK COVER WORKSHOP
Wednesday, September 11
4:30 p.m. | In person | For ages 6 and up ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED; $45 PER PERSON
Children are invited to create replacement covers for books in the Children’s Library. We’ll put them back into the circulating collection for anybody who checks them out to enjoy for years to come.
Banner image above: William Shakespeare, The Works of Mr. William Shakespear. Volume the Sixth. Consisting of Tragedies (Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, 1744); Pequot Library Special Collections
MARBLED PAPER WORKSHOP
Saturday, September 14
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED; $45 PER PERSON
Join local artist Tracy Farricker for an afternoon-long workshop exploring the history of paper marbling. Farricker will share examples and historical context, and participants will make their own collection of marbled paper. This is a rare opportunity to learn a vanishing art. All materials provided. Lunch and beverages will be served.
MAKE YOUR OWN RECYCLED PAPER
Wednesday, September 18
4:30 p.m. | In person | For ages 8 and up
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
We all know how important it is to recycle, but do you know how easy and fun it is to make your own paper out of recycled materials? This program will cover the basics of making recycled paper, how to press flowers into paper creations, and even how to embed seeds into paper for garden projects.
FLOWER AND LEAF PRESSING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, September 25
4:30 p.m. | In person | For ages 8 and up
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Participants will pick flowers from Aspetuck Land Trust’s demonstration garden and leaves from Pequot Library’s Great Lawn, use the SEEK app to identify them, and press and label their finds in herbariums made from repurposed books.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
UPCOMING EXHIBITION | ON VIEW OCTOBER 2, 2024 – JANUARY 4, 2025
A COMMUNITY TREASURE: PEQUOT LIBRARY TURNS 135
Commemorating the 135th anniversary of Pequot Library Association’s founding in 1889, this exhibition presents an introduction to key individuals and milestone achievements that have made this library so beloved and widely recognized. The exhibition includes a selection of early correspondence and letters written by library founders and librarians, a variety of early photographs and advertisement flyers, original architectural blueprints, and other materials drawn from the archives and institution’s records that describe the remarkable history of Pequot Library. By tracing this history, we also explore the evolution of Pequot Library and the larger question of the role of libraries in American civic life.
This exhibition will remind visitors how much Pequot Library has meant to generations of Connecticut residents—from serving as a gathering place for wartime rallies in the 1940s to participating in grassroots community opposition efforts in 2023—and reconfirm that this well-loved community institution remains an important destination library for all.
EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION
Wednesday, October 2
6:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Be the first to see A Community Treasure: Pequot Library Turns 135 and explore the variety of materials on display. Enjoy a gallery tour led by Special Collections Librarian Cecily Dyer.
A COMMUNITY TREASURE EXHIBITION-RELATED PROGRAMS
MYSTERY IN THE LIBRARY
October 3 – January 4
Ongoing | In person | For children, teens, and families
Get to know Pequot Library better, have fun, and solve a mystery! Scavenger hunt packets will be available in the Children’s Library during the A Community Treasure: Pequot Library Turns 135 exhibition and will lead participants through a series of clues as they explore the building, navigate the Dewey Decimal System, utilize library resources, and have fun in the process. Participants will need a phone (or use one of our public computers), and a pen or pencil. Once you complete the scavenger hunt, return it to the Children’s Room to get a Pequot Library swag item, while supplies last.
BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEBATE LEAGUE
Thursday, October 3 | 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 21 | 5:30 p.m. In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
In conjuction with the fall exhibition, teams from Bridgeport Public Schools middle and high schools will debate issues related to public libraries for their October debate in Pequot Library’s auditorium, including whether parents should be able to control the books their teens check out from public libraries. Teams will debate issues related to Native American Heritage Month for their November debate.
ZINES IN THE LIBRARY
Wednesdays: October 16, November 13
4:30 p.m. | In person | For ages 8 and up
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Did you know that Pequot Library has a collection of zines made by children and teen library users? Participants in these zine-making workshops will plan, craft, write, and illustrate their own zines to share with friends and family, and add them to Pequot Library’s growing zine collection to be shared with other creators and readers.
OUT OF THE VAULT: THE FOUNDING OF PEQUOT LIBRARY
Wednesday, October 30
2:00 p.m. | In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Join Special Collections Librarian Cecily Dyer for an expansive talk illustrating the founding of Pequot Library. Dyer will explain the rise of the Marquand family, detailing how one woman, Virginia Marquand Monroe, used her family’s considerable wealth and goodwill to create an institution for the public’s benefit. Come prepared with any questions you might have about the library’s history.
What do you do at Pequot Library? How long have you been working with the library?
I’ve been at the library for eight years. I started out as the Teen Librarian, Manager of Technical Services, and after two years I became the Chief Librarian. Like all of my wonderful colleagues, I do a little bit of everything: I oversee all aspects of public library services, from circulating materials acquisitions and collections management, to ILS (integrated library system) management, to circulating desk and children’s library. I also oversee the Library’s information and technology needs, so if, say, there’s a major issue with a patron computer, I handle it with our IT consultant. And then I assist with administrative matters like making sure our emergency preparedness and security protocols are up to date and arranging for professional development opportunities for my colleagues. Oh, and I have a lot of fun helping out with our social media videos! You can check out my monthly book chats on Instagram.
2 CHRISTINE CATALLO
PEQUOT LIBRARY’S DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES AND OPERATIONS
QA &
What type of books do you like to read? What are some of your favorites?
I find it hard to resist a story with great characters, great writing, and, above all, magic. Fantasy is a staple of my reading diet, along with literary fiction. I will happily stick with a novel that is “out there” or has no plot as long as the characters and writing style are captivating. One of my favorites that comes to mind is Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett, which is called a novel, but really defies all definition; it follows a curmudgeonly young woman as she meditates on her solitude and her own existence. Very little happens and I love every minute of it. But then on the other side, I love Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, an adult fantasy that follows outcast Alex Stern as she attends Yale, grapples with ghosts, and attempts to solve a murder that involves the university’s secret societies. A lot happens in this book. And it sounds clichéd, but I also love the classics. Jane Austen never fails to improve my mood, especially Persuasion.
How is Pequot Library different from other libraries?
There are so many reasons why Pequot Library is unique! There are our Special Collections, which even after eight years offer new surprises to me through our captivating exhibitions. I always think I have seen all that our Special Collections have to offer, and then Special Collections Librarian Cecily Dyer shows us something like 200-yearold ferns pressed between the pages of an encyclopedia. (You can see a reproduction of these in our Waste Not exhibition until September 21!) Our historic building, of course, also makes us unique. I still remember my interview and first days, when I was in awe that I got to work in such a beautiful building. Every time I walk through the stacks, I’m transported to the past.
Then there is our funding situation, which is certainly unique for public libraries and public association libraries. Thankfully, about 20% of our funding comes from the Town of Fairfield; the rest is provided by donations and other forms of private support like corporate/ business sponsorship and grants. We must raise just around 80% of our budget every year, a fact that not a lot of people realize. So every dollar truly makes a difference for the library and its future! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the rest of the staff. Everyone here is so dedicated to the library and our community, a dedication that is underlined by an organizational culture of kindness.
What book changed your life?
5 4
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of Pequot Library?
More space! More publicity! An office with windows! That last one is a joke (mostly). I would love for everyone in the greater Fairfield community to know of us, our programs, and our offerings, and to consider us a trusted institution for their learning needs. We, of course, have a dedicated community, but I would love to see that community grow. It would also be helpful for everyone to know about our unique funding situation that I mentioned. For the previous fiscal year, we hosted roughly 45,000 library visitors. If every visitor donated $30 a year, we would be able to raise the funds we need to keep our doors open, with the continued support of the Town of Fairfield.
As for space, we offer so many programs and services, but our public areas, offices, and storage areas are so very limited that we oftentimes cannot host as many attendees as we would like, or our tireless facilities staff have to juggle quick scene changes in our auditorium from a recital space, to an author venue, to a luncheon space, to a conference room. I also would love more space for our library collections and materials. The books in our stacks are frequently packed from end to end on the shelves, which does not make for an enjoyable user experience. (Nobody likes wrestling with five other books to get the specific title they want.) The circulation desk staff and I have been removing outdated books that haven’t been checked out in at least a decade, but the community deserves more space for programming, services, and materials.
I couldn’t even pick just one! As a kid and a teen, the Harry Potter series was an integral part of my identity. I remember clinging to the hope that my Hogwarts letter was just delayed for a long time. To this day, I still love stories of magic, from reading them to writing them to making up tales of unicorns and witches for my young daughters. Emma by Jane Austen taught me that humor and beauty live in the most everyday exchanges and that people aren’t always what they seem—for better or worse. More recently, Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff and How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King have been indispensable on my parenting journey.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
HALLOWEEN MAGIC SHOW AND JACK-O’-LANTERN CONTEST
Saturday, October 26
6:00 p.m. Magic Show begins | For all ages
Arrive early to enter your pumpkin in the Jack-o’Lantern Contest
Help Pequot Library turn the Great Lawn into a spooky pumpkin patch! Bring your carved pumpkins to be entered into our second annual Jack-o’-Lantern Contest, and then come inside and enjoy a whole new bag of tricks with Ed Popielarczyk and his hilarious Halloween Magic Show. Be sure to revisit the Great Lawn to check out your jack-o’-lanterns aglow in the moonlight. Feel free to wear your Halloween costume.
All are welcome to attend Pequot Library’s 135th Annual Meeting to celebrate the progress and accomplishments the library has seen in the last year. Friends of Pequot Library can vote on the slate of officers and board members for the upcoming year. The business portion of the meeting is from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and is followed by a special presentation by Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander. In her talk, “But More Life: Libraries in Modern Society,” she’ll discuss the state of libraries today, organized in conjunction with the fall exhibition, A Community Treasure: Pequot Library Turns 135.
YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS
ACTIVITIES
TEEN ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesdays: September 4, October 2, November 6
4:00 p.m. | In person | For grades 6-12
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a group for teens in grades 6-12 who are interested in volunteering and taking an active role in teen services and programs at Pequot Library. TAB will meet monthly to help plan programs, give input on the Young Adult collection, and otherwise influence how the library serves teens. We’ll also call on TAB members to assist with Pequot Library events and help with other library tasks as needed. You can earn community service hours for attending meetings, staffing events, and helping out around the library. Snacks will be provided.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Thursdays: September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24 (No meeting October 3)
4:00 p.m. | In person | For grades 6-12
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Calling all adventurers! Whether you have played before or have always wanted to try, grab your dice and pencils and join Pequot Library’s fall Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Sign up once for all six sessions.
BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEBATE LEAGUE
Thursday, October 3 | 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 21 | 5:30 p.m. In person
ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
In conjuction with the fall exhibition (see pages 14-15), teams from Bridgeport Public Schools middle and high schools will debate issues related to public libraries for their October debate in Pequot Library’s auditorium, including whether parents should be able to control the books their teens check out from public libraries. Teams will debate issues related to Native American Heritage Month for their November debate.
CHILDREN & FAMILY PROGRAMS
ACTIVITIES
CHESS CLUB
Weekly on Fridays
(no meeting on November 29)
4:30 p.m. | In person | For grades 2-6 ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
A weekly meetup for kids who already know how to play chess and are looking for opponents. Players will compete for the top position on the club’s chess ladder—a leaderboard that will carry over from session to session. Come back every week, or whenever you can!
CHESS FOR BEGINNERS
Mondays: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7
4:30 p.m. | In person | For grades 2-5 ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
In this beginner program, children who are new to the game of chess will learn how the pieces move and practice basic strategies by playing variant mini-games as well as full games. Sign up once or for the whole series.
SIRENA HUANG YOUNG PERSON’S CONCERT
Saturday, October 5
2:00 p.m. | In person | For children, families, and adults ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Sirena Huang, one of her generation’s most celebrated violinists, will give a wonderful introduction to the repertoire of the violin appropriate for children, families, and adults. Winner of the 2022 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, she brings not only technical brilliance and powerful artistry to the stage, but also a profound sense of connection to her audience. Huang made her solo debut with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in 2004 at the age of 9, and she has since performed in 17 countries across three continents. She has been featured as a soloist with more than 50 prestigious ensembles. Sponsored by Music for Youth.
ACTIVITIES
SUSAN HOOD BOOK
LAUNCH: LIFEBOAT 5
Wednesday, October 9
7:00 p.m. | In person | For all ages ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Susan Hood has a new book for grades 3-7, a companion book to Lifeboat 12 called Lifeboat 5. The new book tells of the same ship that was torpedoed by the Nazis, but it’s the “flip” side of the story. While Lifeboat 12 floated safely away and focused on the survival of six young boys, Lifeboat 5 capsized, throwing two teen girls into the sea. One couldn’t swim; the other couldn’t see without her glasses. These best friends held hands across the top of the overturned lifeboat for 19 hours until the rescue ship arrived the next day. This harrowing experience led to a lifelong friendship. Join us and find out more about this fascinating story.
SPONSORED BY
FRIDAY NIGHT YOUNG ARTISTS CAFÉ
Fridays: October 11, November 22
5:00 p.m. | In person | For ages 4-18 ONLINE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED
Join Music for Youth for fun-filled nights featuring students ages 418. Hear singers, percussionists, pianists, string and woodwind players, guitarists, poets, and storytellers looking to exercise their performance muscles and share their work. All students are welcome to register, and the public is welcome to attend.
GREAT LAWN ASTRONOMY
Thursdays beginning November 7 (no meeting November 28) 6:00 p.m. | In person | For children, families, and teens ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Join us on the Great Lawn for views of Saturn, Jupiter, the moon, and more! This program will meet weekly for stargazing and hot chocolate on Thursday nights when the skies are clear.
CHILDREN & FAMILY PROGRAMS
STORYTIMES
CRAFTY KIDS
Wednesdays: September 18; October 2, 16, 30; November 13, 27
10:30 a.m. | In person | For ages 3-5
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Enjoy theme-based stories with a related craft.
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT FOR WIGGLERS
Wednesdays: September 25; October 9, 23; November 6
10:30 a.m. | In person | For ages 0-5
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Can’t sit still? This is the program for you! Jump, hop, dance, and wiggle to the music.
BABES ON A BLANKET
Thursdays: September 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14
11:15 a.m. | In person | For ages 0-12 months
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Engage your little one with 20 minutes of stories, rhymes, and songs and 25 minutes of free play and socializing. Infants and their caregivers are welcome.
STORY AND PLAYTIME
Tuesday, October 1
10:30 a.m. | In person | For ages 3-5 (siblings welcome)
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Come hear a story and then explore the different elements of that story by reenacting them through play.
SENSORY STORYTIME
Tuesdays: October 15, November 19
9:30 a.m. (Pequot Library opens early for this program) | In person | For ages 0-5
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Join us for Sensory Storytime scheduled before the library opens. Engage preschoolers by using sight, sound, and touch, along with traditional storytime elements, for a fun and memorable experience. Space is limited, so register early.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
LAFAYETTE AND THE ENDURING STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS
Fairfield University
Dogwood Room
Barone Campus Center
Saturday, September 7
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
On the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, the distinguished panelists will explore his life, ideas, and actions as well as his relevance to our own time.
Pequot Library is proud to partner with Fairfield University and other community institutions to present this panel. Scan the QR code above for details.
LIBRARY BOOK BUDDIES
For all ages
Children of any age can practice reading in person or on Zoom with our Children’s Librarian. Email childrens@pequotlibrary.org to schedule your appointment.
BABY BOOK KITS
For ages 0-3
Sign up for Baby Book Kits to check out two board books and two picture books based on a theme such as zoo animals, colors, shapes, or dinosaurs, plus one book to keep. Scan the QR code to fill out our online form.
YA BOOK BUNDLES
For grades 7-12
Sign up for YA Book Bundles to receive a special box with snacks, goodies, and two library books curated especially for you! Scan the QR code to fill out our online request form.
ADULT BOOK BUNDLES
If you love reading but you’re not sure what to read next, sign up to receive a book bundle from our team of librarians. Bundles include two surprise library books, cozy beverages, and snacks. Scan the QR code or visit the Front Desk to fill out a form with your literary likes and interests. Your book bundle will be ready in two business days. Happy reading!
FEATURED BOOKS: STAFF PICKS!
FOR ADULTS
What You Are Looking For Is In the Library
Michiko Aoyama
Published 2020
This heartwarming story follows four people in Tokyo–all of whom are facing pivotal struggles in their lives. But a visit to their community library and a brief interaction with the enigmatic librarian changes everything for the better. As a librarian, I loved this story, but it’s also a wonderful read for all library lovers and anyone who has ever struggled to find their place.
Christine Catallo Director of Library Services and Operations
FOR ADULTS FOR YOUNG ADULTS FOR CHILDREN
Walk On
Stephen Panus
Published 2024
In the aftermath of a crushing tragedy, Stephen Panus reflects on grief and loss and offers a resiliencecentered guidebook for overcoming struggle. There is an abundance of meditative wisdom on every page of this moving and powerful book. Be sure to pack a copy of Walk On for your next hike through the woods or to take to your favorite reading place to absorb the sage reflections found within its covers.
Stephanie J. Coakley Executive Director
The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes Published 2020
Discover this captivating tale in which Avery, a high schooler navigating the loss of her mother, inherits billions of dollars from a stranger. She unravels puzzles and riddles to comprehend why she was chosen as the recipient of such a vast sum. With its fast and thrilling pace, this book will surely grab your attention, making it difficult to set aside once you’ve begun.
Recommended for ages 12+
Adela Ardrey Staples High School Intern, Spring 2024
Louder Than Hunger
John Schu
Published 2024
Middle school student Jake Stacey suffers from anorexia nervosa in John Schu’s poignant new novel. Schu grabs the reader’s full attention from the opening pages and throughout Jake’s difficult journey. This deeply moving account offers a vision of recovery to those who struggle with self-acceptance. An important story beautifully told. Highly recommended.
Recommended for ages 10-14
Jane Manners Children’s Librarian
PEQUOT LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT
SUMMER SUPPER
DERBY DAY
SOUTHPORT GARDEN
STROLL
4TH OF JULY BIKE
PAREDE
MISS SUSAN’S
CALENDAR
AT A GLANCE
SEPTEMBER
Pequot Library Closed Labor Day (p. 2)
Teen Advisory Board
4:00 p.m. | In person (p. 19)
Day Trip: Hill-Stead Museum
12:00 p.m. Lunch | 1:30 p.m. Tour In person (p. 10)
Lafayette and the Enduring Struggle for Human Rights and Democratic Governments
