A group of teens watching a movie at the Somers Public Library during a movie night.
Photo credit: Somers Public Library
The new year is here, and the Enfield Public Library and Somers Public Library have several new offerings for the community.
Enfield Public Library started a Homeschool Hangout this year, on the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m. School aged children can come to the library and play games, build with lots of different building toys, do a craft and be with friends and meet new people. Younger siblings are welcome.
Head Children/Teen Services Librarian Kristin Raiche said, “We noticed an increase in the number of families at the library who are homeschooling and parents that are considering homeschooling and we wanted to provide a space for them to be able to connect with one another in an informal setting.”
She continued, “Our hope is that families join us and children enjoy time with their peers and parents have some time to relax and connect with others who educate their children at home. We also hope that while they are here, they will take a look at the wide variety of items in our collection and explore more of our services.”
The library will be adding several new instruments to its Instrument Lending Library in 2025. Because of some generous donations, they will be adding three new types of drums, a Seagull dulcimer, a violin, and a keyboard.
“We have lots of fun programs planned for youth and interactive displays to engage children and caregivers in a shared experience,” Raiche said. “We want to continue to be a place for families to be social as well as a place to find information and entertainment.”
Beginning in March, an early chapter book club for children — Baby Rhyme and Read — will take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. This program is for ages birth to 24 months. It has songs and rhymes for young children and will include a board book reading. Parents are encouraged to bring a blanket for their infant to lay on.
“We are already working on our summer reading plans as well,” Raiche added. “We hope that 2025 will bring many new adventures at Enfield Public Library.”
The Central Library at 104 Middle Rd. in Enfield is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pearl Street Library at 159 Pearl St. is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Visit their website at enfieldpubliclibrary.org.
This month, Somers Public Library will have its Winter Storytimes for pre-school age children, activities every day after school for tweens and teens, and a program for adults about eating gluten free.
They library also hosts its book clubs, memory cafe for those caring for loved ones with dementia, Thursday “Craft and Chats” and much more.
Library Director Joanne Nichting said, “Our goals are always delivering the services that the community needs and wants. We want to have all the books that they want to read, either in print, digital, or both. We also want to have new and exciting items that can be borrowed besides books such as movies, music, puppets and many more.”
Somers Public Library aims to provide programming for all ages that will instruct and/or entertain. They want to foster literacy for all ages and provide computer and internet access to those who need it.
“The list goes on and on,” Nichting shared. “There are so many things that libraries have to offer these days that go way beyond books. We would love to see more people using the library either in person or online. We have so much to offer and hate to see people missing out.”
She went on to say, “It is always rewarding to see library patrons excitedly talk about a book they read, an event they attended or any service that they were happy to receive. My personal favorite is watching a small child jump up and down with excitement just because they got to visit the library.”
Somers Public Library, at 2 Vision Blvd., is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday (July/August) at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For upcoming events, visit the library’s Events Calendar on their website: somerspubliclibrary.org.
