Submitted by Robbie Marshall
(April 8, 2026) — Brainerd Memorial Library is thrilled to invite you to enjoy a new lineup of engaging, educational and fun programs, materials and activities for all ages. Whether you’re looking to learn something new, meet fellow community members, or simply experience a great activity, there’s something here for everyone. Brainerd Library is located at 920 Saybrook Road in Haddam.
EIGHTH ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL DAY! MAY 30, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Rain Date, May 31, 2026)
This community family event will feature Farm Animals, the Connecticut DEEP Nature Center Mobile Unit, Free Crafts, Presentations and Displays, Farm Equipment, Food, Music, Raffles, plus Plants, Books and Baked Goods for sale, and more! Local businesses and organizations, farmers, crafters and food vendors are welcome and encouraged to participate. Tell us how you would like to become involved. For additional information, please contact Marissa at mlehmacher@brainerdlibrary.org or call the library at 860-345-2204. We are looking forward to hosting the event and the many wonderful farms and local vendors with their excellent products!
SUMMER READING PROGRAM [JUNE -AUGUST] KICK-OFF AT “AG DAY”
Pick up your summer reading kits starting May 30, 2026 and check the Summer Reading webpages for further information.
PASSPORT TO CONNECTICUT LIBRARIES (Participate April 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026 for a chance to win a gift card of $200)
Pick up a passport at BML or at any participating library. The best way to get your stamp is to check out an item! Remember, you can return items to BML or ANY Connecticut public library. We will be giving away a total of six $200 gift cards, one for adults and one for children in each of the following categories.
Category 1: Each participant [1 Adult & 1 Child] who visits at least five libraries, has the stamps, and returns their passport by the deadline, will be entered. Prizes will be awarded via a random drawing.
Category 2: The prizes will be awarded to the adult and child who each visited the most libraries. In case of a tie, the winner will be selected via random drawing.
Category 3: The prizes will be awarded to the adult and child who visited at least twenty-five libraries; selected via random drawing.
To be eligible to win, you must visit at least five participating libraries. Stop in for your Passport and a free token of appreciation!
BIRD NESTING BALL – FREE RAFFLES!
One chance at the Children’s Desk and one chance at the Circulation Desk each week for six weeks.
APRIL IS POETRY MONTH!
Join our celebrations of poetry! Pick up a pocket poem or poetry book. Stop by the poetry display and find out what else is happening…
MINDFULNESS CRAFTING HOUR FOR KIDS: APRIL 16, 2026 11:00 a.m.
Join us in the Children’s Department after Music Time on April 16, 2026 to make sensory crafts that promote the practice of being present in the moment and attending to thoughts, feelings and sensations. Ages 0-5, siblings welcome. This program is part of the HKYFS Week of the Young Child: HK Unplugged for Promoting Wellness. Please visit www.hkyfs.org for information on fun activities offered throughout the week of April 12, 2026 to -April 18, 2026.
Earth Day Wildflower Seed Balls: APRIL 22, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
To celebrate Earth Day, we are making wildflower seed balls with simple ingredients. All materials provided, although you may bring your own seeds.
MAKE YOUR OWN COOKIE DOUGH: APRIL 29, 2026 4:30 p.m.
Learn to make delicious cookie dough you can take home to bake or eat right out of the container! This program is aimed at kids in Grades 3-8. All materials will be provided.
INDIE FOLK MUSIC CONCERT: APRIL 25, 2026 Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Concert 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Check the BML website for further information…
SYNERGISMUS DUO PRESENTS AN EVENING OF MUSIC: APRIL 29, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Calistri-Yeh duo will perform Broadway tunes, classical music, and international folk songs, along with fascinating stories behind the music. Synergismus is the premier violin-cello duo of Southern Connecticut. Its members, Millie and Randy Calistri-Yeh, live in Killingworth and have been playing together for more than 30 years throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“BUTTERFLIES,” WITH JOHN HIMMELMAN: MAY 6, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Butterflies are important in our yards, gardens and ecosystem. Join author, illustrator and cofounder of the Connecticut Butterfly Association John Himmelman as he shares the colorful world of butterflies and their moth cousins.
CAKE POPS: MAY 13, 2026 5:30 p.m.
Learn how to make fun and easy cake pops! You can dip and decorate these delectable treats to your liking with different colors of chocolate and sprinkles. This program is aimed at kids in Grades 3-8, and siblings are welcome. All materials will be provided.
WATERCOLOR FLOWERS MAY 20, 2026 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Do you want to watercolor but don’t know how to begin? Do you watch videos and think “I can do that!” but still can’t get started? Pop-Up Art School will show us techniques, tips and tricks. You’ll have a watercolor painting by the end of the evening!
“TAX-SAVING STRATEGIES FOR CHARITABLE GIVING,” WITH FINANCIAL ADVISOR BILL TAIT FROM ESSEX FINANCIAL: MAY 27, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Did you know that you can save on your taxes with charitable giving? Bill Tait presents ways in which you can lower your tax burden while helping your favorite causes.
READ TO A THERAPY DOG: MAY 21, 2026 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
15-minute slots. Sign up for a 15-minute block, grab your favorite book, and celebrate reading with a special friend at BML! Call 860-345-2204 or visit the library to register.
ADULT COLORING EVENING: MAY 27, 2026 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Need to unwind? Need a distraction? Immerse yourself in coloring! All pages and markers provided. This is a drop-in program. No registration needed.
INSECTS IN CONNECTICUT!! JUNE 20, 2026 1:00 p.m.
Do you know your Connecticut insects? Learn to identify them using guides and microscopes. DEEP (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) will guide this insect exploration.
REGULAR PROGRAMMING
ADULTS:
PUZZLE CLUB – 1ST & 3RD TUESDAYS 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
CULINARY CLUB: 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30 p.m.
Calling all cooks and food lovers! Join this monthly themed potluck and meet other folks passionate about food. It’s easy! Just make a dish, and join us for a great meal at the library.
FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB: 3RD WEDNESDAYS, 6:30PM
Do you speak un petit peu de français and want to connect with other French speakers? Then you’ll want to come on down to BML. Pourquoi? Because whether you’re a current student of the language or simply want to keep your French fresh, this will be a no-pressure, encouraging space. We’ll have some fun and share beaucoup de rires! We welcome Francophones of all levels, but to get the most out of our time together you’ll want to have some basic French conversational skills. For teens and adults.
SPICE OF THE MONTH!
Every month the kit includes a different packet of the featured spice and recipes. Drop by and pick up your kit at the Circulation Desk! While supplies last…
TEENS
Game Night 1st Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.
Hang out and play board games and Nintendo Switch games! Grades 9-12.
Dungeons & Dragons: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 5:30 p.m.
Join and experience epic adventures! For new and old players alike. Grades 9-12.
Teen Advisory Board: 1st Wednesdays 5:30 p.m.
Discuss volunteer opportunities, brainstorm program ideas, snack, and hang!
CHILDREN
Pre-school Story Time: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.
Toddler Tunes: Thursdays 10:00 a.m.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS – TWO AGE GROUPS:
AGES 7-10: 1ST & 3RD TUESDAYS, 4:30 p.m.
AGES 11-13: 2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS, 4:30 p.m.
Game Night for Kids: 1st Wednesdays 4:30 p.m.
Elementary schoolers can join us for an hour of fun games on the Nintendo Switch! Controllers are provided for this family-friendly gaming session, but participants can bring their own. Possible games include Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Super Monkey Ball, and more!
Pokémon Club: 2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS 4:30PM
This club is for kids who love Pokémon! Hang out and talk all things Pokémon. Show off your cards, figures, plushies, or games, and participate in fun Pokémon activities! Trading is allowed with parental permission.
Board Game Night: 3rd Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m.
Elementary age kids can join us for an hour of fun and family-friendly board games.
Tween Game Night: Last Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.
Tween Game Night is a monthly event where we hang out and play Nintendo Switch games and occasionally some board games! Controllers are provided, but participants can bring their own. This program is for anyone in Grades 6 to 9.
Dice Lab: Last Fridays, 4:30 p.m.
Dice Lab is a monthly program for ages 10-13 that focuses on engineering, math and creativity. Kids will learn to use devices like a Cricut or 3D printer to create dice, miniatures, and more!
BOARD GAMES
BML has a wonderful board game collection that can be borrowed. Come in and peruse the shelves and take home our beautiful new games, such as Botany, Cascadia, and Tokaido. The Children’s Room has fun games that can be enjoyed at the library or taken home.
NEW DVDS
We continue to expand our TV series and Movie collection and add the latest award winners as well as Sci-fi and Action, Animated, Drama, Romance, and Comedies. Find something for the family or indulge in a binge-watch! But items like books, DVDs, periodicals and board and Switch games are not all the library provides!
2 BIRDING BACKPACKS AVAILABLE TO BORROW!
The backpacks from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County include binoculars, birdsong, bird ID and bug guides, bug collector kit, information and ideas for exploring nature, and outdoor scavenger hunt cards. These backpacks are available for patrons to check out and take along on a nature and birding adventure. Ask at the Circulation Desk to borrow!
BOOK US! Residents are welcome to meet, and hold programs and events in Brainerd Library’s conference rooms, community room, or other areas. Call or stop in to reserve your space.
OTHER NEWS: BML will be part of the “America 250” celebrations in 2026. Our committee is developing special programs, activities, collections and events.
LAST NOTES: The Book Nook, our onsite bookstore, is located in the back corner with enjoyable and interesting titles. Pick up some surprises for family and friends! Children’s books are on the lower level across from the elevator. Best prices in Connecticut!
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Don’t miss a thing! Your library is more than books. It’s a place to learn, create. and connect. We can’t wait to see you here!
