Submitted by Elizabeth Reinhart
(February 26, 2026) — The following programs and events will take place at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue in Essex, during the month of March, 2026:
Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Book Talk with Author James R. Benn and Audiobook Narrator Peter Berkrot (Virtual)
Don’t miss award-winning author James R. Benn as he discusses the latest installment in his Billy Boyle Mystery series, A Bitter Wind, in conversation with audiobook narrator Peter Berkrot, a 2018 winner of the Voice Arts Awards for Best Voice. A Bitter Wind (2025) is a suspenseful foray into the cutthroat world of espionage during World War II. Registration is required for this virtual program, which is being held on Zoom. To register, visit the Events Calendar of youressexlibrary.org or call the library at 860-767-1560. The program is free and open to the public.
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Volunteer Expo 2026
Join us for our second annual Essex Library Non-Profit Volunteer Expo to meet and connect with representatives from local non-profits. Discover what local organizations are doing for the community and learn about how you might join them. The 2026 Essex Library Non-Profit Volunteer Expo is free and open to the public. No registration necessary. Just drop in.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Virtual Author Talk: America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis with Shoshana Walter
Join us for a special conversation between award-winning journalist Shoshana Walter and bestselling and award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver as they chat about Walter’s book Rehab: An American Scandal. In this work, Walter, a Pulitzer finalist, exposes the country’s failed response to the opioid crisis and the condition of the overall drug rehabilitation industry. Registration is required for this virtual author talk. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the library at 860-767-1560. This program is free and open to the public.
Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Quilting as Art
Essex Library’s March Artist of the Month, Theresa Marchant-Shapiro, will delve into her artistic process as a collage quilter, and will highlight notable artists who used similar forms of art for political expression. Marchant-Shapiro’s creative use of textiles takes quilting to a new level from practical craft to stunning visual works. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the library at 860-767-1560. This program is free and open to the public.
The Essex Library Association is a center for free, reliable information. We stimulate curiosity, nurture creativity and enable discovery. We are a window into the world. The Essex Library has been a vital community institution since 1889. Since that time, the Library has grown to become a modern, professionally staffed organization with a collection of nearly 50,000 items in a beautiful, 9,500 square foot facility. All of the Library’s programs are free and open to the public. www.youressexlibrary.org.
