Submitted by Marissa Lehmacher and Laurie Gardner.
BRAINERD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
May 2019
ADULT PROGRAMS
After Hours Concert with Joe Flood
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
Journeyman, songwriter Joe Flood brings his considerable storytelling skills to bear on A Troubadour’s Tour of Historic Nantucket, co-produced with long-time collaborator bassist Andres Villamil (Buster Poindexter, The Bomb Squad) under the auspices of the Nantucket Historical Association(NHA). Flood spent months visiting the island and researching its 400 year history to capture in intimate vignettes the boom and bust of the one-time whaling capital of the world and its rebirth as an art colony and summer vacation destination. While each song stands on its own, the album’s liner notes add some historical context, with eight of the ten songs directly inspired by one of the NHA’s historic sites.
“A Troubadour’s Tour” is Joe Flood’s sixth record under his own name. He has also written and recorded with The Band, the Bottle Rockets, Blues Traveler, Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, Jono Manson, Artie Traum, and many others.
Parties, the Press and Politeness (Well, Not Really)
Wednesday, May, 22, 2019 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Brainerd Memorial Library has received a grant from the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History on Revisiting the Founding Era. “Revisiting the Founding Era” is a project allowing us a society to inspect ideas and documents from that unstable time period, and study how these ideas have endured and have bearing on the twenty-first century. As part of this grant the Library has received special versions of selected readings to help us examine the Revolutionary War as it was experienced by the non-combatants. Please stop by the library and ask for a copy of the selected readings in advance of the program.
“Oh, the good old days,” when politics were polite and statesmen ran the nation. Don’t believe it for a minute. Partisanship and the mean-spirited political battles have always been at the center of the American system. “Factions” and the baneful weed of party strife have been tearing at the United States since its inception. Perhaps it’s why the constitutional convention in Philadelphia has been referred to a “miracle.” Presented by Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Central Connecticut State University History Department.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Preschool Storytime
Preschool Storytime takes place every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Join us for themed stories, songs, finger plays, and crafts. Appropriate for children ages 2 to 5, but siblings are always welcome.
Saturday Storytime
Can’t make preschool storytime during the week? Join us on the first Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. for stories, songs, finger plays, and crafts. Appropriate for children ages 2 to 5, but siblings are always welcome. The theme for May is “Monsters”. Help make a flannel board monster during storytime and then make a monster to take home!
Music with Margie
In May, Music with Margie will take place on May 9th and 30th at 10:30 a.m. and the theme is “May Flowers, Butterflies, & Farms”. Margie’s multi-sensory program builds skills on a bi-weekly basis, in order for children to reach the developmental goals they need to enter kindergarten. Margie brings items for children to play with such as beanbags, scarves, puppets, and instruments. Music with Margie is appropriate for children ages 2 to 6.
Toddler Tunes
Toddler Tunes is a music and movement program for toddlers and their caregivers. Join us to sing nursery rhymes, dance, make music, and read a simple story. Tuba Kelly brings a different musical instrument each week. Get ready to hear the guitar, saxophone, trombone and, of course, her signature tuba! In May, Toddler Tunes will meet on the 2nd, 16th, and 23rd at 10:30 a.m. Appropriate for children ages 1 to 3, but siblings are always welcome.
LEGO™ Club
Like playing with Legos? Come build with us! Each month will feature one unique theme and one free build. Lego creations will be put on display until the next session. Lego Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Appropriate for children ages 5 and up.
Beginner Harmonica Class
An anonymous donor gave Hohner Special 20 C harmonicas to the State Library to share with Connecticut libraries. BML was the lucky recipient of some of the harmonicas to share with the community! On Wednesday, May 15th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. come and learn the basics of harmonicas including chords, breathing techniques, rhythm, and improvisational skills. The lesson includes a FREE Hohner Special 20 harmonica to take home and master! Please note that space is limited for this program and registration is required. Must be in grades 4 – 12 to participate, no exceptions.
Macramé Madness
Saturday, May 4, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Learn this retro craft and join in on the macramé craze! We will be making a mini macramé plant holder. All supplies will be provided, including a small plant. This is a buddy program: parents and grandparents, older siblings, and caregivers work paired to help younger learners (ages 8 and up) complete the craft. Makes a great Mother’s Day Gift! Hurray Macra-May! Please note that space is limited for this program and registration is required.
Brainerd Library’s Little Sprouts
Spring is here! Visit our greenhouse in the Children’s Department where you can plant seeds and watch them grow. In the summer, we will transplant them together into our Brainerd Children’s Veggie Patch. This is an ongoing drop-in event appropriate for all ages.
TEEN PROGRAMS
College Financial Aid Workshop: Wednesday May 1, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please join us for a FREE Educational College Planning workshop that will focus on high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We’ll discuss the FAFSA form and all the other information you need to understand in order to maximize the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive! Even if your family isn’t eligible for need-based aid, we will cover the best strategies on how to pay for college in the most cost effective basis – without it putting a strain on the rest of your finances. Due to the popularity of this program, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Register online: www.brainerdlibrary.org. Please contact Kristen at kcarpentier@brainerdlibrary.org with any questions.
Teen Advisory Board
Is back for the school year! What can your library do for you? Join BML’s Teen Advisory Board to find out! The TAB will meet on Thursday May 9th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Voice your ideas for improved young adult (YA) services, help plan YA events and activities, help develop the YA collection, and assist with Children’s programming. Participation counts toward community services hours and looks great on college and job applications! Contact Kristen at kcarpentier@brainerdlibrary.org or call us at 860-345-2204. It’s your library… make a difference! For tweens and teens grades 6 to 12.
New Teen Lounge
Don’t forget to stop in the NEW Teen Lounge, downstairs off the Community Room. We are always updating the space with comfy furniture, cool stuff to do, and even some crafts! (The chalkboard wall is pretty awesome!) Check out your new space anytime; it’s always open during library hours!
