Thanks to federal grant funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act administered by the Connecticut State Library, we will be launching a new service in November: WiFi hotspots. Our six new Mobile Beacon hotspots offer internet access for up to 10 connected devices using Sprint’s network providing coverage across North America. Cardholders may check out the hotspots for two weeks. We expect the hotspots to be ready for check-out in early November.

Our Red Hot DVD movie collection is back. Red Hots are brand new first-come, first-serve movies that lend for three days. Titles such as “The Father” with Anthony Hopkins, “Tesla” with Ethan Hawke and the musical “In the Heights” by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Get them while they’re hot!

November is full of fun as well as informational events at the library. When and how do I elect to take Social Security and where do I start with Medicare? You’ll find out in this two-part presentation in the library with Rick Mattson of Morin Associates, LLC. Guest author Rose Young will be with us virtually to discuss her murder mystery “Roses, Wine & Murder,” and we are very pleased to have Mildred Devine discuss virtually her recent autobiography “Sunrise, Sunset: Millie’s Devine Journey.”

Kombucha, what is it and why should I drink it? This is an online introduction to the ancient fermented drink believed to have first started in China.

For our movie buffs we will begin offering Friday Film Matinees in December and they will run through March. As winter approaches and it gets darker earlier, we hope to accommodate all those interested in our film programs. For COVID safety, attendance is limited to 30 so registration is required.

The children’s room is always fun and active! Are you interested in learning ASL (American Sign Language)? Look no further! This online series of “Signing Youth” programs, designed for ages 10-13 provides fun learning activities and a space for tweens to learn ASL with their peers. This series is presented by an experienced ASL instructor from SIGNING Basics, LLC. Thank you to the CT Humanities for helping to fund this series!

Our popular Canvas Kids program continues outdoors with pointillism, an abstract art form based on optical illusion created by George Seurat and other artists. The second workshop in November is to learn about modern movements in the contemporary art field by artists Jen Stark and Takashi Murakami.

STEAM ahead also continues virtually with the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center showing us how to dissect an owl pellet.

Further details about all of our programs and registration are found on our website www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org and then clicking on our Calendar of Events. Registration is required for most events. While at our website, be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for the latest information on all library events and services.

Have you noticed new faces behind those masks in the library this past year? We are excited to welcome several new staff members to our team. Melissa Behney has recently joined the adult services department as one of our part-time librarians. She holds her master’s in library science from Southern CT State University. Melissa joins the library after working in both public and college libraries in Connecticut. She and her husband Stan live in Stonington with their two Shetland Sheepdogs. Melissa has two sons and enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking, and open water swimming.

We also welcome Rashmi Sharma to the children’s department as a part-time assistant. Rashmi was born and raised in India and has been a Waterford resident since 2006 with her husband and two children. She holds a master’s degree in operations research from Northeastern University in Boston. Rashmi is a dance enthusiast, having enjoyed teaching virtual Bollywood dance fitness classes since 2020.

We have been lucky to have Christine Cachuela assisting Miss Jen in our Children’s room since March. Christine has been a big part of our summer reading program, storytimes and a familiar face on our grab & go craft videos. Please join us in wishing Christine much future success as she leaves us in mid-November to begin a new full-time position at the East Hampton Library.

Reminder: Sunday service hours begin Sunday, Nov. 7, 1 to 4 p.m. We hope to see you at the library!

Jill Adams is the director of adult services at Waterford Public Library.