Spring is just about here! The wait wasn’t too bad, was it?

Looking ahead, Waterford Public Library has some exciting events planned. We’ve started a YouTube Channel so you’ll start seeing some of our events and children’s craft tutorials posted on our channel.

The Waterford Public Library is pleased to partner with the Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC) and to thank Connecticut Humanities for its generous support, which is enabling us to provide a series of discussions with lectures on topics of global importance. Developed by the Foreign Policy Association, Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The first in the series begins in person on Thursday evening, March 3.

We welcome Edward J. Renehan Jr., author of “Deliberate Evil: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Daniel Webster, and the 1830 Murder of a Salem Slave Trader.” He will be speaking via Zoom on Monday evening, March 7.

Sebastian, a barred owl, will be at the library on Saturday morning, March 5. In this owl presentation, specifically geared towards adults, we’ll explore the eight species of owls that live in the state of Connecticut. Our presenter is Gwen Rice of Freedom First Wildlife Rehab in Waterford.  

Galen Abdur-Raazaq, master flautist and riveting speaker, will give a presentation on Women in Jazz. This event will come to you via Zoom on Thursday evening, March 10. This program is hosted by the Ledyard Public Library and co-sponsored by the Mystic & Noank, Groton, Waterford, Stonington and Otis public libraries.

FamilySearch.org has made significant site modifications this past year, and Bryna O’Sullivan of Charter Oak Genealogy is here to help you navigate this new site. Waterford Library has recently become an affiliate library with FamilySearch and has access to the vast digital records collections unavailable with a regular subscription. 

O’Sullivan will be with us via Zoom Saturday morning, March 12.

Learn from the Libby experts! Need help getting started with your Libby app? Join our webinar to learn the tips and tricks and helpful hints in downloading ebooks, audiobooks and more from our library with the professionals at OverDrive. This Zoom event is scheduled for Tuesday morning, March 15.

Guest author Elaine Bentley Baughn, MS, LMFT, licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy, and author of “The 5 Rules for Drama-Free Living” talks about helping you manage your stress, making mindful choices about your life, increasing life satisfaction, and regaining power over your daily life. Join us in person Saturday afternoon, March 19.

We welcome back Tim Wachtmann from Plantscapes of New England, who will discuss Habitats for Hummingbirds via Zoom Tuesday evening, March 22. This presentation introduces the fascinating natural history of hummingbirds and discusses how to attract and support these amazing birds in our landscapes.

Let’s Talk About It: Women’s Suffrage is a humanities discussion project from the American Library Association supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. We are pleased to have Lynne Rogers, professor of English at UConn, and Mariette Ogg, Ph.D., facilitate these discussions.

Over the course of several weeks five books will be read and discussed. The first discussion is in person Wednesday afternoon, March 30 and the book to be discussed is “The Woman’s Hour: The great fight to win the vote” by Elaine Weiss. Please register for each session separately. Choose to attend one or all five.

Copies of the title are available for check-out for registered attendees.

The Children’s Room is always busy with activity! This March several events are planned for all ages. Awaken to the wonder of the wild in your own backyard! Thursday afternoon, March 10 we welcome Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Wednesday afternoon, March 16, STEAM Ahead: St. Patrick’s Science Lab. In this St. Patrick’s Science Lab, participants will investigate rainbow reflection and refraction. 

Signing Teens! Ready to have fun learning American Sign Language?! SIGNING Basics® is back via Zoom to host a sign language program just for teens!  You will meet Monday evenings beginning March 7 for five 30-minutes sessions. This series is presented by an experienced ASL instructor from SIGNING Basics®. Thank you to the CT Humanities for helping to fund this series!

Mindfulness Workshop for Kids will be held via Zoom on Saturday morning, March 19. Practice recognizing and talking about our feelings, and then explore some basic breathing exercises and gentle stretches to help us relax and focus. Presented by Talewise.

Don’t forget our Friday Film Matinees!

Further details about all of our programs and registration are found on waterfordpubliclibrary.org and then clicking on our Calendar of Events tab. 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.

Jill Adams is Head of Adult Services at the Waterford Public Library.