“If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” - Toni Morrison

It may be a short month but we have a full calendar of programs and activities just for you to keep those winter blues away! We’ve been so pleased that our Winter Reading Bingo Challenge has appealed to so many of you, and this is just a reminder that the challenge continues through Feb. 28. Bingo cards are still available for adults, teens and children. Grand Prize drawings will be held Feb. 28!

We honor Black History Month with Elizabeth Wood, director of the Stonington Historical Society, who will give a talk about Venture Smith, African American farmer and craftsman, on Wednesday, Feb, 8 at 7 p.m. This event is co-hosted with the American Association of University Women.

The life of Venture Smith and the exhibit about his life opened at the Stonington Historical Society this past year. And on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. we will have a panel discussion on the life and works of author Ann Petry. Petry was the first African-American woman to sell over one million copies of a book. Organized by Waterford RISE with special thanks to sponsors Community Foundation of Eastern CT and Ledge Light Health District.

We’ve added a new Mystery Book Club to our regular events calendar to be held on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, March 1, we will be discussing “In the Woods” by Tana French.

Our virtual Speculative Fiction Book Club and the Friday Afternoon Book Club continue to meet monthly as does our virtual Write Night writing group. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m. we’ll have a virtual lecture on The Founding Mothers presented by Valerie Gugala, a first-person historical presenter and lecturer. This event is co-hosted by Groton Public Library, Mystic & Noank Library, and the Otis Library of Norwich.

“The Golden Age of Television: What made the 1950s so special for American TV?” will be a virtual presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. This event is co-hosted by the Groton Public and the Mystic & Noank Libraries.

Our virtual author talks this month are the following: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper discusses the enchanting third installment of her immensely popular “The Witches of Thistle Grove” series, “Back in a Spell.” Thursday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. you’re invited to an insightful chat with award-winning author Grace M. Cho as she discusses her memoir, “Tastes like War.” And on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. we’ll have an invigorating conversation with highly acclaimed author Sadeqa Johnson as she talks about her brand new novel, “The House of Eve!”

For teens, ages 12-18: Teen Craft Night is Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. We will be making Styrofoam prints, so please register online. On Thursday, Feb. 9 stop by the Teen Section from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to make a Valentine’s (or Anti-Valentine’s!) Day heart ornament. Don’t miss out on our Puzzle Competition on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. Get together a team of two to four members and register to participate and compete for the grand prize. Each team will be working on the same puzzle, and the team that completes it first wins. Register your team online.

Our family story times continue Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Get ready to read and get your wiggles out! Join Ms. Jenna at the library for some fun stories, songs, and dancing. Recommended for ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10:30 to 4 p.m. is Take Your Child to the Library Day! Join us for a fun filled day of family friendly activities and crafts as well as special performances in the library meeting room. Move and groove with local musician Steve Elci from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy an interactive show with Cricket and therapy dog Nubble from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. No registration required. All ages are welcome!

On Saturday, Feb. 11 stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for our Board Game Bonanza. We have some classics as well as some new board games to try out. Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Want to learn all the tips and tricks of drawing? Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. for our Cartooning Workshop with local author, illustrator and teacher Jason Deeble. Registration is required, recommended for ages 8 and older.

It’s raining hearts! Drop into the Children’s Room on Monday, Feb. 13 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. for a Valentine’s Day themed craft for ages 5 and up. On Monday, Feb. 27 stop by the Children’s Room from 4 to 6:30 p.m. for a STEM Adventure for ages 5 and up.

Our February art exhibit wall features Gary Patric, a local artist having grown up in Waterford. In this show Gary includes oil paintings, watercolor, children’s book illustrations, and clayboard.

We continue to offer both virtual and in-person events. For further details about all of our programs and registration, please refer to our website www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org and then click on our Calendar of Events tab. While at our website, be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for the latest information on all library events and services. Please “like” us on Facebook too!

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