FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WOW!
 
Did I see you at the Summer Reading Kick-Off? What an amazing community event. I don’t know about you, but I’m so excited to read this summer and find out what kind of adventures await me between the covers of a good book! I want to thank our community partners who made this event possible. First, a huge shout out to The Friends of the Farmington Libraries who work so hard all year at the Book Nook and the annual book sale to raise the funds that make programs like Summer Reading possible. We couldn’t do half the things we do without their financial support.
 
Thank you to our partners who provided entertainment, information, and activities at the event:
  • Farmington Land Trust
  • Bike Walk Farmington
  • The Claypen of West Hartford
  • New Britain Museum of American Art
  • CT State Parks
  • CT Old State House
  • Cub Scout Pack 170
  • DJ Red Supreme
  • Dillon the Hartford Athletic Mascot
  • Paki Taco
  • Craftbird
Summer at the Library is always exciting. We hope you will join us for more events throughout July and August. On our events calendar, you’ll see everything we have to offer. Here are a few highlights:  Join us for Wacky Wednesdays – with a different event each week, including visits from Jason Tardy and Jester Jim – jugglers extraordinaire, STEM activities, and a visit with Riverside Reptiles. Throughout the summer, we have loads of educational events planned around the great outdoors, including talks on composting, pollinators, and invasive plants. Plus crafts, movies, book clubs and so much more for kids, teens and adults every week this summer.
 
See you around the Libraries!
Jocelyn Kennedy, Executive Director
 
IMPORTANT DATES
The Farmington Libraries will be closed Friday, July 4.
 
2025 SUMMER READING PROGRAM
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Story & Play
SAT, July 5 | 10:00 AM
Barney Library, 71 Main Street
 
Drop in and play outside at the Barney Library! Listen to some fun stories and then have a playtime with your friends on the playground. A great place to meet friends old and new! Rain or shine, we will have indoor stories if the weather is rainy!
Ice Cream Social
THU, July 10 | 6:15 PM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
All ages are invited to drop-in and join us to make your own ice cream sundae! MMMMmmmm.....
 
 

Waterless Pool Party
FRI, July 11 | 9:30 AM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
Come experience some silly fun in our kiddie pools filled with fun things to do: balls, instruments, scarves, puppets, and more!  We will also have tents, tunnels and things to walk on, big blocks to build with, and fun bubbles too.  This will be a fun-filled time to be active and get your wiggles out. 
Invasive Plants as Food
MON, July 14 | 10:00 AM
Barney Library, 71 Main Street
 
This program discusses the edible parts of our common invasive plants and shows some of the delicious recipes that can be made with them, let's use our appetite as a weapon to control invasives! Please register to attend.

Bubble Day!
THU, July 17 |  10:00 AM
Barney Library | 71 Main Street
 
BUBBLES BUBBLES BUBBLES!  Join us outside the Barney Library for a special bubble storytime. Read some bubble books, make your own bubble wand, and create lots of bubbles big and small!
Story Time at Hein Farm
FRI, July 18 |  11:00 AM
Hein Farm, 303 Meadow Road
 
Meet us for a farm story time, music, and a tour.  We will meet to the left of the farm store in the picnic area.  Parking will be in the large grassy area, on the left side of the property, close to the road.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic lunch and stay as long as you'd like after story time is over.
 
If raining, program will be moved to July 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

Book Babies
MON, July 21 | 10:00 AM
Barney Library, 71 Main Street
 
Join Miss Shana for 30 minutes of books, finger plays and songs perfect for ages 0 to 24 month. This lapsit storytime is the perfect introduction to storytimes for babies and caregivers. 
Changing Land, Changing Wildlife
THU, July 31, 6:00 PM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
Learn how Connecticut has changed from ecologically and how the species of animals changed dramatically as their habitat changed over the past 300 million years.  As Connecticut’s ecosystems have changed over time, the state’s wildlife has also changed. Observe, first-hand, how natural phenomena and human activities have impacted animal populations.

FROM THE FARMINGTON ROOM
I’m writing on the eve of our Summer Reading kickoff, the theme of which is Adventure Awaits. If you walk through the libraries this summer, you will see each department transformed into a rainforest or jungle, featuring resident critters in various artistic media, giant vines and trees, and possibly (in Information Services, at least) even a waterfall. Since our local history involves a very different physical environment, I made my display about three beloved outdoor spaces in Farmington/Unionville, all of which have fascinating histories: Suburban Park, Shade Swamp Sanctuary, and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.
 
Read more from Jerusha Neely, Local History Librarian.
 

Find out what else is happening at the libraries by visiting our 
Event Calendar
 
The Farmington LibrariesFarmington Library | 6 Monteith DriveBarney Library | 71 Main Street860-673-6791 | https://www.farmingtonlibraries.org/