FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It is high summer here and we are enjoying the excitement our summer readers are bringing to the library. Our summer reading program concludes on August 18, but there is still time to participate in our reading challenge. Our August events offer something for all ages – from play and story time for children, lectures on gardening and birds of prey, movies, and learn to plays, we have it all!  Join us on August 21 as we host the finale of both summer reading and the town-wide Summer Concert series with Almost ERAS: The Taylor Swift Experience. You don’t need to be a Swiftie to come out and enjoy the wide range of musical genres that encompass the Taylor Swift discography.
 
Looking ahead, September is National Library Card Month. A free library card unlocks so much.   Learn a new skill. Connect with new friends. Grow your talents. All at the library. You will also gain free access to books, games, music, magazines, equipment, e-books, streaming videos, video games, a maker space, computers, and a whole lot of activities. We are thrilled YOU are a cardholder. We would appreciate your sharing what you appreciate about The Farmington Libraries. Send us an email, a voicemail, a short video or even a piece of art that demonstrates the benefit of being a Farmington Libraries cardholder and we may feature you in a future newsletter, on our website, or in our socials. You can also submit Why You Love the Library right through our webform!
 
See you around the Libraries!
Jocelyn Kennedy, Executive Director
 
IMPORTANT DATES
The Farmington Libraries will be closed
August 28 & 29 for Staff Development
August 30 & September 1 for Labor Day
 
2025 SUMMER READING PROGRAM
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Adaptive Storytime Info Session
SAT, August 2 | 10:00 AM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
Adaptive Storytime offers families of neurodiverse children ages 3 -10 a structured slower-paced Storytime experience. During this Storytime you can expect interactive stories and songs, social narratives, visual schedules, fun with fidgets and props, and time for free choice play and caregiver socialization. Activities will generally fall within a preschool to grade 2 interest level
Teen De-Stress Kits
MON, August 4
Barney Library, 71 Main Street
 
Teens in Grades 7 to 12 can stop by the Barney Library to assemble their own De-Stress Kits. Get ready for the school year with supplies designed to reduce your stress. Need a mint? A fidget toy? Join us at the Barney Library to assemble your personal de-stress kit. Kits and supplies are first-come, first-served while supplies last.

Pollinators and Their Effects on Our Ecosystem
THU, August 7 | 6:00 PM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
We are dependent on honey bees for at least one third of the food that we eat everyday. Learn about our most important pollinators and the Beekeepers that tend to them as well as the benefits of protecting our pollinators. Examine endangered species and how important honey bees are to our crops.
Story Time at Hein Farm
FRI, August 8 |  11:00 AM
Hein Farm, 303 Meadow Roa
 
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 August 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

Live Birds of Prey
WED, August 13 |  6:00 PM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
This program includes four birds and lasts one full hour. This is an outdoor lecture that has live animals. Audiences get to meet two day time hunters and two night time hunters.  Learn each birds story of survival and ways to lessen conflicts with the wildlife in your very own backyard.
 
We ask that you bring your own seating!
Learn To Play: A Fake Artist Goes to New York
THU, August 14 |  6:30 PM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
Curious about A Fake Artist Goes to New York the board game? Interested in learning how to play but don't want to learn on your own? Come to our Learn to Play A Fake Artist Goes to New York! At the end of the program, you'll get a chance to win a free copy! 

Summer Reading Concert Finale:
Almost Eras
THU, August 21, 6:00 PM
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.
Teen After Hours: Pizza Party
FRI, July 31, 6:00 PM
Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive
 
Let's celebrate the end of summer with a Teen-Only Pizza Party! Open to friends who are entering 7th-12th Grade! Come meet new Teen Librarian Lex if you haven't yet, and let them know what you hope to see in the Teen Space at the Library this year! Have fun with friends, play Book Bingo, and munch on some tasty pizza! 

FROM THE FARMINGTON ROOM
In the spring, I had a dedicated volunteer come in twice weekly to number and index all our maps, of which we have nearly 300. These are not all original maps—some of them are copies of copies of copies, likely from a time when middle school students embarking on their Paideia projects came into the Farmington Room to do their research (nowadays the digitized versions of primary sources are used). 
 
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/