Events

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, July 5

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

Drop-in Tech Session

Thursday, July 7

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Confused about your new iPhone or iPad? Need help formatting a Word document? Drop in to the library between 2 & 4 PM to get a tech question answered. First come, first served. Sessions will be limited to 15 minutes per person.

Registration is not required to attend this IN PERSON event.

RESCHEDULED It’s Time to Pivot: A Call to Action for Environmental Sustainability

Saturday, July 9

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

This event has been rescheduled for Saturday, 11/5 at 2:00pm

New Haven writer and documentary filmmaker Steve Hamm presents the case for society to pivot to become more sustainable and resilient and for individuals to become climate activists. He describes his journey with Pivot Projects, a global, all-volunteer initiative that was launched at the beginning of the COVID crisis and which resulted in his new book from Columbia University Press: The Pivot: Addressing Global Problems Through Local Action. He will show his new documentary, A River Speaks (34 minutes), which emerged out of Pivot Projects and explores the complex relationship between humans and the rest of nature. There will be time for discussion afterwards.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event. Click here to register for the new date.

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, July 12

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

Downloading E-books and Audiobooks through Hoopla & Libby

Wednesday, July 13

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Come learn how to access e-books and audiobooks through two great apps – Libby and Hoopla – free with your Blackstone Library card! You’ll learn how to sign up for each app, search for and check out titles, place holds, and more.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Blackstone Board of Trustees

Wednesday, July 13

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Agendas and minutes are posted on the Town of Branford website. Meeting will be held at Branford Police Department.

Building Blackstone: The Architecture of the Blackstone Library

Wednesday, July 13

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Blackstone Library is one of the most impressive buildings in Connecticut, but it’s home to so many beautiful details it’s almost impossible to take them all in. Join Branford town historian Jane Bouley for an in depth look at the architecture and craftsmanship of the Blackstone. She’ll take you on a journey through details big and small that’s sure to inspire a new appreciation for the library and all it’s architectural glory.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Awakening to Change: A Social Justice Discussion Group

Thursday, July 14

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Awakening to Change is designed to help unify our community by developing a shared understanding of the history, policy, and experiences shaping contemporary discussions of race. We tackle a new topic each month, sometimes reading books, discussing films, or learning from articles. All are welcome to join!

This month’s topic is Racial Realities in Our Healthcare System. Did you know your life expectancy has more to do with your zip code than your physical body? Discover how the medical profession and health care institutions participate in the lack of professionalism and quality care for POC.

We will discuss the following videos. Please watch them prior to our call.

Hiding in Plain Site: What’s Missing in Health Equity
Kerri Norris, who worked at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as a health scientist, evaluator, and epidemiologist, will be talking about “Addressing Health Equity using the MISTAH model”.

https://www.ted.com/talks/keri_norris_hiding_in_plain_sight_what_s_missing_in_health_equity

Combating Racism and Place-ism in Medicine
Race shouldn’t determine your health. Zip code shouldn’t change your life expectancy. Dr. Nwando Olayiwola explains how the medical profession does harm to patients by perpetuating racism & committing place-ism, ignoring place & health connections. She offers solutions for how technology & educational reform can help.

https://www.ted.com/talks/j_nwando_olayiwola_combating_racism_and_place_ism_in_medicine

Impact of Roe v Wade on Black Women

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVwin7nPbq0

Registration is required to receive a link to this ONLINE event.

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, July 19

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

Scrapbooking with Plants in the 18th Century

Tuesday, July 19

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Presented by the Yale Peabody Museum Speakers Bureau

This talk will follow a graduate student’s fraught journey as she attempted to create a herbarium (or book of dried plants) following manuals written by 18th-century naturalists. Alongside her own adventures, Alicia will also explore those of early modern naturalists to consider how scientific knowledge was made in the West. This talk will emphasize that 18th-century science was not a solitary experience. Instead, it was a collective process rooted in a broad community of practitioners.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

The Shoreline Jazz Quartet Presents A Tribute to Thelonious Monk

Saturday, July 23

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The Guilford-based Shoreline Jazz Quartet (SJQ) will pay tribute to the music of the great Thelonious Monk. The SJQ features Mike Bimonte on drums, (Deepak) Cyril D’Souza on saxophones, Steve Roane on electric guitar, and Adam Anderson on acoustic bass. The SJQ play jazz standards and more at venues along the shoreline and New Haven. The group will perform interpretations of some well-known and other lesser-played works of the legendary pianist and composer including Round Midnight, Bye-Ya, In Walked Bud, Well You Needn’t, Ask Me Now, Bemsha Swing, Pannonica, Ruby My Dear and others.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, July 26

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

RESCHEDULED Intro to Google Docs

Wednesday, July 27

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

In this course, you will learn the basics of Google Docs – how to create and format a new document, create and manage comments, share your document with others, download your document as a PDF or Word document, and more.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Best Seller Book Club

Saturday, July 30

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Have you ever thought about joining a book club? It’s a fun way to get connected, make new friends, and read more books! In the Best Seller Book Club, we’ll be reading and discussing newly released, highly rated books from a wide variety of genres. This month we’re reading The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh.

The Blackstone Library has a limited number of copies available for book club participants. If you are interested in obtaining a library copy, please call us at (203) 488-1441 ext. 318 or email programs@blackstonelibrary.org. Copies are first come, first served.

Registration is required to attend this HYBRID event.

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, August 2

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

Climate Change Community Conversation

Tuesday, August 2

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Join us for a conversation hosted by East Shore District Health Department! They’ll be giving a presentation on Climate Change and Health with an emphasis on current and future climate change effects in our community and environment. They’ll discuss the ways in that climate has affected our community, what we can do to slow the changes, and ways in which we can prepare for the future. Attendees are welcome to share information and stories of their experiences as well.

Blackstone Board of Trustees

Wednesday, August 3

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Agendas and minutes are posted on the Town of Branford website.

Drop-in Tech Session

Thursday, August 4

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Registration is not required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Outdoor Paint Party!

Saturday, August 6

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Come enjoy the summer sun and the library’s beautiful grounds! Join us for a relaxing morning painting this beautiful beach scene. Step by step instruction and all supplies provided! No experience necessary.

Seating is extremely limited! Registration is required for this IN PERSON event.

In the event of rain, this program will take place in the Reading Room of the Blackstone Library.

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, August 9

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

iPhone Basics

Wednesday, August 10

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Having trouble with your iPhone? We can help! Learn the basics of using your iPhone. Downloading apps, using Safari, sending messages, changing settings and more will be covered.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Awakening to Change: A Social Justice Discussion Group

Thursday, August 11

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Registration is required to receive a link to this ONLINE event.

Blackstone Library English Conversation Group

Tuesday, August 16

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesdays at 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Library conference room

Also Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom

Let’s Talk!

Practice your English speaking skills.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) adults.

For more information and to register, contact Kathleen McKenna of Literacy Volunteers at 203-285-2621 or email kmckenna@lvagnh.org .

When the Stars Align: The Quest to Learn How, Why, and Where Planets Form

Saturday, August 20

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Presented by the Yale Peabody Museum Speakers Bureau

Imagine you were designing a planetary system. What kind of planets would you include? Where would you place them? How would they be oriented? How would they move around their star? Over the past 30 years over 4000 planets have been found in approximately 500 planetary systems outside of our Solar System. And most of them don’t look like our Solar System! We have one set-up here, but it turns out that a lot of other systems don’t look like ours. In this talk we will look at how, why and where planets form beyond our Solar System and what that means for how unique the Earth is and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Registration is required to receive a link to this ONLINE event.