Virtual Summer Classes & Events

All of our summer classes and events are virtual. You’ll need Zoom (app or software) installed to participate. Click here for more information on installing Zoom. Click here for a printable calendar. All programs have been made possible by The Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library, Guilford Savings Bank, and The Allan Louis Loeb Foundation. Thank you for your support!

Kids Programs

Teen Programs

Adult Programs

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Our Summer Reading Quest is for ALL AGES! Sign up today.

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Kids Programs


Monday Stories LIVE (ages 5 and under)

Mondays @ 10:30–11 am
Starting June 15

Join Miss Mary and Miss Carly every Monday as we recreate storytime with songs, hand rhymes, stories and more. Storytime kits are available for pick up with sign up, one per participant while supplies last. Registration required to receive meeting link and kit pick up specifics. Click here to register.

Wednesday Stories LIVE (ages 5 and under)

Wednesdays @ 10:30–11 am
Starting June 17
Join Miss Mary and Miss Carly every Wednesday as we recreate storytime with songs, hand rhymes, stories and more. Storytime kits are available for pick up with sign up, one per participant while supplies last. Registration required to receive meeting link and kit pick up specifics. Click here to register.

Fridays are for Sharing (ages 3 to 5)

Fridays @ 11–11:30 am
Starting June 19
Miss Mary and Miss Carly are saving Fridays for “show and tell.” Drop in and share your favorite story, stuffed animal, artwork or toy. We will be sharing our favorites as well. Registration is required to receive meeting link. Click here to register.

Rick Riordan Presents: Virtual Book Club (grades 3 thru 6)

Fourth Tuesday of the Month @ 3:30–4:30 pm
June 23, July 28, August 25
Join us once a month for a virtual book club that features different books from Rick Riordan Presents – a small publishing sect that’s goal is to share unprecedented cultures and backgrounds through stories inspired by their mythology, folklore and heritage. Registration is required to receive meeting link. Click here to register and gain access to our first title.

BreakOut of This: Four Week Virtual Challenge (for families)

Starting Friday @ July 31
Sign up to receive a challenge video and link to different digital breakout games each week!
Questions will test reading, mathematics, sciences, and logic, all in an effort to stretch your brain. You have 1 week to complete each challenge solo or with friends and family. Send in your challenge answers before the next video and link is released to be entered in for a prize drawing.

Wizarding Workshop

Tuesday, August 11 @ 1–2 pm for grades K thru 2
Tuesday, August 11 @ 2–3 pm for grades 3 thru 5
Interested in concocting potions, making your own wand and learning how to care for magical creatures? All of the above are available in this hands-on workshop, but you need to pick up all the necessary materials at the library the week before. Sign up for grades K thru 2 to receive an email about specifics and a link to the workshop. Sign up for grades 3 thru 5 to receive the same.

Live-Streaming Movie Watch Party: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Friday, August 21 @ 6 pm
We’ll close out our 10-week summer reading quest with a live-streaming of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This is the perfect way for everyone to come together and enjoy each others company virtually by watching, conversing and snacking at the same time. All ages are welcome. Running time 2h 13m. Sign up here to receive a ZOOM link, meeting number and password to join in the fun.

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Teen Programs

TAG: Teen Advisory Group

3rd Thursday of the Month @ 3–4 pm 

June 18, July 16, August 20

Looking for an opportunity to have your voice heard? We’ve got you covered! Bring your own snacks & join us for a digital opportunity to discuss books, library programs & more! You’ll earn an hour of community service for your time. Open to high school teens. Space is limited and registration is required to receive a meeting link. To see if there’s room, email Miss Sarah @ teens@blackstonelibrary.org 

Imagine Your Story: Creative Writing for Teens

Five Monday Sessions @ 3:30 – 5pm
June 29, July 13 & 27, August 3 & 17

Is there a story hidden in you? Sign up for this series of five summer sessions & find out! Join veteran writing workshop hosts Shari Arnold & Amy Bowers for five virtual sessions in which you’ll explore character, setting, plot, and revisions in order to create your own retold myth, twisted fairy tale, or dark fantasy—a story you’ll be willing (and proud) to share with your classmates & friends. Open to middle, high school, and college-aged teens. Space is limited and registration is required to receive a meeting link. Sign up here. 

Live-Streaming Movie Watch Party: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Friday, August 21 @ 6 pm
We’ll close out our 10-week summer reading quest with a live-streaming of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This is the perfect way for everyone to come together and enjoy each others company virtually by watching, conversing and snacking at the same time. All ages are welcome. Running time 2h 13m. Sign up here to receive a ZOOM link, meeting number and password to join in the fun.

 

 

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Adult Programs

Hatha Yoga

Tuesdays @ 4 pm, Beginning June 2
Join Kripalu-certified yoga instructor Joanne DeVito for our weekly virtual  yoga class! All experience levels welcome. Yoga mat required; yoga strap, block, and a light throw recommended. Click here to register.

Knitting Group

Wednesdays @ 6-7:30 pm
Now is a great time to pick up a new hobby. Join our weekly knitting group where both beginners and experienced knitters are welcome. Registration required to receive meeting link. Click here to register.

How to Eat a Poem: A Weekly Poetry Discussion Group

Saturdays starting on April 25 from 1-2 pm
Learn to better understand and appreciate the wide world of poetry! Each week we’ll discuss a new chapter from the 8th edition of the book Sound and Sense: an Introduction to Poetry by Laurence Perrine. A best-selling introduction to poetry for more than 50 years, Perrine’s book succinctly covers the basics with detailed chapters on the elements of poetry, unique materials on evaluating poetry, exemplary selections, and exercises and study questions that guide understanding. With an emphasis on teaching students to read, understand, and evaluate poetry, this group will be your guide to discovering how and what a poem means, and hopefully gain a new appreciation for the art form.

Registration required to receive meeting link. Click here to register. Digital copies of Sound and Sense are available through Open Library. Click here to create an account and download a copy of the book.

Books & Brews Book Club

Last Wednesday of the month @ 6-8 pm, June 24, July 29, August 26

Titles TBD. Find us on Meetup.com and register there to receive meeting link.

Preserving Family History Treasures

Tuesday August 11 @ 2 pm
Lizette Pelletier, State Archivist at the Connecticut State Library, discusses issues related to paper and electronic documents and offers some basic preservation steps to ensure that family records are available for future generations. Click here to register.

How to Use Your iPad

Thursday, August 13 @ 2 pm
This class is geared towards beginners, covering the basic functions and features of the iPad and apps. iPads must already be registered with an Apple ID and running the most current operating system. Click here to register.

DIY Workshop: Ginger Ale & Vanilla Extract

Saturday, August 15 @ 1 pm
Join the mother/daughter duo, Grounded Goodwife, for these hands-on workshops using ingredients from your kitchen! Check our website for a list of necessary ingredients. Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library. Click here to register.

Live-Streaming Movie Watch Party: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Friday, August 21 @ 6 pm
We’ll close out our 10-week summer reading quest with a live-streaming of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This is the perfect way for everyone to come together and enjoy each others company virtually by watching, conversing and snacking at the same time. All ages are welcome. Running time 2h 13m. Sign up here to receive a ZOOM link, meeting number and password to join in the fun.

 

 

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