Granby Public Library System
Website: granby-ct.gov/library
Phone: 860-844-5275
Email: GranbyLibrary@granby-ct.gov
Library Staff Support: Library staff are in the building and available to answer questions, provide recommendations, fill holds, schedule curbside pickup and technology appointments, and assist with online research/resources six days a week.
Beginning on Monday, April 5, patrons will be able to browse in the Adult and Teen areas of the library without an appointment. Patrons will be expected to wear masks and sanitize their hands as they enter the building. Patrons wishing to visit the Children’s room can schedule appointments for their family or pod by calling the library.
As of Monday, April 5, open hours for the Library will be:
Monday: 12 – 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday: 12 – 3 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.*
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
*Library is closed for cleaning 3 – 4 p.m.
Visiting the Children’s Room:
Browsing appointments are available for Granby Public Library patrons who wish to visit the Children’s Room. Please call the library for more information or to schedule a time to come in to browse the children’s collection and check out materials.
Curbside Library Pickup:
For maximum social distancing and safe, convenient library access, curbside library pickup continues to be an option. Library materials can be reserved online through the catalog or by telephone, and then patrons can schedule a pick-up appointment—no need to come inside. Call the library for details.
Book Bundles/Reader’s Assistance:
Are you unsure what to read next, but you’re not ready to come inside to browse? Contact the library for help finding something new to love! Feeling “lucky”? Ask for a random assortment and we’ll surprise you with some staff favorites. Need help choosing books for your children? Miss Joan, the children’s librarian, is happy to help—call her direct line, 860-844-5285, to leave a message with a callback number and she will respond as quickly as possible.
Learn more about upcoming programs and sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter by visiting the Granby Public Library website or calling the library.
In-Person Library Programs
Story Time with Chuzzle the Chicken: Tuesday, April 13, 10:30-11 a.m. (Rain date April 14). Outdoors at the Main Branch. For preschoolers with caregiver. It’s a special story time with a very special guest. Join us for stories, finger plays and a song. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. Everyone over the age of two years must wear a mask and we’ll keep our social distance. Please register in advance.
Take and Make Crafts: Saturdays, April 3, 10, 17 and 24, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Curbside at Main Branch. Calling all crafty kids—stop by the main library’s curbside pickup area and select a kit from the Craft Box we place outside. No registration or reservation needed. An assortment of crafts for all levels of ability will be available. One craft kit per child, please. All materials and instruction will be provided. First come, first served. Supplies are limited. Note: some crafts may contain small pieces that could be a choking hazard to children age 3 and under.
Live Virtual Programs (Via Zoom)
Adults and Teens
EFT Tapping and Intro to Meditation: Monday, April 5, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Take care of your mental and physical health by learning proven techniques used by hundreds of thousands of practitioners around the world. Certified instructor and Life Coach Cris Jacobs offers instruction in Emotional Freedom Technique, known as “Tapping.” Jacobs also covers an introduction to simple meditation practices at the end of the EFT session. Handouts are available. Register online to receive the Zoom program link.
Plan B Book Club: Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join our casual, book-themed conversation online. Leading the discussions are Doug Soucier and Beth Morrill, both experienced book club leaders who know how to keep the conversation fun and interesting. At the April meeting, we will discuss The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Too late for this month’s reading? Join us on May 4 to discuss A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. Register online or call the library to receive a Zoom link. No computer/internet at home? Call the library for information on how you can participate on your phone.
The Equitarian Initiative: Working Donkeys, Mules And Horses In The Developing World: Wednesday, April 7, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. More than 110 million donkeys, mules and horses labor daily in the developing world. Learn about their working conditions, essential contributions to their owners and communities, and the complex social and cultural factors involved. Dr. Harry W. Werner, Granby resident and recipient of the 2020 Animal Welfare Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association, shares first-hand experience with this global initiative. Visit the library website for more information about the program and Dr. Werner, and register online to receive the Zoom program link. Sponsored by Friends of Cossitt Library.
Teaching Your Child The Financial Facts Of Life: Thursday, April 13, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. There is no better time than Money Smart Week to learn how to introduce meaningful money lessons to younger members of the family. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend the virtual program with Faye Griffiths-Smith, extension resource educator, family economics and resource management, at the University of Connecticut. Age-appropriate financial topics, games, and other financial learning resources will be presented to help you share “dollars and sense” wisdom with your children. Whether your child is five, 15, or older, Griffiths-Smith will have helpful suggestions to inspire financial literacy in your family. Register online to receive the Zoom program link.
Writers Group: Tuesdays, April 13 and 27, 5 – 6:30 p.m. Adult fiction writers are welcome to attend bi-weekly workshops to hone skills using a variety of creative writing activities. There are different exercises and timed prompts at each session as well as opportunities for writing critiques. Register online to receive the Zoom program link.
Birds of the New England Swamp: Wednesday, April 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wildlife photographer Peter Christoph presents award-winning images and photographic secrets when you travel with him virtually to a typical New England swamp. Enjoy an intimate look at the many varieties of birds that inhabit our swamps, including ospreys and herons, shorebirds, woodpeckers, and other cavity dwellers. Sloshing and crawling through the swamp so you don’t have to, Christoph captures many of the birds’ activities such as building nests, feeding young and catching prey. Register online to receive the Zoom program link. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library and Granby Land Trust.
Time to Tidy Up: Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. When you create a tidy uncluttered living environment you foster a more soulful lifestyle. Find out how to live more simply and create balance at home with professional organizer and KonMari consultant Christine Thornton. The Tidy Life-Style Doctor from Connecticut will share a unique approach to decluttering that goes beyond routine spring cleaning. Register online to receive the Zoom program link. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Backyard Mushroom Growing: Monday, April 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join Mark Gostkiewicz, Tri Gable Lea Farm, in this lively and informative presentation. Learn how to grow three popular species of mushroom: shiitake, oyster and wine cap. Soak up valuable information from an expert, including how to use straw or wood chips to grow mushrooms, which type of wood is best for growing mushrooms, and where to source low cost tools and other materials. It’s a fascinating look at how to spawn edible fungi in your own backyard. Register online to receive the Zoom program link. Sponsored by Granby Public Library, Friends of Granby Public Library and Granby Agricultural Commission as part of the Granby Grows program series. We bring the experts to you with informative programs featuring farm and garden professionals and environmental educators. Each program in the series speaks to agricultural and environmental topics, and includes opportunity for live or texted chat with the host, presenter and other program attendees.
For Children and Families
Good Morning Story Time: Tuesdays, April 6, 20 and 27 at 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5 with caregiver. Miss Joan invites her preschool friends and their caregivers to join her for a very special virtual Story Time. Let’s sing, do a fingerplay and share a story together! Register by 10 a.m. on the day of the program to receive the Zoom link.
Rockin’ Readers: Thursday, April 22, 4–4:45 p.m. For ages 3–8. Certified music therapist Jona Jeffcoat will lead developing readers in a fun, interactive program that combines books and music to increase early literacy skills. We’ll sing, move and play musical “instruments” created from materials found at home. Please register in advance by visiting our online calendar. Space is limited. You will receive the Zoom link in your registration confirmation email. Please indicate if your child has special needs when registering. All are welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of Granby Public Library.
Watch When You’re Ready Virtual Programs
GPL on YouTube: The library has a YouTube channel, and you’re invited to watch. Visit the GPL channel to view archived library programs, story times and helpful videos to improve your library experience. Find the page by searching for “Granby Public Library” on the YouTube page, and subscribe to know when we post something new.
Story Time on Facebook: Watch Miss Joan and Miss Heather share stories, poems and a love of reading on their frequent Facebook posts. “Like” the Granby Public Library System to make sure you don’t miss a video.
“I Survived” Fan Club: For ages 7–10. Love realistic fiction? The books in this popular series by Lauren Tarshis tell thrilling stories from history through the eyes of a child who lived to tell the tale. A different title will be featured each month. Visit the library’s online calendar to sign up. You’ll receive new book news, fun activity sheets, videos from the author and other exclusive online features. The link to the official website will be sent in a confirmation email when you register.
Cat Kid Comic Club: For ages 6 and up. Calling all fans of Dog Man and Cat Kid. Learn how to draw your favorite characters and watch new videos from author Dav Pilkey. You can even create and share your very own comic books. Go to the library’s online calendar to register and receive the link to this cool club.
New and Ongoing Library Services
Story Time on Your Time: For babies and toddlers. Too busy to attend a scheduled Story Time program? Call the library and request a Story Time Bag for you and your baby or toddler. Each bag contains board books, a washable toy and pages of suggested finger plays, songs and nursery rhymes to enjoy together. Keep each bag for up to one month, then return it and check out another. Each bag is unique. Place a hold in our Online Catalog or by calling 860-844-5275.
Jigsaw Puzzles to Borrow: The library now has a small collection of puzzles with 300 or 500 pieces for patrons to borrow. Visit the library in-person to select one, or call to pick one up curbside.
eBooks, eAudio Books and eMagazines: For all ages. Download the free Libby or Overdrive App and access tens of thousands of eBooks, eAudio Books and eMagazines using your library card. The entire catalog is available for Granby residents, just by registering at the library.
Poetry Pages for Kids: Celebrate National Poetry Month. We’ve got a selection of poetry for all ages. Free sheets can be included in curbside bags or picked up in person in the Children’s Room.
Family Puzzle Packs:Give your family a screen time break and relax with a puzzle or two. All month long the library will be handing out free paper puzzle packs with crosswords, word games, mazes, dot-to-dots and coloring sheets for children of all ages. Packs are available for curbside pickup and during browsing appointments—just ask.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten: It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Granby Public Library’s popular program is an easy and fun way to spend time reading together. We provide everything you need and we would love to help you get started. Call main desk or 860-844-5285 for Miss Joan, the children’s librarian.