Granby Public Library System
860-844-5275
GranbyLibrary@granby-ct.gov
Library Hours – Main Branch
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Library Hours – Cossitt Branch
Tuesday and Thursday: 3 – 8 p.m.
Registration is required for many of the library’s programs. To register, follow the links on the library’s website. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter on the website or by phone.
Adults and Teens
Wings Over Granby Land Trust’s Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Holcomb Farm North Barn Pavilion. Despite its name, this new Granby Land Trust preserve is anything but dismal for lovers of winged wildlife. Longtime birder John Weeks offers a comprehensive presentation based on years of nature study, and photographer Don Shaw will showcase the beauty, adaptability and the, at times, comical behavior of the birds and butterflies of Dismal Brook. Thanks to the generosity of donor Jamie Gamble, this spectacular site will continue to offer a secure haven for over 50 species of nesting birds, as well as for nearly 100 seasonal migrants, not to mention mammals such as beavers, otters, opossums, coyotes and the occasional bear. Registration required. Sponsored by Friends of Cossitt Library and Granby Land Trust.
Spirits of New England: Thursday, Oct. 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. With over 25 years of experience researching the unknown, paranormal rock star Dustin Pari chronicles some of his favorite New England investigations. As a part of SyFy television’s Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, and appearances on Destination Truth and Ghost Nation, Pari has traveled the world looking for answers and expanding his understanding of the unseen realm. Join us virtually when he shares fascinating places rich with local history, folklore, and colored by chilling tales of the supernatural. Register online to receive the Zoom program link. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library
Plan B Book Club: Monday, Oct. 18, 6:30–7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Join us as we connect online through reading, conversation, and good books. Leading the discussions are Doug Soucier and Beth Morrill, who have led our popular in-person book discussions. Copies of each book are available for patrons to borrow at the library, via curbside pickup, or digitally via Overdrive/Libby. Register online or call the library to participate. Look for a confirmation email with a Zoom link and log-in information if you sign-up online. No computer/internet at home? Join us on the phone—contact the library to learn how. Plan ahead for Nov. 29—In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.
Artfully Yours: All Members Art Show and Artist Talks with the Granby Artists Association: Oct. 2 through 29, at Granby Public Library. All are welcome to visit the Main Branch to enjoy an extensive display of artwork created by members of the Granby Artists Association. Learn more about the body of work on exhibit when you meet the artists at two virtual Artist Talks, Oct. 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 28, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Find additional information on the website, Calendar of Events page, or via Facebook. Sponsored by Granby Public Library and Granby Artists Association.
Writer’s Group: Tuesdays, Oct. 12 and 26, 5 – 6:30 p.m., via Zoom. Are you a writer preparing for November’s National Novel Writing Month? Join the library’s group of adult fiction writers and get ready for NaNoWriMo! There are new and different creative writing exercises and prompts at each session. The virtual, bi-weekly workshops are led by members of the group who excel at offering friendly and helpful support to the budding writer. Register online to receive the Zoom program link.
EFT Tapping and Intro to Meditation: Monday, Oct. 4, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Life Coach Cris Jacobs reminds us to take care of our mental and physical health by using proven techniques used by hundreds of thousands of practitioners around the world. Jacobs offers an introduction to Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as Tapping, and answers questions throughout the virtual program. Register online to receive the Zoom program link.
Children and Families
Story Stroll: All ages, at the Main Branch, lawn near the patio. Stop by anytime and check out our latest self-paced Story Stroll. Just follow the numbers on the signs to read this month’s picture book, The Teeny Tiny Ghost by Kay Winters.
Monster Drawing with Matt Ryan: Tuesdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 4–5 p.m., at the Main Branch. Age 8-12. Love to draw? Want to learn how to draw cool monsters? Illustrator and cartoonist, Matt Ryan, of Free Lunch Studios in Granby, will be here to help you sharpen your skills. Registration required. Space is limited. You must be able to attend all four sessions when you register. Bring your imagination, a pencil and a sketchbook to the first session. All participants are asked to wear a mask. Sponsored by the Friends of Granby Public Library
Halloween Story Time with Miss Joan: Tuesday, Oct. 26, 10:30 – 11 a.m., at the Main Branch, on the patio. Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join Miss Joan for an extra special Halloween Story Time. Be sure to wear your costume! We’ll read a (not-so-spooky) story and sing a song or two. Then we’ll march in a Halloween parade around the library to show our costumes to the rest of the library staff. Every child will receive a candy-free treat bag to take home. This program will take place outside on the library lawn, so please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. If it rains, we’ll move the party indoors to the Children’s Room. Patrons over the age of two must wear a mask. No registration needed. Sponsored by the Friends of Granby Public Library.
Take and Make Crafts: Saturdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., in the Children’s Room at the Main Branch. For ages 3 and up. Stop by the Children’s Room and select a craft kit from our Craft Box to take home and complete. 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. Sponsored by the Friends of Granby Public Library.
Coming in November
Blackletter Calligraphy for Kids: Mondays, beginning Nov. 1. Check the library’s online calendar for program details.
Padawan Training: Saturday, Nov. 13. Learn how to become a Jedi knight! Save the date—registration info will be online soon.
Story Times
Good Morning Story Time with Miss Joan: Tuesdays, Oct. 5, 12 and 19, 10:30 – 11 a.m. at the Main Branch, on the patio weather permitting. Miss Joan invites her preschool friends and their caregivers to join her for Story Time outdoors. Let’s sing, do a fingerplay and share a story together. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. No registration needed. Program will be in the Children’s Room if it is raining. All attendees over the age of two are asked to wear a mask. Sponsored by the Friends of Granby Public Library.
Bedtime Stories with Miss Heather: Thursdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 6–6:30 p.m. (new time), at the Cossitt Branch. Join Miss Heather as she welcomes children ages 4-7 and their caregivers for story time. Pajamas encouraged. We’ll read stories and sing songs together. Each child will also receive a craft to complete at home. All attendees over the age of two are asked to wear a mask. Sponsored by the Friends of Cossitt Library.
Story Time on Your Time: All month at the Main Branch. No time to attend a scheduled Story Time program? Stop by or call the library and request a Story Time Bag for 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 phoning.
New and Ongoing Library Services
Learning @ Your Library: Did you know that the library offers people free access to several online learning databases, ready to help people gain new professional skills, creative abilities, and job-seeking tips? Check out the Library Website’s “Online Learning” page to access LinkedIn Learning, CreativeBug, JobNow, and the Computer Skills Center to see what you can learn next!
Libby: Use this library app to check out up to 10 titles at a time, and read or listen to best-sellers, old favorites, and new releases—all with the click of a button. With titles that can be read on nearly any device (including your kindle), there is something for everyone. This digital bookshelf allows you to place holds on popular titles and download the books people are talking about as easily as pulling out your Granby Library card.
Hoopla: Granby Library patrons are now able to access the hoopla digital catalog, more than 900,000 titles of eBooks, eAudio books, music albums, TV series, and more. Download the free app and log in with your GPL library card. Every patron can borrow up to four titles a month—with no holds, and no waiting. Take advantage of these free digital checkouts in addition to the items you can borrow through Overdrive/Libby—and use your Granby Library Card anywhere you are!
Museum Passes: Granby library patrons can borrow museum passes that will provide visitors with free or reduced rates for dozens of museums across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Check the library website or call for more details.
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. We would love to help you get started. Ask for information at the Children’s Desk or call the main desk or 860-844-5285 for Miss Joan, the Children’s Librarian.