Granby Public Library System
860-844-5275
Main Branch Library Hours
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cossitt Branch Library Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday 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 or call the library. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter in person, on the website or by phone.
Read Beyond the Beaten Path Summer Library Celebration
Readers of all ages are invited to participate in our Summer Library Celebration—win prizes and have fun at the library this summer. Every time you visit either branch of the library from June 15 through Aug. 6, you can earn a ticket to enter our prize drawings. Participate in the Library’s Trail Map Challenge to be eligible for even more chances to win—and to connect with your community. Starting June 1, stop by either branch to learn more and to register.
Trail Map Challenge: June 15-Aug. 6. Pick up your trail map at either branch of the Library beginning on June 15 and travel around Granby to visit new places, learn new things and enjoy your home town. Fun for all ages, this special program is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.
Sebastian and the Hit Men: Wednesday, June 15 (rain date June 16), 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Main Branch lawn and patio. Let the good times roll. All ages are invited to enjoy live music featuring fun tunes from the early years of rock and pop. Bring your own chair and blanket (and maybe a picnic super), find a comfortable space on the lawn and enjoy a free summer evening with family, friends and neighbors. We’ll supply the lawn games. Earn raffle tickets to use in the Read Beyond the Beaten Path Summer Celebration. No registration. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Adults and Teens
Bass Fishing in Connecticut: Saturday, June 4, 1 – 2 p.m., at the Main Branch. It’s said there’s no such thing as a bad day of fishing, but Dylan Napoleone may help you avoid sharing tales of “the one that got away.” This seminar is beneficial for people of all ages and experience levels. You’ll hear how to effectively target bass in local waters, use the appropriate gear and techniques, fish in different seasons and more. Napoleone has a passion for the sport, has fished competitively and directed tournaments for youth. Register to attend; drop-ins welcome if space allows. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Page Turners Book Club: Wednesday, June 15, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Main Branch. The group will read and discuss Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer this month. Krakauer, author and seasoned mountain climber, explores why Mount Everest compels so many people, including himself, to willingly subject themselves to extreme risk, hardship and expense. Leading the discussion will be veteran discussion leader Beth Morrill. Copies of the book will be available at the library and online. Registration recommended, but not required.
Time For Chess: Thursdays, June 16, 23 and 30, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Main Branch. Chess fans are invited to friendly, competitive games every Thursday morning. Chill out in the Reading Room. Registration recommended; drop-ins welcome when space allows.
Monday Funday Series: Crunchy Crowd: For ages 10-18. Monday, June 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Main Branch, outside and inside. Fuel up for all your summer adventures with fun, tasty and healthy snacks. We will sample different foods to take on the trail, mix our own custom blends, and learn how to pack our snacks to avoid creating litter. Compete for trail-friendly prizes and earn raffle tickets for the Summer Reading Celebration. Registration required. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Songs of Our Seafaring Traditions: Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Main Branch lawn and patio. Set sail far from Granby’s beaten path and head for the open sea. Enjoy live music in this entertaining and informative nautical history presentation. We will journey back to the 1800s to appreciate a mariner’s typical day. Fishermen, whalers and all who made their living from deep waters used chanteys and music to coordinate shipboard work and to enjoy leisure time. Register to attend. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library and Salmon Brook Historical Society.
Alien Invaders: How Plant Invasives Change the Planet: For adults, teens and tweens. Saturday, June 25, 10 – 11 a.m. at Holcomb Farm. Learn to identify and remove invasive plant species with Master Gardener Eric Lukingbeal. Meet on the lawn near the outdoor beehive oven at Holcomb Farm. The program includes a half hour trail hike along the east trails where we will find some of the most common invasive plants and learn how to control them with simple tools and techniques. Take home a handout for future reference. Registration requested. Sponsored by Granby Public Library and Friends of Holcomb Farm.
Monday Funday Series: En Garde! For ages 10-18. Monday, June 27, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Main Branch, outside and inside. Curious about the sport of fencing? Find out everything you need to know from certified Fencing Master Paul Sise, Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy. Watch a live demonstration of fencing athletes as they display their skills. You’ll learn the difference between an epee, foil and saber, and have an opportunity to touch and hold various pieces of fencing equipment. Registration is required; drop-ins are welcome when space allows. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Restoration of the American Chestnut: For adults, teens and tweens. Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Main Branch AND McLean Game Refuge, Barn Door Hills Entrance. Two hundred years ago the American Chestnut began a catastrophic population decline. Over four billion trees were lost along the United States eastern seaboard and Connecticut woodlands were hit especially hard. Today modern science and a highly committed group of volunteers are helping to re-establish the species. Join us for a presentation by Jack Swatt, president, Connecticut Chapter American Chestnut Foundation, followed by a field trip and short hike to locate several specimens. Register to attend. Sponsored by Granby Public Library and Granby Land Trust.
SciFi / Fantasy Book Club: For ages 10 and older. Wednesday, June 29, 7 – 7:55 p.m. at the Main Branch. We will read and discuss This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtor and Max Gladstone this month. Cowritten by two beloved and award-winning sci-fi writers, this is an epic love story spanning time and space. Part letters, part mind-blowing science fiction adventure, there will be plenty to discuss. Leading the conversation is veteran discussion leader Doug Soucier. Copies of the book will be available at the library and online. Registration recommended, but not required.
Children and Family
Library Story Times
Good Morning! Ages 1-4 with caregiver. Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11 a.m. at the Main Branch. Let’s sing, do a fingerplay and share a story together! No registration needed. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library
Bedtime Stories with Miss Heather: Ages 4-7 with a caregiver. Tuesdays, 6 – 6:30 p.m. at the Cossitt Branch. Pajamas encouraged! We’ll read stories and sing songs together at Cossitt. Each child will also receive a craft to complete at home. No registration needed. Sponsored by Friends of Cossitt
Out-Of-This-World 3-D Clay Creations: Ages 6-12. Wednesday, June 22, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Main Branch. Create your own fantastic figures in clay with guidance and instruction from Cartoonist Debi Hamuka-Falkenham. Please register in advance. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Go Fish! Ages 8-12. Saturday, June 25, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Main Branch. Join Miss Angela in a Super Saturday event all about fish. Test your skills in a “fishing” game, and then take it way, way past that. We’ll be running around outside, so be ready to “go fish” like you never have before. Please register in advance.
Ukulele Story Time with Julie Stepanek: Ages 2-5 with caregiver. Tuesday, June 28, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Main Branch. It’s a special Story Time for preschoolers and their caregivers! Miss Julie will read us a story, then entertain us with her ukulele. Please register in advance. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
Learn To Play Camp Songs on The Ukulele: Ages 8-14. Tuesday, June 28, 2 – 3 p.m. at the Holcomb Farm Workshop. It’s easy to learn to play the ukulele, no experience necessary. Julie Stepanek will provide the instruction and the instruments. Space is limited. Please register in advance. Sponsored by Friends of Granby Public Library.
New and Ongoing Services
Book Bundles: Do you want a selection of items put on hold for you, without having to browse? We can pull picture books about trucks or teen supernatural romances or adult spy novels–name your needs. Call our resourceful staff with a genre or topic in mind, and they can put together a bundle for you: 860-844-5275 for adults and teens, 860-844-5285 for children.
Cossitt Seed Library: There is still time to sow seeds this spring. The public is welcome to visit the Seed Library at the F. H. Cossitt Library Branch in North Granby. Browse for free packets of fruit, vegetable, herb and flower seeds. Take advantage of the large collection of gardening books to help plan and grow your garden. Sponsored by Friends of Cossitt Library.
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.