GRANBY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
860-844-5275
Library Hours – Granby Public Library Main
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Library Hours – F.H. Cossitt Library Branch
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday:1– 6 p.m.
Second and fourth Saturday of the month: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The libraries will be closed on Friday, July 4 for Independence Day.
Registration is required for library programs. To register, visit granby-ct.gov/Library, and click on “Register for a Program” or call the library at 860-844-5275. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter. For the most updated information on dates and programs, refer to the library’s online calendar.
GPL= Granby Main Branch FHC= Cossitt Branch
Children’s Programs at GPL
Mysterious Magnets: Tuesday, July 1, 2–3 p.m. Ages 8–11 years. Is it magic or science? Experiment with invisible magnetic fields and become a snake charmer by making a floating snake that levitates without being touched.
Kindergarten Bootcamp, morning session: Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10:30–11:15 a.m. Ages 4–5 years. For children entering kindergarten in the fall, this program helps build essential skills like letters and numbers, fine motor practice, classroom routines and social emotional readiness—helping little learners feel confident and excited for their big day.
Kindergarten Bootcamp, evening session: Thursdays, July 10, 17 and 24, 6–6:30 p.m. Ages 4–5 years. This evening version helps children feel confident and excited for kindergarten through interactive stories, simple craft and hands-on activities, as well as calming yoga and mindfulness techniques to get children ready for school.
Sunshine Storytime: Tuesdays, July 8, 15 and 22, 10:30–11 a.m. Ages 5-10 years. Join Miss Joanna for summer themed songs, stories, and a simple craft. Please register for each class individually.
Awesome Air, Science Behind Mystery: Tuesday, July 8, 10:30–11 a.m. Ages 2–4 years. Discover the mysterious power of air in this exciting experiment. You’ll get to create a model wing to bring home, proving that air is more powerful than you think.
Cryptic Coding: Monday, July 14, 2–2:45 p.m. Ages 8–11 years. Spies and detectives use secret codes to share hidden messages—can you? Learn the science behind invisible ink, how to create and crack ciphers, and then design your own coded message to keep your secrets safe.
Ice Cream Caper, Crack the Cold Case: Tuesday, July 15, 2–3 p.m. Ages 8–11 years. Join us for a hands-on science adventure where we investigate the mystery of melting, chilling and deliciously sweet treats. Bring winter gloves for this cool experiment.
Riverside Reptiles, Senses and Defenses: Friday, July 18, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. All ages. Slither into a world of Mystery and Mayhem with Riverside Reptiles. You never know what creatures might show up. From clever camouflage to stingers, claws and more, discover how animals survive in the wild—and outwit their predators.
Poop Museum: Thursday, July 24, 10–11 a.m. Ages 5–12 years. Susie Maguire has studied poop for years and is ready to share mind-blowing, hilarious facts about human, animal and insect poop. You’ll meet the world’s messiest pooper, discover the animal with poop attack powers, learn about the rainbow pooper and much more!
Magic By George: Friday, July 25, 2–3 p.m. at the Senior Center Community Room. All ages. This thrilling, family-friendly magic show that will keep you on the edge of your seat with astounding illusions, mind-boggling tricks and plenty of surprises.
Snow Sisters: Tuesday, July 29, 10:30–11:30 a.m. All ages. Join us for a snow-tastic morning featuring a story, singing, games and fun with the Snow Sisters: Elsa and Anna. Meet and greets to follow the performance.
Summer Reading Finale, Bingo Bonanza: Tuesday, July 29, 10:30–11:30 a.m. All ages. Join us for an interactive bingo event filled with clues, prizes and mystery. Light refreshments will be served.
Teen Programs at GPL
Mice and Mayhem, Felting Workshop: Thursday, July 10, 1–2:30 p.m. Ages 12–18. Unravel the mystery of needle felting and craft your own felted mouse. Fiber artist Angelina Fleury will guide you through the art of shaping wool into a small, one-of-a-kind creation full of personality.
The Sweet Revenge, A Murder Mystery Escape Room: Monday, July 21, 6–7:30 p.m. Ages 14+. Uncover the mystery behind a candy shop’s secrets and solve a web of deceit in this thrilling escape room adventure. Perfect for groups of up to five people.
Honey Heist, The Great Bear Caper: Monday, July 28, 6–7 p.m. Ages 12+. Get ready for a wild ride in this hilarious, action-packed role-playing game where you and your friends play as a group of bears planning the ultimate heist: stealing the honey.
Adult Programs
Welcome Wags with Emmie: Mondays, July 7 and Aug. 11, 1–2 p.m., GPL. Reduce stress and raise mood-boosting endorphins when you visit with Emmie and her handler Kathryn. Register or drop in.
Monday Movie Matinee, Juror #2: Monday, July 14, 1:30–3:30 p.m., GPL. There’s mystery and a bit of mayhem in this compelling courtroom drama directed by acclaimed filmmaker Clint Eastwood. Run time 2 hours 5 minutes. Complimentary snacks are provided; you are welcome to bring your own beverage in a container with a lid.
Monday Movie Matinee, Bob Trevino Likes It: Monday, Aug. 11, 1:30–3:30 p.m., GPL. Adults are invited to enjoy a special screening of Bob Trevino Likes It, a coming-of-age comedy/drama. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and thematic elements. Run time 1 hour 45 minutes. Complimentary snacks provided; you are welcome to bring your own beverage in a container with a lid.
Conservation Conversation, Insect Insights: Thursday, July 10 (rescheduled from May 22), 6:30–7:30 p.m., GPL. Gain an understanding of how insects impact our world when Forest Ecologist Connor Hogan shares information about the latest insect inventory at McLean Game Refuge.
Crafters Café, Graffiti Mayhem: Saturday, July 12, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m., FHC. Adults and teens 16+. Calligrapher Debby Reelitz shares a sampling of unique designs, stylized signatures and colorful scribbles. Learn how to transform basic letterforms into dynamic designs using colored pencil techniques. All materials provided. You are invited to schedule a visit to the library makerspace after the workshop to learn how to print your unique designs on mugs, tumblers, aprons and more. Requires a $5 deposit to hold the reservation delivered to library staff at least 48 hours prior to the program.
Sound Energy Healing: Tuesday, July 15, 5:30–6:45 p.m., GPL. Wellness practitioner Julia Nadolny returns with another session of sound energy healing. Learn about the ancient practice and enjoy a guided meditation featuring vibration and resonance and using crystal bowls, tuning forks, chimes and a gong for relaxation.
A Cossitt Mystery Escape Room: Saturday, July 19, choose either 10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m. Cossitt Upper Level. Adults and teens 16+ have 90 minutes to gather clues, decode cyphers and problem-solve their way out. Space is limited, two to six participants at a time.
Artist Talk, The Magic of Alternative Photography: Tuesday, July 22, 6:30–7:30 p.m., GPL. Photographer Jay Harder explores a variety of processes that yield stylized photographs. Discover innovative techniques using light, water, paint, movement and beeswax. Perfect for art lovers, photographers and the generally curious.
The Mystery of Tie Dye: Saturday, July 26 (rain date Aug. 2). Choose 10–10:45 a.m. or 11–11:45 a.m. or 12–12:45 p.m., on GPL lawn. All ages. Enjoy a “mystery” tie dye experience and discover new color combinations. Tie dye supplies and instruction provided; you bring pre-washed cotton items like T-shirts, towels, socks or pillowcases.
Mystery and Murder at the Library: Thursday, July 31, 5–7:30 p.m., GPL. Library staff and patrons role-play as suspects in an imaginary murder case. Adults gather clues, question suspects and deduce the identity of the “killer.” Register early to receive details about the case before arriving to play the game.
It’s a Surprise! Book Exchange: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6–7:30 p.m., GPL. Adults are invited to share the love of reading in this unique art program with Katherine Tolve, The Art Room. Participants select a favored book from their personal collection. After leaving a personal note tucked inside the book, they will wrap the book with paper decorated to reflect the story within. The Surprise Reads may be gifted to a friend or left at the library for another reader to discover.
Secrets Of Seed Collecting: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6:30–7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 9, 10–11:30 a.m. Unravel the secrets of seed collecting when you learn how to select seeds at the appropriate time and to store the seeds for future use. Aubrey Schulz, president of Friends of the Granby Wildflower Meadow, leads a helpful presentation. Attend the Aug. 6 session indoors at GPL and consider attending the Aug. 9 program, putting newfound knowledge to practical use in the field. Register to attend each session.
Makerspace Programs at Cossitt
Certified Volunteers Wanted: Ready to unleash your inner maker and connect with your community? Become a certified volunteer at the Granby Public Library Makerspace located at the Cossitt Branch and share your skills, learn new ones and help others explore hands-on making. To learn how you can get involved, email CossittLibrary@granby-ct.gov, call 860-653-8958 or stop by Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 1–6 p.m., or the second and fourth Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Equipment Training Sessions: For adults, teens 16+, youth ages 10 and up with an adult. Visit the library’s makerspace and learn to use the 3D printer, laser cutter, sewing and embroidery machines, sublimation printer, vinyl cutter, mug and bottle presses and all manner of digitizing equipment. Registration required for equipment training sessions. Find dates and times for training sessions on the library webpage.
Sew Simple, Serger Basics: Wednesday, July 9 or Aug. 13, 1:30–3 p.m., FHC. Sergers are excellent tools for making clean-edge stitches to prevent fabric from fraying. Learn to thread and use the serger at the Cossitt makerspace OR bring your own serger and enjoy a refresher session with a local expert. For adults and teens 16+ years. Space is limited.
Jewelry Making, Ankle Bracelets: Wednesday, July 16, 1:30–3 p.m., FHC Upper Level. Lori Catlin Garcia shows adults and teens 16+ how to create a design and make an ankle bracelet using a thin stainless-steel chain and an assortment of beads and charms. All materials provided. Requires a $5 deposit to hold the reservation delivered to library staff at least 48 hours prior to the program.
Making Websites With Google Sites: Wednesday, July 23, 1:30–2:30 p.m. or 4:30–5:30 p.m., FHC Makerspace. Adults and teens 16+. Learn the basics of “what you see is what you get” website designers with Google Sites. See Library Calendar for more information and to register.
Spreadsheet Basics with Google Sheets: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1:30–2:30 p.m. or 4:30–5:30 p.m., FHC Makerspace. Adults and teens 16+. Learn the basics of how spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets work and how to use them for activities such as creating a budget, keeping track of expenses, planning an event, etc. See Library Calendar for more information and to register.
Let’s Make! Earrings: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 1:30–2:30 p.m. or 4:30–5:30 p.m., FHC Makerspace. Adults and teens 16+. Choose a design and watch the Glowforge Pro cut and engrave them to life. See Library Calendar for more information and to register.
Hooked On Stitches, Knit and Crochet Group: Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., FHC. Adults and teens 16+. Knitters and crocheters are invited to a monthly meet-up to work on individual projects and needle each other about stitchery gone awry. All skill levels are invited.
Book Clubs
Books for book discussions are available at the library, online and through curbside pickup.
Millennials Read Book-ish Club: Thursday, July 10, 6:30–8 p.m., Back East Brewery and Book Swap. Join readers in their 20s, 30s and 40s to talk about current book picks, watchlist and more. You do not need to be reading anything to participate in this partnership between Bloomfield, Granby and Simsbury libraries, open to all. This month’s meetup includes a book swap. Don’t have any to swap? We will have extra!
Something About The Author: Monday, July 7, 1:30–2:30 p.m., GPL. Discussing The Maid by Nita Prose. A cozy murder mystery featuring Molly, a maid at an upscale hotel discovers the body of a wealthy real estate tycoon while cleaning, she must find the killer or risk getting entangled in a dirty plot.
Monday, Aug. 4, 1:30 2:30 p.m., GPL. Discussing author Paul Doiron. Doiron is the author of the Mike Bowditch crime novels, which have been nominated for various awards.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: Wednesday, July 30, 6–7 p.m., GPL. Discussing The Road by Cormack McCarthy. A post-apocalyptic novel that details the grueling journey of a father and his young son as they make their way across a landscape blasted by an unknown cataclysm that has destroyed nearly all life on Earth. The novel won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6–7 p.m., GPL. Discussing Wizards First Rule by Terry Goodkind, the first book in the epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth. The story follows young Richard Cypher as he seeks three magic boxes mentioned in a secret book of his father’s. Failing to find it will allow evil lord Darken Rahl to gain power over the living and the underworld.