Subject: News & Events

Berlin-Peck Memorial Library • March 2021 Newsletter

When I was writing last year's March newsletter, the pandemic wasn't even on my radar. By the middle of that month, when the Library had to shut down, I never thought that in a year we would still be battling the effects of COVID and that 500,000 loved ones would be lost.

While the Library has gradually reopened close to normalcy, I know there are still some of you that are keeping your distance. I would remind you that curbside pickup is still available weekdays; senior hours continue from 9am-10am on Wednesday and Friday mornings; and our homebound delivery serves those who are ill, of an advanced age, or disabled. To take advantage of our services, please call 860-828-7125 or 860-828-7126.

Book Sale

And now for some good news. The Friends of the Library have informed us that they will be reopening their Book Sale on the bottom level of the Library/Community Center building, beginning Wednesday, March 3, from 9:30-Noon. The Sale will be available every Wednesday morning and the elevator will be operating. They will also start accepting donations again at that time. Please support them as the Friends fund many of the Library programs that you enjoy.

Genealogy Buffs!

I am pleased to tell you that we are now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This will allow library patrons to access typically restricted records from FamilySearch International, the largest genealogical organization in the world. These special records do need to be accessed on a library computer.

Check out the Genealogy Basics: FamilySearch program on Monday, March 15 where FamilySearch will be discussed in detail.

Berlin Business Library Card

Are you a local business owner? You are eligible for a Business Library Card, with access to the library’s online services, databases, and downloadables. (Physical items like books and DVDs cannot be borrowed with a business library card.) Just appoint a contact person and come in with proof of your business's address and we'll be happy to issue you a card.

Spring is on the way! Hope to see you soon!

All the best,

Helen Malinka

Library Director

Special Hours

Library hours are weekdays 10am–8pm, 5pm on Fridays.

Senior hours are Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am–10am.

Book drop hours will be weekdays 7am–9pm, 6pm on Fridays.

Curbside pickup is still available!

Book Lists

Check out one of Berlin-Peck's themed book lists or let us build you a recommended list!

Adult Programs

Nature as Healer

Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 pm Online

Discover how nature can help create peace, connection with others, guide, calm, inform and restore you—every day and anywhere.

Spice It Up! Caraway

Pick up beginning Wednesday, March 3

Try out a new spice each month! March’s kit includes caraway seeds, an Irish Soda Bread recipe, and an information sheet on the spice.

Request a Kit

Refugee? Asylum seeker? Undocumented immigrant? What is the real difference?

Saturday, March 6, 1:00 pm Online

Get the facts on refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants. Presented by IRIS, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services.

Learn the Basics of Self Defense

Wednesday, March 10, 6:30 pm Online

Join us for an online class to learn basic methods of self defense.

Take & Make: String Easter Eggs

Pick up beginning Thursday, March 11

Celebrate spring with these colorful string Easter eggs. Get your hands (a little) messy with this easy, fun craft–great for doing on your own or with a child!

Request a Kit

Sit & Knit

Thursday, March 11, 2:00 pm Online

Join local knitters for a relaxing online session of knitting and good company.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Monday, March 15, 1:00 pm Online

A safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia. Join us to share practical information, feelings, needs and concerns. Sponsored and hosted by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Association.

RSVP to Patty O’Brian: 203-859-1992

Join the Zoom meeting: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/98719138494

Genealogy Basics: FamilySearch

Monday, March 15, 6:30 pm Online

Want to dive into genealogy research but on a limited budget? Get started with FamilySearch, a free site that includes access to records, how-to guides, classes, and more.

Pruning 101

Thursday, March 18, 7:00 pm Online

Pruning keeps gardens in good order and maintains their beauty—and it takes skill and art! Learn why, when, where, and how to prune trees and shrubs to maintain structural strength and sustainability in landscapes and home gardens. Sponsored by the Kensington Garden Club.

Saturday Book Club

Saturday, March 20, 10:30 am Online

Join us for a discussion of the book Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Contact the library to reserve a copy of this book.

Healthy & Decadent Desserts

Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 pm Online

Is it possible to make decadent desserts that are... good for you? Bring your sweet tooth and join in to find out how!

Trace Your Connecticut Revolutionary Roots

Monday, March 29, 6:30 pm Online

Did your Connecticut ancestor support the American cause during the Revolution? Learn how to trace their service during the war, from pension files to town meeting records.

Home Office Ergonomics

Tuesday, March 30, 6:30 pm Online

Now that most of us are working from home, our workplace may not be ideal. Sometimes, the couch is the only work space available! Get tips on how to make your home office as ergonomic as possible, relieve discomfort, and reduce pain during your workday.

Children's Programs

Beginner Chess with Nolan DeMott (Grades K+)

Wednesday, March 24, 4:15 pm

Registration required, beings March 17.

Join Nolan DeMott as he takes you on the beginning of your chess journey! This class is best suited for elementary-aged children as well as slightly older students who are interested in learning about playing chess. Learn the basics of chess as well as fundamental chess principles (piece development, controlling the center of the board). This program will be held via Zoom. To join us, please register online, and we will email you the link shortly before the meeting.

To borrow a chessboard, call 860-828-7127 or email kids.bpml@gmail.com.

Grab & Go Activity Kits

Registration is required.

Each kit comes with supplies and instructions and is available for Curbside Pick-Up. Visit our EVENTS page to register for each kit and for more details.

Once you have registered, you may pick up your kit at the Children's Desk during the pickup dates. If you prefer to pick up your kit outside, please call the library, and we will bring it out to you. If you do not pick up your kit by the last pickup date, it will be given to the next spot on the waiting list.

Questions? Call us at 860-828-7127.

Snow Castle (Grades K-5)

Registration begins Wednesday, March 1

Pick up: Monday, March 8 – Wednesday, March 10

Create your own snow castle out of marshmallows!

Density Bottle (Ages 3-5)

Registration begins Monday, March 8

Pick up: Monday, March 15 – Wednesday, March 17

This interactive and exciting kit inspires children to explore basic science concepts and the world around them.

Ladybug Bookmarks (Grades K-5)

Registration begins Monday, March 15

Pick up: Monday, March 22 – Wednesday, March 24

Make your own ladybug bookmark just in time for spring!

Game On! Board Games to Check Out

Bored? Check out a board game! You can now borrow board games from the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library! We currently own 78 different games for all ages (including preschoolers, elementary school students, tweens, teens, and family games), and they can be checked out for 3 weeks. They must be picked up and returned at the Berlin-Peck Library, and they won't be sent to other libraries. You can also request one for Curbside Pickup!

Check Out Board Games

STEAM MACHINE! (Grades K-2): Kids create, build, and grow their way through lessons on science, technology, engineering, and math.

Playaway Launchpads

Check out our Playaway Launchpads! These popular learning tablets (that don't connect to the internet) feature high quality, ad-free learning apps, and games that are both fun and educational for kids through fifth grade.

Check Out Launchpads

Book Bundles

Not sure what to borrow next? Simply fill out a quick form and the Children’s Department staff will choose up to 10 books for your child in the category of your choice. When the books are ready, we'll contact you to schedule a pick-up time! If you have specific titles you would like to put on Hold, please use our Curbside Pickup Service or call (860) 828-7125. Click Learn More below to get started!

Check Out Book Bundles

Booklists for Kids

Are you looking for something to read but don't know where to start? Check out our booklists! There's something for every grade and interest, and more are being added all the time.

Check Out Booklists

Homework Help with HelpNow

In partnership with the Berlin Schools we are offering a new database called HelpNow. HelpNow is a fabulous homework help resource, with both live tutoring and skill-building modules for K-12 students and beyond. Live tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 3pm - 10pm each day to provide assistance in core subjects, including math, science, and social studies. You can access HelpNow via our website!

Visit HelpNow

Teen Programs

Beginner Chess with Nolan DeMott (Grades K+)

Wednesday, March 24, 4:15 pm

Registration required, beings March 17.

To borrow a chessboard, call 860-828-7127 or email kids.bpml@gmail.com.

Game On! Board Games to Check Out

Check Out Board Games

Check Out Our New Teen Section!

Our Teen section has moved! We're excited to announce that it's now located in its own area where the adult paperbacks and large print books used to be. The shelves where each genre are located are color-coded to make it easy to find the books you're looking for. We've even added two more genres: SciFi and Horror. In addition, board games are now available for checkout! We're still working on transforming this space into a welcoming oasis for students in grades 6 and up, and we hope you can check it out in person and let us know what you think.

NEW: Teen Take Out Boxes

Love the idea of a book subscription box but don't want to spend the cash? Teen Take Out Boxes to the rescue! Each monthly box will include a YA library book in your choice of genre, a snack, a craft, and bookmarks, buttons, stickers or other goodies. You keep the goodies and return the box and book. Sign-up for the March box begins March 15 at 3 PM and will close on March 29 (or when all slots are full). More information and a sign-up form will be available soon in the Teen section of our website! Note: this service is for students in grades 6-12.

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Subject: News & Events

Book Sale

Genealogy Buffs!

Berlin Business Library Card

STEAM MACHINE! (Grades K-2): Kids create, build, and grow their way through lessons on science, technology, engineering, and math.