Events at this location

For preschool children and their caregivers. A cheery program of stories, music, rhymes and crafts designed for busy toddlers.

No registration required

Something GIANT is coming to the Gunn Memorial Library! The Junior Library invites all members of our community to join us for Story Mode, a creative storytelling adventure leading up to the start of Summer Reading in June!

In collaboration with the GIANT Room, a New York City-based innovation hub for kids, the Junior Library will provide four Remix activities Stations. These stations will allow you, your friends, and your family to draw and invent unique characters, settings, and plot twists and see them transformed into published trading cards, games, and comic strips.

Every Remix Station is a self-directed activity, so you can complete it on your own time with or without the help of a librarian. The Junior Library also offers “Creation Hours” every week, during which you can use supplies from the Makerspace to bring your vision to life. Be sure to check the library’s website for the complete schedule!

Each month focuses on a different part of your story:

– May 3-24, create challenges for your character. Help create a deck of “Would You Rather” questions by submitting a question that help you reflect on your emotions, make you smile with a rhyme, spark a debate, or give you the giggles! The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card.

– June 7-28, tell a story about your character. Write and illustrate a comic strip using a pre-made template, and the GIANT Room will remix it into a printed poster.

– Saturday, June 21, from 10-12 pm kick off summer reading and level up your character’s story as you visit several activity stations at this community event with the GIANT Room.

This is a great opportunity to express your creativity, collaborate with your community, and see your ideas come to life!

This program was made possible by the Connecticut State Library

This month, the Friday Afternoon Book Club invites readers to immerse themselves in the rich and unforgettable world of A Prayer for Owen Meany by bestselling author John Irving. Known for its emotional depth, sharp wit, and profound themes, the novel promises to spark meaningful conversation and reflection among book lovers.

Set in 1950s New Hampshire, the story follows the lifelong friendship between John Wheelwright and the remarkable Owen Meany—a boy with a strange voice and an unshakable belief that he is destined for a divine purpose. Through Owen’s extraordinary faith and the twists of fate that shape their lives, Irving explores powerful themes of religion, destiny, grief, and identity.

Book club members will explore questions like: What does it mean to believe in something greater than yourself? How does friendship shape our sense of self and purpose? And how can one small person leave an outsized impact on the world?

All are welcome—whether you’re reading it for the first time or revisiting this unforgettable classic. Join us for a thoughtful and engaging discussion!

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Handmade Gift at Gunn Junior Library’s Craft Event!

This Mother’s Day, go beyond store-bought and straight from the heart! The Gunn Junior Library invites kids of all ages to get creative at our Mother’s Day Craft Event on Saturday, May 17, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, hosted at the Judy Black Gardenpalooza Event. With all materials provided, kids can design a one-of-a-kind keepsake that Mom will cherish forever. Whether it’s a colorful card, a charming handmade treasure, or a surprise made with love, this event is all about celebrating the special women in our lives.

But that’s not all! As part of the Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens Gardenpalooza Event, we also give seeding planter cups to encourage young gardeners to explore nature’s beauty.
Come celebrate, create, and make memories with us. We can’t wait to see you there!

Be sure to visit our table. We’ll be giving away seeding planter cups to encourage young gardeners to celebrate the beauty of nature.
All materials are provided.

The Gunn Memorial Library invites intermediate and fluent French speakers to join us for an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation.

Over the hour, participants will read articles extracted from French magazines, covering cultural topics and current events. Guided conversations will encourage lively exchanges, helping participants refine their French while deepening their appreciation for Francophone culture.This program is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Francophiles, share perspectives, and experience the richness of the French language in a welcoming environment.

Join us for a meaningful cultural and linguistic experience!

Register here

Join us for a special screening of A Complete Unknown, the acclaimed 2024 biographical drama about legendary musician Bob Dylan’s transformative early years.

Directed by James Mangold, A Complete Unknown chronicles the journey of a 19-year-old Bob Dylan (portrayed by Timothée Chalamet) as he arrives in New York City in 1961. Determined to meet his idol, the ailing folk singer Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Dylan quickly immerses himself in the vibrant Greenwich Village music scene. Under the mentorship of figures like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and alongside contemporaries such as Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), Dylan’s meteoric rise challenges traditional folk norms, culminating in his controversial electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. ​

A Complete Unknown has garnered critical acclaim, earning eight nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet. The film is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Dylan’s early career and the cultural shifts of the 1960s. ​

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the story of a musical icon’s rise to prominence and the moments that defined a generation.

Rated R
2:21 H

The Gunn Museum and Makerspace present a series of craft workshops inspired by artifacts from the Museum’s collections. Join us in the Makerspace to learn more about the history behind these hidden treasures and express your creativity as you make a project based on them.

Ages 18+

Registration required.

Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next few months, we will focus on collections from Joy Harjo, Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Register here

The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal is a critically acclaimed novel that offers a compelling blend of magical realism, family legacy, and cultural exploration. It is an ideal choice for thoughtful discussion and reflection.
Set in 1970s Puerto Rico, The Storyteller’s Death follows Isla Larsen Sanchez, a teenage girl navigating the complexities of identity, grief, and belonging. After her grandmother’s death, Isla begins to experience vivid visions of her ancestors’ stories—visions that both unsettle and enlighten her. As Isla unravels generations of hidden truths, the line between past and present, myth and reality, becomes increasingly blurred.
Ann Dávila Cardinal masterfully weaves together themes of intergenerational trauma, storytelling, and cultural identity in a novel that is as emotionally resonant as it is thought-provoking.

All community members are invited to participate in this literary exploration. Whether you are a longtime participant or new to the group, we welcome your insights and perspectives.

Faux Stained Glass Bookmarks: May 23rd, 10:00-11:30 am

Paint a bookmark that looks just like stained glass in this Makerspace workshop! Ages 18+

Registration required

Welcome warmer days with fun, seasonal crafts! Kids can create unique designs using colorful paper, craft sticks, gems, and paper butterflies. All materials are provided, and the activity is perfect for all ages!

Get ready for warmer weather by creating beautiful, seasonal crafts! Youngsters can use colorful paper, craft sticks, gems, and paper butterflies to design their own unique creations to take home. All materials will be provided, and the activity is fun for all ages!

Registration required, please register on our website

May 29th at 6:00-7:00 pm

Feeling stressed? Visit the Makerspace to relax and unwind at this calming craft night. Work on a project from home or make a collage as you listen to tranquil music and spend time with friends. Ages 18+

Register here

Get ready for an unforgettable literary event! The Hickory Stick Bookshop and the Gunn Memorial Library proudly present a highly anticipated Author Talk with Martha Hall Kelly, celebrating the release of her latest novel, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. Mark your calendars—this must-attend event coincides with the book’s arrival in stores on May 27, 2025! Don’t miss the chance to hear from the bestselling author behind Lilac Girls as she delves into her riveting new story.

About the book:
A mesmerizing tale of love, war, and hidden family ties, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club takes readers on a journey between past and present on the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard.

2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She comes from California and has nothing but a name on paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.

1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst.

About the Author:
Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and The Golden Doves. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she was inspired to write this novel by her mother’s family, the Smiths, who settled on Martha’s Vineyard in 1891. She received journalism degrees from Syracuse and Northwestern universities and worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before becoming a novelist. With more than two million copies of her books sold and translated in fifty countries, Martha Hall Kelly lives in Litchfield, Connecticut, and Hobe Sound, Florida.

Enjoy an acclaimed movie taken from a celebrated book!
Small Things Like These, the acclaimed 2024 historical drama directed by Tim Mielants and adapted by Enda Walsh from Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize–nominated novella, offers a powerful meditation on moral courage and institutional silence. Set in 1985 in a small Irish town, the film follows coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy). He uncovers disturbing truths about the local convent’s treatment of young women, echoing the real-life atrocities of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

Registration is required
1H 38M
PG-13

Do you know how to chain and double crochet? Come to the Makerspace and learn how to combine these foundational techniques to create colorful squares for blankets, pillows, and scarves. Whether you’ve joined our previous crochet workshops, made a few granny squares at home, or are diving into this classic craft for the first time, this workshop is for you!
Guest instructor Missy Stevens will guide participants through decoding crochet pattern language, crafting a modern granny square block, and joining multiple blocks to build a larger project. Bring your questions, four colors of worsted-weight yarn, and an H-8 (5mm) crochet hook.

About the Instructor:
Missy Stevens is a maker and studio artist who works with thread, fabric, and clay to create distinctive pieces inspired by the natural world. Introduced to sewing in childhood, she has since explored many textile arts, including weaving, embroidery, crochet, and punch needle embroidery—a technique she uses to produce richly colored thread paintings. Her work has been exhibited nationally and featured in numerous books and magazines.

Ages 18+
Registration Required

Summer is the perfect season for card games with friends—make it even more enjoyable with your handmade playing card holder! In this beginner-friendly sewing workshop, you’ll learn how to:
Thread a sewing machine
Sew straight stitches with an accurate seam allowance
Pivot around corners
Add neat topstitching for a polished finish

By the end of the session, you’ll have a practical and gift-worthy item you made yourself. No experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and creativity!

Ages 18+
Registration Required.

Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next three months, we will focus on collections from Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Registration is required

Join us for a night of words, wit, and friendly competition at the Gunn Memorial Library’s Scrabble Evening! Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or love the fun of playing, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Scrabble is an excellent way to test your vocabulary, figure out strategies, and tap your creativity in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We’ll provide the boards, tiles, and plenty of snacks—bring your love of the game!
Whether you come to win or to play for fun, Scrabble Night at the Library promises a fantastic evening of community and connection.

Registration is required

This month, the Gunn Library afternoon is reading Orbital, by Samantha Harvey. Join us for a meaningful discussion.

A slender novel of epic power and the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, Orbital deftly snapshots one day in the lives of six women and men traveling through space. Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts—from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan—have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the Earth reels below. We glimpse moments of their earthly lives through brief communications with family, their photos and talismans; we watch them whip up dehydrated meals, float in gravity-free sleep, and exercise in regimented routines to prevent atrophying muscles; we witness them form bonds that will stand between them and utter solitude. Most of all, we are with them as they behold and record their silent blue planet. Their experiences of sixteen sunrises and sunsets and the bright, blinking constellations of the galaxy are at once breathtakingly awesome and surprisingly intimate.

Profound and contemplative, Orbital is a moving elegy to our environment and planet.

Registration is required

Save the date for Gunn Memorial’s annual spring fundraiser. Kick off the evening with cocktails at the library from 5:30-7:00 PM. Then head to a private dinner in one of the homes of our gracious hosts with engaging conversation and the company of a 2025 Library Luminary. Mark your calendar – more information to come!

Kids Sewing Workshop: Sew a Playing Card Holder (Grades 4-5) | June 17, 3:30-5:00 pm
Summer is an excellent time to play card games with friends. Make it easier to track all the cards with a handmade playing card holder! In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn how to thread a sewing machine, sew straight stitches with an accurate seam allowance, pivot around corners, and sew topstitching as they create a practical item that’s also great for gifting.

Grades 4 & 5
Registration Required

The Gunn Memorial Library invites intermediate and fluent French speakers to join us for an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation.

Over the hour, participants will read articles extracted from French magazines, covering cultural topics and current events. Guided conversations will encourage lively exchanges, helping participants refine their French while deepening their appreciation for Francophone culture. This program is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Francophiles, share perspectives, and experience the richness of the French language in a welcoming environment.

Join us for a meaningful cultural and linguistic experience!

Register here

Enjoy an acclaimed movie taken from a celebrated book!
Small Things Like These, the acclaimed 2024 historical drama directed by Tim Mielants and adapted by Enda Walsh from Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize–nominated novella, offers a powerful meditation on moral courage and institutional silence. Set in 1985 in a small Irish town, the film follows coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy). He uncovers disturbing truths about the local convent’s treatment of young women, echoing the real-life atrocities of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

Registration is required
1H 38M
PG-13

Level up your sewing skills with this intermediate workshop! Do you like the look of intricate quilt blocks but dislike fiddly cutting, measuring, and trimming? Foundation paper piecing might be the technique for you! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to “sew by number” and create a beautiful quilt block by machine stitching fabric on top of a removable paper template. Once you know the basics, you can visit the Makerspace during Open Hours to create more blocks and transform them into a fully finished quilted project!

Ages 18+
Registration Required

Join the Gunn Library Book Club on Thursday evening for a rewarding discussion on celebrated author Niall Williams’s beautiful book, The Time of the Child.

Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed one chance at love – and passed up another offer of marriage from an unsuitable man.

But in the Advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.

Set over the course of one December in the same village as Williams’ beloved This Is Happiness, Time of the Child is a tender return to Faha for readers who know its charms, and a heartwarming welcome to new readers entering for the very first time.

Registration is required

Continue the Journey: Meditation for Everyday Life

Join us for additional sessions that delve deeper into the art and science of meditation—an age-old practice known to steady the mind, nourish the heart, and ground us amidst life’s constant changes. Whether you’re just beginning or returning to refresh your practice, these gatherings offer a welcoming space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

Together, we will:

1. Learn practical techniques for cultivating inner steadiness—anytime, anywhere
2. Explore how to navigate common challenges and distractions in practice
3. Sit in guided meditation sessions to experience stillness firsthand
4. Share reflections, questions, and insights in a supportive group space
5. Build a toolkit for sustaining a meaningful home practice

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to quiet a racing mind—or to greet yourself with gentle awareness—this is your invitation. Come with curiosity. Leave with clarity. All are welcome.

BIO: Sheila Klapper’s unwavering dedication to meditation spans many decades, practicing within various traditions. In 2021, she completed an intensive 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute. For 9 years, Sheila taught in community centers, adult education programs, and libraries in Northwestern, CT. During COVID, she began leading virtual groups that continued for several years. She started a bi-monthly meditation group at the Litchfield Community Center more than 5 years ago that continues to serve a welcoming group of meditators.

Sheila became a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor in 2000 and briefly ran her own yoga studio in Glastonbury, CT. Later, she brought her commitment to wellness to Hartford Hospital, where she taught yoga and meditation to both staff and patients while serving as a Medical Librarian.

Join us in the Junior Library for a fun project using one of our high-tech maker machines! Create a work of art on cardstock paper and transform it into a puzzle with a little help from the Cricut and our Makerspace Specialist. Stop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.!

Ages 5+ with a caregiver
No registration required – just drop in between 10 am and 2 pm!

Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next two, we will focus on collections from Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Registration is required

Continue the Journey: Meditation for Everyday Life

Join us for additional sessions that delve deeper into the art and science of meditation—an age-old practice known to steady the mind, nourish the heart, and ground us amidst life’s constant changes. Whether you’re just beginning or returning to refresh your practice, these gatherings offer a welcoming space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.
Together, we will:

1. Learn practical techniques for cultivating inner steadiness—anytime, anywhere
2. Explore how to navigate common challenges and distractions in practice
3. Sit in guided meditation sessions to experience stillness firsthand
4. Share reflections, questions, and insights in a supportive group space
5. Build a toolkit for sustaining a meaningful home practice

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to quiet a racing mind—or to greet yourself with gentle awareness—this is your invitation. Come with curiosity. Leave with clarity. All are welcome.

BIO: Sheila Klapper’s unwavering dedication to meditation spans many decades, practicing within various traditions. In 2021, she completed an intensive 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute. For 9 years, Sheila taught in community centers, adult education programs, and libraries in Northwestern, CT. During COVID, she began leading virtual groups that continued for several years. She started a bi-monthly meditation group at the Litchfield Community Center more than 5 years ago that continues to serve a welcoming group of meditators.

Sheila became a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor in 2000 and briefly ran her own yoga studio in Glastonbury, CT. Later, she brought her commitment to wellness to Hartford Hospital, where she taught yoga and meditation to both staff and patients while serving as a Medical Librarian.

Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. In the last session of our series, we will focus on collections by Dianne Seuss and examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Registration is required