Events at this location

Start your week with some after-school fun! Join us for Monday Afternoon Gaming at the library every Monday from January 6th to March 31st, 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

Students in grades 4 and up can play Nintendo Switch games from our collection, including:

– FIFA – Kick off the fun with exciting soccer matches.
– Mario Kart – Race your friends and leave them in the dust.
– Pokémon – Catch ‘em all and explore the Pokémon universe.
– Kirby – Team up with Kirby for colorful adventures.
– Sonic – Speed through levels with Sonic and friends.
– Mario Party – Challenge your friends to mini-game madness.

…and so much more!

With a variety of games to choose from, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect way to unwind, have fun, and connect with friends after school. Space is limited, and registration is required, so be sure to sign up early! Please sign up on our website.

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:

– March 8-29, dream up your character. Complete a character sheet with a drawing of an avatar and its traits, including powers, power rating, voice, favorites, items, weaknesses, strengths, birthday, habitat, physical features, awards, and more. The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card for you!

– April 5-26, build your own city and create a place for the story to happen. Engineer a building and decide its materials and unique features. The GIANT Room will remix this creation into another printed trading card featuring their building sketch, an AI-generated 3D render of it and its features.

– 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.

The Gunn Museum and Makerspace present a series of craft workshops inspired by artifacts from the Museum’s collections.

March’s workshop is all about scrapbooks! Explore some examples from the Museum’s collections and learn more about best practices for preserving and digitizing your scrapbooks and photo albums at home. Then, use the Makerspace’s photo printers and craft supplies to create your own scrapbook page!

Ages 18+
Register here

All participants must have a signed GML Makerspace waiver on file. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete this paperwork if this is your first Makerspace program.

This program will be hosted by guests from the community who will share their interests and love of books with children. Space is limited. No Storytime on March 13th 

Register here

The Gunn Memorial Library is excited to feature The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a gripping historical mystery that brings to life the real-life story of Martha Ballard, a fearless midwife and healer in 18th-century Maine.
Set in 1789, the novel follows Martha as she is called to examine a man found entombed in the frozen Kennebec River. Months earlier, she had documented an alleged rape involving two of the town’s most powerful men—one of whom is now dead. When her findings are dismissed by a local physician, Martha embarks on her investigation, determined to uncover the truth despite the dangers that lurk in her close-knit, judgmental community. As whispers grow and loyalties are tested, her diary—her life’s work—becomes central to the scandal, forcing her to make choices that could change everything.

With rich historical detail, The Frozen River is a compelling blend of mystery, justice, and resilience. Ariel Lawhon masterfully introduces readers to a remarkable woman who defied societal expectations at a time when women’s voices were often silenced. This novel promises to spark meaningful discussion about truth, power, and history’s unsung heroines.

Join us as we uncover the secrets of The Frozen River and explore Martha Ballard’s extraordinary story.

Register here

For 2-year-olds and their caregivers. A cheery program of stories, music, rhymes, and crafts designed for busy toddlers. Space is limited.

Register here

Youngsters are invited to the Makerspace to create a magical fairy house, using pebbles, leaves, twigs, flowers, and, of course, something sparkly! Using their imagination (and some pixie dust?), children will create a personal, sweet and sprightly tiny home. All materials will be provided. There are a limited number of houses available.

Ages 5+ with a caregiver.

Register here

All participants must have a signed GML Makerspace waiver on file. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete this paperwork if this is your first Makerspace program.

A lively, illustrated talk guaranteed to change how you see Prohibition.

Set in the Jazz Age of roadsters, diamonds, and gin, Firebrands explores in novelistic detail the intertwined lives of four fascinating rebels who strove for power in the first years after women won the vote.

You’ll meet Ella Boole, the stern and ambitious leader of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, who fought fiercely to keep America Dry, and Mabel Walker Willebrandt, a young lawyer and the most powerful woman in the U.S. government, who was in charge of enforcing Prohibition. You’ll also meet silent film star Texas Guinan, who ran New York speakeasies
backed by the mob and showed that Prohibition was absurd and unenforceable. And you’ll get to know Pauline Sabin, a glamorous Manhattan aristocrat who belatedly recognized the cascading evil of Prohibition and mobilized the movement to kill it. Pauline and her followers, dubbed the “Sabines” by the press, battled the forces of Dry America across a teeming landscape of bootleggers, gangsters, federal agents, temperance fanatics, and politicians, many of them secret drunks. Her clash with Ella Boole and the other characters of Firebrands stands as the first exercise of women’s political power since the passage of the 19th Amendment. Their influence on the American political scene wouldn’t be equaled for decades.

Don’t miss this compelling look at the colorful characters and seismic events that defined an era and forever altered the American political landscape.

Gioia Diliberto is a Woodbury-based author of eight books, five nonfiction, three novels, and a play. Her new book, Firebrands: The Untold Story of Four Women Who Made and Unmade Prohibition, debuted in October of 2024. Books can be purchased at the Hickory Stick Bookshop.

Register here

Kids up to 5 years old and their caregivers are invited to come Monday mornings for some creative fun. This indoor activity is an easy way to entertain your little ones and get the wiggles out.

It’s cold outside, come stay cozy at the library with books while listening to stories about snow, winter animals, and spring flowers! Space is limited.

Register here

This program will be hosted by guests from the community who will share their interests and love of books with children. Space is limited. No Storytime on March 13th 

Register here

For 2-year-olds and their caregivers. A cheery program of stories, music, rhymes, and crafts designed for busy toddlers. Space is limited.

Register here

This Earth Month, learn to breathe new life into old clothing and accessories with machine embroidery! In this workshop, you’ll discover how to use the Makerspace’s embroidery machines to design and stitch a custom monogram onto a tote bag, t-shirt, blanket, or towel you’ve brought from home. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] with any questions about choosing items to embroider. Ages 18+

Register here

This Earth Month, learn how to breathe new life into old clothing and accessories with machine embroidery! In this workshop, you’ll discover how to use the Makerspace’s embroidery machines to design and stitch a custom monogram onto a tote bag, t-shirt, blanket, or towel you’ve brought from home.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions about choosing items to embroider.

Kids up to 5 years old and their caregivers are invited to come Monday mornings for some creative fun. This indoor activity is an easy way to entertain your little ones and get the wiggles out.

April is National Poetry Month, and Gunn Memorial Library is celebrating with a special tribute to the power of words and creativity. Join us as we screen the iconic and inspiring film Dead Poets Society, a timeless story that continues to spark conversation and ignite a passion for poetry.

Robin Williams stars as an English teacher who doesn’t fit into the conservative prep school where he teaches. His charisma and love of poetry inspire several boys to revive a secret society with a bohemian bent. Director Peter Weir adds layers of emotional depth in scenes of conflict between the kids and adults. There is a compelling subplot involving one father’s terrible pressure on his son- played by Robert Sean Leonard- to drop his interest in theater reaches heartbreaking proportions.) Williams is given plenty of latitude to work in his brand of improvisational humor, though it is all well-woven into his character’s style of instruction.

PG – 2H 8m

Are you interested in creating your own designs for the Makerspace’s embroidery machines? This workshop is for you! You’ll learn how to design text and graphics in Canva software and then convert the image into an embroidery file using InkStitch. We’ll also show you how to upload your design to the embroidery machine and stitch it on sample fabric. Please bring a USB stick to save a copy of your design. Ages 18+

Register here

It’s cold outside, come stay cozy at the library with books while listening to stories about snow, winter animals, and spring flowers! Space is limited.

Register here

Immerse Yourself in French Culture with an Hour of French Conversation at the Gunn Memorial Library

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 at gunnlibrary.org or call 860-868-7586

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Gunn Memorial Library at a creative Blackout Poetry Program! This immersive workshop is part of our “For the Love of Poetry” event series, designed to spark creativity and foster an appreciation for the written word throughout April.

Blackout poetry is a playful and accessible form of artistic expression in which participants transform existing text into original poetry by blacking out select words. No writing experience is needed—just a willingness to experiment!

Attendees will enjoy complimentary snacks, generously provided by PO Café, while crafting their own poetic creations. All materials will be provided.

Gunn Memorial Library is committed to fostering creativity, literacy, and lifelong learning through diverse programs and resources. “For the Love of Poetry” is our way of bringing the community together to celebrate the beauty and impact of poetry.

Join us in celebrating National Poetry Month and explore the power of words in a new and imaginative way. Space is limited, so register today!

For 2-year-olds and their caregivers. A cheery program of stories, music, rhymes, and crafts designed for busy toddlers. Space is limited.

Register here

Ocean Vuong’s novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is hailed by critics as a true masterpiece. Join The Gunn Memorial Library as we explore this unforgettable read, its rich storytelling and thought-provoking themes together.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family’s history that began before he was born — a history whose epicenter is rooted in Vietnam — and serves as a doorway into parts of his life his mother has never known, all of it leading to an unforgettable revelation. At once a witness to the fraught yet undeniable love between a single mother and her son, it is also a brutally honest exploration of race, class, and masculinity. Asking questions central to our American moment, immersed as we are in addiction, violence, and trauma, but undergirded by compassion and tenderness, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is as much about the power of telling one’s own story as it is about the obliterating silence of not being heard.

With stunning urgency and grace, Ocean Vuong writes of people caught between disparate worlds and asks how we heal and rescue one another without forsaking who we are. The question of how to survive and make of it a kind of joy powers the most important debut novel of many years.

Join us for an educational and entertaining exploration of one of the most complex literary works of all time, James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. In this engaging presentation, we will delve into a fascinating section of the text, from page 300 to the top of page 302 (Book II chapter II of the volume), within the chapter titled “The Study Hour.”
The scene unfolds in the inn of the main character, HCE, where he drinks with his customers while his children—twins Shem and Sean and daughter Issy—study upstairs. Their lessons, brimming with humor and wit, touch upon the great scholarly pursuits of humanity: astronomy, mathematics, reincarnation, political progress, the philosopher’s stone, and more. Through Shem’s playful storytelling, these lessons are delivered with a quintessentially Irish blend of intellect and humor.

The discussion will highlight how Shem and Sean transform into planets while their audience becomes fixed stars, creating a cosmic metaphor that intertwines humor with historical and philosophical insight. We will also explore Sean’s mathematical endeavors, his use of trigonometry and quaternions, and his application of historical figures such as the Earl of Godolphin to navigate the complex legacy of Cromwell and its impact on Ireland. This presentation promises to entertain, educate, and inspire participants to embrace the light of Joyce’s genius. Attendees will perhaps see Finnegans Wake in a new and illuminating way.

Open your mind to the brilliance of James Joyce and join us for this thought-provoking journey through Finnegans Wake. John O’Connor has lectured on this book for about twenty-five years and finds it edifying, inspiring, profound, and sometimes frustrating. John has a B.A. from Bucknell University in English literature. He explains, “Some say philosophy is discovering what isn’t in the Wake. But as Joyce liked to say in risu veritas – in laughter there is truth. The Wake is world history in the abstract written in puns and at least sixty-six languages. I have deciphered some of it, and I like to share what I’ve found with others.”

Register here

Welcome the season of renewal with creativity and fun at our Spring Craft Workshop! This drop-in event invites children and families to embrace the joy of spring by making colorful, festive crafts to take home.

With a variety of materials provided—including bright paper, craft sticks, gems, and pompoms—kids can design their own unique Spring-themed creations. Whether crafting bunnies, eggs, or spring decorations, this workshop is sure to awaken creativity and bring joy to all ages!

The Gunn Museum and Makerspace present a series of craft workshops inspired by artifacts from the Museum’s collections. Learn about the history of needlework samplers in this month’s workshop! After the presentation, try your hand at cross-stitch and create a bookmark featuring your favorite letter or sampler motif. Ages 18+

Register here

This Earth Month, learn to breathe new life into old clothing and accessories with machine embroidery! In this workshop, you’ll discover how to use the Makerspace’s embroidery machines to design and stitch a custom monogram onto a tote bag, t-shirt, blanket, or towel you’ve brought from home. Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions about choosing items to embroider. Grades 4-5

Register here

February 20 : Poet Ellen Bass, Indigo (2020)
March 20 : Poet Dorianne Laux, Life On Earth (2024)
April 17 : Poet Mark Doty, Deep Lane ( 2015)

Join us as we explore three contemporary U.S. poets who build upon and reshape the confessional form that Sylvia Plath and Robert Lowell pioneered. We will focus on the latest collections from Ellen Bass, Dorianne Laux, and Mark Doty and examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
We encourage you to read these collections thoughtfully, savoring a few poems at a time, and bring your copy to the discussion. Together, we’ll dive into the nuances of these outstanding poets and their evolving approach to the confessional style.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk or can be purchased through Hickory Stick Bookshop.

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough dropped out of seminary to do his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has given papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He has also written screenplays for various production companies and developed most of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet start-up called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles (and 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 called “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark again finds himself enmeshed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars across Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Register here

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

Register here

The Gunn Memorial Library invites gardening enthusiasts and curious beginners to a special Master Gardening Program Presentation and Q&A. This informative and interactive program features a 20-30 minute presentation covering the ins and outs of the Master Gardening program, including how the classes work, who they are designed for, and what participants can expect to gain from the experience.

In addition to learning about the Master Gardening program, attendees will receive helpful tips on gardening basics and garden planning. There will also be time for questions and discussion as the schedule allows.

Guests can also ask a certified Master Gardener all their burning botanical questions. Whether you’ve been wondering why your tomatoes didn’t thrive last season, what to plant in that stubborn bare patch in your yard, or how to get started with a pollinator garden, this is the perfect space to get expert advice. Come with your queries, curiosity, and love of plants — and leave with practical knowledge, inspiration, and maybe even a new gardening project in mind!

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting to explore the world of plants, we welcome everyone to attend!

Biography:
As the Master Gardener Coordinator for Litchfield County, Zachary Bull uses his scientific background to guide adults in learning how to garden, build community, manage volunteers, and get folks excited about gardening. With a long gardening history, starting with his father’s involvement in the Master Gardener program, Zachary is particularly interested in issues involving food (in)security and native ecosystems. He has several raised beds in his backyard from which he grows much of his produce, including corn, peas, tomatoes, onions, and more. He has also planted an extensive native selection at several of the gardens he helps to manage. Zachary enjoys the community he found as a Master Gardener and would like to help you all find that same sense of fun and belonging in the garden.

Grab your copy and join us at the Gunn Memorial Library for a conversation about Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.
When June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.
But June can’t escape Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, cultural appropriation, and the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.

Transform simple recycled egg cartons into beautiful faux flowers and succulents with just a bit of paint and glue! Ages 18+

Register here

Gunn Memorial Library is thrilled to host Litchfield poet and photographer Jo-Ann Iannotti for an inspiring program that celebrates creativity and artistic expression. Join us as Jo-Ann shares how poetry and photography have served as powerful pathways to engaging with life to its fullest.

Through heartfelt stories, evocative poetry, and striking imagery, Jo-Ann invites attendees to explore the transformative potential of art. Seasoned artists will find encouragement in her experiences while budding creatives will be inspired to respond to her call to embrace their most authentic selves. Don’t miss this opportunity to be moved, motivated, and empowered to see the world—and yourself—through new, creative lenses. Jo-Ann will have copies of her new book to sign at the end of her program!

BIO:
Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP, is a Dominican Sister of Hope, and former Art and Spirituality Coordinator at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield, CT.
Her ministries have included teaching in elementary and secondary schools in New York and New Jersey, Associate Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Hartford, a scriptwriter for the Office of Radio and Television of the Archdiocese of Hartford and reporter and photographer for The Catholic Transcript newspaper
in that archdiocese.

Jo-Ann is a poet and photographer. Her poetry has appeared in national and international magazines. She has had solo shows of her photography in New York
and Connecticut. She is a member of the Dominican Institute for the Arts. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, she holds a B.A. in Education from Mount Saint
Mary College, Newburgh, NY, and an M. A. in Theology from Fordham University, Bronx, NY.

Jo-Ann frequently lectures on the 14th-century English mystic Julian of Norwich and the inter-relationship between art and spirituality. She is the author of
Remember, Return, Rejoice: Journeying from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. She also has been a Supply Preacher for numerous churches in Northwest Connecticut.

Register here

National Pet Week (May 4 –May 10) celebrates the pets that enrich our lives and encourages responsible pet care every day of the year. The goals of the week are to promote pet adoption, share why we love pets, and honor the hard work of animal doctors (veterinarians). It’s a great time to show a little extra appreciation for our furry, scaly, or feathered friends. Everyone should be extra kind to pets during National Pet Week! Do you have a dog, cat, or another animal at home? Come to the library and make a special treat for your pet to celebrate National Pet Week.

Ages 5+ with a caregiver

Register here

The Gunn Museum is excited to announce After-Hours Trivia Night on Saturday April 26 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Join us for an unforgettable After-Hours Trivia Night! Enjoy a night of friendly competition, laughter, and great company, all while snacking on delicious small bites and sipping refreshing soft drinks. Whether you’re a trivia master or just love a fun challenge, this event is for you! Sign up solo or gather your dream team. Bragging rights and some serious fun are guaranteed.

Suggested donation: $15 at the door, all proceeds go to support the Gunn Museum.

Register here

Discover what the CNC machine can do in this beginner-friendly workshop! You’ll learn how to create a design in Canva and then program the CNC to engrave it on a wooden picture frame. Frames will be cut after the workshop and can be picked up at the library at a later date.

Grades 6-12

Register here

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!