Category Archives: Adult Event

On Writing Beloved Characters and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience with Jason Reynolds

Award-Winning and New York Times Bestselling Author

Join us in conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as we discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular Track series. Following the immersive stories of Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny, it’s finally time for Coach to shine in his own book as we discover: Who was Coach before he became an inspiring leader?

Register now to join in on the conversation about the final installment to Jason Reynold’s Track series!

Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto.

Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?

Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.

About the Author: Jason Reynolds is an award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Jason’s many books include Miles Morales: Spider Man, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Correta Scott King Honor, and Look Both Ways, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Recently named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason has appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS This Morning. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Lush Lyricism and Intimate Confessions with Miranda Cowley Heller

New York Times Bestselling Author of The Paper Palace and Reese’s Book Club Pick

Award-winning and bestselling author Miranda Cowley Heller takes us on an intimate journey through the life stages of a woman in her new poetry collection, What the Deep Water Knows. Delicate, yet exceedingly raw, these poems will transport you as vividly as any work of fiction. Register now to celebrate National Poetry Month with this graceful new poetry collection.

If I could fly backward, I would.

To the safety of branches, to the time

when my heart still raced for you,

twelve hundred beats a minute.

In poetry that is at once bold and lyrical, affecting and devastatingly frank, Miranda Cowley Heller takes us through childhood, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. Suffused with the natural world and the landscape of Cape Cod, where many of the poems are set, What the Deep Water Knows contemplates love in all the seasons.

About the Author: Miranda Cowley Heller was raised in New York City and Cape Cod. Her debut novel The Paper Palace was a number one New York Times bestseller in the US, a Sunday Times bestseller in the UK, and was longlisted for the Women’s Prize. She has worked as a senior vice president and head of drama series at HBO, developing and overseeing such shows as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Deadwood, and Big Love, among others. This is her first poetry collection.

On Writing Action-Packed and Suspenseful Spycraft with Brad Taylor

Former Special Forces and New York Times Bestselling Author of the Pike Logan Series

Join us in conversation with acclaimed author Brad Taylor on his latest work, Shadow Strike, book 20 (yes, you read that right!) of the bestselling Pike Logan series. Register today to learn why the Pike Logan series has everyone buzzing!

After its proxies are devastated and its offensive capability pummeled in the latest war in the middle east, a rogue group of Iranian regime officials create a brazen plot to strike back at their hated enemies once and for all. They envision a series of operational dominos culminating in a devastating attack, and the first step is the assassination of the Israeli prime minister. And there’s only one assassin with the skills to pull it off: Abdul Rahman, known in the shadows as the Ghost.

When a routine prison transfer is ambushed, the Ghost escapes and is given the assignment. The only Operator who can hunt him down is the man who stopped him before: Pike Logan.

Pike and his team soon learn that the mission involves something bigger than just the escape of his old enemy. Working with Mossad agents, the pursuit leads the Taskforce to Argentina. They work to unravel the scope of the attack, and the chase leads them through the tempestuous waterfalls of Iguazu and the Triple Frontier, to the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires, and the tiny village of Ushuaia at the “End of the World”.

As the team races against the clock, Pike learns the stakes are much greater than a single life – the consequences extend into the heartland of America itself. The Ghost may hold the key to an escalation that will upend the worldwide balance of power, and if Pike fails, the fallout won’t just be personal – it’ll be global.

About the Author: Brad Taylor is the author of the New York Times bestselling Pike Logan series. He served for more than twenty years in the U.S. Army, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, commonly known as Delta Force. He retired as a Special Forces lieutenant colonel and now lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts with Smithsonian Curator Emerita Valerie Neal

A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration

Join us for an exhilarating journey through the history of US women astronauts with Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight. Register now to take part in this inspirational discussion!

Sally Ride became a household name as the first American woman in space, but scores of equally impressive women have also left their mark in space. On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of US Women Astronauts spans 45 years and 61 astronauts to share the epic journeys of women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field.

Valerie Neal interviewed many of the US women astronauts to bring their experiences to life. She offers a culturally insightful history of their achievements, the challenges they’ve faced, and their distinctive stories. Collectively, they’ve completed more than 100 space shuttle missions, and more than 30 long-duration stays on the International Space Station and Russian Space Station Mir, and they continue to prove themselves in present-day space exploration efforts.

The book includes 50 black-and-white photographs to complement the historical account. With its sweeping look from the first women astronauts to Christina Hammock Koch, assigned to the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon, there is no comparably thorough book on America’s women astronauts. On a Mission is an inspiring tribute to unsung women’s history.

About the Author: Valerie Neal is a space historian and Curator Emerita at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Her specialty is human spaceflight, space technology, and space science in the Space Shuttle era and beyond. At the Museum, she collected more than 1500 artifacts of the shuttle era, curated three exhibitions and eight documentary programs for the Smithsonian Channel (cable TV), published books and articles growing from her research, lectured in the USA and abroad, and gave many interviews for US and international media.

Before joining the Museum, she was a writer and editor for some 25 NASA publications on Space Shuttle and Spacelab missions, the Hubble Space Telescope and other Great Observatories, space science, and NASA History. She participated in underwater astronaut training in Alabama and mission support in Houston for four Space Shuttle missions. She has taught American Studies and writing courses at multiple universities. Valerie Neal holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in American Studies and a B.A. degree in English and History.

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

Space is very limited for this program so please only register if you can commit to all 4 weeks.

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

Space is very limited for this program so please only register if you can commit to all 4 weeks.

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

Space is very limited for this program so please only register if you can commit to all 4 weeks.

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

Space is very limited for this program so please only register if you can commit to all 4 weeks.

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

**Please note the time change this week**

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

New Yorker Discussion Group (RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 12)

This meeting is RESCHEDULED to March 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The readings are the same

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Selected readings from the March 2 issue:

Page 12 – Cash and Carry: New York, for richer or poorer by David Sedaris
Page 15 – Into the Woods: The migrants traversing an ancient forest to reach Europe by Elizabeth Flock
Page 24 – A Family Trial: The anguished journey of Gisele Pelicot and her children by Rachel Aviv
Page 36 – Leap of Faith: Can James Talarico win by appealing to Texans’ higher values? by Tad Friend
Page 64 – On Television: Watching the Winter Olympics by Vinson Cunningham

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon (CANCELLED)

**Please note the time change for this week**

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis with Author Shoshana Walter

With Special Guest Host Barbara Kingsolver

Join us for a special conversation between award-winning journalist Shoshana Walter and bestselling and award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver as they chat about Walter’s book Rehab: An American Scandal. In this work, Walter, a Pulitzer finalist, exposes the country’s failed response to the opioid crisis, and the malfeasance, corruption, and snake oil which blight the drug rehabilitation industry.

Today, more people have access to treatment than ever before. So why isn’t it working? The answer is that in America—where anyone can get addicted—only certain people get a real chance to recover. Despite record numbers of overdose deaths, our default response is still to punish, while rehabs across the United States fail to incorporate scientifically proven strategies and exploit patients.

In this book, you’ll find the stories of four people who represent the failures of the rehab-industrial complex, and the ways our treatment system often prevents recovery. April is a black mom in Philadelphia, who witnessed firsthand how the government’s punitive response to the crack epidemic impeded her mother’s recovery—and then her own. Chris, a young middle-class white man from Louisiana, received more opportunities in his addiction than April, including the chance to go to treatment instead of prison. Yet the only program the judge permitted was one that forced him to perform unpaid back-breaking labor at for-profit companies. Wendy is a mother from a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles, whose son died in a sober living home. She began investigating for-profit treatment programs—yet law enforcement and regulators routinely ignored her warnings, allowing rehab patients to die, again and again. Larry is a surgeon who himself struggled with addiction, and would eventually become one of the first Suboxone prescribers in the nation, drawing the scrutiny of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Be sure to register now to participate in this urgent conversation and learn insight on how we might fix the system to save lives.

About the Author:

Shoshana Walter is a reporter for the Marshall Project covering the criminal justice system. Her reporting has been honored as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and Selden Ring, and she has won the Knight Award for Public Service, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and the Livingston Award for Young Journalists. She started her work on the treatment system at The Center for Investigative Reporting, where her work appeared in The New York Times Magazine, in newspapers, and on NPR stations across the country. She is based in Oakland, California.

About the Guest Host:

Barbara Ellen Kingsolver is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, essayist, and poet. Her widely known works include The Poisonwood Bible, the tale of a missionary family in the Congo, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a nonfiction account of her family’s attempts to eat locally. In 2023, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for the novel Demon Copperhead. Her work often focuses on topics such as social justice, biodiversity, and the interaction between humans and their communities and environments.

Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn

New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network and The Rose Code

You’re invited to join us for a virtual conversation with acclaimed author Kate Quinn about her latest fantastical work, The Astral Library, which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives…inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

Register now to hear more about The Astral Library, crafted for all bookworms and lovers of literature.

About the Author: Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of Southern California, she attended Boston University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical voice. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga and two books set in the Italian Renaissance before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. The Astral Library is her first foray into magic realism. She and her husband now live in Maryland with their rescue dogs.

Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories with Michael Perry

New York Times Bestselling Author of Population: 485 and The Jesus Cow

Join us in conversation with bestselling author and humorist Michael Perry, whose collection of genre-spanning works encapsulates the experiences–and the magic–of rural town communities and the everyday people who reside in them.

In Michael Perry’s memoir, Population: 485, the local vigilante is a farmer’s wife armed with a pistol and a Bible, the most senior member of the volunteer fire department is a cross-eyed butcher with one kidney and two ex-wives, and the back roads are haunted by the ghosts of children and farmers. Against a backdrop of fires and tangled wrecks, bar fights and smelt feeds, Perry tells a frequently comic tale leavened with moments of heartbreaking delicacy and searing tragedy.

Jesus Cow, Perry’s fiction debut, is a hilarious yet sincere exploration of faith and the foibles of modern life. Low-key Harley Jackson finds himself entangled in drama from all corners: A woman in a big red pickup has stolen his bachelor’s heart, a Hummer-driving predatory developer is threatening to pave the last vestiges of his family farm, and inside his barn is a calf bearing the image of Jesus Christ–a secret he wants to keep quiet, until the truth slips right through the barn door.

Register today to hear more about Perry’s expansive collection of stories!

About the Author: Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, corporate speaker, volunteer firefighter/first responder, and amateur snowplow driver. A lifelong resident of the rural Midwest, his “reflective roughneck” takes on life in Middle America have left hundreds of thousands of readers and live audiences laughing, nodding, and sometimes misty.

Perry, a registered nurse who put himself through college working as a Wyoming cowboy and a roller-skating Snoopy produces the popular audio newsletter “Michael Perry’s Voice Mail,” performs widely as a humorist and speaker, tours with his band The Long Beds, works as a script writer, voiceover artist and audiobook narrator, and still makes an occasional call with the local volunteer fire and rescue service.

Perry lives in rural Wisconsin and can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

Selected readings from the February 16 & 23 issue:

Page 28 – The Landscape Artist: Andy Goldsworthy contemplates mortality by Rebecca Mead
Page 42 – Poem: “Ode 1” by Ricardo Reis
Page 52 – I, Claudius: How Anthropic studies the A. I. mind by Gideon Lewis-Kraus
Page 59 – Poem: “A Very Small Snowflake” by Han Kang
Page 72 – A Critic at Large: Joe Rogan’s power and his politics by David Remnick
Page 85 – Books: Tennyson in a scientific age by Kathryn Schulz

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch

Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies in his book Smithson’s Gamble.

Follow the fascinating growth and development of the world’s largest museum and research complex during its first 60 years. Told in rich detail, Smithson’s Gamble reveals how, as it defined a role rooted in curiosity and exploration, the Smithsonian helped to shape the nation’s developing identity.

The Smithsonian evolved from a small, narrowly focused organization into an institution leading the way in fields from astrophysics to zoology. Smithsonian researchers, and the hundreds of citizen scientists who they recruited, created a collection that documented the natural and human history of a continent. The American conservation movement and a national weather service are rooted at the Smithsonian. Smithson’s Gamble is filled with fascinating characters, twists and turns, and moments of triumph and tragedy, complete with political machinations, a bit of backstabbing, accusations of murder, and the occasional scandal.

Register now to take part in the conversation and learn about the trials, errors, and incredible legacy of the Smithsonian’s foundation.

About the Author: Tom Crouch joined the Smithsonian in 1974 and has served both the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History in a variety of curatorial and administrative posts.

Dr. Crouch has won several major writing awards, including a 1989 Christopher Award, a literary prize recognizing “significant artistic achievement in support of the highest values of the human spirit,” for The Bishop’s Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright. His book, Wings: A History of Aviation From Kites to the Space Age, won the AIAA Gardner-Lasser Literature Prize for 2005.

In the fall of 2000, President Clinton appointed Dr. Crouch to the Chairmanship of the First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board, an organization created to advise the Centennial of Flight Commission on activities planned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of powered flight.

Mah Jongg Free Play (CANCELED)

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

Selected readings for the February 19 meeting:

From the February 9 issue:

Page 12 – The Chapman House: Coming of age after college by Jill Lepore

From the February 16 & 23 issue:

Page 22 – In Search of a Fix: Ozempic and a new understanding of addiction by Dhruv Khullar
Page 36 – The Brood: Why did a mysterious couple want so many babies? by Ava Kofman
Page 90 – On and Off the Menu: The intimate appeal of food diaries by Hannah Goldfield
Page 92 – The Art World: Pierre Huyghe’s A.I. art monster by Zachary Fine

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Closed for Presidents’ Day

Rowayton Library will be closed on Monday, February 16 for Presidents’ Day.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic with Dr. Lindsey Stewart

Feminist philosopher Dr. Lindsey Stewart’s book, The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic, tells the stories of Negro Mammies of slavery; the Voodoo Queens and Blues Women of Reconstruction; and the Granny Midwives and textile weavers of the Jim Crow era. These women, in secrecy and subterfuge, courageously and devotedly continued their practices and worship for centuries and passed down their traditions.

Conjure informs our lives in ways remarkable and ordinary—from traditional medicines that informed the creation of Vicks VapoRub and the rise of Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix, to the original magic of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023), and the true origins of the all-American classic blue jean.

From the moment enslaved Africans first arrived on these shores, conjure was heavily regulated and even outlawed. Now, Stewart uncovers new contours of American history, sourcing letters from the enslaved, dispatches from the lore of Oshun and other African mystics. The Conjuring of America is a love letter to the real magic Black women used, their herbs, food, textiles, song, and dance, used to sow rebellion, freedom, and hope.

Join us to take part in the magic and celebrate the legacy of America’s founding Black women. Register for free today!

About the Author: Lindsey Stewart is a Black feminist philosopher and an Associate Professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis. She is the author of The Politics of Black Joy. Her work has been featured in Blavity, Signs, Hypatia, and the British Journal for the History of Philosophy, and she holds a 2021 Michael Beaney Prize. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

Selected readings from the February 9 issue for the February 12 meeting:

Page 23 – Shouts & Murmurs: Murder Most Wordle by Anthony Lane
Page 24 – The Long Game: What Gavin Newsom believes by Nathan Heller
Page 35 – Takes: S.N. Behrman’s “The Days of Duveen” by David Remnick
Page 38 – To Build a Fire: Russia’s grassroots saboteurs by Joshua Yaffa
Page 53 – A Critic at Large: The making of the Murdoch empire by Andrew O’Hagan
Page 64 – The Theatre: Two plays soaked in technological anxiety by Emily Nussbaum

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Take Your Child to the Library Day (CANCELLED)

**This event has been cancelled due to forecasted snow and extreme cold**

Join the Rowayton Library in celebrating the 14th anniversary of this day on Saturday, February 7, 2026! Stop by the Rowayton Library and Rowayton Community Center with your child or children to enjoy fun activities, snacks, and more!

Join us for a Pajama Storytime at 12 p.m.: Come dressed in your pajamas (if you wish) and bring your favorite stuffy!

Take Your Child to the Library Day (TYCLD) is an international initiative that encourages families everywhere to take their children to their local library. Launched in 2011 in Connecticut by librarians Nadine Lipman (Waterford Public Library, retired) and Caitlin Augusta (Stratford Library) with artist Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, TYCLD raises community awareness about the importance of the library in the life of a child, and promotes library services and programs for children and families.

No registration required!

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

Selected readings from the February 2 issue for the February 5 meeting:

Page 20 – Moon Shot: Shinzo Abe’s assassination exposed a cult’s power by E. Tammy Kim
Page 28 – A Fatal Error: The death of a newborn sparked a medical controversy by Ben Taub
Page 50 – Fiction: “The Quiet House” by Tessa Hadley
Page 58 – Books: “Infinite Jest” at thirty by Hermione Hoby
Page 72 – The Current Cinema: “Natchez”, “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” by Richard Brody

Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures with Novelist Vanessa Riley

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we chat online with Vanessa Riley about her newest book, Fire Sword and Sea, based on the folk story of the female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye.

The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.

Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzôa d’Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzôa’s true self is as a woman.

For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.

Don’t miss out on this exciting discussion! Register now to embark on a seafaring journey of self discovery and reclamation of personal power.

About the Author: Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author and proud recipient of the 2024 Georgia Mystery/Detective Fiction Author of the Year. She writes Sagas and Book Club Fiction that brings to life the hidden narratives of Black women and women of color in novels like Island Queen and Queen of Exiles. Her stories celebrate strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and resilience across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres.Her work has been featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and The New York Times.

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Notary Services

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: The Future of Human Rights and International Law
As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: U.S. Engagement of Africa
Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Rowayton Library

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: U.S.-China Relations
Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2026

Intermittent Wednesdays from February 11 to April 29

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.

This week’s topic: America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.

Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your Great Decisions 2026 briefing book at the library!

A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon(CANCELLED)

Due to weather, this program is CANCELLED.

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Knit and Needlepoint Crafternoon

Do you like to crochet or knit? Or maybe you’re into needlepoint, embroidery, or other handicrafts? Do you want to meet up with fellow crafters? Come to the library’s crafternoons, open to all ages! Bring your own supplies and work on an ongoing project or start a new one! Pick up new skills from fellow crafters and sharpen old ones while working on creations for the colder months ahead.

Register here or just drop in!

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

**THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL. Please check back for the next session in March!

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

**THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL. Please check back for the next session in March!

Mah Jongg Free Play (CANCELLED due to WEATHER)

This program is CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Stay safe out there!

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

**THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL. Please check back for the next session in March!

Learn-to-Play Mah Jongg

Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.

**THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL. Please check back for the next session in March!

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Tech Help

Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.

To register for the 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. session, click here.
To register for the 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. session, click here.

Mah Jongg Free Play

Mad for Mah Jongg? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. We have cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2025 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org).

You can just drop in! Please note that the program is held on a first-come-first-serve basis as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.

Notary Services (CANCELLED FOR TODAY)

Notary Services are CANCELLED for today.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Notary Services (CANCELLED)

NOTARY Services are CANCELLED TODAY due to unforeseen circumstances.

Do you need your paperwork notarized? Our Notary Public is available to notarize your documents free of charge. A Notary Public is a public servant appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Please schedule an appointment for a notarization.

Required Paperwork
If you need something notarized, please bring two forms of ID containing your signature, one of which must have a photo.

Examples of Acceptable IDs
• Valid Driver’s License
• Passport
• Credit Card with Signature

Unacceptable IDs
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate

Before You Arrive
Be sure the documents are complete and ready for signature. Please don’t sign the document(s) until you appear before the Notary Public.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. The Notary Public is prohibited from helping you to prepare, complete, or understand legal documents.

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

“Noon” Year’s Eve Party

For little ones who will be asleep at midnight, or anyone of any age with an early bedtime, this party is for you! Join us for a “Noon” Year’s Eve Party at the Library, where we’ll ring in the New Year at 12:00 p.m. will a disco ball drop and some festive snacks. Just drop in!

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

Chair Dance with Claudia

Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.

Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.

Join us for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great! Just drop in!

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

From the January 26 issue for the January 29 meeting:

Page 18 – The Ice Curtain: An Alaskan town’s Russian relations by Ian Frazier
Page 26 – Breaking News: Inside Bari Weiss’s hostile takeover at CBS by Clare Malone
Page 38 – Show of Force: The congresswoman criminalized for visiting ICE detainees by Jonathan Blitzer
Page 56 – A Critic at Large: When Bernie Sanders left New York for Vermont by Jill Lepore
Page 68 – The Art World: Helene Schjerbeck’s wintry triumphs by Zachary Fine

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

Selected readings from the January 19 issue for the January 22 meeting:

Page 20 – Under Threat: The U.S. President’s Greenland greed is rattling a loyal ally by Margaret Talbot
Page 26 – Power Trip: Marco Rubio’s ambitions and Trump’s geopolitical chaos by Dexter Filkins
Page 42 – Call of the Wild: When Smoky Mountain adventures go awry by Paige Williams
Page 59 – Takes: Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” by Patrick Radden Keefe
Page 70 – The Theatre: Tracy Letts’s “Bug” by Emily Nussbaum

New Yorker Discussion Group

Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a chilly winter evening. If so, this group is for you!

Register online for the Winter 2026 series! The magazine issue is on us.

Selected readings from the January 12 issue for the January 15 discussion:

Page 12 – Notorious M.T.G.: Why the MAGA crusader split from Trump by Charles Bethos
Page 26 – The American Pope: How Robert Prevost became Leo XIV by Paul Elie
Page 36 – A Plan Made in Hiding: Fearing ICE, a family chooses a painful separation by Jordan Salama
Page 48 – Fiction: “Deal-Breaker” by Allegra Goodman
Page 60 – The Art World: Helen Frankenthaler at MOMA

Documentary Screening: “The New Yorker at 100”

Calling all New Yorker Discussion Group attendees, documentary enthusiasts, or anyone looking for an interesting evening out! To kick off our Winter 2026 New Yorker Discussion Group session, join us for a movie screening of The New Yorker at 100, directed by Marshall Curry. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the storied magazine and the writers, editors, cartoonists, fact checkers, and other staff who put it together. Discussion about the film will follow! After that, we will pick the readings for next week.

To join the Winter 2026 New Yorker Discussion series, register here! This program normally runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and e-blasts for the list of articles to be discussed each week.

Rowayton Library

33 Highland Avenue,
Rowayton, CT 06853, USA
Call: 203-838-5038 or
Email: library@rowayton.org

Library Hours:

Weekdays: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesdays: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sundays: CLOSED
Holiday and Closings Schedule »

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