1000 Books Before Kindergarten is an ongoing reading challenge for kids from birth right up until they enroll in kindergarten. Sign up online or come into the library to get started. Earn prizes along the way for every 100 books.
The program name is used with permission from the 1000 Books Foundation.
Book Bingo 2022-2023
11 months down, 1 month to go! We challenged patrons to complete Book Bingo cards between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. Kids in grades K-8 are reading for a shot to win a gift certificate to Out on a Whimsey Toys. Teenagers and adults can earn chances to win a Blue Hill Books gift certificate for their reading efforts. It’s not too late to get a Book Bingo card for kids or teens & adults.
You can count all books read during the challenge, regardless when you sign up. Full rules are included on the Book Bing cards. You only need to complete one BINGO line to be eligible for a prize. All entries must be submitted to SPL by June 15, 2023.
Graphic Novel Workshop
Graphic novels: are they just long comics or a genre of their own? Hang on to your hats and get ready for a nerdy romp through the world where art and writing intersect!
This summer Stonington Public Library will unlock the magic of graphic novels, offering a six-week graphic novel workshop led by Molly Gotwals, a Stonington summer resident since 1985. An English teacher who has developed a graphic novels curriculum, Molly is excited to partner with SPL and share her passion for graphic novels with the island community.
Workshop participants will read and discuss four graphic memoirs in weekly sessions and then create their own graphic story to be presented in the last session. SPL will lend students the books and provide access to Plasq Comic Creation software on SPL computers. Plasq Comic Creation will be available to all patrons with priority given to students for the duration of the workshop. The software is provided thanks to a gift from Plasq. The workshop is generously underwritten by a donation from Rich and Mary Howe, extending SPL’s rich array of free programming.
The workshop will meet at SPL on Mondays from 2-3pm beginning July 17 and running through August 21. Prior to all class discussions, students will read select chapters (to be assigned) from Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud for a common foundation in the visual and textual language of graphic novels. The discussion schedule starts with Are You Listening? by Tille Walden (July 17) and continues with The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui (July 24), Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (July 31), and The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim (August 7). Students will present their graphic stories in the final class on August 21. Participants must be at least 16 years old. Since there are a limited number of spaces in the workshop, anyone interested should email stonington.public.library@gmail.com or call 367-5926 by 12 noon on Saturday, May 20, to apply. All applicants will be notified on or before Saturday, June 3.
Poetry Open Mic
Tuesday, May 2, 6-7pm
Every first Tuesday we welcome poets, writers, and wordsmiths to share short works at SPL. Bring your selection, choose from some we have on hand, or just come listen.
Old Maps, GPS and GIS
Thursday, May 4, 6:30-8pm
A Stonington Salon leading up to Jane’s Walk 2023.
Old Maps, GPS and GIS is a non-technical presentation led by Dr. Bert Yankielun with opportunity for community discussion. It introduces, discusses and illustrates how digital imagery of Deer Isle maps from the 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s, and modern satellite and laser imagery can be used to visualize and better understand the world around you.
Join the conversation at SPL, or email stonington.public.library@gmail.com to request the Zoom link. No registration required to attend in person.
Jane’s Walk 2023—create your own museum in the streets of downtown Stonington—meets Saturday, May 6, 11:30am at 15 Atlantic Avenue.
SPL Story Time & Craft
Saturday, May 13, 10-11am
SPL offers lively read aloud and fun crafts every second Saturday. We’re celebrating MOMS in May! Come make a picture frame. We supply the frame and all you need to decorate it. You supply the photograph or artwork to go in the frame.
Story Time Aboard the Otter
Saturday, May 20, 11am-12pm
Captain Garrett Aldrich reads Robert McCloskey's Maine classic, Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man. Step aboard the Otter, one of the Isle au Haut Boat Services vessels, for a short spin in Stonington Harbor and a whale of an adventure. Space is limited to 50. Reservations recommended. Email stonington.public.library@gmail.com to reserve your spot, or register online.
SPL Book Club: How to See by David Salle
Monday, May 22, 6:30-7:30pm
We’re reading 13 books about art and art history in 12 months. SPL book club welcomes all readers. Participants can choose to join in person or via Zoom. Email stonington.public.library@gmail.com to participate.
Paper Flower Workshop
Saturday, May 27, 2-4pm
A craft for adults & teens: learn to make crepe paper poppies with Alicia Condon, Oceanville Flowers. Supplies provided; we recommend participants bring a good (sharp) pair of scissors. Tea and snacks will be served.
Register online, or email stonington.public.library@gmail.com or call 367-5926 to reserve your seat.
Walker Pond Massacre: Sanitizing and Forgetting the Past
Thursday, June 22, 6-7pm
Sometime in the seventeenth century English militamen raided the indigenous community of Archimagam located on Walker Pond in what is today known as Brooksville. These “rangers,” as they were called, fell on the community at dawn after an annual celebration of the green corn and massacred every man, woman and child. This massacre, remembered in Euro-American memory as The Battle of Walker Pond seems emblematic of several elements of early American history. This talk will explore the colonial violence that led to the military defeat of the Wabanaki's French allies and the seizure of their land as well as the ways that subsequent historians sanitized the past and turned a massacre into a battle.
Email stonington.public.library@gmail.com to request the Zoom link. No registration required to attend in person.
Eternal Spring: Island Artist Group Exhibit
Through Saturday, June 10
Not only are we surrounded by natural beauty on our island, we are also surrounded by talented artists. View 36 pieces submitted by 22 artists in our second annual island artist group exhibit. The artwork on display includes sculpture, photography, watercolor, oil painting, ceramics, and more.