Library Events

The Saturday Book Group meets in the Library’s conference room. This group reads the same book as the First Thursday book group. Adult Services Librarian Elizabeth Reinhart moderates the discussion. If you would like to join by Zoom, please email Elizabeth at ereinhart@essexlib.org for a Zoom ...read more

Learn tips and tricks to take great pictures with your iPhone! In this first session, photographer Fred Verillo will focus on the creative aspects of photography such as composition, lighting, perspective, color versus black and white – the overall basics of taking a good picture. The second s...read more

When you picture art, do you ever wonder about the math that builds the patterns or the innovation behind art’s mediums? Have you ever truly seen the science behind the art? Join us in this month's Science in the News talk where three Yale scientists will discuss what we know about the hid...read more

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your crafts, your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

Drop-in group. Every Tuesday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Essex Library's children's area has trains, toys, blocks, puzzles, and more for children of all ages to expand their curiosity, and try new things! Come to the library to play and meet new friends!Stay & Play is a pop-in social time for children and their caregivers. Come for a few minut...read more

Let’s face it: Everyone has anxiety. Furthermore, our incessant quest to rid ourselves of this ubiquitous human emotion worsens it. What if, instead of fighting our anxiety, we could turn it into a strength? Register HERE.In this enlightening online webinar, you will learn how to use anxi...read more

Join us and play the "world’s greatest role-playing game." (Or other TTRPG's as requested!)Come create your own character and join the adventure where we will fight monsters and explore new lands. Both new and experienced players are welcome. These sessions are for teen players.A...read more

Dwight Fowler will be at Essex Library to offer an “Introduction to Family Research and Genealogy” class for beginners. Dwight will cover best practices for the overall research process including planning and logging as well as free online tools, primary sources and lesser known sources....read more

Program for kids ages 2-5.Hop into a world of fluffy tales and springtime fun at our bunny-themed story time, perfect for little readers!Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare...read more

Program for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers, siblings welcome!Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers!Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.No registration required.

Program for kids and teens ages 10 and up!Are you interested in robotics? Join the VRHS Robotics Team “Human Error” to get up close and personal with some cool robots! Meet Noj, Human Error’s newest robot that just competed in the 2025 First Robotics Competition and have a chance t...read more

In this second session, photographer Fred Verillo will focus on the use of editing apps that are available to enhance and crop images. This session will include a hands-on portion where participants will choose an image and work with the apps. This program is FREE and open to ALL at Essex Library, 3...read more

Join our Teen Advisory crew! We’re recruiting teens of all ages to help us make the library a better place for young adults. Help us choose books, plan programs, design the teen department and mentor young readers, all the while earning volunteer service hours. Tell us how to best serve your c...read more

Enjoy a movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library!The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American prison drama film based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The plot centers on Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State P...read more

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your crafts, your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

This book group usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Library's conference room. Participants may Zoom in. Adult Services Librarian Elizabeth Reinhart moderates the discussions.  Please email Elizabeth at ereinhart@essexlib.org for a Zoom link.In M...read more

Drop-in group. 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month.Meet up with other genealogy aficionados, talk about resources, share your own genealogy journey, ask questions, and more! Great group for beginners looking to get into the community and long-time enthusiasts looking to meet new friends and sh...read more

Drop-in group. Every Tuesday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

2nd Tuesday of Every Month. A drop-in group.This group is for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and is facilitated by a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter. People talk about their experiences and offer suggestions to deal ...read more

Drop-in group. 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month.If you need time and a place to focus on your writing, the library has set aside a block of time just for you with a new interest group for writers. Come meet fellow writers to socialize for half an hour, followed by an hour of writing time. No p...read more

Essex Library's children's area has trains, toys, blocks, puzzles, and more for children of all ages to expand their curiosity, and try new things! Come to the library to play and meet new friends!Stay & Play is a pop-in social time for children and their caregivers. Come for a few minut...read more

Support local wildlife and spread joy by “bombing” empty garden space with clay creations containing native seeds. Make a bag of seed bombs and go forth into your community to encourage the return of important pollinating species. The library will provide all needed supplies at this even...read more

Grab your popcorn, grab your friend, and join us for an propulsive online conversation with author Liann Zhang as she chats with us about her debut thriller Julie Chan is Dead. Register HERE.Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.Julie Chan, a supermarket ca...read more

Essex Library will host Louie Listens; an opportunity for kids & teens to read with a local, licensed therapy dog! Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Sign up to spend time with and read to Louie the La...read more

Essex Library will host Louie Listens; an opportunity for kids & teens to read with a local, licensed therapy dog! Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Sign up to spend time with and read to Louie the La...read more

Essex Library will host Louie Listens; an opportunity for kids & teens to read with a local, licensed therapy dog! Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Sign up to spend time with and read to Louie the La...read more

Essex Library will host Louie Listens; an opportunity for kids & teens to read with a local, licensed therapy dog! Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Sign up to spend time with and read to Louie the La...read more

Program for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers, siblings welcome!Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers!Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.No registration required.

Earn community service hours and share friendship, fluency, and confidence with an elementary aged book buddy here at the Essex Library. Each teen volunteer (aged 13-18) is paired with a younger reader (aged 4-8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Ms. Jess and Ms. Nicole will provide the supplies, ...read more

Spend an hour with a teen buddy! Build social skills, fluency, and confidence with a teen buddy here at the Essex Library. Each teen volunteer (ages 13-18) is paired with a younger reader (ages 4-8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.Registrati...read more

Share friendship, fluency, and confidence with an elementary aged book buddy while earning community service. Each teen volunteer (aged 13-18) is paired with a younger reader (aged 4-8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Ms. Jess and Ms. Nicole will provide the supplies, activities, and environment...read more

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your crafts, your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

Drop-in group. Every Tuesday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Essex Library's children's area has trains, toys, blocks, puzzles, and more for children of all ages to expand their curiosity, and try new things! Come to the library to play and meet new friends!Stay & Play is a pop-in social time for children and their caregivers. Come for a few minut...read more

Learn all about Social Security benefits in this informative webinar on Social Security benefits, hosted by Essex Library! Register for the May session HERE.Benjamin Rhodes, III, metropolitan public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, will discuss the advantages and disadvant...read more

You’re invited to an online intimate conversation with bestselling author Rachelle Bergstein as she chats about her newest book The Genius of Judy. This book takes an expansive look at Judy Blume’s life, work, and cultural impact, focusing on her most iconic—and controver...read more

Are you a book lover? An avid reader? Perhaps you relate to your favorite book in a very real way. We have a lot to talk about. Welcome to YA Book Society. We gather to chat about favorite teen titles and learn about upcoming releases. We host special guests and focus on “Society Selections.&r...read more

Join us and play the "world’s greatest role-playing game." (Or other TTRPG's as requested!)Come create your own character and join the adventure where we will fight monsters and explore new lands. Both new and experienced players are welcome. These sessions are for teen players.A...read more

Register for this virtual program HERE.Nancy Beck will present a talk on “The Art of Gaman,” during which she will present objects and arts and crafts made by Japanese Americans in U.S. internment camps during World War II. She will also show footage from the 2011 documentary, Art of Gam...read more

Program for kids ages 2-5.Creep, crawl, and flutter into adventure with our bug-themed story time, where tiny critters lead to big fun!Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare o...read more

Families may arrive any time between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM and follow the trail at their own pace. Information and directions will be provided at check-in.In honor of National Scavenger Hunt Day, join Essex Library, Essex Land Trust, and Ivoryton Library to have some springtime fun with a self-g...read more

Former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief, Jill Dougherty, will be at Essex Library to discuss her recently released book, My Russia. My Russia reveals Dougherty’s transformative journey from a Cold War–era obsession with Russia to witnessing firsthand the rise of Vladimir Putin and the unraveling ...read more

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

Drop-in group. 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month.Meet up with other genealogy aficionados, talk about resources, share your own genealogy journey, ask questions, and more! Great group for beginners looking to get into the community and long-time enthusiasts looking to meet new friends and sh...read more

Drop-in group. Every Tuesday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month.If you need time and a place to focus on your writing, the library has set aside a block of time just for you with a new interest group for writers. Come meet fellow writers to socialize for half an hour, followed by an hour of writing time. No p...read more

Essex Library's children's area has trains, toys, blocks, puzzles, and more for children of all ages to expand their curiosity, and try new things! Come to the library to play and meet new friends!Stay & Play is a pop-in social time for children and their caregivers. Come for a few minut...read more

Felicia Millet, a plant diagnostician with the Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will be onsite at Essex Library to present “Growing Mountain Laurels in Connecticut.”Mountain Laurel was named the state flower of Connecticut in 1...read more

Program for kids ages 2-5.Gather 'round the (pretend) campfire for a cozy camping-themed story time filled with stories, songs, and outdoor adventure fun! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and...read more

Enjoy a movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library!Conclave is a 2024 political thriller film based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini. In the film, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fienne...read more

Program for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers, siblings welcome!Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers!Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.No registration required.

Wicked movie rated PG.Grab a friend and “rejoicify” with us during a special sing-along showing of 'Wicked'. Come in costume (if you’d like), sing along (or just watch!), make friendship bracelets, and enjoy an afternoon to remember!Movie snacks will be provided.Essex Libra...read more