Adults’ Featured Events

all programs are free and open to everyone

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Richard Spearrin: Photography Exhibition

Month of September in the Program Room

Local photographer Richard Spearrin exhibits his work throughout the month of September. Stop by the library during open hours to view images that reveal Spearrin’s technical skill as well as his natural curiosity about the people, places, and creatures he encounters in his pursuit of a great picture.

The Color Purple Movie Screening

Saturday, September 23, 1:00 p.m. in the Program Room
Registration required.

Screening of The Color Purple (1985), a movie based on the novel by Alice Walker and directed by Stephen Spielberg.

Upon its release in 1985, Roger Ebert wrote, “The world of Celie and the others is created so forcibly in this movie that their corner of the South becomes one of those movie places – like Oz, like Tara, like Casablanca – that lay claim to their own geography in our imaginations.”

Sign up at (860) 767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com

Estate Planning Documents: Overview and Recent Law Changes

Thursday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. in the Program Room
Registration required.

Attorney Erin Duques returns to the Library with her legal and estate planning expertise.

Life circumstances can change in an instant. If they do, are you prepared? Estate planning attorney Erin Duques will discuss wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. You’ll walk away understanding what these documents are for, and what you need to do to create yours. Even if you have already created an estate plan, come learn about recent law updates and discover if you should have your existing documents reviewed and updated.

Sign up at (860) 767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com

Arts & Crafts: Pumpkin String Art

Thursday , October 5, 5:30 p.m. in the Program Room
Registration required.

Join us for a night of crafting! Make your own pumpkin string art masterpiece to bring home. Supplies are provided but seating is limited.

Sign up at (860) 767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com

Spooky Family Trivia

Tuesday, October 17, 5:00 p.m. in the Program Room
Drop-in event, no registration required.

Join us for a fun family trivia night celebrating all things Halloween and spooky. Test your knowledge to see who knows the most about this popular holiday!

Adult Board Game Day

Saturday, October 21, 2:00 p.m. in the Program Room
Drop-in event, no registration required.

Join us for an afternoon of board games at our Adult Board Game Day! Play classic games, like Monopoly or Scrabble, or try something new.

Great Decisions Discussions

Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Program Room
Registration required.

Essex Library and the Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC) are partnering to bring the Political Affairs Council’s Great Decisions discussion series to the community. For over 65 years, the Great Decisions program has given an inspiring example of the role citizens can play in discovering, discussing, and deciding how to meet some of the world’s greatest challenges.

The topic for the October meeting is Climate Migration.

Sign up at (860) 767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com

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Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group
Facilitated by Debbie Griswold

2nd Tuesday of Every Month (ongoing), 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Drop-in group.

To help people who care for those with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter facilitates about 90 support groups around the state. People talk about their experiences and offer suggestions to deal with topics including medical, legal, behavioral and financial problems.

NEW: Book Chat

1st Saturday of Every Month (ongoing), 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Drop-in group.

Share titles you are excited about and get ideas for your next read from the group and get information about upcoming books and highlights from Library shelves.

French Conversation Group

Tuesdays (ongoing), 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Drop-in group.

Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Genealogy Interest Group

2nd & 4th Tuesday of Every Month (ongoing), 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Drop-in group.

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 share their passion.

Needlework Group

Mondays (ongoing), 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Drop-in group.

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.

SCORE At The Library

Thursdays (ongoing), 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Registration required. Masks required.

The Southeastern Connecticut chapter of SCORE provides free and confidential advice on starting and growing small businesses. Appointments must be scheduled in advance, either by calling (860) 388-9508 or downloading a request form.

NEW: The Writer’s Block

2nd & 4th Wednesday of Every Month (ongoing), 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Drop-in group.

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 prompts. No critique. Just write! All levels and all genres welcome.

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Instructions for Using Zoom

You do not need to have a Zoom account to join the Library’s Zoom meetings. To connect with video, you will need to be connected to the Internet, either from a computer, iPad or cell phone. A link for each meeting will be provided in the monthly newsletters and on the Library’s website. All library programs and meetings offered on Zoom are moderated by library staff and are recorded; the library does not offer Zoom recordings to the public. The Library records all programs and reports all Zoombombing, attempted Zoombombing, and/or misuse of our public programming platform to federal and local law enforcement.

For more detailed instructions see: Instructions on using Zoom, a free video-conferencing software.

To Connect with a Computer:

To Join a Zoom Meeting from your computer, click the links provided for each meeting, OR

1. Go to https://zoom.us
2. Click on ‘Join A Meeting’ located in the upper right area of the screen
3. Type the meeting number in the window then click ‘JOIN’
4. A ‘Launch Application’ window will appear
5. Click ‘Open link’

If you have trouble getting the Zoom meeting to open, please be sure to use the Chrome, Safari, or Internet Explorer browser. To download Google Chrome to your device, see instructions here: https://www.google.com/chrome/

To Connect with an iPad or iPhone:

1. Download the Zoom app from the App Store, located here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zoom-cloud-meetings/id546505307
2. Click the link provided for the meeting

To Connect with an Android device:

1. Download the Zoom app for Android, located here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings&hl=en_US
2. Click the link provided for the meeting

To Connect with a land line phone:

If you’re joining the meeting by phone, call this number: 1 (646) 558-8656. Once you’re connected, then dial the meeting ID number to join the meeting.