Children’s Featured Events

Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, Essex Library Association has closed our building and book drop indefinitely and stopped all in-person services. Looking for something to do from home? Check out this list of Virtual Readalouds and Story Times or check out Essex Library’s online programming, listed below.

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.

Check out our upcoming events!  2021 Nutmeg Nominee Release | Tell Me a Story | Reach Out – Youth Art Collective | Virtual Book Society | Library LEGO Challenge | Author Spotlight  | Virtual Story Time

Upcoming Featured Events

2021 Nutmeg Nominee Release

Ages 6 – 18
Readers rejoice! The Nutmeg Book Award encourages students in grades 2-12 to read quality literature and to vote for a favorite book from a list of nominees. On Friday May 1st, we’ll release the top secret 2021 selections through our library social media platforms. Get a first chance opportunity to browse and borrow the books from the new selection online.

Tell Me a Story

Ages 3+
Storytelling sparks imagination and encourages creative writing skills. Join us for a digital take on one of our favorite library programs. Tell Me a Story will have your children creating story prompts at home with fun and simple materials that you have around the house. We hope that you’ll record your child telling a story or two or send us a written tale to share with our library community. Watch the video below for a tutorial on Tell Me a Story and then check out our Tell Me a Story Lesson Plan

Tell Me a Story Tutorial

Reach Out

Youth Art Collective
Ages 2 – 18
Reach Out is a project that we’ve created to help you access your community through art made by local children and teens. Art therapy can be a great tool to work through feelings of uncertainty or just a way to enrich an afternoon of at home learning. We are currently collecting digital submissions of paintings, poetry, sketches, collage, and music. Take a clear photo of your favorite piece and email the image with a title and your artist’s name and age to Jessica at jbranciforte@essexlib.org. Art will be posted to our website weekly so admirers can appreciate what we’re creating during this unprecedented time. All of the art made for this project will be compiled into a digital time capsule for our community.

Virtual Book Society

Ages 13 – 18
Join us virtually for a bookish meet up and we’ll exchange stories and enjoy the company of friends through Zoom. What have you been reading while you’ve been at home? Bring the title of a good book to help us beat the quarantine blues. Have your pens ready – we’re discussing the best upcoming teen book and film releases. Zoom information and event dates to come.

Library LEGO Challenge

All Ages
While you’re learning at home this month, use LEGO bricks to build confidence in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Tune in to our Library Facebook and Instagram account weekly for a STEM LEGO Challenge. Creative prompts will have you using your LEGO bricks in new imaginative ways, and solving problems through intuitive engineering. We’ll provide a prompt, time frame for the challenge, and age level. As young patrons submit creations, we’ll add them to our LEGO Hall of Fame.

Children’s Author Spotlight

Children’s authors across the nation are providing free read-aloud entertainment, classes, and tutorials for children and families. To see what’s happening and when, visit this link provided by CT State Library and visit us on social media for weekly updates.

Children’s Author Spotlight

Story Hours

Virtual Story Time with the Essex Library

Ages 3-6
Thursdays at 10 a.m.

We’re bringing library story time to the comfort of your home. Pull up a chair and join us live for a chance to hear stories, sing songs, and to say hello to friends from afar. Links for extension activities and suggested readings are included with each event. We use Zoom meeting software for this program. Simply download the Zoom app on your device and register to join us live by requesting an invitation link via email. Story time registration is open each week until Thursday morning at 9 a.m. Contact Jessica at jbranciforte@essexlib.org with interest.

Please call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560 for more information concerning Children’s Featured Events.