The Lyme Public Library is planning to offer the following programs and activities in July. For the complete details on any of these activities, please call the library at 860-434-2272 or visit www.lymepl.org.
Children’s Programs & Activities
Tuesday, Jul. 5, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at the Library
Afternoon Astronomy Session with Alan Sheiness
As part of the library’s “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” summer reading program, local astronomer Alan Sheiness will host an afternoon astronomy session that includes instructions on using telescopes, discussions of moon phases and observations of the first-quarter moon.
Tuesday, Jul. 12, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at the Library
Teen Bird House Painting Project with Kristen Thornton – Part 1
As part of the library’s “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” summer reading program, local artist Kristen Thornton will lead a project where teens (in grades 6 to 12) paint bird houses and posts that will be placed around Lyme and Old Lyme by the Lyme Garden Club, the Lyme Parks & Recreation Department and the Lyme Land Trust. This is a two-part event; the second part takes place Tuesday, Jul. 19. The project is cosponsored by the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau.
Saturday, Jul. 16, 8:30 a.m., at the Library & Banningwood Preserve
“STEAM Saturday” Geology Lecture & Tour with Ralph Lewis
As part of the library’s “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” summer reading program and STEAM Program, local geologist Ralph Lewis will provide a short lecture, then lead a geological tour through the Banningwood Preserve. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math. The event is for children ages 12 and up and limited to 12 participants.
Tuesday, Jul. 19, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at the Library
Teen Bird House Painting Project with Kristen Thornton – Part 2
As part of the library’s “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” summer reading program, local artist Kristen Thornton will lead a project where teens (in grades 6 to 12) paint bird houses and posts that will be placed around Lyme and Old Lyme by the Lyme Garden Club, the Lyme Parks & Recreation Department and the Lyme Land Trust. The project is cosponsored by the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau.
Saturday, Jul. 23, 10:30 a.m., at the Library
Mystic Aquarium Presentation
As part of the library’s “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” summer reading program, instructors from the Mystic Aquarium will present an assortment of live invertebrates such as lobsters, horseshoe crabs, shellfish and sea stars. The event is made possible by a generous donation from local residents.
Friday, Jul. 29, 8:15 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., at Lyme Land Trust Dark Sky Observation Site
Viewing the Dark Sky with Alan Sheiness
As part of the library’s “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” summer reading program, local astronomer Alan Sheiness will lead an evening of instruction that provides closeup looks at stars, constellations, the Milky Way and deep-sky objects. Directions to the site will be distributed to registrants prior to the event.
Adult Programs & Activities
Wednesday, Jul. 6, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., on Zoom
Racial Equity Book Club
The Lyme Public Library’s Racial Equity Book Club will discuss “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, copies of which will be available at the circulation desk. The event is cosponsored by the Bigelow Library in Clinton, Massachusetts. To register for the program and receive the Zoom link, send an email to programreg@lymepl.org.
Thursday, Jul. 7, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Library
Eric Hesselberg’s “Night Boat to New York”
Author Erik Hesselberg, who has been writing about the Connecticut River for more than 20 years, will make a presentation about his new book, “Night Boat to New York: Steamboats on the Connecticut, 1815-1931.” To register for the program, send an email to programreg@lymepl.org.
Thursday, Jul. 14, 6:00 p.m., on Zoom
A Taste of Ayurveda: The Pitta Dosha with Claire Ragozzino
Author, Ayurvedic counselor and certified yoga instructor Claire Ragozzino continues her series on the basics of Ayurvedic medicine. To register for the program and receive the Zoom link, send an email to programreg@lymepl.org.
Friday, Jul. 15, 1:00 p.m., at the Lymes’ Senior Center
Lyme Public Library/Lymes’ Senior Center Book Club
“As the Page Turns” is the book club sponsored by the Lyme Public Library and Lymes’ Senior Center. The selected book of the month can be picked up at the library’s circulation desk. For more details, contact Library Director Melissa Fournier at 860-434-2272.
Tuesday, Jul. 26, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at the Library
History of the Blues with Dan Stevens
Veteran touring bluesman and teacher “Ramblin” Dan Stevens hosts a multimedia presentation of classic blues pieces played on authentic vintage instruments – interspersed with historical images, video and educational material. To register for the program, send an email to programreg@lymepl.org.
Saturday, Jul. 30, 8:30 a.m., at Pleasant Valley Preserve
Geological Tour of Pleasant Valley Preserve with Ralph Lewis
Local geologist Ralph Lewis leads a walk through the Pleasant Valley Preserve to lecture on and point out some rare geological highlights.