Afternoon Book Discussion
2025-11-13 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
This month’s selection is The Library Book by Susan Orlean. On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual fire alarm. As one fireman recounted, “Once that first stack got going, it was ‘Goodbye, Charlie.'” The fire was disastrous: it reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library–and if so, who?
Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading into an investigation of the fire, award-winning New Yorker reporter and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean delivers a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling book that manages to tell the broader story of libraries and librarians in a way that has never been done before.
In The Library Book, Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from their humble beginnings as a metropolitan charitable initiative to their current status as a cornerstone of national identity; brings each department of the library to vivid life through on-the-ground reporting; studies arson and attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; reflects on her own experiences in libraries; and reexamines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the LAPL more than thirty years ago.

Evening Book Discussion
2025-11-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
This month’s book selection is North Woods by Daniel Mason. Daniel Mason’s book North Woods tells the multi-generational story of a single house and plot of land in New England from the Puritan era to the present day, featuring a diverse cast of human and non-human inhabitants like Puritan lovers, twin sisters, a panther, and a beetle. The novel explores interconnected themes of memory, fate, nature, and the passage of time, using a unique, genre-blurring narrative style that blends historical fiction with elements of magical realism and humor.

Chess Club
2025-11-17 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-11-24 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-01 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-08 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Chess players of all ages are invited to join our Monday night Chess Club. Sharpen your skills and make new friends while you enjoy a friendly game. Players should already be familiar with the basics of how to play.
Registration is helpful, but not required.

Homeschool Storytime
2025-11-19 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
One of our local homeschooling mom’s, Andrea Fitzpatrick, is providing a homeschooler storytime for homeschoolers in the area! All are welcome, of course, whether they are homeschooled or not!
This storytime series will be for slightly older kids than the normal story times that Mrs. Molly provides! This is a great opportunity for kids who still love being read to!
Ages 6-10 years old.
Parents must attend with their kids.
No need to register.
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Mindful Meditation
2025-11-19 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-11-26 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-12-03 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-12-10 15:30 - 16:30 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Weekly meditation group

Teen Card Making
2025-11-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
No matter what holiday you celebrate, it’s always nice to gift your family and friends a homemade card. Come prepare for the holiday season and make some homemade cards! Listen to music and chat with friends in this fun crafting session.
Ages 11+. Please register.
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Craft and Chat
2025-11-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
We are starting a new monthly group at the Library. Bring your own project and supplies and join fellow crafters as we craft, chat and enjoy some snacks. Drop by anytime from 3-5pm. Registration is helpful but not required.

Thanksgiving Storytime
2025-11-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
We are having a very special Thanksgiving Storytime! Join Mr. Molly, read several books, sing some Thanksgiving songs, and do a few Thanksgiving crafts!
Please register. Ages 0-8.
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Library closed
2025-11-27 - 2025-11-28 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Library closed for Thanksgiving

Library Board Meeting
2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Monthly Board Meeting

Holiday Storytimes (Tues.)
2025-12-02 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-12-09 10:00 - 10:30 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Come hang out with Mrs. Molly, read a story, and sing some songs! Learn about all the holidays!
Week 1: Kwanzaa
Week 2: Hanukkah
Week 3: Christmas
Ages 0-5. Please register.
Registering once will register you for all Holiday Tuesday Storytimes!
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Holiday Storytimes (Thurs.)
2025-12-04 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-12-11 10:00 - 10:30 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States

Holiday Open House & Craft Sale
2025-12-06 09:30 - 15:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Please join us for our Library Friends’ Annual Holiday Open House & Craft Sale. This festive fundraiser features our Craft Sale, Holiday Book Sale, and Teacup Auction. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while you browse and visit with your neighbors. Don’t forget to take a chance on some of the goodies in our Teacup Auction – you do not have to be present at the drawing in order to win! Our Craft Sale features handmade items donated by our patrons and supporters, including decorations, knitwear, cards, ornaments, jewelry, pottery, candy, woodwork and more. You’ll find beautiful one-of-a-kind items for gift-giving. The Craft Sale will continue during Library hours through December 23rd. All proceeds benefit the Library. Thank You to all the talented crafters and artisans who donate their work to our sale!

Harwinton's Hometown Holiday
2025-12-06 16:00 - 18:45 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Be sure to visit the Library while you enjoy Harwinton’s Hometown Holiday celebration! We will have Drop-In Crafts for kids and a Letter Writing Station where they can write their letters to give to Santa. Our Holiday Craft Sale, Holiday Book Sale, and Teacup Auction will be open for extended hours. Warm up and browse the unique items for sale to get a head start on your holiday shopping, or take a chance on one of the fabulous prizes in our Teacup Auction – you do not have to be present at the drawing in order to win! We hope to see you there!

Movie: The Wide Sargasso Sea
2025-12-11 12:30 - 14:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Join us to preview the movie The Wide Sargasso Sea. A prequel to “Jane Eyre.” An Englishman in nineteenth-century Jamaica falls into a tortured marriage with a native Creole. When the woman begins to go mad, her husband takes her back to his gothic estate in England, where he locks her in the attic.
The Afternoon book discussion will take place after the movie and we will discuss the book that the movie is based upon. The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. Books are available to borrow.

Afternoon Book Discussion
2025-12-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
This month’s book selection is The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. In this the author’s last and best-selling novel, she ingeniously brings into light one of fiction’s most fascinating characters: the madwoman in the attic from Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. This mesmerizing work introduces us to Antoinette Cosway, a sensual and protected young woman who is sold into marriage to the prideful Mr. Rochester. Rhys portrays Cosway amidst a society so driven by hatred, so skewed in its sexual relations, that it can literally drive a woman out of her mind.
Books are available to borrow. Join us!

Craft & Chat
2025-12-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
We have a new monthly craft group. Bring your own project and supplies and join fellow crafters as we craft, chat and enjoy a snack. Drop by anytime from 3-5pm. Registration is helpful but not required.

Mrs. Claus Storytime
2025-12-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
Come meet Mrs. Claus in our annual Mrs. Claus Storytime!! Mrs. Claus will read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and then we will move to our craft tables. During craft time, each child will receive a very special gift when they come up to meet her and take a picture with her.
Please register each child separately. Space is limited.
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Catch Me if You Can! Scavenger Hunt
2025-12-15 - 2025-12-23 | CT
Find all the gingerbread people in our children’s section and get a prize! Come any time we are open between Dec. 15th – 23rd.
For all kids and teens!

Evening Book Discussion
2025-12-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton, CT, 06791, United States
This month’s book selection is Taste: my life through food by Stanley Tucci. Stanley Tucci grew up in an Italian American family that spent every night around the kitchen table. He shared the magic of those meals with us in The Tucci Cookbook and The Tucci Table, and now he takes us beyond the savory recipes and into the compelling stories behind them.​
Taste is a reflection on the intersection of food and life, filled with anecdotes about his growing up in Westchester, New York; preparing for and shooting the foodie films Big Night and Julie & Julia; falling in love over dinner; and teaming up with his wife to create meals for a multitude of children. Each morsel of this gastronomic journey through good times and bad, five-star meals and burned dishes, is as heartfelt and delicious as the last.
Written with Stanley’s signature wry humor, Taste is for fans of Bill Buford, Gabrielle Hamilton, and Ruth Reichl–and anyone who knows the power of a home-cooked meal.
