What’s happening…

Touchless Pickup “What’s New?” – 1 Minute Video

While renovations continue, we are pleased to offer touchless pickup. Please email BML (library@brainerdlibrary.org) or call 860-345-2204 to make requests. We will arrange pick-up, so please provide the best contact, and include your library card #. Masks and social distancing required onsite.

Click here for information on Connecticut COVID-19 response.

Youth Services Library Assistant Position: Brainerd Library

For job description open link above. To apply, please send resume & cover letter to applications@brainerdlibrary.org or via postal mail to: Brainerd Memorial Library 920 Saybrook Road Haddam, CT 06438 attn.: Tom Piezzo, Director. Application deadline: 5 PM on Friday, May 21st, 2021. Interviews: week of May 30th, 2021. Anticipated start: week of June 14th, 2021.

Connecticut Connections to World War II
with Phil Devlin

Wed, May 26th: 3 PM via Zoom
Zoom info will be sent on 5/25.
CLICK TO REGISTER

Presentation focuses on stories related to CT residents who fought in WWII from 1941-1945. Few people realize that of the 9,000 Americans buried in the famous American cemetery in Normandy 3 are women, and 2 of those women were from Connecticut! Few also realize that the highest ranking American general killed in the war was heroic General Maurice Rose of Middletown, CT, who served under General George Patton. Also part of the presentation are the interesting stories of the 6 Fuller brothers from Suffield who served and Ulmont Whitehead of Hartford, killed aboard the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Haddam-Killingworth Youth & Family Services Survey

Please help HKYFS by taking a brief parent – community survey & encourage other residents to take it. It will only take a few minutes & the information will be invaluable.

Use this link (or the QR code) to help them understand the needs of our community. At the end of the survey you can be entered into a raffle. Results are being analyzed by an independent evaluator. HKYFS will only receive a summary.

Did you know May is National Osteoporosis month?  Link to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

1/2 of all women and 1/4 of all men over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Each year about 1/3 of adults age 65 and older will fall, often resulting in broken bones.

Developing osteoporosis is not a normal part of aging. It is critical to understand that strong, dense bones are built early in life. Peak bone mass is achieved between the ages of 25-30. This is vital to preventing fractures as we age. Bone mass, density and strength are impacted tremendously by lifestyle factors, including a healthy diet and exercise. As debilitating as osteoporosis can be, consequences can be prevented and osteoporosis is treatable.  Visit the NOF website to learn more!  Ask your doctor about monitoring & caring for your bone health!

Recorded Webinar: Helping to Prevent and Manage Osteoporosis with Physical Therapy

Open the calendar for links to: Risk factors, diet, medication, vitamins, bone basics, exercise etc.

Plants! & Gardening Sales at BML!

The avid gardeners on the BML staff, Friends, and Board are excited to share what we grow with our patrons and community.

Kicking it off with a month-long May Pop-up in the entry, the Friends will offer plants & other items with our regular booksales. Gardeners can expect the Friends’ usual low prices.

Starting in June, the plant will be outside every 3rd Saturday from 10-1pm: June 19th, July 17th, August 21st & Sept 18th.

We will have: Perennials, groundcovers, annuals, shrubs, trees, herbs, and as the season goes on – cut flowers, organic herbs, and edibles. Stop by, as plants will vary every month!

Welcome May with our garden themed Craft Kits for kids available on May 1st!

Create a May Basket, flowers, and a monarch butterfly.  Kits will be in the entry hall.  Enjoy!

1040 Tax Booklets Available

BML has some IRS 2020 1040 Booklets available in the foyer.

Note: The IRS has extended tax filing to May 17th.

CT State Department of Revenue Services Tax Help Info: PDF

Virtual Visits in Children’s!

Just when you thought there was nothing new libraries could do!  Email Kelly at library@brainerdlibrary.org to schedule a Virtual Visit: Wed,Thurs or Friday. Connect with Kelly via Zoom or Facetime to tour the Children’s collection. Scope out new materials, catch up on a favorite series, sample pictures in an Easy Reader, explore cool graphic novels, & get advisory on what to read next. It’s the next best thing to being here. Visits up to 30 minutes. Group bookings welcome. Kelly will send the Zoom login or call your Facetime contact.  Give it a try!

“Bid for Brainerd” online auction has ended.  Thank you to all our bidders and donors! [view list of local businesses here]

Opening Day—October 13, 1908

The Brainerd Memorial Library announces the approval of a $675,000 construction grant by the Connecticut State Library. This money will fund half of the phase two renovations, which will transform and modernize the interior of our building, unchanged since the 1996 expansion.

We look forward to the Town of Haddam’s support for 1/4 of the remaining costs, with the rest of the total, $1,350,000, to be funded by the Library. This investment is in addition to the current work in progress, which is nearing completion, and has been fully paid by the Library.

DiVErSIOns!  2 EXCITING POSSIBILITIES FOR 2021

Explore the Universe with telescopes you control over the internet!

This technology tool provides a unique learning experience for budding astronomers and artists. The night sky inspires a deep sense of wonder. In the Science Education Department at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), they harness that wonder using their MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network. Anyone can access these telescopes the same way SAO astronomers access NASA space observatories or ground-based facilities—remotely using computer and digital communications technologies. 

WindowSwap!

This Website Highlights Views Outside Windows Across the World

The WindowSwap project provides a virtual travel opportunity for those staying close to home.  Instead of staring longingly out of your own window, simply visit the WindowSwap portal to see views shared by strangers around the world.

Let’s Play!

Visit our games & puzzles page!  There are daily puzzles, online games like Tetris and Mahjong Solitaire, jigsaws [even create your own] and more fun distractions to try.

has merged with OverDrive/Libby. RBdigital titles have moved to the Libby app. Click both graphics for more info.

You will still be able to browse and borrow the same great ebooks, audiobooks, & magazines you loved in the RBdigital app; now available in the Libby app. Access to RBdigital ended March 31st.  

Live Ongoing SCORE Webinars

Get strategies from industry experts to help your business succeed.

For more Job Related Resources [Search Sites, Webinars, Resume help] visit our Job Search page!

Try Something New!  Click right Icon for more…

Get intelligent writing assistance from Microsoft Editor

JustWatch makes it easier for people to navigate the jungle of content and streaming services.  Use it to locate a particular show or film! JustWatch constantly monitors more than 1,000 streaming video services and digital download catalogs from companies like Apple & Amazon. There are thousands of entertainment options that constantly change and vary by country.

How to Use Split-Screen in Google Maps

The Google Maps app now has a split-screen street view option on Android. Turning it on lets you use Street View and the map simultaneously, which makes finding and navigating to a destination—or virtually exploring the surrounding area—much easier than relying on the map or the street view alone.

Microsoft Office Training – Microsoft offers free online tutorials for MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access & more.

GFCLearnFree.org –provides quality innovative online computer learning. Whether you are new to the computer, require review or just want to gain more skills, these free tutorials can help. From Computer Basics to Microsoft Office, choose from dozens of free training topics.

How to Tether your Mobile Phone Internet to your Laptop 

If you’re traveling or do not have an Internet connection, you can connect by using your phone. Perhaps you’ve heard of a personal hotspot, but don’t know how to set it up. This article will explain how to tether an iPhone or Android phone to another device, via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.  Note: Setting up a personal hotspot may affect your wireless data plan and you may need to speak to your mobile phone carrier.  It may be as simple as turning it on in your phone and plugging the USB cable into your laptop! Link to Android only phone tethering directions

Google Meet

If you have a GMail account you can access the meeting setup from right beneath your file folders on the left. Click “Start a meeting” or “Join a Meeting” and a meeting screen will instantly open!  Or type in your meeting code to join one.  To invite others, click “Add People” and put in their email.  You can share your screen as well with the icon on the bottom right of your screen.  Enjoy!

Open Library and Internet Archive

Non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.

Online Storytelling!

NORTHEAST STORYTELLING (NEST) is a non-profit organization focused on artistic, educational and charitable pursuits. Their vision and purpose is to nurture family, community, and storytelling throughout New England and New York. They believe sharing stories creates understanding between people.

SkyView® Lite

Brings stargazing to everyone! Simply point your iPhone, iPad, or iPod at the sky to identify stars, constellations, satellites, and more!

Links direct you to a free app on the Apple Store site.

SkyView® Lite [Google Play App for Android Devices]

Find stars and constellations! Open SkyView® Free and let it guide you and identify them. SkyView Free is a beautiful, intuitive stargazing app that uses your camera to spot and identify celestial objects in sky, day or night.

Libby by Overdrive

JobNow

“Resume lab” and live, online job coaches help job seekers: target suitable jobs, prepare and practice for job interviews.  The Adult Learning Center provides: career-enhancing skills through test preparation (including GED and the U.S. Citizenship Test) and live, online academic tutors for writing assistance, computer literacy, and software assistance.

BOOKTALK

Poetry Blog

KEEPING QUIET by Pablo Neruda Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still. For once on Read More