Tag: New Haven Free Public Library

A Vision for Peace Appears In Fair Haven

by Lee Cruz and Lucy Gellman, Nov. 12, Arts Paper

Just off Grand Avenue, one side of the Fair Haven Branch Library has come to life. It marks the culmination of a new peace-themed mural at the Fair Haven Branch Library, thanks to a collaboration among CITYarts, the Yale School of Art, Creative Arts Workshop, ACES Educational Center for the Arts and the New Haven Free Public Library… The mural, which artists began working on in August, has been months in the making. Earlier this year, [CITYarts Founder and Executive Director Tsipi] Ben-Haim connected with CAW Director Trina Mace Learned, who hosted an exhibition in the Audubon Street space in June and July. They envisioned the mural with input from high school students, community partners, and artists Mitchell Rembert, Carlos Perez, and Irisol Gonzalez-Vega, currently an MFA candidate at Yale. Lauren Flaaen was also an early collaborator.

The team worked closely with the library, which has supported arts initiatives in Fair Haven for years. Branch Manager Kirk Morrison helped install a CITYarts exhibition featuring work from young people in over 120 countries. At the mural’s ribbon cutting, Morrison encouraged attendees to reflect on the pieces, which envision peace amid global violence.

The mural integrates designs from 10 ACES Educational Center for the Arts (ECA) students, including doves, flowers, vegetables from the library’s garden, and silhouettes of buildings. During this time, Cruz and Sustainable CT launched a fundraising campaign, which raised $4,300 from over 40 donors.

Professor Kymberly Pinder, Yale School of Art’s dean, saw the mural as an opportunity for greater community collaboration. In September, ECA students joined the artists for two days of mural work, and local youth from Fair Haven, including library regulars, also contributed to completing the piece.

Photo: Jennifer Simpson

Photo: Jennifer Simpson

[For entire article: https://www.newhavenarts.org/artspaper/articles/a-vision-for-peace-appears-in-fair-haven]

October Community Engagement Workshops at the New Haven Free Public Library

by Rory Martorana, NHFPL Public Services Administrator for Communications and Adult Services

Every few years, the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) crafts a Strategic Framework—a roadmap of initiatives designed to bring our Mission, Vision, and Values to life. These frameworks are built on the insights and ideas shared by you—the residents of New Haven and visitors to NHFPL—to meet the city’s informational, cultural, and educational needs.
We need your help to make this project successful. Share feedback on what our community needs. Tell us what you love, what we might do differently, and your thoughts on new and innovative programs you would like to see at NHFPL. Your input will help guide our goals and services for the next three years.

Community Engagement Workshops Schedule for October:

  1. Oct. 1, 6-7:30 p.m. at Wilson Branch, 303 Washington Ave. (Spanish)
  2. Oct. 2, 6-7:30 p.m. at Stetson Branch, 197 Dixwell Ave. (English)
  3. Oct. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St. (Mandarin)

Registration is required and refreshments will be served. Each workshop is limited to 25 participants. For more information and to register, call 203-946-8130, ext. 101.

Check our planning progress at http://nhfpl.org, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok @nhfpl for the latest updates, details on Community Engagement Workshops, and more. Let’s work together to create a better future for New Haven.

Save the Date! Fall Community Engagement Workshops at the New Haven Free Public Library

by Rory Martorana, NHFPL Public Services Administrator for Communications and Adult Services

The New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL)’s 2025-2028 Strategic Framework planning has begun! Every few years, the NHFPL crafts a Strategic Framework—a roadmap of initiatives designed to bring our Mission, Vision, and Values to life. These frameworks are built on the insights and ideas shared by you—the residents of New Haven and visitors to NHFPL—to meet the city’s informational, cultural, and educational needs.

We need your help to make this project successful. Join us at one of our ten Community Engagement Workshops (presented in one of three languages) to share feedback on what our community needs. Tell us what you love, what we might do differently, and your thoughts on new and innovative programs you would like to see at NHFPL. Your input will help guide our goals and services for the next three years.
Community Engagement Workshops Schedule:

September 9, 6-7:30 p.m. at Mitchell Branch, 37 Harrison
Street (English)
September 19, 6-7:30 p.m. at Fair Haven Branch, 182
Grand Avenue (English)
September 23, 6-7:30 p.m. at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm
Street (English)
September 24, 6-7:30 p.m. at Wilson Branch, 303
Washington Avenue (English)
September 26, 6-7:30 p.m. at Fair Haven Branch, 182 Grand
Avenue (Spanish)
September 28, 1:30-3 p.m. at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm
Street (English)
September 30, 6-7:30 p.m. Virtual, Zoom (English)
October 1, 6-7:30 p.m. at Wilson Branch, 303 Washington
Avenue (Spanish)
October 2, 6-7:30 p.m. at Stetson Branch, 197 Dixwell
Avenue (English)
October 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm Street
(Mandarin)

Registration is required and refreshments will be served. Each workshop is limited to a maximum 25 participants. Call 203-946-8130, ext. 101 for more information and to register. Check our planning progress at http://nhfpl.org, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok @nhfpl for the latest updates, details on Community Engagement Workshops, and more. Please spread the word to your neighbors and local loved ones. Let’s work together to create a better future for New Haven! Let’s work together to create a better future for New Haven!

New Haven Free Public Library Tapped as Finalist for National Award

by Ashley Sklar, NHFPL Public Services Administrator

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) is among the 30 finalists for the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to their communities. For 25 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service and are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

“The 30 National Medal finalists showcase the tremendous ability of libraries and museums to serve as vital community resources,” said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is honored to recognize these leading institutions.”

Open to all, the NHFPL is a community pillar of learning, exploration and inspiration. Through community engagement, inclusive growth, and equity of access to resources and opportunities, the NHFPL builds connections as one city with one future.

“We are honored that the New Haven Free Public Library is a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and appreciate the inaugural nomination by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut,” said City Librarian Martha Brogan. “We proudly share this nomination as recognition of our home, the community and the City of New Haven.”

“Share Your Story” about NHFPL on social media. IMLS is encouraging community members who have visited the NHFPL to share their story on social media. Please visit www.facebook.com/USIMLS or www.twitter.com/us_imls and use #IMLSmedals and #myNHFPLstory.

National Medal winners will be announced later this spring. Representatives from winning institutions will be honored for their extraordinary contributions at the National Medal Ceremony on June 12 in Washington, D.C.

To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit the IMLS website www.imls.gov.

Ashley Sklar, nhfpl.org, [email protected], (203) 946-8835.

Did You Know? Services Noted by the New Haven Free Public Library

  • The Yale Peabody Museum is free (donations accepted) on Thursday afternoons from 2-5 from September to June.
  • The New Haven Free Public Library offers passes for free or discounted admission to Mystic Aquarium, Beardsley Zoo and more museums at all 5 branches!
  • You can check out cake pans from the Children’s Room at the Ives (Main) branch of the library.
  • Free books (to keep) are available at New Haven Reads and book boxes in Edgewood Park and other locations around the city. New Haven Reads also accepts book donations in good condition.
  • At home (with a library card) or at the library, families can watch and listen to stories through the library’s databases such as Tumblebooks and Bookflix.
  • The Eli Whitney Museum has free admission. For a fee, children can build projects at the museum.
  • Children can play board games, card games and with puzzles at the library, upon request. Ask in the Children’s Room (at Ives Main) or at the circulation desk (at Fair Haven, Mitchell, Stetson and Wilson).
  • The Yale Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art are free and open to the public Tuesday-Sunday.
  • The Wilson Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library has a piano, which patrons can reserve time to play.
  • Friday Movie Matinees in December, 2-4 p.m. — Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St.
    • December 1 | Pieces of April
    • December 8 | The Nightmare Before Xmas
    • December 15 | The Best Man Holiday
    • December 22 | 8 Women
    • December 29 | Lovely, StillDecember is holiday movie month at the Ives Library!

 

New Haven Hosts Replica of Solitary Confinement Cell

by Allie Perry, Shalom UCC, NH and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture

What is it like to be isolated and segregated in a small prison cell 23/7 for days, weeks, years, and in some cases even decades?  The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is clear.  It is not just like torture; it is torture. According to Juan Mendez, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, holding a person in solitary confinement for a period of time longer than 15 days is torture. On any given day, however, around 80,000 people in the United States are being held in solitary confinement.

To help people understand that prolonged isolation is a form of torture, NRCAT has created a replica solitary confinement cell. The NRCAT replica confinement cell has traveled around the country and is now coming to New Haven.

For three weeks, the cell will be on display at the New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street, for the first week, Monday, Jan. 30-Saturday, Feb. 4; at Yale’s Sterling Memorial Library, 120 High Street for the second week, Sunday, Feb. 5-Saturday, Feb. 11; and for the third week, Feb. 11-18, at the Yale Law School library, 127 Wall St.

Initiated by three New Haven United Church of Christ congregations (United, Redeemer, and Shalom), this project had engaged a powerful coalition of community, religious, and university organizations. In addition to the churches, organizers of this project include: the New Haven Free Public (Ives Memorial) Library, the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project, the Orville Schell Human Rights Center at Yale Law School, Dwight Hall at Yale, My Brother’s Keeper, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Wilton Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the CT ACLU, Malta Justice Initiative, and Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice.

The project’s goals are to provide opportunities to experience a simulation of isolation; to educate the use of solitary confinement, including practices in Connecticut; and to equip people to advocate for limiting and stopping the use of solitary confinement, precisely because such prolonged isolation is cruel, unusual, and degrading treatment.  For the schedule of the extensive program of speakers, panels, book talks, performances, and films during the three weeks that the cell will be in New Haven, go to: www.insidetheboxnhv.org/events.

Extended Hours for the Neighborhood Libraries

by Ashley Sklar, NHFPL

New Haven Free Public Library announces new hours at the four neighborhood libraries – open one more day each week! City Librarian, Martha Brogan, is pleased to announce the four neighborhood libraries will be open an additional day per week (12-6 p.m.) thanks to the Mayor, Board of Alders, and community advocates who made this possible. ALL library branches are CLOSED Sundays.

Fair Haven Library, 182 Grand Ave., (203) 946-8115 Mon 10-6 | Tue 10-6 | Wed 12-6 | Thu 12-8 | Fri CLOSED | Sat 10-5

Mitchell Library, 37 Harrison St. | (203) 946-8117 Mon 12-8 | Tue 12-6 | Wed 10-6 | Thu 10-6 | Fri CLOSED | Sat 10-5

Stetson Library, 200 Dixwell Ave., (203) 946-8119 Mon 10-6 | Tue 10-6 | Wed 12-8 | Thu 12-6 | Fri CLOSED | Sat 10-5

Wilson Library, 303 Washington Ave., (203) 946-2228 Mon 12-6 | Tue 12-8 | Wed 10-6 | Thu 10-6 | Fri CLOSED | Sat 10-5

Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St., (203) 946-8130 Mon 10-8 | Tue 10-8 | Wed 10-8 | Thu 10-8 | Fri 10-5 | Sat 10-5

The New Haven Free Public Library welcomes more than 620,000 library patrons through its doors each year. The library system includes the Ives Memorial Library on the historic New Haven Green, the 24/7 online services of our digital branch, the ReadMobile – bringing books to early childhood learning centers, and four neighborhood libraries: Fair Haven, Mitchell, Wilson and Stetson.

The New Haven Free Public Library’s mission is to ensure all New Haven’s citizens have full and unlimited access to information and knowledge so that they may meet the needs of daily living, have opportunities for self-education, and participate successfully in self-government.

For question or more information, please call Ashley Sklar (203) 946-8835 or e-mail [email protected].

At the Main Public Library, 133 Elm St.

Monday, Dec. 7, 6 – 7 p.m.
A Child’s Christmas In Wales. A special holiday treat! A dramatic reading with actor Colin Lane and musician Becca Zaretzky, who performed at the library two years ago to a standing-room-only crowd. Originally written for radio, Dylan Thomas’ poem is told from the viewpoint of a young child and celebrates Christmases past, portraying a nostalgic and simpler time. Info: Marie Jarry (203) 946-8129.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 6 – 7 p.m.
New Haven Guitar Quartet. a newly-formed ensemble of guitarists from Yale University dedicated to exploring the expressive possibilities of the guitar quartet. Members Daniel Corr, Katrin Endrikat, John Kossler and Trevor Babb perform both original and transcribed works, ranging from the Renaissance to the Contemporary. Info: Ashley Sklar (203) 946-8835.

Monday, Dec. 21, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Dignity Music Concert Series: A Program of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Albrechtsberger. Ravenna Michalsen, a cellist and active participant in the CT musical scene, received a Mayor’s Community Arts Grant for the Dignity Music concert series which brings classical music to homeless shelters, breakfast programs, soup kitchens and other New Haven venues. Bethany Wilder joins her for this concert on viola and cello. Info: Ashley Sklar (203) 946-8835.

For a complete schedule, go online to http://calendar.nhfpl.org/cal/main/showMainEnd.rdo.