What's Happening

Upcoming Events

Online Safety Tips ~ Virtual Program

Who: Adults When: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Time: 6-8pm Place: Virtual session

Get a crash course on cybersecurity with John Pastorelle of St. Michael IT Solutions. Learn how to safely access the web while exploring sites like online shopping. Registration begins May 12, online or by calling Reference at 860-652-7720 and leaving a message (be sure to leave your name, telephone number and email address). Registration with a valid email address is required in order to receive login information on the day of the Zoom meeting. Click here to register. Requirements: Internet connection and an internet-ready device such as a computer or laptop with a web camera, iPad/tablet or smartphone. Click here for a tutorial on setting up a Zoom account. Image (left) © ottawawebdesign/AdobeStock.com

 

Attracting Birds, Butterflies, Bees and Other Beneficials ~ Virtual Program

Who: Adults When: Thursday, June 18, 2020 Time: 6-7:30pm Place: Virtual session

John Root describes the essential roles played by pollinators and other beneficial organisms in our ecosystem and provides guidance on meeting their needs for food, cover and water. A variety of plants that can nourish these organisms throughout their active lifetimes are discussed, and organic methods for establishing pollinator gardens are also presented. Comments and questions are welcome throughout the program. Register online or by calling Reference at 860-652-7720 and leaving a message (be sure to leave your name, telephone number and email address). Registration with a valid email address is required in order to receive login information on the day of the Zoom meeting.

About the presenter: In addition to his work as a Certified Organic Landscape Professional, John promotes pollinator habitat through his participation in the Western Massachusetts Pollinator Network and is active in establishing community orchards for local food resilience as a member of Grow Food Amherst and Help Yourself Northampton. John is a member of the Ecological Landscapers Association and is an accredited Organic Landscape Professional through the Northeast Organic Farming Association. Click here for a tutorial on setting up a Zoom account. Image (left) © Daniel Prudek (right) © Steve Byland/AdobeStock.com

 

Cookbook Club ~ Virtual Gathering

Who: Adults age 21+ When: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Time: 6:30-7:30pm Place: Virtual session With the library temporarily closed, we've decided on a new place for the Cookbook Club ... your place!  :) Adults age 21+ are welcome to meet virtually for a non-traditional Cookbook Club discussion on Zoom. BYOB ... or wine!

We will start by sharing what we've chosen to cook, and any tips or challenges we had to overcome. This month's pick is to make your favorite summer treat. We would love to hear the story behind your treat of choice. Please use what you have in your homes, as we do not want anyone to make special grocery store trips at this time. Whatever you have in the house or planned in with your regular grocery shopping trip is fine!

Image © anaumenko/AdobeStock.com

June's Cookbook Club: Summer Treats! Online registration is required in order to receive login information on the day of the Zoom meeting. Click here to register. Click here for a tutorial on setting up a Zoom account.

 

Books on Tap ~ Virtual Gathering

	Who: Adults age 21+ When: Thursday, June 25, 2020 Time: 6-7pm Place: Virtual session Adults 21+ are welcome to meet virtually for a non-traditional book discussion over a beer on Zoom! We will start by sharing what we've chosen to drink. Please support local businesses and buy from nearby independent breweries if you can! It is especially encouraged to buy from our usual host, Hops on the Hill in Glastonbury.* They are open limited hours for to-go sales.
After virtual cheers, we will dive into the books we read from a specific genre. We will explore a new genre each month until we can meet in person again. With a valid library card, you can explore our online offerings to find a title that fits the genre. For personalized recommendations, click here. Or, search through your own collection! June's pick: Young Adult Genre Registration is required in order to receive login information on the day of the Zoom meeting. Click here to register.		Image © Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock.com

Click here for a tutorial on setting up a Zoom account. *Hops on the Hill is located at 275 Dug Rd, South Glastonbury, CT.  Click here to visit their website.  Click here for map and directions.

 

Smart Market - Smart Money ~ Virtual Program

Who: Adults When: Tuesday, June 30, 2020 Time: 6-7pm Place: Virtual session Are your assets and investments protected from turbulent markets? Join Michael Alimo of USA Financial & Tax Services at this online event to learn how:

• COVID-19 has affected the market already and what's to come in the future.
• your portfolio should be structured for your needs as you approach retirement, and why it may need to be different.
• to protect your money in the case of major market corrections.
• to spot the red flags you will need to know that signal a recession.
• trade wars effect the markets and what you should do.
• to fortify your portfolio to minimize losses in a recession.
• presidential elections might drastically effect the next 8 years of your retirement plan.
• ... and more!

No company-specific products will be discussed, and there will be no sales or solicitations. Q&A. Additional information about financial strategies is available on their website at www.usafinancialandtaxservices.com. Click here to register. For assistance, please call Reference at 860-652-7720. About the presenter: Michael Alimo is a 30-year industry veteran. He started his career early on the floor of the stock exchange on Wall Street. For the past 18 years, Mr. Alimo has served clientele around CT and New England at USA Financial & Tax Services, LLC and has hosted hundreds of workshops for his local communities about a variety of financial and planning topics. Image © ink drop/AdobeStock.com

 

Other Programs

Since the library is closed until further notice due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), adult programs that had been scheduled to meet at the library in the near future are either being held virtually or are cancelled.

For the most up-to-date status of upcoming events, see the CALENDAR.

 

The Latest

Library Closed Until Further Notice

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Welles-Turner Memorial Library is closed until further notice. Late fees for checkouts due during the time we are closed will be waived through August 31. We are now accepting returns of library items through our book return slots on the north side of the library building. The library is currently providing curbside pickup of holds (see article, below). Staff members are checking voice and email regularly. If you have a reference question, please call 860-652-7720. Or email wtmlreference@gmail.com, and a librarian will get back to you. Updates will be posted online. This would be a good time to sign up for Town of Glastonbury eNotifications for the most current information. Click here to enroll. Click here for information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the State of Connecticut.

 

Temporary Library Card

Glastonbury residents who do not have a valid library card can request a temporary card. This account gives you access to online resources and will be deleted after 30 days. To sign up, please click here. Note: Recently expired WTML cards have been extended through June 30, 2020. If you reside in a CT town other than Glastonbury, please contact your hometown public library for assistance.

 

Curbside Pickup @ WTML

Welles-Turner Memorial Library is happy to announce the start of our Curbside Pickup Program. You can place holds on WTML items (inter-library loan is not operating at this time) through the library's website or by calling the Reference desk at 860-652-7720. We will gather your requests and call you to schedule a time to come and pick them up. At your scheduled time, items will be waiting for you in a bag by the parking lot entrance - you simply grab the bag and go! Please note, same-day pick up is unavailable at this time; allow at least 24 hours for us to process your requests. And please try to keep your requests to 5 items at a time so we can accommodate everyone. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 860-652-7720. We look forward to getting new reading materials into your patiently waiting hands!

Lastly, we are now accepting returns of library items through our book return slots on the north side of the library building. All items that are returned are placed in quarantine before they are checked in so, if you still see them on your library account after a few days, do not be concerned. Please wait at least a week before calling to inquire about them.

 

Complete the 2020 Census by August 14

The 2020 Census is underway, and the deadline for response has been extended to August 14, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Glastonbury residents are strongly encouraged to complete the census for their household, which can be done online, by phone, or by mail (see instructions below).

Collected every 10 years, census data helps provide a snapshot of the nation and is used to help influence a number of critical decisions, such as how federal funding is allocated to Glastonbury and other communities countrywide. The following provides a selection of programs and initiatives influenced by census data:

• Public Schools – lunch programs, faculty, special education
• Public Health and Safety – hospitals, fire departments, Medicaid, SNAP
• Economic Development – population trends, growth projections, business expansion
• Environmental Initiatives
• Natural Disaster Response
• Transportation – public transit, highway planning, construction
• Political Decisions – number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives, adjusting or redrawing electoral and congressional districts
• Download this report to see a full list of other programs impacted by census data.

As of April 15, 2020, the self-response rates have been reported as:

• Connecticut: 51.2%
• Glastonbury :63.9%

Your household census can be completed online or by phone or email as follows:

• Online – visit https://my2020census.gov/. You will need your street address or the 12-digit code found in the materials mailed to you/left at your door.

• Phone – call 1-844-330-2020.

• Mail – head of household received a paper copy in the mail.

Resident participation is encouraged to achieve a 100% response rate for Glastonbury households. For more information, please visit https://2020census.gov/en/census-data.html. You can also track the real-time response rate for Glastonbury or any town at https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html. (Select Connecticut and then Glastonbury under the “Town” drop-down menu.) Please share this with your friends, family and colleagues in the Glastonbury community, and visit https://my2020census.gov/ for answers to frequently asked questions.

Temporary Online Access to BookPage

Because the publisher has paused shipment of their upcoming April printed issues, they are offering patrons free access to the online edition for the time being:

• Link to current online issue of BookPage
• Sign up to receive ongoing BookPage e-newsletters

 

WTML Building Project Update

Image: 2020 © storm/AdobeStock.com

April 2020: While the world appears to be standing still right now, work continues on the library renovation/expansion project. The project continues through the town permitting process. Once that process is complete, the project will be bid and, finally, construction will begin. To view the floor plans, visit the library expansion page of the town website. Right-click on the desired image, and open it in a new tab to view details. Image (above) furnished by TSKP Studio

February 2020: The library renovation/expansion project includes a two-story addition to the southwest side of the current building, as well as reconfiguration of existing space to provide: More space for children's activities Expanded teen area Dedicated maker space Space for focused and collaborative work for all ages Comfortable furniture Space to house current collection with room for growth Construction is likely to start in the summer. Stay tuned for more information as plans progress.

January 2020: The building project is in final design. The plans are under review by the required town commissions, culminating with a final review by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission. We expect to bid the project this spring, with construction to start this summer. It will be a phased construction to allow the library to remain open for the duration.

We will post information as it becomes available in library newsletter, on the library website at www.wtmlib.info and on the library Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Welles-Turner-Memorial-Library. Or, sign up for automatic eNotification at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/enotify and choose "Library Renovation" category under the "News" heading. Click here for complete library renovation/expansion news, located on the Town of Glastonbury's website.

 

Text Notification of Available Holds

Would you like to receive an immediate text when your hold has arrived @ the library? Here’s how to sign up:

Log into your library account from the online catalog. If you haven't already established a PIN, you will need to create one. Click on Edit Account, just below your name. When the “Modify Patron Information” popup window opens, enter your cell number in the “Mobile Phone No.” field, click on the “Opt In” check box and click on Submit at the bottom of the page. You will receive a text within a few minutes to confirm your signup; text back “YES.” You will receive a message within a few minutes to confirm your signup. Please note: One library account per cell number. You will continue to receive email notices. The service is free; message and data rates may apply.

 

A Word About Holds for Local Book Clubs

Due to Connecticut State Library delivery limitations, the library must suspend local book club support until further notice. In the meantime, the Reference Department is available to assist members of community book clubs in locating available copies of items to be picked up at the owning libraries. We regret this inconvenience and will let you know as soon as we have more information.

 

Burbio

Burbio.com is a free community-building service that streams all library, school and non-profit events together in one place through a web site, iOS app and Amazon Alexa. Currently, the Welles-Turner Memorial Library calendar, as well as those from the local schools, are available. Expect other non-profits to be added in the school year.

© Tierney/Fotolia.com

If you are a member of a non-profit organization and would like your group's events added, please contact Library Director, Barbara Bailey at barbara.bailey@glastonbury-ct.gov.

 

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