Celebrate North Branford Libraries on Feb. 2

While North Branford libraries offer programs and resources for residents of all ages throughout the year, this Saturday is a special celebration as it's "Take Your Child to the Library Day (TYCTTLD)." 

The event was born in Connecticut as "Nadine Lipman, a children's librarian in Waterford, Connecticut, came up with the idea for Take Your Child to the Library Day and selected the first Saturday in February as the annual day of celebration. The idea gained popularity immediately, and librarians started planning special events, programs, and displays."

Now, according to the TYCTTLD's blog, the list of participating libraries is growing and now includes 258 libraries in three countries and two Caribbean islands.

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, a Connecticut children's author who works with Read to Grow, volunteered her services to design art for the event (see photo). 

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Both of North Branford's libraries – the Atwater and the Smith – are participating for the second year have special events planned throughout the day.

"Join us on this special day and discover all the wonderful things our Children’s Room at the Atwater and Smith Libraries have to offer families in our community – a great collection of books, a warm and inviting place for a play date or to hibernate on a cold wintry day, story hours, early learning stations at our computers, magazines, books on cd, dvds, and special programs for the whole family," said Smith Children's Librarian Debbie Verrillo. 

Verrillo, who also blogged about some of the events scheduled for Feb. 2, encourages children to get their own library cards, noting that the Friends of the North Branford Public Libraries are sponsoring activities and a prize drawing at both libraries for a book bag filled with books and surprises. 

The schedule at the Smith Library includes:  

• Visit with “Boomer the Bobcat” and Quinnipiac University field hockey Players from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
• "Why I Love My Library" interviews with Mrs. Seiden and students from TVES from 10 a.m. to noon
• Meigs Point Nature Center presents "Fur-bearing Mammals of CT" with a live groundhog for Groundhog Day at 11 a.m.
• Movie and Popcorn in the Schafer Community Room at 1 p.m.
• Board Games and Legos in the Children’s Room from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

While Verrillo and the library staff are hoping everyone can join in the fun for Take Your Child to the Library Day, they also encourage people to visit at any time. 

"If you can’t join us at the library on Feb. 2, please stop by any day!," said Verrillo. "There are more story hours and special activities planned at both libraries throughout the coming year. Our new libraries are both a 'Reading Wonderland!'"