Otis Library

📖 We had a wonderful time at our Author Storytime with Stephanie Foster Brown!

Stephanie shared her Cabo Verdean heritage with attendees, read from her heartwarming book, My Heart Speaks Kriolu, and introduced children to the beauty of the Kriolu language and culture. After the story, our young readers got creative making their very own cavaquinho instrument craft!

🫶 Thank you to Stephanie for an engaging and meaningful program, and to all the families who joined us for an afternoon of stories, learning, and creativity.

📣 Please note that Otis Library will be closed next Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

🇺🇲 Federally recognized as a national holiday in the United States in 2021, Juneteenth is observed each year on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

📜 Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it could not be fully enforced in areas still under Confederate control. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with Union troops and announced that enslaved people in Texas were free. His order brought the enforcement of emancipation to more than 250,000 enslaved people in the state, a moment now commemorated as Juneteenth.

📚 Check out our display to learn more about the history and significance of Juneteenth!

🎪 After-Hours Circus Show! 🎪

Celebrate the start of Summer Learning with an evening of laughter, excitement, and incredible circus artistry! Watch talented performers showcase dazzling juggling, hula hoop tricks, acrobatics, and other gravity-defying stunts in this fun-filled interactive show. No registration required.

📅 Sat: 6/20 l 2 PM - 3 PM
👥 All ages
🌟 Please note that regular library services will be unavailable during the performance.

🌎 June is Immigrant Heritage Month! To celebrate, our staff has picked a few favorite reads that highlight immigrant voices, experiences, and histories.

🤗 Which titles are you adding to your TBR?

📔 Our Young Adult Department is the perfect place to meet new friends, learn new skills, and sharpen the ones you already have. Our new(ish) YA Writing Group is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring writers to share ideas, receive feedback, and find inspiration in a creative new environment.

📅 Wed: 6/10 l 5 PM - 6:30 PM
👥 Ages 12-18

🌳 A big thank you to the Friends of Otis Library for renewing our Ancestry Library subscription! Thanks to their ongoing support, we can continue providing onsite access to billions of historical records, helping you discover, explore, and preserve your family’s story for generations to come.

👉 To access Ancestry Library Edition, visit Otis Library and use one of our public computers, or connect your own device to the Otis Library Wi-Fi network.

🌈 Celebrate the power of being unapologetically you!

Join us for a wellness fair dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and celebrating authentic living. Explore a variety of activities, connect with local resources, and enjoy a welcoming community space designed to support every part of who you are.

📅 Wed: 6/17 l 11 AM - 1 PM

🎉 Another successful Friends of Otis Library Open Mic Night is in the books!

We were blown away by the incredible talent in our community and so grateful to everyone who came out to perform, cheer others on, and support the library.

🫶 A heartfelt thank you to the Friends of Otis Library for all of your hard work, dedication, and support. Your efforts play a vital role in keeping the library thriving day in and day out. We appreciate all that you do!

☀️ A quick note for our Storytime families: Baby & Me, Toddler, and Preschool Storytimes are going on a brief pause for the last two weeks of June.

📚 We can't wait to see you back in early July for even more Storytime fun!

👶 Baby & Me l Mon: 6/8 & 6/15, 10:30 AM - 11 AM
👧 Tumbling Toddlers l Tues: 6/9, 10:30 AM - 11 AM
🧒 Preschool Playtime l Thurs: 6/11, 10:30 AM - 11 AM

✈️ Snippets of Norwich History ✈️

Long before modern air travel, aviation pioneer Edson Gallaudet was helping shape the future of flight. Born in 1871, Gallaudet studied engineering and physics before turning his attention to experimental aircraft design. His innovative “warped wing” concept improved aerodynamic stability and was later incorporated into the Wright brothers’ aircraft before their historic 1903 flight at Kitty Hawk.

After moving to Norwich in 1908, Gallaudet founded the nation’s first aircraft manufacturing company and began testing experimental seaplanes on the Thames River. Though his earliest designs faced setbacks, his persistence led to successful aircraft like the “A-1 Bullet” and the groundbreaking D-1 seaplane, which eventually caught the attention of the U.S. Navy. These historic photographs capture Norwich’s fascinating connection to the early days of aviation and the visionary work of Edson Gallaudet.

📸 View the album: tinyurl.com/c75th25x