Everyone knows that Bridgeport Public Library houses plenty of books, but there’s much more going on inside our own Johnson Avenue facility. There are live demos, hands-on learning, discussions of mysteries, book clubs for all ages and this, week, there is ice cream.

 

In observance of National Library Week – sponsored by the American Library Association and 60 years old this year – Bridgeport Public Library is hosting an ice cream social 3 p.m. Wednesday. All members of book clubs and those interested in becoming members are invited for ice cream sundaes, compliments of the library.

 

“We have several different book clubs for adults, teens and children. We usually combine them all during National Library Week and have one ice cream social,” Children’s Librarian Amy Eakle.

 

Getting those of different ages together is an ideal way to meet new people and network. It’s not unusual to have opportunity to run into a former school teacher or meet the teacher of a parent or other family member, she said.

Currently, the library hosts three different adult book clubs: Book Talk, Chapter Chat and Read and Red. The latter focuses on mystery books and meets at noon one Friday of each month. Hosted by Joanne Kovalan, Read and Red meets next on Friday, April 20. Under discussion is “The Dry,” a page-turner by Jane Harper about big secrets in a small town.

 

Book Talk meets at 4 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month. That group, Eakle said, is reading “Take Me with You” by Catherine Ryan Hyde, a heartwarming story about fate bringing a burnt-out teacher who had suffered the loss of a son with a pair of young boys in need of stabilization.

 

The third group, Chapter Chat, is led by Sarah Nora of Bridgeport Public Library, is currently taking a break, but will be starting up again.

 

Today, a meeting is being held at the library to consider starting yet another adult book club, focusing on contemporary fiction, Eakle said.

The teen book club meets at 3 p.m. Mondays and the children’s book club, Pizza and Pages, meets at 6 p.m., the second Thursday of each month.

 

“At Teen Read, they are reading ‘Orleans’ by Sherri Smith,” Eakle said. “Pizza and Pages, they read middle-level grade books, eat pizza and do a little activity with it; a craft or something that goes along with the book that is discussed.”

 

Also happening on a regular basis is Storytime which meets Fridays at 10: 30 a.m.

 

“We have babies through preschoolers,” said Eakle, who leads the group.

 

As summer approaches, the club’s topics and activities usually lighten up as hands-on activities are incorporated.

 

“It’s always informative, but also fun,” Eakle said. “Last year as we studied American history, we had a really fun program with the Sons of the American Revolution who came in and did demos with sawed off muskets and other things for kids to see and touch.”

 

Also incorporated into book clubs last summer were a 1920s-style flapper party and Karate demonstration, among other activities.

 

The library is currently doing some clean-up and other prep work for some renovations taking place this summer. The staff asks for patrons’ patience as portions of the library may be closed at different times throughout the summer months. The staff is on hand to help with special requests and make the transition as easy as possible for library patrons. The result will be worth it all, Eakle said.

 

Renovations are slated to begin in early-June. As of now, the library will not be closed during any phase of the renovation process.

Eakle reminds library patrons that National Library Week is also fine-free week. All books and items can be returned with no penalties. Patrons generally take advantage of the opportunity and the facility gets many overdue items returned, she said.