Virtual Author Talk with Casey McQuiston
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
via Digital Livestream or on Demand
Bring an appetite for sizzling drama as we discuss New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston’s latest romantic comedy, The Pairing.

When two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour, they challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they’re over each other—except they’re definitely not.
Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other’s lives once and for all.
Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It’s in the past.
All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.
It’s not until they board the tour bus that they discover they’ve both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they’re trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It’s fine. There’s nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?
But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can’t have.
Register now to join our discussion about Casey McQuiston’s spiciest book yet!
About the Author: Casey McQuiston is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies, including One Last Stop, Red, White & Royal Blue, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, and The Pairing. Red, White & Royal Blue was adapted into a movie in 2023 and released on Amazon Prime. Casey was recently named on the 2022 Time100 Next List. Their writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bon Appetit. Born and raised in southern Louisiana, Casey now lives in New York City with a poodle mix named Pepper.

Burnham Beer Garden
2025-08-22 17:30 - 19:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Join us under the tent at the annual Burnham Beer Garden! Enjoy local brews, wine, craft cocktails, and snacks, all while grooving to live music by Jim Moker. Perfect for the entire family, with fun surprises and a chance to meet new friends. Don’t miss out!
Proceeds benefit the Burnham Library. There will also be non-alcoholic options on the house. Venmo, cash, and cards are accepted.
In case of rain, we hang out in the SBYLC Community Room.
Questions? email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org

Back-to-School Parent & Caregiver Social
2025-08-26 09:00 - 10:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
School is back in session! Drop in after Drop off for refreshments and a chance to relax with fellow parents.
In partnership with the Burnham School PTO

Burnham's Satellite Library
2025-08-26 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-09-23 12:30 - 13:30 | Hilltop Center, United States
Join Katie at the Hilltop Center on the 4th Tuesday of Each Month!
Whether you’re looking to discover new books, need help with tech, or just want to chat, Katie has you covered. Swing by to grab a new library card, register for upcoming programs, or simply enjoy some good conversation. She’s here to assist with it all!

Year-long Scavenger Hunt: Where is Captain Bur-Gnome?
2025-08-27 08:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
WHERE IS CAPTAIN BUR-Gnome?
Captain Bur-Gnome will be hiding around Bridgewater Center all year long to celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Burnham Library!
How to Play!

Find Captain Bur-Gnome
Take a selfie with him
Visit the Burnham Library and show us your selfie
Enter to win a PRIZE!

Captain Bur-Gnome will be in a different location in town each month (and he may be wearing a disguise). Receive a raffle ticket for each month you take a selfie with the Cap’n! Anyone who finds him all year (all 12 months) will also be entered to win a GRAND PRIZE!

Book Discussion: The Soul of America
2025-08-27 17:00 - 19:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
All are invited to join us in an open discussion. Copies of each selection will be available at the library, or you can request a curbside pick-up.
For more information, contact jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org

Virtual Author Talk: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos with Organizational Psychologist Dr. Tasha Eurich
2025-08-28 14:00 - 15:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
via Digital Livestream or on Demand
Learn how to master the daily grind and become shatterproof in a tumultuous world with key insights by Dr. Tasha Eurich as she talks about her newest book, Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And why resilience alone isn’t enough).
Are you working too much but feel like it’s never enough? Have you turned the act of pretending you’re “fine” into an art form? Does self-care feel like one more item on your already long to-do list?
We’ve been taught that resilience is the secret to navigating life’s most difficult moments. But according to New York Times bestselling author, organizational psychologist, and researcher Dr. Tasha Eurich, there is one problem with this assumption. Scientifically, resilience isn’t an unlimited resource, especially with the growing pressure and uncertainty we’re experiencing today.
Whether you’re grappling with work stress, personal challenges, or the chaos of everyday life, Shatterproof offers an urgent alternative to stoic endurance as the only strategy for survival. Combining cutting-edge research, practical tools, and insights from her own struggle with a life-defining health crisis, Dr. Eurich will overturn your beliefs about what it takes to thrive through adversity, offering a scientifically supported system to help you feel better, do better, and live better than before. You’ll discover how to:

Reclaim your best self when stress turns you into someone you barely recognize
Uncover the unmet needs that keep you stuck in self-limiting patterns
Turn stress into strength, exhaustion into energy, and confusion into confidence
Find peace in the present and be prepared for what the future holds, and much more!

This timely discussion with Dr. Eurich is sure to unlock powerful new ideas about how to show up as our best selves. Register now to be a part of the conversation!
About the Author: Dr. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times bestselling author on a mission to help people and organizations thrive in an ever-changing world. Recognized as the world’s leading self-awareness coach (Marshall Goldsmith Coaching Awards) and communication expert (Global Gurus), she’s spent over two decades teaching people practical strategies to supercharge their self-awareness, sanity, and success. Her work has been featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, NPR, CNN, NBC, and Fast Company, as well as peer-reviewed journals. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, rescuing dogs, and is a proud and unapologetic musical theater nerd.

Join us at the Tractor Parade!
2025-08-31 14:30 - 15:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Year-long Scavenger Hunt: Where is Captain Bur-Gnome
2025-09-01 08:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Centennial Reading Challenge: Read Through the Decades
2025-09-01 10:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Join our Read Through the Decades Challenge and take a literary journey through the past 100 years! Read a book from each decade and earn a raffle ticket for every title you complete—each one brings you closer to winning the Grand Prize.
Deadline for raffle entries is Friday, August 14, 2026, and be sure to mark your calendars for Burnham’s Community Picnic & Rededication Celebration, which will be held the weekend of August 15, 2026 (rain date: August 16).
Need inspiration? Visit our Read Through the Decades display at the library, updated all year long with fresh recommendations.
This celebration is for everyone—youth and adults alike will have the chance to win an eReader as part of the fun!

Centennial Art Show Registration Deadline
2025-09-02 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
In honor of Burnham’s Centennial, we’re hosting a special two-month art exhibit this November and December. Bridgewater artists are invited to contribute one piece of artwork to be featured in the show. On Saturday, December 6, join us for a a festive community reception celebrating 100 years of local creativity.
Please print out the form below and return it to the library by September 2nd.
Questions? Contact Sandy Neary, Art Coordinator at SandraRNeary@gmail.com

Centennial Commemorative Art Exhibit 2025-Form

Staff Training: Open at 2:00 pm
2025-09-02 09:00 - 14:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Virtual Author Talk with Hannah Nicole Maehrer
2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
via Digital Livestream or on Demand
Embrace your dark side (and your best evil laugh) and join us in conversation with Hannah Nicole Maehrer, creator of the New York Times bestselling Assistant to the Villain series.
Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.
Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire―or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.
Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.
Full of humor and heart, this magical office comedy about a sunshine assistant and her grumpy evil boss is one you won’t want to miss out on. With the third book in the series, Accomplice to the Villain, out August 5, 2025, you need to register today to learn what tricks are up this author’s sleeve!
About the Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer—or as TikTok Knows her, @hannahnicolemae—is a fantasy romance author and BookToker with a propensity for villains. When she’s not creating bookish comedy skits about Villains and Assistants, she’s writing to Taylor Swift songs. Her biggest passions in life include romance, magic, laughter, and finding ways to include them all in everything she creates. Most days you can find her with her head in the clouds and a pen in her hand.

Little Crafts
2025-09-05 10:30 - 11:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Burnham Bunch Little Crafts
1st Fridays of the month (9/5-12/5)
10:30am-11:00am
For ages 5 and under. Join us for simple, seasonal crafts for little hands and their caregivers.
Registration required for the series. Email Mrs. Lianne at lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org to regsiter.

Artist Reception: Lynn Slonaker
2025-09-06 15:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Adult and Teen Take & Make: Witch's Hat Stand
2025-09-09 09:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Stop by the library to pick up a Witch’s Hat Stand kit! Kits will be available throughout the month while supplies last starting Tuesday, September 9th, and are limited to one per family.

Chess Club
2025-09-09 15:15 - 16:00, 2025-09-16 15:15 - 16:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Chess Club
Grades 2-5
Tuesday 3:5-4:00pm
Jeremy Lingenfelser will host a kids Chess Club. Beginners will learn the classic game of Chess and those who are experienced players will learn some new strategies.
Registration required. Please register with Mrs. Lianne at lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org.

Virtual Author Talk: Argue Less and Talk More with Communication Expert Jefferson Fisher
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
via Digital Livestream or on Demand
Join us (and be ready to take notes) for an afternoon virtual conversation with communication expert Jefferson Fisher, as we chat about his book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More.
No matter who you’re talking to, The Next Conversation gives you immediately actionable strategies and phrases that will forever change how you communicate. Jefferson Fisher, trial lawyer and one of the leading voices on real-world communication, offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships by improving your next conversation.
Whether it’s handling a heated conversation, dealing with a difficult personality, or standing your ground with confidence, his down-to-earth teachings have helped countless people navigate life’s toughest situations. Now for the first time, in his book The Next Conversation, Fisher has distilled his three-part communication system (Say it with control, Say it with confidence, Say it to connect) that can easily be applied to any situation.
The Next Conversation gives you practical phrases that will lead to powerful results, from breaking down defensiveness in a hard talk with a family member to finding your own assertive voice at the boardroom conference table. Your every word matters, and by controlling how you communicate every day, you will create waves of positive impact that will resonate throughout your relationships to last a lifetime.
Everything you want to say, and how you want to say it, can be found in The Next Conversation, the definitive book on making your next conversation the one that changes everything. Register now!
About the Author: Jefferson Fisher is a board-certified Texas trial lawyer and founder of Fisher Firm. With his extensive experience as a trial lawyer, Jefferson understands the art of persuading and communicating effectively in high-conflict situations. He is one of the most sought-after names in functional thinking for modern-day communication. Known for his practical videos and authentic presence, Jefferson has amassed over 9 million social media followers-making him the most followed litigation attorney in the world in less than a year, all from inside his vehicle. Jefferson’s followers include high-profile names such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jesse Williams, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Sarah Silverman, Lewis Howes, and many more. Jefferson is on a mission to be a messenger of positivity in the world and help people learn to talk to each other again – one conversation at a time.

Crafternoons- Tween Time
2025-09-11 15:15 - 16:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Tween Time Crafternoons
2nd Thursdays (September – November)
3:15pm-4:00pm
Grades 4/5
Crafts for the upper elementary group including friendship bracelets, painting and more!
Registration required. To register, email Mrs. Lianne at lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org.

Ode to the Housatonic Railroad with Mike Allen
2025-09-11 18:00 - 19:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
THIS PROGRAM IS A CAPACITY. For the waiting list, please email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org
In Partnership with the Bridgewater Historic Society
The iconic Housatonic Railroad continues to chug along, some 185 years after its first maiden run from Bridgeport to New Milford in 1840. It marked the arrival of a revolutionary new form of transportation – one that replaced stagecoaches and canal barges. The Housatonic has survived numerous ownership changes, the ending of passenger service, and a long period of inactivity along a crucial stretch of the line. But it’s still in operation with freight service today.
Mike will lead us through the history of the railroad, including a photographic review showing where all of the former passenger stations were located. Many remain intact, albeit in another use. Special attention will be paid to the Merwinsville Station in the Gaylordsville section of New Milford.
Refreshments after the presentation.

Table Top Gaming Club
2025-09-13 13:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Are you ready to dive into a world of adventure, strategy, and fun? Whether you’re a seasoned tabletop game aficionado or just curious to see what all the excitement is about, our monthly meet-up has something for everyone! Why Join Us?

Explore New Games: From favorites to the latest hits, discover a wide variety of games that will challenge your mind and spark your imagination.
Meet Like-Minded Enthusiasts: Connect with fellow game lovers, share tips and strategies.
All Skill Levels Welcome: Whether you’re a beginner or a master, our meet-up is the perfect place to learn new games or showcase your expertise.

Don’t miss out on the fun! Grab your friends, roll the dice, and join us for an unforgettable gaming experience. 🧩
Questions? Contact jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org

Drop-in thru the back door.

Protecting Youth in a Digital World: The Hidden Risks of AI & Social Media
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | https://burnhamlibrary.org/events/protecting-youth-in-a-digital-world-the-hidden-risks-of-ai-social-media/
Registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent when you register.
Register HERE. You will be redirected to the Gunn Memorial Library website.
Three town libraries – Roxbury, Bridgewater, and Washington collaborate to present on Zoom, “Protecting Youth in a Digital World: The Hidden Risks of AI & Social Media,” with Mary McPheat, Founder and CEO of Grounded Logic, and Marla Dakin, LCSW, Founder and Clinical Director of Farmington Valley Counseling Center.
Join us on Zoom for an essential and timely discussion on the evolving digital landscape of AI. Discover how recent AI advancements and social media are impacting child development and mental health, from addictive algorithms to harmful deepfakes. This program, presented by Mary McPheat and Marla Dakin, will examine how recent advancements in artificial intelligence and the increasing presence of social media are affecting the lives of children and adolescents.
Mary McPheat
Mary McPheat is recognized for her strategic insight into enhancing operational workflows and her ability to harness technology to improve organizational performance. As Founder and CEO of Grounded Logic, a firm focused on operational excellence and integrating generative AI and tech-enabled solutions, she elevates team dynamics and business delivery standards. Alongside her role as the leader of Grounded Logic, Mary imparts her knowledge through teaching and guiding students to navigate and apply AI in modern business contexts.
Marla Dakin
Marla Dakin, LCSW, Founder and Clinical Director of Farmington Valley Counseling Center, is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. As a certified school social worker and trusted parent coach, Marla specializes in supporting caregivers of anxious youth and advocating for trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate practices. She brings a unique lens to this session, highlighting how technology intersects with human relationships and emotional wellness — especially in youth-serving organizations.

Virtual Author Talk with Gabe Henry
2025-09-17 14:00 - 15:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
via Digital Livestream or on Demand
Have you ever wondered why the English spelling of words is sometimes… well… just weird? Come on a surprisingly hilarious journey with us and author Gabe Henry through the history of the English language, while we discuss troublemakers like Mark Twain who broke all the rules.
Anyone who has the misfortune to write in English will, every now and then, struggle with its spelling. In our erratic system, choir and liar rhyme, daughter and laughter don’t, and somehow you and ewe can’t agree on a single letter. So why do we still use it? If our spelling is so inconsistent, why haven’t we tried to fix it?
In the comic annals of linguistic history, legions of rebel wordsmiths have died on the hill of spelling reform, risking their reputations to simplify English spelling. This book is about them: Mark Twain, Eliza Burnz, Noah Webster, Upton Sinclair, Emma Dearborn, Theodore Roosevelt, Benjamin Franklin, and the countless other “simplified spellers” who, for a time in their lives, became fanatic about writing kof instead of cough, tung for tongue, and fyzics for physics (and tried futilely to get everyone around them to do it too).
In Enough is Enuf, Gabe Henry humorously traces the “simplified spelling movement” from medieval England to Revolutionary America, from the birth of standup comedy to contemporary pop music, and explores its lasting influence in words like color (without a U), plow (without -ugh), and the iconic ’90s ballad “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Finally, Henry brings us to the digital age, where the swift pace of online exchanges now pushes us all 2ward simplification.
Register now for this informative and entertaining conversation to find out why Gabe Henry thinks UR not a bad speller, the English language is.
About the Author: Gabe Henry is the author of three books including the poetry anthology Eating Salad Drunk, a humor collaboration with Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Birbiglia, Margaret Cho, and other titans of comedy. Eating Salad Drunk was featured in The New Yorker in February 2022 (“A Smattering of Haiku for the Burnout Age”) and ranked one of Vulture’s Best Comedy Books of 2022. Henry’s work has been published in TIME, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, the Weekly Humorist, US News & World Report, and more. He has spent more than a decade exploring the strange and forgotten history of simplified spelling, which, by his own admission, has only made him a worse speller. He lives and works in New York. Learn more at www.gabehenry.com.
ger of positivity in the world and help people learn to talk to each other again – one conversation at a time.

Pretend Play- Young Explorers
2025-09-17 15:15 - 16:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Young Explorers- Pretend Play
3rd Wednesdays (September- November)
3:15pm-4:00pm
Grades K/1
Afterschool play time with our dramatic play sets as well as our grocery store and kitchen sets!
Registration required. To register, email Mrs. Lianne at lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org.

Storytime- Burnham Bunch
2025-09-18 10:30 - 11:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Burnham Bunch Storytime
Thursdays (9/18-11/20)
10:30am-11:00am
Drop in program
Stories, songs and bubbles for the 5 and under crowd!

Space Explorers- Kids Klub
2025-09-19 15:15 - 16:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Kids Klub- Space Explorers
3rd Fridays (September0 November)
3:15pm-4:00pm
Grades 2/3
Each month, kids will make and create space themed crafts/challenges.
Registration required. To register, email Mrs. Lianne at lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org.

Burnham Library: A History
2025-09-20 12:00 - 14:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
A Burnham Library Centennial 1926-2026 Event
Join us for a special reception unveiling our new permanent exhibit on the history of the Burnham Library, created in celebration of our 100th year. Explore the story of our library’s past and its impact on our community. Historian Chris Fisher and Library Director Jean Kallay will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to attend.
