Burnham Bunch Spring Storytime
2025-05-08 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-05-15 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-05-22 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-05-29 10:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Burnham Bunch Storytime
Thursdays 4/24 – 5/29 @10:30am
No registration required. Drop in
Stories, songs and bubbles for the 5 and under crowd!

Cancelled Tween Time Design Lab Grades 4-5
2025-05-09 15:15 - 16:00, 2025-05-23 15:15 - 16:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Tween Time Design Lab for Grades 4-5
Every other Fridays 4/25, 5/9, 5/23
3:15pm-4:00pm
Build and design based on fun, imaginative prompts that will stretch your creativity!

Two Town Tabletop Club
2025-05-10 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.

TOWN EVENT: Burnham PTO Fundraiser
2025-05-10 18:00 - 21:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Virtual Author Series: On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller with Author Liann Zhang
2025-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Program
On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller with Author Liann Zhang
Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 pm via digital live stream
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
Grab your popcorn, grab your friend, and join us for a propulsive online conversation with author Liann Zhang as she chats with us about her debut thriller Julie Chan is Dead.
Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Julie Chan is Dead is the brilliant, dark, and diabolical debut thriller we’ve all been waiting for. Register now for a wildly fun conversation!
About the Author: Liann Zhang is a second-generation Chinese Canadian who splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario. After a short stint as a skincare content creator, she graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in psychology and criminology. Julie Chan Is Dead is her first novel.

Burnham Bunch Bubble Party
2025-05-16 11:00 - 11:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Bubble Party
Friday, May 16th
10:30-11:00am
Play with bubbles, make a bubble wand and create some bubble art! Suggested age 5 and under.

TOWN EVENT: Roxbury-Bridgewater Plant Sale
2025-05-17 08:30 - 12:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Pop-Up Book Sale
2025-05-17 09:30 - 12:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Pop-Up Book Sale
Browse a small but mighty selection of like-new and gently-used books for all ages—right on the library steps! Stop by and find your next great read at a great price.

Story Mode: Would You Rather @ the Gunn Library
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Gunn Memorial Library, CT, United States
Minor Memorial Library, Gunn Memorial Library, and Burnham Library are once again partnering to offer a fantastic summer reading program: Level Up! @ Your Library
Leading up to June’s Tri-Town summer kick-off, Gunn Junior Library invites the Washington, Roxbury, and Bridgewater communities to join in Story Mode, a creative storytelling adventure!
The Junior Library will provide four Remix Stations in collaboration with the GIANT Room, a New York City-based innovation hub for kids. These stations will allow you, your friends, and your family to draw and invent unique characters, settings, and plot twists and see them transformed into published trading cards, games, and comic strips.
Each month is a self-directed activity, so you can complete it on your own time with or without the help of a librarian. The Junior Library also offers “Creation Hours” every week, during which you can use supplies from the Makerspace to bring your vision to life. Be sure to check the library’s website for the complete schedule!
Each month focuses on a different part of your story:
March 8-29 • Dream up your character. Complete a character sheet with a drawing of an avatar and its traits, including powers, power rating, voice, favorites, items, weaknesses, strengths, birthday, habitat, physical features, awards, and more. The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card for you! Special Hour with Ms. Teresa from Roxbury: Saturday, March 22, 10:00 – 11:00 am
April 5-26 • Build your own city and create a place for the story to happen. Engineer a building and decide its materials and unique features. The GIANT Room will remix this creation into another printed trading card featuring their building sketch, an AI-generated 3D render, and its features. Special Hour with Ms. Jean from Roxbury & Burnham: Saturday, April 26, 10:00 – 11:00 am
May 3-24 • Create challenges for your character. Help create a deck of “Would You Rather” questions by submitting a question that helps you reflect on your emotions, makes you smile with a rhyme, sparks a debate, or gives you the giggles! The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card. Special Hour with Ms. Lianne from the Burnham: Saturday, May 17, 10:00 – 11:00 am
June 7-28 • Tell a story about your character. Write and illustrate a comic strip using a pre-made template, and the GIANT Room will remix it into a printed poster. Special Hour with Ms. Teresa: Saturday, June 14, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 am -12:00 pm kick off summer reading and level up your character’s story as you visit several activity stations at this community event with the GIANT Room.
This is an excellent opportunity to express your creativity, collaborate with your community, and see your ideas come to life!
This program was made possible by the Connecticut State Library.

TOWN EVENT: BWLT Healing Yourself with Nature Spirituality
2025-05-17 10:30 - 12:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

TOWN EVENT: BWUCC RiverJack Concert
2025-05-17 17:00 - 20:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Virtual Author Series: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us with Author Rachelle Bergstein
2025-05-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Program
How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us with Author Rachelle Bergstein
Wednesday, May 21, 2:00 pm via digital live stream
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE
You’re invited to an online intimate conversation with bestselling author Rachelle Bergstein as she chats about her newest book The Genius of Judy. This book takes an expansive look at Judy Blume’s life, work, and cultural impact, focusing on her most iconic—and controversial—young adult novels, from Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret to Blubber.
Everyone knows Judy Blume.
Her books have garnered her fans of all ages for decades and sold tens of millions of copies. But why were people so drawn to them? And why are we still talking about them now in the 21st century?
In The Genius of Judy, her remarkable story is revealed as never before, beginning with her as a mother of two searching for purpose outside of her home in 1960s suburban New Jersey. The books she wrote starred regular children with genuine thoughts and problems. But behind those deceptively simple tales, Blume explored the pillars of the growing women’s rights movement, in which girls and women were entitled to careers, bodily autonomy, fulfilling relationships, and even sexual pleasure. Blume wasn’t trying to be a revolutionary—she just wanted to tell honest stories—but in doing so, she created a cohesive, culture-altering vision of modern adolescence.
Blume’s bravery provoked backlash, making her the country’s most-banned author in the mid-1980s. Thankfully, her works withstood those culture wars and it’s no coincidence that Blume has resurfaced as a cultural touchstone now. Young girls are still cat-called, sex education curricula are getting dismissed as pornography, and entire shelves of libraries are being banned. As we face these challenges, it’s only natural we look to Blume, the grand dame of so-called dirty books. This is the story of how a housewife became a groundbreaking artist, and how generations of empowered fans are her legacy, today more than ever.
Register now for a conversation you don’t want to miss!
About the Author: Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, author, and editor, focused on style, pop culture, and families. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. She is the author of three books: Women from the Ankle Down, Brilliance and Fire, and The Genius of Judy. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn. Find out more at RachelleBergstein.com.

Kids Klub- Story STEM (Grades K-3)
2025-05-21 15:15 - 16:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Burnham Library Presents:
Kids Klub – Story STEM for Grades K-3 (NEW grade configuration)
Wednesdays 4/23, 5/7, 5/21
3:15pm-4:00pm
Join us for a story and then create/build and design solutions to the problems we read about!
Register with Mrs. Lianne lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org

Burnham's Satellite Library
2025-05-27 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!

Book Discussion: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
2025-05-28 17:00 - 19:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Book Discussion
We will meet on Wednesday, May 28, at 5:00 pm to discuss Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. Copies of each selection will be available at the library, or you can request a curbside pick-up. For more information, email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org

Courage to Thrive: Discovering Your True Self
2025-05-29 18:00 - 19:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Courage to Thrive: Discovering Your True Self
Registration appreciated. RSVP below.
With local author, Rev. Bob Flanagan
Thursday, May 29 at 6:00 pm

Join us for a special evening with local author Rev. Robert D. Flanagan, Episcopal priest and author of Courage to Thrive: Discovering Your True Self. In this engaging talk, Bob, will discuss the inspiration behind his book and share insights on self-discovery, purpose, and identity through the lens of faith and personal experience. Drawing from scripture, relationships, and creative expression, Flanagan offers a thoughtful exploration of how we understand who we are as individuals and as children of God. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at burnhamlibrary.org

Bad Art Night
2025-05-30 18:00 - 19:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Do you find art stressful? Join us for an evening where the sillier your art is, the better! Bad Art Night is all about creativity, laughter, and letting loose with glue, glitter, googly eyes, and whatever else we can find! It’s about having fun with art and being creative without the pressure of making something “good”. No experience or skill required — in fact, it’s discouraged!
This is your chance to make something wonderfully weird or hilariously hideous! We’ll provide art supplies, you bring the imagination (and maybe a sense of humor). At the end of the hour of crafting, everyone will get a chance to name their creation and vote for their favorite disasterpieces!
All ages welcome – families, friends, solo creators – everyone’s invited.
Come make some messes and memories! Registration is required. Please RSVP below.

Artist Reception: Dan Carew
2025-05-31 17:00 - 19:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Bridgewater Fare: A Solo Exhibition of Photos
June 1 – 30, 2025
Opening ReceptionSaturday, May 31 from 5:00 – 7:00
All welcome.

Virtual Author Series: Extinctopedia–A Discovery of What We Have Lost, What is at Risk, and What To Do About it with Smithsonian Scientists
2025-06-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Program
Extinctopedia–A Discovery of What We Have Lost, What is at Risk, and What To Do About it with Smithsonian Scientists
Wednesday, June 4 at 2:00 pm via digital live stream
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE

Extinctopedia tells a complex story, not just of those who are extinct but also of those in greatest peril, with explanations of what threatens their survival. It is also a story of hope—hopes for animals that have been rediscovered, hope in the form of newly-discovered animals, and hope that we might hear the warning call and act to preserve the amazing biodiversity of our fragile planet for future generations to come.
You’re invited to grab your family and friends and join us as Smithsonian scientists highlight information found in the Smithsonian’s book, Extinctopedia: Discover what we have lost, what is at risk, and how we can preserve the diversity of our fragile planet. In this talk, you will discover:

Animals that are no longer with us
Endangered animals at risk of extinction
Organizations that aim to protect animal life
Strategies for preserving biodiversity

Extinctopedia provides a fascinating catalog of life on earth and encourages the reader to find ways of preserving the incredible diversity of species, so we may all thrive and life itself can endure on this amazing and beautiful planet.
About the Presenters:
Brian Gratwicke is a conservation biologist and leads the amphibian conservation programs at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Brian’s focus is building capacity to conserve amphibians in Appalachia and Panama, developing outreach and educational programs and exhibits to build public support for amphibian conservation, and research to develop tools to reintroduce amphibians back into the wild. At SCBI, Brian collaborates with Panamanian conservation biologists and zoo partners to build an ex-situ amphibian facility in Panama. The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project based at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Gamboa maintains and grows captive assurance populations of species most heavily affected by the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus. One major research focus is developing applied solutions for the amphibian chytrid fungus, including research into the area of beneficial skin bacteria and identifying genetic traits associated with resistance to the disease. He also conducts research into emerging diseases and the effects of climate change on Appalachian salamanders.
Gratwicke grew up in Zimbabwe and began his conservation work researching the impacts to freshwater fish in Africa. In 2000, he was awarded a Rhodes scholarship that took him to Oxford, where he studied marine fish communities in the British Virgin Islands for his doctorate. After completing his doctorate, Gratwicke moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a program administrator and then assistant director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Save the Tiger Fund.
Dr. Gina Della Togna is a researcher and conservationist, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Amphibian Survival Alliance and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Dr. Della Togna earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, with a specialization in Molecular and Cell Biology, from the University of Maryland, USA. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the reproductive biology of amphibians and the development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies for endangered species facing challenges in reproduction. As the co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group ARTs and Biobanking working group since 2017 and co-author of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP), Dr. Della Togna plays a vital role in advancing conservation efforts for amphibian species worldwide. Additionally, she is part of the IUCN SSC ASG Atelopus Task Force and member of the Atelopus Survival Initiative, co-chairing the Ex Situ Working Group. Dr. Della Togna serves on the Advisory Board of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, further showcasing her commitment to species preservation. Her dedication to amphibian conservation extends to her involvement in global, regional, and local initiatives, where she fosters collaborations and spearheads innovative projects to safeguard amphibian populations. Her expertise and passion have made her a leading figure in the field of conservation biology, inspiring positive change for the future of amphibians and their ecosystems.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Burnham Library.

Virtual Author Series: Explore Unexpected Twists and Turns with Bestselling Author Lisa Jewell
2025-06-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Program
Explore Unexpected Twists and Turns with Bestselling Author Lisa Jewell
Wednesday, June 10 at 2:00 pm via digital live stream
REGISTER & SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE

You’re invited to an exclusive preview event with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell as she introduces readers to her forthcoming title Don’t Let Him In (Out June 24, 2025!). Along with an introduction to her newest bone-chilling, psychological thriller, Jewell will chat about her life as a writer and her critically-acclaimed body of work.
In Don’t Let Him In, three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.
Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…
Things don’t make sense and patience is wearing thin…
Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation. But Martha can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right, despite her husband calling her mad and insisting they know everything there is to know about one another.
Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.
Register now for the thrill of a lifetime!
About the Author: Lisa Jewell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including None of This Is True, The Family Upstairs, and Then She Was Gone, as well as Invisible Girl and Watching You. Her novels have sold over ten million copies internationally, and her work has also been translated into twenty-nine languages. Connect with her on X @LisaJewellUK, on Instagram @LisaJewellUK, and on Facebook @LisaJewellOfficial.

Town Event: Bridgewater Community Garden Planning Meeting
2025-06-10 17:30 - 18:30 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
We are a small group of residents who would like to organize a community garden similar to those of neighboring towns. We are in the early planning stages and are considering Hilltop land as the location.

Before we go any further in our work, it would be helpful for us to assess the of level interest in Bridgewater and hear from interested residents how their needs might be incorporated into our planning.

If you are interested, please come to the June 10th meeting or respond to below.

Would you love to grow your own food but worry about having to share with critters?
Is your property too shady for a garden?
Might it be fun to grow a few flowers and vegetables and enjoy the fellowship of other gardeners?

Please reply HERE and share your thoughts and comments. For questions, please email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org

The History of the Yellow Cat Tea House
2025-06-12 17:00 - 18:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
The History of the Yellow Cat Tea House
A partnership with the Burnham Library and the Bridgewater Historic Society
Thursday, June 12 from 5:00 – 6:00 at the Burnham Library & followed by a wine & cheese reception at the Peck House
Join us for a fascinating program exploring the history of the “Yellow Cat Tea House,” a hidden gem within Lovers Leap State Park. Active from 1925 to 1930, this mysterious structure—believed to have been a restaurant or tea house—once welcomed visitors with tea sandwiches and desserts. Now, its remnants, including a granite staircase, an old chimney, and a castle-like turret, lie nestled among the ruins of the Hurd estate.
Registration is required. Please RSVP below or email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org

Summer Reading Registration Begins
2025-06-17 10:00 - 17:00 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States
Summer Reading Registration Begins!
Register for summer reading during regular library hours. Come grab your reading log and challenge book.
To register for programs, please scan the QR code on the Summer Reading page on the library website.
Questions? Email Mrs. Lianne at lambruso@burnhamlibrary.org.

LIBRARY CLOSED
2025-06-19 | The Burnham Library, 62 Main Street South, Burnham Library, Bridgewater, CT, 06798, United States

Burnham Beer Garden
2025-06-20 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
