Friends of Lucy Robbins Welles Library

08/28/2026

Our Friends’ membership drive starts Tuesday 9/1!

If you join or renew between 9/1-10/23, you’ll be entered to win a Friends’ Membership Prize Giveaway!

Details below ⬇️ 💚

Did you know the Library is having a Friends of the Library Membership Drive.

Join the Friends or renew your membership between September 1 - October 23 and you will automatically be entered in the Friends Membership Prize Giveaway that includes an Amazon gift card. The winner will be announced at the Friends Membership Reception that will be held on Saturday, October 24. Need not be present to win.

For more information on the Friends of the Library and the Membership Drive please visit our website: www.newingtonct.gov/2845/Join-the-Friends or call us at (860) 665-8700.

08/26/2026

🎨Teen Paint-by-Numbers

Wednesday, September 16, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Join us for a fun and relaxing evening of paint-by-number fun! We will be painting an adorable kitty using acrylic paints on canvas.

Register online at https://newingtonlibrary.libcal.com or call us at 860-665-8700.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

This is great for our local teens starting up with school again! Details below ⬇️

💚 sponsored by the Friends

Grab & Go: Teen De-Stress Kit

Beginning Tuesday, September 8

Starting school can be nerve-wracking, so take some time to relax and manage your stress levels with a de-stress kit!

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, teens in grades 6 – 12 can call 860-665-8700 to reserve a kit. Any kits not picked up by Monday, September 21 will be made available to the next person on the waiting list.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

For more information visit us online at https://www.newingtonct.gov/3091/Library

08/25/2026

ALA is heartbroken at the passing of country music legend, cultural icon, and champion of literacy Dolly Parton.

Dolly’s award-winning Imagination Library initiative, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, has put hundreds of millions of free books into the hands of children across America and was considered by her to be one of her greatest achievements.

“We’re giving books to kids who wouldn’t have a chance to get them otherwise,” she told American Libraries in a 2018 interview. “A lot of people think this is just for poor children—it’s for all children. It’s important to get books into the hands of any child that we can.”

ALA was proud to confer Dolly with an honorary lifetime membership, the Association’s highest honor, in 2023 for her lasting impact on librarianship, libraries, and the communities they serve.

Dolly was also part of ALA’s Celebrity READ campaign, in which she holds a copy of 'The Little Engine That Could.'

“I’ve always related to that book because I’m the little engine that did!” she said.

Thank you, Dolly. ❤️

08/21/2026

Did you know the Library provides services for teachers.

The Lucy Robbins Welles Library provides many services for teachers, including Teacher Collections, Library Visits, and a Teacher Library Card.

Teacher Collections are custom curated book collections tailored to your specific classroom themes, reading levels, or lesson topics. Library Visits can be scheduled either to have your students visit the library, or schedule to have a librarian visit your classroom. Any Newington teacher, as well as teachers from other towns who live in Newington, is eligible for a teacher library card.

For more information please visit our website: www.newingtonct.gov/2130/Teacher-Services or give us a call at (860) 665-8700.

08/21/2026

☕️ Tomorrow! Registration link and details below ⬇️

☕Join us tomorrow! End of Summer Coffee Social
Saturday, August 22, 2026. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maritza Lopez and Omar Hincapie’s Coffee Truck (Yipao) is coming to the library with Colombian coffee for all from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. We will talk about (and drink!) delicious coffee and have snacks. You can also meet new friends and practice speaking English.

Registration is required. Register online newingtonlibrary.libcal.com or call us at 860-665-8700.

Sponsored by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's Newington Greater Together Community Fund.

08/20/2026

A few spots remain for the Teen End of Summer Party - don’t miss the fun AFTER HOURS at the Library tomorrow night!

🎵 🍕 🪩

Register at the link below ⬇️

☀️Teen End of Summer Party

Friday, August 21, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Calling all teens who are ready for a fun-filled evening to celebrate the end of summer! We will play games, have a dance party, sing karaoke, and enjoy a pizza party in the library after hours.

Register online at https://newingtonlibrary.libcal.com or call us at 860-665-8700.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

08/17/2026

The Any Book Book Club

Tuesday, August 25, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Let’s talk about books! In this book club there is no assigned book to read; instead, each meeting we gather to discuss which books we are currently loving (or not loving). While we talk, we’ll create a fun book-themed craft.

Register online at https://newingtonlibrary.libcal.com or call us at 860-665-8700.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

08/17/2026

End of Summer Coffee Social
Saturday, August 22, 2026. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maritza Lopez and Omar Hincapie’s Coffee Truck (Yipao) is coming to the library with Colombian coffee for all from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. We will talk about (and drink!) delicious coffee and have snacks. You can also meet new friends and practice speaking English.

Registration is required. Register online newingtonlibrary.libcal.com or call us at 860-665-8700.

Sponsored by the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.