FREE Homework Help Available for High School Students

STRATFORD LIBRARY/SCHOOLS OFFER FREE “HOMEWORK HELP”

The Stratford Library’s Teen Services Department in collaboration with the Stratford School system currently offers after-school-hours assistance for high school students.
“HomeworkHelp@SLA” offers one-on-one help for students by Stratford teachers at the Library through May 2011. It is free and open to the public.  The sessions will focus on math and science but all subjects can be addressed depending on student need. Teachers will be on site at the library Thursdays from 6-8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 2-4 pm. All sessions will be held in the Library’s lower-level Board Room. No appointments are necessary, drop-ins are welcome.

The Library has a huge collection of books, DVDs and online resources to help with all your assignments. For more information about “HomeworkHelp@SLA”, call the Teen Services Desk at 203.385.4167.

HOLIDAY MAGIC SHOW AT STRATFORD LIBRARY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2ND AT 4 PM.

Please mark you calendar with this important DATE CHANGE

HOLIDAY MAGIC SHOW AT STRATFORD LIBRARY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2ND AT 4 PM.

Family Program Proceeds Town’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival

Due to inclement weather expected for the original date, the Stratford Library will kick-off Stratford’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony with a special holiday program for families on Thursday, December 2nd at 4 pm. The “Celebrate the December Holidays Magic Show” will proceed the town event which this year is being held on the West Broad Street Green just steps from the library. The family program is free and open to the public.

For further information, call the Stratford Library Children’s Department at 203.385.4165 or visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org.

Download audio books, ebooks, movies and MORE to come!

Stratford Library offers downloadable audiobooks, eBooks, and videos -- all available from your home computer and with a valid Stratford Library card. Download to your computer, transfer to a portable device, or burn some titles to CD. Click here to go to one of our digital catalogs.

Barnes & Noble Bookfair to support Stratford Library!

We would like to invite everyone to support the Children's Department at our Barnes & Noble Bookfair from November 19-24 at the Barnes & Noble of Milford. Opening Night, Friday, there will be special events at Barnes & Noble from 7 to 9 p.m. including visits from our therapy dogs, free balloon animals, and more!

Shop in store or online at bn.com/bookfairs using our ID# 10298842

Need help with your assignment? Check this out!

• Are you working on a research paper and would like to know how to get the most out of library resources available to you? 
• Are you preparing a brochure and need some help with formatting? 
• Have you been assigned a PowerPoint presentation and need some help?

You are in luck!  Sign-up at the Teen Services Homework Desk for either individual or small group (2-3 people) sessions with the Teen Services staff.  We will show you how to get the most out of our "GET IT ONLINE" resources as well as our great reference collection.  We will also help you use Word, PowerPoint and Publisher to produce excellent assignments! Call 203-385-4167 or stop by the desk and sign-up.

FREE downloadables for teens!

Did you know you can download some of your favorite titles as audiobooks or ebooks for FREE!  Glass, Burned, Crank and more by Ellen Hopkins, Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer, P. S. I Loathe You by Lisi Harrison are just some of the HOT titles available for teens.  Stop in and let us answer your questions about downloading to your smartphone, mp3 device, computer or e-reader for FREE!

Woodend Road Community Planning

Woodend Road Courts Community Meeting

Come to a meeting to review design options for the renovation of the Woodend Road (George L. Force) Courts and Park.

When:  Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7 pm
Where: Birdseye Municipal Complex-ALPHA Program Cafeteria

For more information call the Town of Stratford Department of Community Development at 203.385.4028

College Admissions: Top Application and Essay MISTAKES

Stratford Library Teen Services invites Parents and Teens to join us for this informative evening , Tuesday October 19th at 6:30 pm, at Stratford Library as Dr. Lowe, Pinnacle Educational Center, LLC provides invaluable advice as you begin the task of completing college applications and writing essays.


Bring lots of questions and take lots of notes. Dr. Lowe de-mystifies the process, providing expert advice to students and their families as they navigate the college admissions process.


Bring your applications and essays! The seminar is FREE.
You don’t want to miss this special evening.



Call 203-385-4167 for more information.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Event

A Celebration of Latin Culture - Una Celebración de la Cultura Latina



The Hispanic Heritage of Stratford committee invites you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a festive kick-off event at the Stratford library, on Saturday, September 25th (noon - 4 pm).

The kick-off event will feature art work from Stratford schools students on themes of Hispanic artists, poetry and instruments used in Latin music. All families are welcome to admire the artwork of Stratford's students. The library will also have on display books, CDs and DVDs infused with Hispanic Heritage-- all available to take home.
A wonderful online resource to delve into during Hispanic Heritage Month is www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/, a joint project of the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, the National Gallery of Art and many other of our most important cultural institutions. Here are just a few of the opportunities this website makes available:

•Listen to best-selling author Isabel Allende discussing her writing.

•Watch a video on the royal armour of Spain.
•Share your family's story with StoryCorpsHistorias, an initiative to record the diverse stories and life experiences of Latinos in the United States.

Library closed for the Holiday but Get It Online availabe 24/7/365

The library will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday-Labor Day, September 4, 5 & 6th.  BUT remember you can access all of our online resources 24/7/365!  Click here! to check out Get It Online.  We will reopen Tuesday September 7th at 10 am.

LIMO RIDE WINNERS arrive at school in style!

Summer Reading winners arrive in style for the first day of school!  One middle school and one high school student each won a FREE LIMO RIDE to school Monday morning.  To be eligible for the prize each student had to read at least 4 books and submit an entry form for the drawing which was held Agust 17th.  The Stratford High School and Flood Middle School principals were there to greet their students, also on hand was a photographer and writer from the CT POST.

Get it ONLINE!

Get it ONLINE with your library card 24/7 for school assignments or just for fun by accessing hundreds of FREE resources!  Check it out.

FREE LIMO RIDE DRAWING!!!

Did you complete The Teen Summer Reading Program? Then you are eligible to be in the drawing for a FREE LIMO RIDE on the first day of school The drawing will take place Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 6:30 pm in the Lovell Room.

Don't miss this fun night of food, games,

and surprises and the BIG drawing.

Teen Tuesday Fun Night

Middle and High School teens are invited!
Join us for a night of Wii, board games, crafts, music and DIY snacks.
No registration required and bring a friend.
Tuseday, August 10 at 6:30 pm in the Lovell Room.

Creative Writing Workshop

The Creative Writing Workshop is a group of High School teens who meet monthly to share their writings.  Join us Monday August 9th at 6:30 pm in the Board Room.  No registration required, just stop by.

Teen Tusday Event for Older Teens!

Older teens are invited to join us for viewing the intense drama Precious which is based on the book PUSH by Sapphire. Teens under 17-years old may attend with a signed parental permission form available at the Teen Services Desk.  The film stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mairah Carey, and Paula Patton.  Copies of the book will be available for further discussion.
August 3, 2010-5:30 pm in the Lovell Room.

Teen Tuesday "Mystery" Movie Night

Tuesday, July 27th--5:30 pm--Lovell Room
The "mystery" is what movie are you going to see! 
The audience picks the movie by voting on some  HOT teen DVDs.
DIY snacks too!  Bring a friend. 

Teen Tuesday--Drawing, Crafts and more!

Do you love to draw or maybe prefer scrapbooking, jewelry making,or other crafts? All middle and high school teens are invited to join us Tuesday July 20th at 6:30 pm in the Lovell Room for an evening of drawing, crafting and DIY snacks.  Professional artist Connie Manna will be here to share basic drawing techniques.  This is your night to be creative!

Just 4 Teens Movie Night

Just 4 TeensTuesday, July 13 at 5:30 pm--
Stratford Library in the Lovell Room
Feature Anime Film--
Full Metal Alchemist, The Conqueror of Shamballa!
Do you love Anime and Manga?  All middle and high school teens are invited tojoin us.
DIY snacks!

Win a FREE LIMO RIDE on the first day of school!

2010 TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Read and fill out a form on a minimum of 4 books to complete the program and receive a FREE ticket to a Bluefish Baseball Game.  All teens who complet the program by August 13, 2010 will be eligible to enter a drawing for a FREE LIMO RIDE on the first day of school! One middle school and one high school student will win!Stop by Teen Services for more information about all the great programs Just 4 Teens!

Library offers two $500 scholarships

The Stratford Library Board will award two $500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Deadline is April 23, 2010.  Click here for more information and application forms, stop by Teen Services or visit http://www.stratfordlibrary.org/.

Attention all Drama Queens and Drama Kings too!

Did you catch the sneak peak of Stratford High School Drama Club's presentation of Beauty & the Beast at the library?  This weekend is the SHS Drama Club's full presention of the Disney Classic.  If you're a middle or high school teen looking for a theater group or some great books on theater and acting stop by and visit your Teen Services Librarian. 

The Black Girl Next Door--FINALE!

Don't miss this One Book, One Stratford special event.

Author Jennifer Baszile to Make
Final Appearance on March 23rd.

 Area residents have only one more chance to see author Jennifer Baszile! Click here for more information.

Creative Writing Workshop

The Creative Writing Workshop will meet this Monday, March 22 at 6:30 pm.  Please contact Teen Services 203-385-4167 for more information.

Stratford Library - Stratford Library eNews

Stratford Library - Stratford Library eNews

Meet the author-Jennifer Baszille

A Conversation with Jennifer Baszile, author of “The Black Girl Next Door”. Join us for an intergenerational, intimate discussion with the One Book, One Stratford 2010 selection author. Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30 pm in the Lovell Room. Arrive early, seating is limited.

Books Over Coffee for TEENS!

You are invited to join us for a discussion of the One Book, One Stratford selection of The Black Girl Next Door by Jennifer Baszile.   This special Books Over Coffee event for Teens will take place Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 6:30 pm in the Stratford Library Lovell Room.  Please call 203-385-4167 for more information.

Wii Fit Event

Calling all Teens!
(grades 7-12)
Are you a Wii Fit fan!  Join us in the Lovell Room on Thursday February 18, 2010 from 3:00-4:00 pm for some Wii Fit fun.  Bring a friend.  Call 203-385-4167 or stop by Teen Services for more information.

Black History Month Contest

South End Community Center and Stratford Library Teen Services Department announce our annual Black History Month Contest for Stratford students in grades 6 - 8.

Essays or art must be returned to the Stratford South End Community Center or the Stratford Library Teen Services Department by February 12, 2010.

First, Second and Third Prize winners will be formally announced and prizes awarded at a celebration event on Thursday, February 25, 2010 in The Stratford Library Lovell Room from 5-6:30p.m.  Click here  or call 203-385-4167 for complete details about how to enter and win!

Teens are invited!

“One Book, One Stratford”, a community-wide reading event has announced programs for the January-March 2010 event. The idea behind the “One Book” program is that everyone in town reads the same book at the same time, much like a town-wide book club. The library has chosen Jennifer Baszile’s The Black Girl Next Door, her acclaimed memoir about growing up black in a white section of Los Angeles in the 1970s and ‘80s. The series is co-sponsored by Simon & Schuster and the Stratford Library Board of Trustees. All events take place in the Lovell Room and are free and open to the public.

Programs scheduled in conjunction with the “One Book” celebration are:

• A Conversation with Jennifer Baszile – Intergenerational, intimate discussion with the author. Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30 pm.
• FINALE! Notable area residents will share personal reflections about The Black Girl Next Door with special guest Jennifer Baszile in attendance. Tuesday, March 23 at 6:30 pm.

HOSA meeting cancelled

The HOSA meeting scheduled for today, January 21, 2010, in the Lovell Room from 3-5 pm has been canceled by its organizers.

Black History Essay Contest

South End Community Center and Stratford Library Teen Services Department announce our annual Black History Month Contest for Stratford students in grades 6 - 8.


Essays or art must be returned to the Stratford South End Community Center or the Stratford Library Teen Services Department by February 12, 2010.

First, Second and Third Prize winners will be formally announced and prizes awarded at a celebration event on Thursday, February 25, 2010 in The Stratford Library Lovell Room from 5-6:30p.m.
Choose one of the following topics:
Essay 1:
Write an essay about any African American past or present (both famous and not so famous) and why you think that he or she should receive the Nobel Peace Prize or any other similar award.

Essay 2:
Write an essay about any African American past or present (both famous and not so famous) and explain why you would like to grow up to be like that person.


Write a poem or create artwork :
Write a poem or create a drawing or other artwork about an African American person or a special event in African American history.

All essays must be typed with a cover page including student’s name, age, phone number, school, grade and teacher

For more information contact:
South End Community Center  203-377-0689                                                       
Stratford Library Teen Services  203-385-4167

New Computers Are Here!

Come on in and check out the new computers in Teen Services. The PCs are brand new and ready for you to access the internet and use Microsoft Office applications. The PCs have read/write CD drives and USB ports to save your work. We have new black & white and color printers too!

Come in and see us in 2010!