Winter Solstice Meditation at the library
December 4, 2024 | By Judi Byron 
Waterbury Public Library’s regular ongoing programs continue through December with one special event scheduled to mark the Winter Solstice on Dec. 20.
In many cultures around the world, Winter Solstice is a sacred time of deep reflection and gratitude for the year past and a time for setting intentions for the year ahead. River Buffum and Judi Byron invite you to join them at the library on Friday, Dec. 20, at 4:30 p.m. for a solstice ritual of meditation and intention-setting accompanied by harp music to celebrate the return of the light. Register in advance with an email to judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.
Holiday Giving Tree
The Giving Tree
UPDATE: As of Monday, Dec. 9, all of the gift tags have been claimed from the tree. Gift-givers are also asked to please wrap their gifts before dropping them off.
Courtesy photo
The library each holiday season participates in a project to help local families in need. The Giving Tree has on it tags with details including the age, gender, clothing size, and special wishes from an anonymous child for the holiday season. Patrons are asked to take a tag, bring it to the help desk to check it out and then deliver a gift for the child to Wesley United Methodist Church on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 14-15. Organizers ask gift-givers to wrap gifts and be sure to include the tag on the gift.
Gifts will be collected at the church both days from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m.
To check if any tags are left on the tree, call the library at 802-244-7036. The project will also accept cash donations to ensure that all children receive gifts. Library hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (4-7 p.m. on Dec. 7 during the River of Light parade as well); Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ongoing programs
Regular adult programming in December includes chair and art yoga, duplicate bridge, fiber arts and hand stitching, and Dungeons and Dragons. See the library website for times and details.
Kids programs range from storytimes and playgroups for tots to watercolor and Lego sessions for elementary school students, middle school cooking class, makerspace and hangout time for teens and the popular Queer Reads teen book club.
For a complete listing of all of the library’s programs for adults and children, visit waterburypubliclibrary.com.