Otis Library welcomes performers from the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect on Saturday, September 22, at 1pm in the Millie and Martin Shapiro Community Room.  They will present a performance of Letters from Anne and Martin, a unique production that combines the iconic voices of Anne Frank and Martin Luther King, Jr. Developed from excerpts from The Diary of a Young Girl and Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, this piece evokes the important messages from these legendary figures, as they write of their hopes and plans for a peaceful and unified world.  This free program is appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Rachel Griesinger (Anne Frank) is a Brooklyn-based actor, collaborator, teaching artist with an activist streak. She recently received her MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama. This summer Rachel was accepted to the Lincoln Center's Teaching Artist Lab. She recently performed in a staged reading at Ensemble Studio Theatre. As well as performing, Rachel is also a dialect and accent coach for actors.

Parish Bradley (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) is an actor from Buffalo, New York.  He studied acting at both Stella Adler School of Acting and The Bova Actors Workshop.  He is currently an Artistic Associate with the professional theatre group The Seeing Place.  His most recent film work is short film called See You Yesterday.  The film was executive produced by Spike Lee and screened in over 30 National and International Film Festivals in 2017. 

The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect preserves the legacy of the young diarist through education and arts programming.  They work to create the kinder and fairer world of which Anne Frank dreamed.  For more information visit www.annefrank.com.

Classes for ages 6-9 are 12pm - 12:45pm.  Classes for ages 10-14 are 1pm - 2:30pm.  Sponsored by the Kelleher Fund.  Join these exciting programs on a different topic each week!   Please register for each week individually. 

August 2 - ROCKets to the Rescue

August 9 - Painting Rocks

This practical series will be extremely informative for all teens planning ahead to a financially secure future.  Monday, July 9:  "Check It Out: Using a Checking Account," Wednesday, July 11: “Money Matters: Saving and Goal Setting,” Monday, August 6: “Give Me a Little Credit: Credit Dos and Don’ts/Identity Theft,” Wednesday, August 8: “Budgeting for College.”  For students in grade 9 & up.  Space is limited; please register for one or all classes on our online calendar or call 860-889-2365, ext. 100.  Refreshments available in the Story Room from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Classes will be held in the Community Room from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  

Mondays, June 18 - July 30, 12pm - 1:30pm, Story Room.  Sponsored by The Friends of Otis Library.  Develop your technology skills with these weekly classes.  Space is limited; please register for each week individually.

June 18 - Karaoke Coding

June 25 - Make Your Own Video Games

July 2 - Smart Robots

July 9 - Karaoke Coding

July 16 - Make Your Own Video Games

July 23 - Smart Robots

July 30 - Karaoke Coding

If you enjoy cooking this educational and delicious series is for you!  Learn “Basic Techniques” on July 11, “Pizza Making” on July 18, and “Pasta” on July 25.  For grades 9 & up.  Space is limited; register for one or all three classes on our online calendar or call 860-889-2365, ext. 100.  Program will take place in the Story Room.

Have fun while creating an emoji that’s new to the emoji scene!  You will also have a chance at a prize. No registration required.  For grades 6 & up.  Program takes place in the Young Adult Room.

Learn about the ancient art of henna.  Participants can choose their own look.  Space is limited; please register beginning June 1.  Program will take place in the Young Adult Department.

Discover how early Native Americans developed tools to shape their world.  No registration required.  This program will take place in the Children's Room.

You'll feel like you're on the trail yourself as Sam Ducharme recounts his true life adventures hiking the Appalachian Trail!  Learn facts about wildlife, people and scenery.  This interactive program will inspire hiking and nature enthusiasts!  Please register.  

Community Room

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Book Discussion.  Sponsored by the AHEPA Norwich Foundation.

Youth Services Library Diane Deedy will facilitate a discussion of the definitive edition of this classic.  Participants will receive a copy of the book and can earn community service credit for attendance.  Please pick up a copy of the book in the Children's Department.  Refreshments will be served.  For grades 9 & up.  Registration required.  For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Sponsored by Connecticut College's International Curriculum Development (ICD) Grant & Holleran Center Sheriden Grant, and Writer's Block Ink.

Teens, social media can make or break your future.  Learn how to be savvy on the internet in this proactive workshop offered by students from Connecticut College and members of Writer's Block Ink.  A light lunch will be available for attendees from 12 - 12:30pm in the Story Room before the workshop.  Please register now.  

Otis Library will be offering “Introduction to Yoga” classes for teens and adults on Monday evenings in February (except 2/19) and March from 6pm to 7:15pm in the Millie and Martin Shapiro Community Room. These free classes will be presented by instructors from ‘A Peace of Space’ Yoga and Wellness Center. Wear comfortable clothing; yoga mats will be available to borrow. No registration required. 

For more information, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128. 

Otis Library, in partnership with Artreach, will be offering a free jewelry making workshop for beginners on Monday, March 5, 5:30 – 7:30pm in the Meeting Room.  Melanie Nagode of Artreach, an experienced instructor, will walk you through the process of creating your own piece of jewelry.  Materials provided.  For ages 16 and up.  There are a limited number of seats available; registration is required.  Call Julie at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register on our online calendar

Otis Library, in partnership with the Norwich Free Academy History Department, is hosting a Women’s History Month Tea on Saturday, March 3, at 12pm.  This year’s theme is “Women in the Arts.”  Join students as they portray ground-breaking women in the arts, such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Audrey Hepburn, and Emma Watson.  Attendees will be encouraged to visit with the women and ask questions while enjoying tea and desserts.  Guest speaker is Michelle Dunlap, Professor of Human Development at Connecticut College.  Free program; registration is required.  To register, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register on the online calendar.

Teens, stop by the Young Adult Room and create a cool piece of art for yourself!  No registration required. For grades 7 & up.

For more information, call or visit the Young Adult Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 107.

For grades 9 and up.  Jim Loughead, a teacher at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT, will present an introductory talk on the Holocaust. He will discuss the rise of the Nazi party and the subsequent events in Germany that led to the Holocaust.  Mr. Loughead conducts classes in history, genocide, civics and geography and has been teaching since 2004.  He has a Bachelor's degree in History from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master's degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University.  He received the 2008 Joseph Korzenik Holocaust Award from the University of Hartford in 2008 for the course he designed on genocide, and was a United States Holocaust Museum Fellow in 2014.  This program supports the Anne Frank exhibit.  No registration required.

Share your ideas and participate in program planning!  Meet other students your age and make new friends!  Register online or by contacting the Front Desk.  Meeting will take place in the Story Room.  Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call or visit the Front Desk, 860-889-2365, ext. 100.

Sponsored by the AHEPA Norwich Foundation

Postponed until April 7, 12:00-1:00. You may register online beginning Feb. 26th.

Youth Services Librarian Diane Deedy will facilitate a discussion of the definitive edition of this classic.  Participants will receive a copy of the book and can earn community service credit for attendance. Refreshments will be served. This program, to be held in the Meeting Room, supports the Anne Frank Exhibit, on display at Otis Library and is open to the public January 3-31. Limit: 15 students.  Registration is required.  Call 860-889-2365, ext. 100, or register on the online calendar.

PLEASE NOTE:  This event has been canceled.

Cosplay fun!  Celebrate the holidays Anime style by dressing up as your favorite Manga character!  Prize for best costume!  Japanese snacks and craft activities too!  Please register online or by contacting the Front Desk beginning November 20.  For grades 5 and up.  Program will take place in the Story Room.

For more information, call or visit the Front Desk at 860-889-2365, ext. 100.

This program is sponsored by The Friends of Otis Library.

Otis Library will be offering "Introduction to Yoga" classes for teens and adults on Monday evenings in October (except 10/9) and November 2017 from 6pm to 7:15pm in the Community Room.  These free classes will be presented by instructors from A Peace of Space Yoga and Wellness Center.  Wear comfortable clothing; yoga mats will be available to borrow.  No registration required.  

For more information, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

Teens:  curious about life on the other side?  Join us for a talk on the paranormal with professionals from cRIPt: Paranormal Encounters CT.  Find out what EVP is and how it can reveal presences unknown in our surroundings!  For grades 7 - 12.  Please register beginning September 25.  Program will take place in the Community Room.

For more information, call or visit the Front Desk, 860-889-2365, ext. 100.

This program is sponsored by The Institute of Museum and Library Services

This hands-on workshop will teach the basic concepts for robotics.  Working in teams, kids will learn coding to instruct a simple robot to move objects!  They will also learn about programmable electronics for making motors run.  Space is limited; please register beginning August 28.  Program will take place in the Storyhour Room.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Otis Library will be hosting a program on money management for new college students and their parents in the Meeting Room. Pamela Days-Luketich, Community Outreach Officer at Liberty Bank, will present this program.  Many college students spend a significant amount of money on things they can do without, open accounts they don’t need or get into dangerous credit situations.  By learning to make smart financial choices, they can develop strong money management skills that will stay with them through their college years and beyond.  For ages 16 and up.  Pizza will be provided.  Free event; registration is required.  Please register on our website calendar or call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.  This program is sponsored by Liberty Bank

Learn about this ancient art and get a henna decoration!  Register online or by contacting the Front Desk.  For students in grades 6 -1 2.  Program will take place in the Young Adult Department.

For more information, call or visit the Front Desk at (860) 889-2365, ext. 100.

Wednesdays, June 21 - July 19, 6pm - 7:30pm

Learn about a different country each week and enjoy related activities, stories, and recipes! This program is run by the 4-H of New London County.  Space is limited; please register for one or all classes.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Sioux Wimler of Crunchybits will offer a cooking demonstration of One-Pot Wonders in the Community Room.  She will discuss various grains, starches, beans, vegetables, and spice combinations to make easy, versatile, healthy food.  The program will be followed by a food tasting and question and answer session.  Free program; registration is required.  To register, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register on the online calendar.  This program is open to teens (ages 16 and up) and adults. 

Learn about this beautiful art from Africa and wear your style home! Presented by artist LaShawn Cunningham.  Please register online or at the Front Desk.  Program will take place in the Young Adult Department.

For more information, call or visit the Front Desk at (860) 889-2365, ext. 100.

Otis Library will be offering an origami class in the Meeting Room. Instructor Fran Block will show you how to use recycled paper from a variety of sources to create modular origami models.  Modular origami is paper folding that uses two or more pieces of paper to create more complex units.  If you have favorite paper from old magazines, books, wrapping paper, etc., bring it along. Origami paper and other paper will be available at the program.  This class is for teens, ages 16 and up, and adults.  Registration is required.  To register, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register on the online calendar at www.otislibrarynorwich.org.  

Play Karuta, Ninja, and Shiritori!  Japanese snacks served too!  Please register.  For grades 5 & up. Program will take place in the Children's Department. 

For more information, call or visit the Front Desk, (860) 889-2365, ext. 100.

Otis Library, in partnership with the Norwich Free Academy History Department, is hosting a Women's History Month Tea to celebrate this year's theme of "Women in Science."  Join Norwich Free Academy students as they portray ground-breaking women in history!  Tea and desserts will be served.  Free event; registration is required.  Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register on our online calendar.

Community Room