End of Summer @ Scranton Block Party

Saturday, August 16, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Block Party 2025

Attractions Include:

  • A Petting Zoo
  • Face Painting
  • Free Tarot Readings with Professional Reader Lauren Condron
  • Lawn Games (such as Axe Throwing, Jumbo Connect 4, etc.)
  • Photo Booth
  • Free Food and Ice Cream
  • Video Games Van
  • Various Crafts
  • A Music Playlist Curated by Madison’s Teens
  • And Much More!!! 😊

*Please note that the library will close at 1 PM for set-up. Any cars left in the parking lot after 3 PM are subject to towing. Additional parking is available across the street in the public parking lot.*

Disclaimer(s)

Food allergy warning

Food allergy warning: Food will be served at this event. Please be aware of any food allergies you may have.

Saturday Sleuths: The Lost Apothecary

Saturday, August 16, 10:00 p.m.

LostApothecary2

Hidden deep in eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop serves an unusual clientele. Women throughout the city speak in hushed tones about a mysterious figure named Nella, who sells well-disguised poisons intended for use against the oppressive men in their lives. However, the apothecary’s future is put at risk when her newest patron, a clever twelve-year-old girl, makes a fatal mistake, triggering a series of consequences that reverberate through the centuries.

Self Defense Class

Wednesday, August 13, 6:30 p.m.

SelfDefense

No previous experience is required. Please dress comfortably.

Class objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to perform the following techniques:

1. Hand strikes: palm heel strikes, hammer fists, claws, and eye jabs

2. Kicks: front kick, sidekick, and back kick

3. Self-defense techniques for wrist grabs, front chokes, chokes from behind, and bear hugs

Friday Movie Matinée: “Black Bag”

Friday, August 8, 2:00 p.m.

Black Bag

A spy drama centering on legendary intelligence agents George Woodhouse and his beloved wife, Kathryn. When Kathryn is suspected of betraying their country, George faces the ultimate test: loyalty to his marriage or his nation.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this film features Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Gustaf Skarsgård, Tom Burke, Marisa Abela, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan. USA, 2025. MPAA rating: R. Runtime: 94 minutes.

Summer @ Scranton for Adults

June 23–August 18

Summer @ Scranton for Adults

It’s Summer @ Scranton for all patrons ages 18+! Challenge yourself to complete as many items on your bingo card as you can to participate in our Summer Prize Drawing. Just pick up a Bingo Card at the library starting on June 23rd, complete five tasks in any row, and return it to us by 4:00 p.m. on August 18th to enter the drawing. Each person who completes five tasks in a row on their Bingo card will receive a book lover’s pen, reading list bookmark, and library-themed notebook. They will also be entered into our Summer Prize Drawing on August 18th. Three lucky winners will receive a prize!

Scranton Selections: May 2025

BOOKS FEATURING UNFORGETTABLE MOTHERS

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating stories that explore the beauty, complexity, and challenges of motherhood. Whether grappling with loss, identity, or the fierce love they have for their children, these literary mothers embody the richness and nuance of what it means to be a mom.

–Emily Rush, Head of Reference

School for good mothers

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
This dystopian novel follows Frida Liu, a single mother who, after a moment of poor judgment, is sent to a government-run reeducation facility for “bad mothers.” In this institution, mothers are subjected to surveillance and training to prove their worthiness to regain custody of their children, raising profound questions about societal expectations and the nature of motherhood.

Forbidden Territory

The Forbidden Territory of a Terrifying Woman by Molly Lynch
Here, Molly Lynch crafts a haunting narrative where mothers worldwide mysteriously disappear, intertwining motherhood, ecological collapse, and identity. The story follows Ada, a Canadian-born woman living in Michigan, who vanishes one night, leaving her husband Danny and young son Gilles in turmoil.

Chouette

Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
Chouette is a surreal and darkly humorous novel that follows Tiny, a professional cellist who discovers she is pregnant, not with a human child, but with an owlet conceived during a dreamlike affair with a female owl. As Tiny’s pregnancy progresses, she faces societal rejection and her husband’s refusal to acknowledge the reality of her situation, leading her to embrace a life of nocturnal hunting and maternal devotion to her unique daughter.

The Push by Ashley Audrain
This is a psychological drama that delves into the complexities of motherhood, identity, and generational trauma. The story follows Blythe Connor, who is determined to be the nurturing mother she never had, but becomes increasingly convinced that her daughter, Violet, exhibits troubling behavior. As Blythe grapples with her suspicions, her husband dismisses her concerns, leading her to question her sanity and the nature of her daughter’s actions.

Book Eaters

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
The Book Eaters is a dark fantasy novel that introduces a secretive clan of people who sustain themselves by consuming books, absorbing their content and knowledge. Devon (a woman raised on fairy tales and cautionary stories) discovers her son, Cai, possesses a rare and dangerous hunger for human minds instead of books. As she navigates a patriarchal society that views her as a mere vessel for reproduction, Devon must make harrowing choices to protect her son and herself.

Twelve Tribes Hattie

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
This novel traces the life of Hattie Shepherd, a determined African American woman who moves from Georgia to Philadelphia in 1923, seeking a better life. After the tragic death of her twin infants, Hattie bears nine more children, each chapter delving into the struggles and resilience of her offspring, capturing their individual stories and the overarching impact of Hattie’s hardships.

Bright Burning

Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
Here we follow Sonya, a former actress turned single mother in Dublin, as she battles alcoholism and the haunting shadows of her past. Her four-year-old son, Tommy, is her anchor, yet her addiction threatens to sever their bond, leading her to a pivotal choice: continue down a destructive path or seek redemption through rehabilitation. Harding’s narrative delves deep into the complexities of motherhood, addiction, and the pursuit of self-forgiveness.

Leavers

The Leavers by Lisa Ko
The Leavers follows the life of Deming Guo, an eleven-year-old boy whose undocumented Chinese immigrant mother, Polly, disappears without a trace. After her sudden absence, Deming is adopted by a well-meaning white couple and renamed Daniel Wilkinson. He struggles to reconcile his new life with the memories of his mother and the community he left behind. The narrative unfolds from both Daniel’s perspective as he grows into a young man and Polly’s journey, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of family and immigration.

Scranton Selections are written by various staff members. This month’s contributor is Emily Rush, Head of Reference..

Seed Library

Free seed packets of various native plants are now available at the Library! Local UCONN Master Gardeners have prepared packets of at least a dozen varieties. The packets are in a rack at the Borrowing desk, along with instructions on stratifying and planting the seeds.  A demonstration on seed starting will be held on January 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Room.