The Oliver Wolcott Library, the principal library for Litchfield, is an arts & culture haven with highly devoted patrons who make it rank first in the state for total adult circulation among libraries serving 6,000 to 11,000.
But it’s not just the books, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs, and other resources that draw this highly engaged audience to the library, which also offers rotating exhibits in its Jamie Gargarin Gallery and a vibrant roster of programs for children, teens, and adults.
The gallery is showing mixed media artwork by Litchfield public school students through Feb. 28, and the next exhibit, “The New England Landscape,” will feature oil paintings by Litchfield artist Jim Laurino. It runs from March 2 to April 11, with an opening reception on Thursday, March 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, late winter and early spring are stacked with wonderful programs for adults. Highlights include the following:
Portrait Painting Workshop
Thursday, February 22 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
In-Person Space is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. Register here
Treat yourself to learning something new!
Learn the basics of painting watercolor portraits in just one session! Bring a printed 5 x 7 photo (a color photocopy is fine) of yourself or a loved one, and two hours later you will have a watercolor portrait you painted yourself.
Artist Nancy Roman guides you through the entire process, from figure drawing through watercolor techniques. She provides all the materials you need – artist quality paint, paper and brushes.
Nancy Roman is a professional watercolor portrait artist (both human and animal) and has painted commissioned portraits for customers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. She has been conducting her popular watercolor workshops throughout Connecticut for several years. She recently exhibited her collection, Fifty Portraits, at the Harwinton Library.
Poetry Critique Club
Moderated by Olivia DeFiore
Live, In-Person:
Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 PM, February 20, March 19 & April 23
In-Person Space is limited. Registration is required. Register here
Calling all poets!
Have you been in search of constructive feedback to help further your poetry endeavors? Then OWL’s new Poetry Critique Club is for you.
Each month we will focus on poetry surrounding a specific prompt, so write your poetry ahead of time and come prepared to share! Each attendee should limit themselves to one poem per meeting.
Bring 10 hard copies of your work to share with other members. If you are unable to print copies at home, we can help you make copies at the library.
2/20 Prompt – Grandma’s Kitchen
3/19 Prompt – The Moon
4/23 Prompt – Catharsis
Note: This is a critique group focused on providing constructive feedback, so come prepared to hear a variety of comments about your work.
Armchair Travel – Destination Vietnam
with Nancy & Ed Schuler
Live, In-Person:
Wednesday, February 21 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM
In-Person Space is limited. Registration is required. Register here
Let’s armchair travel to Vietnam this month!
Join Nancy and Ed Schuler to learn about their trip to Vietnam. Vietnam is a beautiful country, rich in tradition, natural beauty, and friendly people.
Sail on Ha long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel down the Mekong River. Ride a rickshaw through the streets of Hanoi. Visit the Cu Chi tunnels that were used during the Vietnam War.
Non-Fiction Discussion Group
Thursday, March 14
Non-Fiction Group: 2:00 pm
Meeting will be held in the Library’s Jamie Gagarin Community Room.
Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPRP by Lisa Napoli
In the years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, women in the workplace still found themselves relegated
to secretarial positions or locked out of jobs entirely, especially in the news business. But when National
Public Radio came along in the 1970s and the door to serious journalism opened a crack, four remarkable
women came along and blew it off the hinges. Moderated by Margaret
Fiction Discussion Group
Thursday, March 14
Fiction Group: 3:30 pm
Meeting will be held in the Library’s Jamie Gagarin Community Room.
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
A child alone in the world has a talent that saves her. In the foster-care system, she is unable to get
close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now 18,
she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an encounter with a stranger
has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. Moderated by Nancy
The Last Hill with Author Tom Clavin
A Writers & Readers Book Club Presentation
Live, In-Person & Live on Zoom:
Thursday, March 28: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Zoom Link: Click here at 7 PM on March 28 to Zoom to this event.
In-Person Registration: Click here to attend in-person.
Join us for a special evening as national bestselling author Tom Clavin leads the discussion of his book The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle that Defined WWII.
About The Last Hill:
The Last Hill is the incredible untold story of one Ranger battalion’s heroism and courage in WWII. Castle Hill, the imposing 1320-foot mini-mountain the American Rangers simply called Hill 400, was the gateway to a desperate Nazi Germany. Several entire American divisions had already been repulsed by the last hill’s dug-in defenders.
Click here to read more about this talk.
Books will be available at OWL to borrow at least one month prior to the event plus instant e-book and e-audio copies will be available as well.
Beyond the programming, books and other resources, OWL is a gem for those who love history and architecture.
The front section of the library is in the historic Oliver Wolcott Jr. House, built by Elijah Wadsworth in 1799. It was acquired in 1814 and expanded a few years later by Wolcott, Jr., who served in the Revolutionary War, became the nation’s second Secretary of the Treasury, and then the 24th governor of Connecticut.
When it came time to expand the library in the mid-1960s, when Litchfield was a haven for modern architecture, the board turned to Harvard Five architect Eliot Noyes and Associates of New Canaan. The new wing was completed in 1966.
Open Monday through Saturday, the library is a 501c3 organization, and receives slightly under 50 percent of its funding from the Town. The remaining 50 percent is raised each year through private donations.
For all things OWL, see the library’s website at owllibrary.org. The address is 160 South St. in Litchfield center, and the phone number is 860-567-8030.