Library Programs

Adult & Teen Programs

Literature of the Land Book Club - ONLINE

Join us for the spring 2023 session of Literature of the Land, a book club series hosted by the Helen Fowler Library. We read three books over three months focusing on a specific topic of interest. 

• Online registration required, $5 per session
• Registration is mandatory as attendance is limited in number to allow for interactive discussion in a friendly group setting. 

Wednesdays, March 15, April 12 & May 17, 6:30-8 p.m.

Meet a Rare Book

Join us in the Edward P. Connors Rare Books Reading Room to see some of the most distinctive items in our rare books collection up close. Participants will tour the library, learn about the world of rare books, dive into the history of the items chosen for the day's session and discuss how we approach primary resources from our vantage point in this historical moment.

• Online registration required, $12 per person
• Space is limited
• Free admission to the library; admission to the Gardens is separate

First Saturdays, 1 p.m.

Young Writers Group

Teen writers or aspiring writers are invited to join us for plant- and nature-themed writing prompts, word games and/or discussion topics. We provide writing resources, pens and paper.

• No fee and no registration required
• Space is limited
• Free admission to the library; admission to the Gardens is separate

Sundays, 10 a.m. – noon

*Gardens Teen Leaders will be leading the following sessions:
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – noon
Sunday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. – noon
Sunday, March 12, 10 a.m. – noon 

Crafting Community

Sustainable arts and crafts afternoon at the library. Bring your own projects to work on or use our recycled materials to start something new. Plant- and nature-themed projects each week include origami bonsai, DIY bookbinding, collage bookmarks, comics, zines, pressed flowers and more! All ages welcome. Parental supervision and assistance for younger children is highly encouraged as some projects include the use of tools such as scissors and sewing needles.

• No fee and no registration required
• Space is limited
• Free admission to the library; admission to the Gardens is separate

Sundays, 1-3 p.m.

Children & Family Programs

Nature Tales Family Story Time

Bring your budding naturalists to Nature Tales Family Story Time and discover the wonders of nature with your child. Together, we will explore books that tell the stories of the natural world, of the garden and of our own backyard. Stick around afterward to check out our adventure packs or pick out some books to read at home.

• Best for ages infant through 8; all ages welcome
• No fee and no registration required
• Space is limited
• Free admission to the library; admission to the Gardens is separate

Saturdays, through Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 3 – Curious gardeners are invited to hear Hannah Craft read "The Curious Garden" and lead a crafting session

The Helen Fowler Library takes part in #ColorOurCollections, a week-long coloring fest on social media, generally occurring the first full week of February, alongside libraries, archives and other cultural institutions around the world. Using materials from our collections, we are sharing free coloring content with the hashtag #ColorOurCollections and inviting followers to color along and get creative with our collections. #ColorOurCollections was launched by The New York Academy of Medicine Library in 2016.

Break open the colored pencils or crayons and enjoy the soothing exercise of coloring our past submissions for Color Our Collections. You can print five botanical illustration coloring pages.

2022 coloring sheet

2021 coloring sheet

2020 coloring sheet (también en español)

2019 coloring sheet (también en español)

2018 coloring sheet (también en español)

2017 coloring sheet (también en español)