Library Closed: New Year’s Day

Library Closed: New Year’s Day

The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Language Conversation Group: Japanese

The Westport Library's Japanese conversation group is available in a hybrid format, both in person and via Zoom. Meetings are held each Friday from 10 to 11 am in Room 216 on the Library's Upper Level and simultaneously online. This is a conversation group rather than a......More

The Westport Library's Japanese conversation group is available in a hybrid format, both in person and via Zoom. Meetings are held each Friday from 10 to 11 am in Room 216 on the Library's Upper Level and simultaneously online. This is a conversation group rather than a language class — there are no textbooks, homework, or formal lessons. Participants engage in unscripted discussions in Japanese for one hour on a variety of topics. The group welcomes anyone interested in Japanese conversation however, a strong level of listening comprehension is recommended for a more enriching experience. This meeting is not suited for complete beginners. First-time participants are encouraged to attend in person to familiarize themselves with the format. The moderator, a native Japanese speaker, provides occasional guidance to facilitate effective communication in a supportive and welcoming environment. Before attending for the first time, please contact Hiroshi Asada at [email protected] for the latest details. Learn a Language Foreign Language Library Collections A to Z World Culture

Other, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Language Conversation Group: French

This conversation group is for advanced French speakers who have proficiency in speaking French. There is a beginner/intermediate group that meets on Wednesdays. In order for all participants in the Library’s language groups to have the opportunity to meaningfully use t......More

This conversation group is for advanced French speakers who have proficiency in speaking French. There is a beginner/intermediate group that meets on Wednesdays. In order for all participants in the Library’s language groups to have the opportunity to meaningfully use their language skills, we limit the size of the groups. The Advanced French group is currently full. Please check back because we will update this information when space opens up. The group will meet every Friday from 11 am-12 pm in room 210. Contact Joan McAteer at [email protected] for more information.   Learn a Language Foreign Language Library Collections A to Z World Culture

Room 210, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Itty Bittys

Saturdays, 10:00-10:30 am Komansky Room October 11-February 28 No programs  December 6, 20 and 27. For ages birth to five with an adult. Start off your Saturday with lots of movement, songs, and a story. Bring the whole family! No registration is required, though space ......More

Saturdays, 10:00-10:30 am Komansky Room October 11-February 28 No programs  December 6, 20 and 27. For ages birth to five with an adult. Start off your Saturday with lots of movement, songs, and a story. Bring the whole family! No registration is required, though space is limited.     The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!

Komansky Room, The Westport Library

2026 Youth Poetry Contest

Poetry Contest DetailsStudents in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in The Westport Garden Club's 2026 Youth Poetry Contest, presented in partnership with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, Westport Poet Laureate Donna Disch, and The Westport L......More

Poetry Contest DetailsStudents in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in The Westport Garden Club's 2026 Youth Poetry Contest, presented in partnership with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, Westport Poet Laureate Donna Disch, and The Westport Library. The contest is affiliated with the National Garden Club’s Youth Poetry Contest and enables youth to embrace their creativity through the art of writing. The theme for the 2026 competition is: "Plant America for the next 100 years." All entries should be submitted via email to [email protected]. The deadline for this contest is Monday, January 5, 2026. Poems selected by a jury committee will be submitted to the regional organization, New England Garden Clubs.  The region's final selections will then be submitted for National Garden Club Awards where winning entries will be compiled into an e-book and made available to the winners. Students are also invited to join us for a National Poetry Month celebration featuring the finalists from the competition on Sunday, April 19, at 2 pm. The young poets will read their work along with Westport's Poet Laureate, Donna Disch, who will lead a workshop where participants will write their own poems. Click here to read the winning entries of the 2025 Youth Poetry Contest. Who Can EnterStudents in kindergarten through ninth gradeThis includes public and private schools, home-schooled students, special education, English as a Second Language, and general education students.Westport youth in grades K-12 compete by grade level in one of three categories: General EducationSpecial EducationEnglish for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)Guidelines for EntriesAll entries must be typed and titled.Include the participant's name, address, age, grade, and school on the entry and the preferred email address for correspondence.All entries become the property of National Garden Clubs, Inc.Poems do not have to rhyme.Poems may be traditional verse, acrostics, blank verse, cinquains, diamond poems, limericks, or Haiku.The theme should not be used as the title of any poetry. (When judging, the title is worth 10 points.)Poems should be submitted by email to: [email protected] by January 5, 2026.Scale of PointsTitle: 10%Content: 40%Creativity: 30%Style: 20%About the Westport Garden ClubAffiliated with the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc., The Westport Garden Club was founded in 1924 and consists of members who are united by an interest in gardening, a desire to further their gardening knowledge, participate in civic beautification and to promote conservation and environmental education. For more information, visit westportgardenclub.org. About the Westport Arts Advisory CommitteeThe Westport Arts Advisory Committee is appointed by the First Selectman, WAAC advises on the preservation of Westport’s legacy as an arts community, oversight of the Town Art Collection and ways to increase the visibility of the arts in our community.  The Town of Westport Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for both the town and for the literary form, helping to celebrate and continue the town’s vibrant literary history. The First Selectwoman’s office appoints the Poet Laureate WAAC administers the program. The current Poet Laureate is Donna Disch. For more information, visit westportarts.org.

The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

CRAFTernoon at the Library

Mondays 4:30-5:15 January 5 -February 23 Higgins Room Students in Grades 4-6 Relax for an hour of fun with a variety of craft supplies and a special project each week. Project details listed on library website. This program is designed for children in Grades 4-6 who can......More

Mondays 4:30-5:15 January 5 -February 23 Higgins Room Students in Grades 4-6 Relax for an hour of fun with a variety of craft supplies and a special project each week. Project details listed on library website. This program is designed for children in Grades 4-6 who can work independently. Space and material are limited. Registration recommended, drop-ins are welcome.     The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Donate Now!

Higgins Room, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Rhythm and Rhyme

Mondays, 10:30-11:00 am September 8-February 23 No program December 8, January 19 or February 16 Komansky Room For ages birth to five with an adult.  Join us for lots of movement, songs, nursery rhymes, music, and a story. Ideal for children who can move on their own, ......More

Mondays, 10:30-11:00 am September 8-February 23 No program December 8, January 19 or February 16 Komansky Room For ages birth to five with an adult.  Join us for lots of movement, songs, nursery rhymes, music, and a story. Ideal for children who can move on their own, as well as the little ones who are happy to sit on their caregiver's lap. No registration is required, though space is limited.       The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!

Komansky Room, The Westport Library

Verso University Presents: Mah Jongg for Complete Beginners

Course DatesMondays, January 5, 12 & 26 in Room 212 Please note: The first class on January 5 will be three hours (12-3 pm). The following classes will be two hours (1-3 pm). Additionally, there will NOT be a class on January 19. Course DetailsAre you ready to join the ......More

Course DatesMondays, January 5, 12 & 26 in Room 212 Please note: The first class on January 5 will be three hours (12-3 pm). The following classes will be two hours (1-3 pm). Additionally, there will NOT be a class on January 19. Course DetailsAre you ready to join the Mah Jongg table? Learn the fast-paced, brain-teasing, endlessly social game that’s hooked generations — from college students to grandparents. In this series of beginner-friendly Mah Jongg classes, you’ll master the basics, get hands-on practice, and discover why players can’t stop clicking the tiles. Mah Jongg is easy to learn, hard to forget, and seriously fun. Discover the tiles, the strategy, and the joy of the game! Class size limited to 8 people. Registration fee: $115 Important Information About Verso University ClassesClasses are usually structured as a consecutive series.Class size is often limited.Each series has a one-time fee registration fee covering all classes in the series.Registration is mandatory.The Westport Library wants to ensure that all interested students are able to participate in Verso University courses. If the registration fee is a barrier to entry for you, please contact [email protected] University is the Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative, serving up year-round offerings of classes, workshops, and lectures designed to further education and learning. Offerings run the gamut of educational opportunities, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly. Verso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.

Room 212, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Books & Bites

Come share your reading recommendations on the first Tuesday of each month in the Board Room (Room 210.) Enjoy coffee and tea and light refreshments while we continue to share our top reads for the month. This is a ‘no commitment’ group, so you can simply share your tit......More

Come share your reading recommendations on the first Tuesday of each month in the Board Room (Room 210.) Enjoy coffee and tea and light refreshments while we continue to share our top reads for the month. This is a ‘no commitment’ group, so you can simply share your titles or just come and listen to the recommendations! For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, email Carolyn Zygmont at [email protected]. We hope to see you soon! Books & Bites RecommendationsFiction and Non-Fiction We're Excited AboutWhile You're Waiting...READ Like A Librarian      

The Westport Library Board Room, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Princess Diana's Storytime

Tuesdays, 10:30-11 am January 6 - February 24 Higgins Room For all children under age three with an adult. This fun program is designed to move children forward on the reading readiness continuum. Come meet our fox mascot and enjoy nursery rhymes, songs, and play! We wi......More

Tuesdays, 10:30-11 am January 6 - February 24 Higgins Room For all children under age three with an adult. This fun program is designed to move children forward on the reading readiness continuum. Come meet our fox mascot and enjoy nursery rhymes, songs, and play! We will  share a picture book and have time for reading on your own. No registration required, but space is limited.     The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!  

Higgins Room, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Writing Sprints with Tessa Smith McGovern

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES! The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This ......More

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES! The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication). When?: Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions. Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops. Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College. Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries. Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.   Creative Writing Resources for Writers Short Stories

The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Language Conversation Group: Spanish

The Westport Library's Spanish conversation group meetings are each Tuesday from 2 to 3 pm in The Board Room (Room 210 on the Library's upper level). This is a conversation group rather than a language class — there are no textbooks, homework, or formal lessons. Partici......More

The Westport Library's Spanish conversation group meetings are each Tuesday from 2 to 3 pm in The Board Room (Room 210 on the Library's upper level). This is a conversation group rather than a language class — there are no textbooks, homework, or formal lessons. Participants engage in unscripted discussions in Spanish on a variety of topics. The group welcomes anyone interested in Spanish conversation however, a strong level of listening comprehension is recommended for a more enriching experience. This meeting is not suited for complete beginners. Before attending for the first time, please contact Susan Arnold and Pegeen Rubinstein at [email protected] for the latest details. Learn a Language Foreign Language Library Collections A to Z World Culture

Room 210, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Story Fun with Miss Jessica

Tuesdays, 4:30-5:00 pm December 2 and 9 January 6, 13, 20, 27 February 2, 10, 24 Higgins Room For kindergarteners and first graders Relax with Miss Jessica, a former kindergarten teacher from Greens Farms Elementary School, after a day of school. We'll read stories and ......More

Tuesdays, 4:30-5:00 pm December 2 and 9 January 6, 13, 20, 27 February 2, 10, 24 Higgins Room For kindergarteners and first graders Relax with Miss Jessica, a former kindergarten teacher from Greens Farms Elementary School, after a day of school. We'll read stories and do some fun activities! No registration is required, though space is limited.     The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!

Higgins Room, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States

Buddy Reading

Tuesdays, 5:00 -5:30 December 2 and 9 January 6, 13, 20, 27 February 3, 10, 24 Early and more practiced readers are welcome to join us in the Children's Library to read with a buddy from Staples High School. This is a drop-in program, so time slots will be on a first-co......More

Tuesdays, 5:00 -5:30 December 2 and 9 January 6, 13, 20, 27 February 3, 10, 24 Early and more practiced readers are welcome to join us in the Children's Library to read with a buddy from Staples High School. This is a drop-in program, so time slots will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please remain in the Children's Library while your child is reading with their buddy.   The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Donate Now!

Children's Library, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT, 06880, United States