Book A Librarian
Please call 203-574-8225 to schedule an appointment,
or visit our Book A Librarian page.

Whether you need help with a resume, want some help looking up information, or want some help learning to use some of the library's resources, you can now "book a librarian" to help you one-on-one for up to one hour.

Schedule your appointment by calling 203-574-8225 or visit our Book A Librarian page.

One-on-One Computer Help
Please call 203-574-8225 to schedule an appointment,
or visit our Book A Librarian page.

Afternoon Computer Classes
Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.
Computer Classroom

Need help using computers? Come to one of our classes and learn something new!  

June 3: Mouse & Keyboard Skills

June 10: Internet Browsers

June 17: Staying Safe on the Internet

June 24: Using the Internet for Everyday Tasks, part one

July 8: Using the Internet for Everyday Tasks, part two

July 15: Opening, Closing, Saving, Printing, and Downloading

July 22: MS Word

July 29: Android Phone Basics

August 5: iPhone Basics

August 12: Working in Windows

August 19: Email Basics

August 26: File Explorer

Evening Computer Classes
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Computer Classroom

Join one of our librarians for computer classes covering different topics each time.

June 25: MS Word

July 23: PowerPoint

August 27: Excel

Sisters to Sisters Book Club
Thursday, June 5, 6:00 p.m.
Auditorium

New members welcome. In June, we will be discussing The Search by Nora Roberts. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library.

In July and August, we’ll be taking a break from meeting. In September, we’ll share what we read this summer.

Monthly Meeting of the Friends
Thursday, June 10, 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid: Auditorium & Zoom

Come find out how you can volunteer with the friends and help support the library.

To join our meetings via Zoom, please click here to register.

Pride Art Crawl
Wednesday, June 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Front Lobby

Discover great art throughout downtown Waterbury! This year’s Pride Month Art Crawl will start at the Palace Theater, then head over to the YMCA and the Silas Bronson Library. The Art Crawl ends with refreshments and more art at Cuppa Tea at Grand Street. Sponsored by Greater Waterbury LGBTQIA+ Pride.

Pride Film Fest: Will & Harper
Thursday, June 12, 5:45 - 7:45 p.m.
Auditorium

Celebrate Pride Month with a two-part film fest focusing on the trans experience. On June 12, Lynn Discenza from Stonewall Speakers will present a screening and discussion of Will & Harper, a documentary about Will Ferrell and his friend Harper Steele, a trans woman.

Sponsored by Greater Waterbury LBGTQIA+ Pride and Stonewall Speakers, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating hate and promoting understanding.

Summer Beaded Jewelry Club
Friday, June 13, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Come join our informal beading group. Make something new to wear this summer or give as a gift, or bring an item to repair and wear. All supplies will be provided.

Exercise Your Mind
Monday, June 16, 2:30 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Stimulate your brain with games, puzzles, and conversation! Bring a friend or meet new friends.

How to Read Food Labels
Tuesday, June 17, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Estevan Miranda, Onsite Health Coach for the City of Waterbury, will teach you how to understand the labels on your groceries. Snacks will be provided.

Pride Film Fest: Unfightable
Tuesday, June 24, 5:45 - 7:45 p.m.
Auditorium

Celebrate Pride Month with a two-part film fest focusing on the trans experience. On June 24, Karleigh Chardonnay Webb, a journalist and athlete, will moderate a screening and discussion of Unfightable, a documentary about trans MMA athlete Alana McLaughlin. 

Sponsored by Greater Waterbury LBGTQIA+ Pride and Stonewall Speakers, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating hate and promoting understanding.

Bilingual Domino
Wednesday, June 25, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Play domino in English and Spanish. Meet new friends and have fun! We will provide domino and snacks.

BRASS Book Club
Thursday, June 26, 12:30 p.m.
Zoom

In May, we will be discussing Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library.

For seniors 60+

Advance registration is required for this Zoom program. Click here to register.

Waterbury Writers
Thursday, June 26, 6:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Writers of all experience levels are invited to share their WIPs, brainstorm ideas, have fun with writing prompts, or simply connect with other writers.

My Town, My Story
Friday, June 27, 11:00 a.m.
Computer Classroom

Find out how My Town, My Story can help you preserve and share your favorite memories, then learn how Shakesperience Productions can help you present them as a monologue or scene. Final products may include video recordings accessible through the library and scenes for students to perform in future years.

Coloring & Conversation Club
Friday, June 27, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium

Meet and chat during our Coloring and Conversation Club. Whether you are looking to relax and de-stress, practice your English conversation skills, or meet new people, you are welcome to join us! Coloring pages and supplies will be provided.

Tiny Art Painting Project
Friday, July 11, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Drop in and paint a 4”x4” painting, or pick up a kit to take home between July 14 and August 22 (or while supplies last). Bring your finished artwork to the library by August 29 for a special exhibit in September! Quantities are limited. One kit per patron.

Exercise Your Mind
Monday, July 14, 2:30 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Stimulate your brain with games, puzzles, and conversation! Bring a friend or meet new friends.

Mystery Book Club
Thursday, July 15, 1:00 p.m.
Bunker Hill Branch Library

Join us for a discussion every month at the Bunker Hill Branch Library. Copies of the books are available at the main branch library and the branch library.

In July we will be discussing In The Woods by Tana French.

Waterbury Writers
Thursdays, July 17,  6:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Writers of all experience levels are invited to share their WIPs, brainstorm ideas, have fun with writing prompts, or simply connect with other writers.

My Town, My Story
Friday, July 18, 11:00 a.m.
Computer Classroom

Find out how My Town, My Story can help you preserve and share your favorite memories, then learn how Shakesperience Productions can help you present them as a monologue or scene. Final products may include video recordings accessible through the library and scenes for students to perform in future years.

Summer Beaded Jewelry Club
Friday, July 18, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Come join our informal beading group. Make some-thing new to wear this summer or give as a gift, or bring an item to repair and wear. Supplies provided.

Fieldwork Archive
Tuesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.
Main Reading Room

The Derek Piotr Fieldwork Archive was established in 2022 and contains over one thousand folklife audio recordings: ballads, hymns, tales, poems, songs, and interviews. Piotr will join us to talk about his journeys from the United Kingdom to Appalachia to collect recordings and develop the archive.

Monthly Meeting of the Friends
Tuesday, July 22, 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid: Mezzanine Conference Room & Zoom

Come find out how you can volunteer with the friends and help support the library.

To join our meetings via Zoom, please click here to register.

Bilingual Domino
Wednesday July 23, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Play domino in English and Spanish. Meet new friends and have fun! We will provide dominoes and snacks.

BRASS Book Club
Thursday, July 24, 12:30 p.m.
Zoom

In May, we will be discussing Eleni by Nicholas Gage. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library.

For seniors 60+

Painting with Maritza
Thursday, July 24, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium

Maritza Chacón will help you learn to paint in this workshop. Maritza is an accomplished visual artist who uses oil, acrylic, chalk pastel, graphite, and experimental watercolor. Supplies and snacks will be provided. 

Coloring & Conversation
Fridays July 25, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium

Meet and chat during our Coloring and Conversation Club. Whether you are looking to relax and de-stress, practice your English conversation skills, or meet new people, you are welcome to join us! Coloring pages and supplies will be provided.

Secrets of the Palace Theater
Tuesday, July 29, 6:00 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Learn about the rich history and beauty of Waterbury’s Palace Theater from Meg Luddy, Tour Coordinator, and Sheree Marcucci, Director of Special Projects and Curated Programs. They’ll take you on a virtual tour through the historic stages of the Palace from its inception, its heyday, its “seen better” days, and its 21st century renovation.

PHILIP V. BENEVENTO CULTURAL PROGRAM FOR ADULTS

Rebellious Rhythm: Exploring Puerto Rican History through Reggaetón
Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, 5:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Auditorium

Reggaetón music can be heard all over Connecticut, but what can it tell us about Puerto Rican culture and history? Discover the rich history of Reggaetón in Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican diaspora in Connecticut with this three-part workshop, which will combine historical lectures, interactive activities, listening sessions, and community dialogues. Each session will be led by Nina Vazquez, a public historian and educator who was quoted in a 2023 Rolling Stone magazine article about Bad Bunny’s ‘X100PRE’.

July 7: El Grito de Lares (1868) to the Ponce Massacre (1937)
An introduction to Puerto Rico’s early independence struggles and the island’s colonial transition from Spain to U.S. governance, highlighting the birth of resistance movements and political repression.

July 14: The Criminalization of Puerto Ricans, 1940s-2000s
This session explores the systemic criminalization of Puerto Rican people on the island and in the diaspora, examining government surveillance, eugenics, cultural suppression, and the vilification of reggaetón.

July 21: Reggaetón as a Political Tool, 2010-present
This final session examines how reggaetón has evolved into a powerful medium for social commentary and political protest, particularly in response to natural disasters, colonial austerity measures, and anti-government uprisings.

Space is limited. Please pre-register by clicking one of the registration links below or call 203-574-8225.

If you plan to attend all three days click here to register. If not, you can register for specific days below:

July 7: El Grito de Lares (1868) to the Ponce Massacre (1937).

July 14: The Criminalization of Puerto Ricans, 1940s-2000s.

July 21: Reggaetón as a Political Tool, 2010-present.

The Philip V. Benevento Fund for Cultural Programs for Adults at the Silas Bronson Library was established in 2016 in honor of Waterbury’s City Historian and former Silas Bronson Library Board member Philip V. Benevento. The fund continues to grow through individual donations made to the Friends of the Silas Bronson Library. 

Meet The Author: J. L. Polanco
Thursday, August 7, 6:30 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Local author and Nuyorican J.L. Polanco has self-published two romance novels, Love Me Again and How to Survive Your Retail Job During the Holidays. She will have copies of her books available for purchase and signing.

Tiny Art Painting Project
Friday, August 8, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Drop in and paint a 4”x4” painting, or pick up a kit to take home between July 14 and August 22 (or while supplies last). Bring your finished artwork to the library by August 29 for a special exhibit in September! Quan-tities are limited. One kit per patron.

Waterbury Writers
Thursday, August 14, 6:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Writers of all experience levels are invited to share their WIPs, brainstorm ideas, have fun with writing prompts, or simply connect with other writers.

My Town, My Story
Friday, August 15, 11:00 a.m.
Computer Classroom

Find out how My Town, My Story can help you preserve and share your favorite memories, then learn how Shakesperience Productions can help you present them as a monologue or scene. Final products may include video recordings accessible through the library and scenes for students to perform in future years. 

Summer Beaded Jewelry Club
Friday, August 15, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Come join our informal beading group. Make some-thing new to wear this summer or give as a gift, or bring an item to repair and wear. Supplies provided.

Exercise Your Mind
Monday, August 18, 2:30 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Stimulate your brain with games, puzzles, and conversation! Bring a friend or meet new friends. 

Bilingual Domino
Wednesday, August 20, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Play domino in English and Spanish. Meet new friends and have fun! We will provide dominoes and snacks.

BRASS Book Club
Thursday, August 28, 12:30 p.m.
Zoom

In May, we will be discussing The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library.

For seniors 60+

Coloring & Conversations
Friday, August 29, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium

Meet and chat during our Coloring and Conversation Club. Whether you are looking to relax and de-stress, practice your English conversation skills, or meet new people, you are welcome to join us! Coloring pages and supplies will be provided.