“Chris Picks” November: Veterans & Native Americans as protagonists

Here are this month’s great recommendations from staff member Christopher Jennings Penders! Click on a title to place a hold. To find previous Chris Picks just click on the “what to read” link at the bottom of this page or type “Chris Picks” into the search bar on our home page.

To celebrate both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving this month my picks will feature Veterans and Native Americans in primary roles. Each of the first three authors has multiple books in their respective series and I have listed the first two books under each author.

Native American Fiction

Thomas Perry
Jane Whitefield Series (Nine in the series)
Vanishing Act
Dance for the Dead

Margaret Coel
Wind River Reservation Series (Twenty in series)
The Eagle Catcher
The Ghost Walker

W. Michael & Kathleen O’Neal Gear
North America’s Forgotten Past (Twenty-seven in the series)
People of the Wolf
People of the Fire

US Veterans Fiction & Non-Fiction

Stephen Crane
The Red Badge of Courage

Tim O’Brien
The Things They Carried
In the Lake of the Woods

Stephen Ambrose
Citizen Soldiers

Sensory backpacks now available!

The newest addition to our popular Library of Things is a set of sensory backpacks
for use at the Library or at home. These backpacks include weighted lap pads,
fidget tools, balance cushions, ear protectors, and sunglasses. These tools will enable library users of
all ages to self-soothe and stimulate in order to regulate their sensory experiences
within the library, or any other environments they find challenging.

Libraries have long dedicated themselves as places where all people should feel
welcome. Developing these sensory backpacks is one more step towards ensuring
that all Madison residents and Scranton Library users feel a sense of ownership
and belonging to this space.

For Adult/Teen backpacks, please see the Library of Things display next to the
Borrowing Desk. For children’s backpacks, please stop by the Children’s
Department Info Desk. Thank you to the Pardee Youth Fund for making this
project possible!

Meet Albert

The Meeting Owl Pro is our premium 360-degree camera, mic, and speaker combined into one easy-to-use device. It creates the experience of in-person participation for hybrid meetings and integrates seamlessly with the conferencing platforms you already use- like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.

If you’re interested, watch a demo:

Use Albert in our Johnson Community Room to make your next hybrid event a great experience for everyone!

Scranton Library COVID-19 Updates

In accordance with recently updated CDC mask guidance, the Scranton Library will be changing our mask policy to “recommended” beginning Tuesday, March 1st, 2022.

We will continue to provide free disposable masks near our main entrances. Masks may be required in specific meetings or programs and may be required again in the future, depending on CDC guidance and local infection rates.


As of Aug. 9th masks are required for all (age 2 and up) while in the library, regardless of vaccination status.

New Haven County is currently an area of high community transmission according to the CDC and masks are required for all at the Library and at all Madison town facilities.


As of Monday, July 26th masks are encouraged for all while inside the Scranton Library. Masks are required for library users over the age of 2 who are unvaccinated. Masks are also required for all when in the Children’s Library.


We’re very happy to announce that starting May 19th both Library entrances will be open and all seating areas will be available! Now that the Governor has lifted sector guidelines, we look forward to getting other library services back to normal in the coming weeks including self-service copying and faxing, online same-day reservations for study rooms, and more.

In an effort to continue providing a comfortable and safe environment for everyone in our community face masks will still be required for all Library visitors and staff.

Due to the large number of young children who visit the Library daily and are not eligible for vaccination at this time, wearing face masks is still the best way to protect our community. Thank you for helping us make the Library a safe place for all. 

The Governor has made it clear that businesses, including libraries, may continue to require masking even after the State mandate is lifted. Free, disposable masks are available at the library in both adult and child sizes. 


Starting on Monday, May 10th our public restrooms will be open, seating will be greatly expanded, and our hours will begin to go back to normal. Please note that masking and adherence to our health and safety guidelines will still be required. Please note that children too young to wear a mask must stay in a stroller or carrier.

Our new hours will be:

  • Monday – 9:30am to 5pm
  • Tuesday – 9:30am to 5pm
  • Wednesday – 9:30am to 8pm
  • Thursday – 9:30am to 8pm
  • Friday – 9:30am to 5pm
  • Saturday – contactless hold pick up (please call in advance) and computer use by appointment – 9:30am to 1pm

Reservation for our tented stone patio will also be available beginning May 10th. Updated information will be available on our Room Reservations page.

We look forward to further expansion of services and open hours at the end of May when sector guidelines are expected to change and again in July when our new budget takes effect. Click here to sign up for Library news, so you never miss an announcement!

Please note: In order to offer expanded open hours our Take-Out room will be closing. Please call (203)245-7365 if you are in need of medical accommodation.


The Library will resume walk-in services beginning Monday, March 1st. Please click here to review our health and safety guidelines before you come to the Library. We can’t wait to see you!

Walk-in Hours:

  • Monday & Tuesday 10-12pm & 2-4pm
  • Wednesday & Thursday 10-12pm, 2-4pm & 5-7pm
  • Friday 10-12pm & 2-4pm
  • Saturday – computer appointments only at 10am

We look forward to expanding our hours and services in the coming months. Click here to sign up for Library news, so you never miss an announcement!

Contactless pick-up via our “Take Out Room” and virtual programming will continue at this time. Click here for our full events calendar.


In light of the rising infection rate and recent news that a more contagious COVID-19 variant has been found in New Haven County, the Library will be temporarily closed for walk-in services effective Monday, January 11th. This decision was made in consultation with our local Health Director for the health and safety of our library users and staff, and to ensure that we will not contribute to community transmission.

The Library will continue to offer Take Out & Delivery services, virtual programming, free downloadable books and movies, and phone assistance during all Take-Out hours. Additionally, we are now offering Chromebooks for checkout. Free WiFi is available in all of our garden, patio, and parking lot areas. Wireless printing services are also available. Just follow the instructions on our website, then call us at (203) 245-7365 to arrange for contactless pick-up.

For those of you who will miss browsing our collection, we hope you’ll go to our website to see the rotating display of available new books, including selections for young readers on our Children’s and Teen pages. We’re also happy to make book recommendations over the phone and curate book bundles specific to your reading preferences.

For time-sensitive requests that cannot be met through our contactless services, limited appointments will be available at the discretion of Library staff.

We will continue monitoring this situation carefully and look forward to reopening again as soon as safely possible. Until then, take care and stay safe.


As of Monday, November 2nd no appointments will be necessary for browsing, check-out, computer, and study room use Monday – Friday. Computer appointments are available on Saturday mornings.

Our public access hours will also be expanded. Our new hours will be:

Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 10-12pm and 2-4pm

Wednesday and Thursday 2-4pm and 5-7pm

Saturdays, computer appointments only

Our health and safety guidelines have not changed. Please read our full guidelines before you come to the Library.

More information about actions we’ve taken to protect our community, our timeline for reopening, and the status of other libraries in CT is available here.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available here.


Starting Wednesday, September 16th the library will be open by appointment.


August 31st update regarding library operations: Click Here


Hold pick-up services are now available! Details on our new “Take out & Delivery” services can be found here.


June 17th update regarding library reopening plans: Click Here


We at the Scranton Library want you to know that we take the health and well-being of our staff and patrons seriously. For that reason, the Scranton Library will be closed to the public effective Monday, March 16thOur book drop is closed but be assured that no late fees will be charged while the library is closed. All of our programs have also been suspended.

While the library is closed we invite you to explore everything we offer on our website. You can download e-books, audiobooks, and magazines on Overdrive, and stream movies on Kanopy.

We know a lot of people in our community have questions about the coronavirus, and as librarians, it’s our job to find you reliable answers. Here we have compiled some essential information to help you make informed decisions about your health.

What is COVID-19, or novel coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus is a flu-like respiratory illness. While there are many types of human coronaviruses, COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

Trusted information sources:

The Madison Health Department has a page with information about the outbreak that contains many helpful tips and links to further information.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has set up a website — accessible in English and Spanish — with a range of information about the current risk to the public, symptoms to watch for, prevention, testing, and advice for schools, communities, and businesses.

What can you do now to stay healthy?

To help slow the spread of this virus, people are being asked to:

  • Wash your hands frequently. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.