Definitely one of the nicer libraries I've been to. There is even a seed library in there. On the…read moreleft side when you first walk in, there is a children, teen, and middle school section. On the right side, that's the adult section and there was a seating area and fireplace. The librarian and staff were friendly. The parking lot had plenty of spaces and even an electric vehicle charger. In the children's area, there were computers, train table, blocks, play kitchen, and magnetic tiles. The library was very clean and organized. There are plenty of events, activities, and services; check out their website for updates. Overall, one of my favorite libraries I've been to so far.

This library is set far back from the chaos that is route 4. Inside it's very scholarly but fun!…read moreHow else do you explain study carrols with bright green chairs? There are many sections to sit and read quietly, a self service check out, and an electric car charging station outside. It is next to several sport related fields. They also have a lovely Friends of the Library association who do book sales and (if memory serves) a cookie walk.

Little Free Library is an organization based in Minnesota. LFLs are small public bookcases…read morethroughout the community with free books. The first one was built in 2009. There are approximately 150,000 in 115 countries. The goal is to take a book and donate a book. This forms community, expand access to books, and inspire readers. Ever since I start noticing these cute little libraries, I fell in love with them. They are such a great idea. I love books, reading, and the library, so something like this is inspiring and thoughtful. This LFL is located in Mills Pond Park in Canton, CT. It's right near the playground and picnic pavilion. The box is fairly new, installed in the summer of 2024. This was the work of Canton Public Library and Canton Parks and Recreation. The box is tan and green with a plaque on it stating the charter number, name, and the sponsor. "Books are uniquely portable magic." I concur.

This review is specifically for the kids section on the second floor. I've read reviews that they…read morehad a huge section designated for kids, so I had to check it out. Once you walk in from the parking lot, take an immediate right up the stairs (I don't know if there is an elevator). This floor was huge! Biggest kid section I've seen. The Teens room had their own room. There were multiple study rooms which is pretty awesome, I haven't seen those in the libraries I've been to in the past. There's an art studio as well. The kids/preschool section was nicely decorated. The books were organized and they seem to have a huge collection of childrens books. My toddler loved the play kitchen; there's a puppet section under the tree, a play boat with fishing toys, blocks, chess table, computers, and magnetic blocks. We spent over an hour there and it's a great place to take the kids. I see that they have many events planned that's posted on their bulletin board. I will be back for sure!

The Avon library is a beautiful facility. The staff who work there are so welcoming & could not be…read moremore helpful! What an awesome service to have on the community!

"A woman that I know just came from Majorca, Spain She…read moresmiled because I did not understand Then she held out a ten-pound bag of cocaine She said it was the finest in the land" (Ringo Starr) When it was built in 1865, the Connecticut Commissioner of Education, called it the "finest school in the state." Today, that "Finest school in the state" serves as a museum preserving its heritage as a one-room schoolhouse that was built nearly 160 years ago! The school's first teacher was named Miss Francis, and her salary was $96 for four months of teaching duties. For 84 years, students of all ages from nearby towns were taught here, some walking several miles to get their education. Since the school was closed in 1949, the building served as a library, nursery school, meeting place for Explorer Scouts, and rehearsal space for a church choir. The building was restored in 1975 for the U.S. Bicentennial. When we visited today, we saw the schoolhouse was furnished the way it would have looked back in the day, with bolted desks (c. 1865), hand slates (c. 1900), textbooks (19th - 20th c.), and more artifacts including some very primitive baseball bats. Two very cool things I want to share with you. When you walk in, an old school bell ding dongs to announce your arrival. And behind the schoolhouse is a restored "Two Holer" of an outhouse. Thanks to a grant from Connecticut Humanities, the Schoolhouse will open for the Tourism Season Sundays through September from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Public libraries are supposed to be a hub for sharing words, music, and culture. It is not supposed…read moreto be about banning words, music, and culture! Musician Pamela Means was supposed to have a concert on March 28, 2026, at the Beekley Library. Before the concert, Pamela was sent an email, which was apparently written by the library board president to not play "certain songs" (see second screenshot) in order to not offend certain Republican board members. Pamela's response is in the third screenshot. Libraries are supposed to be about supporting culture, not banning it! Do not support this library.

In 1906, New Hartford's Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library was founded. The building it's in…read morenow, opened in 1996. The building is really pretty and reminded me of a house. Inside was pristine and had its own unique look to it. The librarians were helpful and friendly. It's been a goal of mine to visit as many libraries as possible. Since CT is currently doing the Passport to Libraries event, it's been a great incentive to visit as many libraries as possible. There were plenty of parking and it wasn't busy on a weekday. We explored the children's room because at every library, that's where we tend to stay the longest. There were plenty of toys, train set, tool set, books, stuffed animals, and an art table. If you've got kids, I highly recommend it. Every Thursday, they have storytime at 11 am for children ages 0-3. The library is a great resource; there are many programs, events, and random things you can borrow besides books. Overall, an organized library with many perks and we shall be back!

This Barnes & Noble book store is a pretty massive one in Canton. You can enter from the front or…read morethe rear of the store, depending on which way you're coming from. If you're looking for brand new released reading material this is the place to find it. Everything is categorized into fiction, biography, history, romance, cookbooks and more. As long as you know the author, it shouldn't be a problem finding what you're looking for. There are resourceful books for a variety tests or exams one might be taking. At the rear of the store there are records and CDs. This is also where the children's books, toys and games are. There are certain times dedicated to story time for little kids. Should you need a coffee break, there's no need to go far. Starbucks is right here in house. They also have a sale section, usually those are activity books or similar. Be prepared to pay the manufacturer's price for most items.

This a good-sized and clean Barnes and Noble with a pretty good stock of books in all categories…read moreand some magazines as well. There's also a Starbucks inside if that matters to you. It does, however, provide some extra seating which is always a good thing in a book store. That said, we wandered around for quite a while, checking out the history and cooking sections -- everything is pretty clearly organized -- and came away pleased. There's a special section for kids, for tech stuff and for just about any special interest you might have. They have lots of space devoted to gifts, which has never been our favorite part of a book store (let's use that space for MORE books!). There's an information area in the center of the store, and the employees there are pretty good at helping others find items. In all, a nice store, nicely arranged and worth spending some time in, as we certainly did. It is, we believe, the largest book store in this part of Connecticut.

A memorial statue of Amy E. Toyen who tragically lost her life, amongst others on 9/11. She was…read morethere for a technology conference and she was only 24. This statue was based on a picture of her as a young child; it is located in the parking lot of the Avon Free Public Library. A flag pole is also nearby. I think this is a great statue to honor those who've fallen during this horrible event. May Amy's and all the others memories live on.

Avon's 9/11 memorial is located on a grassy area in front of the main entrance of the library. The…read morememorial is a 22" bronze statue of a young girl sitting on a granite bench, holding a teddy bear and reading a book. The statue was modeled after a photograph chosen by the family of Amy Toyen, a 1999 graduate of Avon High School, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. A plaque on the bench is inscribed: Presented by the 2001-2002 Avon High School Student Government and the Avon community in memory of Amy E. Toyen, age 24 and all the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America. The residents of Avon leave flowers on the bench on Amy's birthday and every September 11th.