Recurring Events

Join in

A row of playing cards with various suits, overlaid by the word 'BRIDGE' in large red letters.

Low-key Bridge

Second Monday of the Month
7 – 8:30 pm

A relaxed evening of bridge for players of all experience levels—from seasoned players to complete beginners. Come to play, learn, or simply enjoy the company.

Flyer for Friday Night Jazz event at the Institute Library, happening on Fridays from 5:15 to 7:00 pm.

Friday Night Jazz

Fridays
5:15 pm

A weekly gathering devoted to the great American art form of jazz. Hosted in the Library’s third-floor Music Room, Friday Night TurntableJazz explores selections from the Institute Library’s remarkable LP collection through listening, conversation, and shared appreciation.

Bring your favorite beverage and snack to enjoy during the evening. Schedule updates, including weather-related cancellations, are shared through the Friday Night Jazz email list. Contact us if you’d like to be added.

A suggested donation of $5 helps support the program.

Listen here!
Classic Short Stories Read Live

Check our calendar for upcoming dates

Join us for live readings of classic short stories, selected by the editors of New Haven Review and performed by actors from the New Haven Theater Company. Each reading is followed by a lively conversation with the actors and a moderator from New Haven Review.

Timeless stories, local performers, thoughtful discussion—and yes, freshly baked cookies.

Black and white portrait of a man with a mustache, with a speech bubble saying 'Listen Here.'
A wooden dining table with several vinyl records and magazines, orange chairs around it, and a record player with speakers in the background, in a cozy room.

Listening Room
Vintage Vinyl Collection

Enjoy whenever we’re open

The Listening Room is home to more than 4,000 vinyl records—a generous gift to the Institute Library.

Located on the second floor behind the Gallery Upstairs, it’s a cozy retreat where members can listen to records, read, work on a laptop, or gather in small groups. The room offers a quiet place to relax with Wi-Fi available throughout.

former Events

Black and white illustration of various sewing and tailoring tools, including scissors, thimbles, thread spools, sewing machines, dress form, pins, buttons, and other sewing accessories.

Sew Sew Social

Community Sewing Circle—Currently on hiatus.

Sew Sew Social brought together knitters, crocheters, quilters, embroiderers, menders, and makers for relaxed evenings of creativity and conversation.

We hope to bring the program back soon. If you’d like to share feedback or express your interest, please email Eva Geertz, Operations Manager, and include “Sew Sew Social” in the subject line.

We long for a few new EVENTS here…

Poetry Institute

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Story Sharing Group

Now hosted elsewhere at the Sandbox on Audubon Street, in the Arts Council offices.

Amateur Hour

Curiosity Takes the Stage

Created by Joshua Foer and Jack Hitt, Amateur Hour celebrated the passions of extraordinary amateurs, collectors, tinkerers, and enthusiasts. Through lively presentations and conversations, the series explored the remarkable pursuits of people driven by curiosity rather than profession.

Books organized on a library shelf, labeled with a handwritten sign that says 'Drama' and other books on different topics.

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