NORWICH — The Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich, has free activities planned for all ages this July.

Adults can master improv skills at the weekly improv group for beginners held on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room.

The group is led by community member, professional songwriter, and actor Gil Polk. Participants will play a variety if improv games to teach them techniques and get them comfortable with improv.

"There are games that are geared to get you to just stay stuff off the top of your head, but it's all based on partnership. So it’s all based on listening to each other and so it becomes easy that way because improv asks you not to think ahead, to just sort of work in the moment," Polk explained. "All the games are based on that, to free up our minds from thinking we have to get it right."

He said improv can help individuals in a variety of ways, such as improving quick thinking, communication skills, self confidence, and even helping them to overcome social anxiety.

The LGBTQ+ Support Group will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7 and at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 in the Meeting Room. The club is a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies of all ages to meet, play games, and hang out.

"I have three different pages of question prompts that people can go off of if they want to be able to start talking with other people of certain identities or get to know the people they're sitting with," explained LGBTQ+ Support Group Coordinator Evander Caron. "We also have card games and board games that people can play so they don't have to just sit and talk to people, they could just sit in the welcoming environment."

Adults can also get active at Dancing for Wellness, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 23 in the Meeting Room. The classes teach a variety of ballroom dancing styles from various cultures, with an emphasis on Latin dancing styles.

Individuals who attend the classes should bring water bottles and wear comfortable clothing and either ballet or dance shoes. Open-toed sandals and sneakers will not be allowed, as they increase the risk of falls and injury while dancing.

The Guernsey Sewing Club will be meeting at 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 in the Meeting Room. This is an open-sew group for individuals to work on projects, share tips and resources, and learn from each other. Attendees must bring their own machines and supplies.

There will also be opportunities for adults to express their creative side this summer. On Monday, July 14, adults can learn how to make twig dragonflies at 6 p.m., or learn to make wind chimes at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.

Individuals can also attend the Guernsey Artists meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 in the meeting room, which teaches drawing techniques for all skill levels.

Other adult programs in the month of July include the Guernsey Book Lovers meeting at 5 p.m. on July 16, a Learn Mahjong group at 6 p.m. on July 9 and 23, line dancing at 6 p.m. on July 24, and the Our Voices Mater Book Club meeting at 5 p.m. on July 29.

There is also plenty for kids to do at the Guernsey Library throughout July. Each week, Story Hour will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Children's Area.

Guernsey will also be hosting Movies Under the Stars again this year at dusk in the library park. Movies in July will include "Wild Robot" on July 2, "The Day the Earth Blew Up" on July 9, "Transformers One" on July 16, "The Legend of Ochi" on July 23, and "Inside Out 2" on July 30.

"We have a giant blow-up screen that we put on the little back patio of the library, and then we have a projector," said Guernsey Memorial Library Director Connie Dalrymple. "Everybody sits out on the little berm right there, and we have popcorn on the side."

Kids can also enjoy a visit from the Bubbleman at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 in the Meeting Room, a LEGO and Duplo Club on Mondays at 6 p.m. in the Children's Area, Children's Art Lab at 11 a.m. on Fridays in the Children's Area, and a kinetic sand learn and play activity at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 12.

A full schedule of July events can be found at GuernseyMemorialLibrary.org or on the Guernsey Memorial Library Facebook page.