Thank you for your interest in my library programs! I have been presenting hands-on, interactive library programs for more than 10 years and have presented well over 250 public workshops at libraries and institutions all over the country, both in-person and online. I have been teaching calligraphy for more than 20 years and have students around the globe. Click on any program for details and logistics.
Quick note about block booking. Due to the popularity of calligraphy and the variety of programs I offer, many libraries will book more than one program a day. For example a children’s or teen’s program will be presented on the same day as an adult program. Many libraries are also aware of my programs and happy to coordinate booking on the same day or consecutive days to save on mileage costs and program fees. Coordinating with another local library is a great way to bring calligraphy to your community.
In-Person Programs
Upcoming or recent programs:
2026
Program is the Declaration of Independence unless stated otherwise
Other dates that are already booked:
Sept 3-7, 17, 24, 27; October 2-4, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 3, 10, 17; Dec 1, 8, 15
July 16 6:00 Wellesley MA Library
July 28 3:00 Avon CT Library
July 29 2:30 Milford CT Library
Teens Modern Calligraphy
July 30th Putnam CT Library
10:30 Children’s Cursive Dec of Ind
July 30 CT Museum of Culture and History
Hartford: 3:30 Children’s Fairy Tails Program
Aug 3 Stafford CT
2:00 Children’s; 6:00 Adult
Aug 4 3:00 Essex CT Library
Handwriting Fun Children and Teens
Aug 5 2:00 Fairfield CT Library
Fun with Brush Letters
Aug 6 2:00 Lebanon CT Library
Teens Intro to Calligraphy: Blackletter
Aug 6 6:30 Glastonbury CT Library for Teens
Sept 10 Brookline MA Library
3:30 pm Ocean Tails for children: 6:30 Fun with Brush Letter for adults/teens
Sept 19 11:00 am Ansonia CT Library
Sept 22 5:30 Ellington CT
Children’s Cursive Dec of Ind
Sept 26 Masscribes Calligraphy Guild
40th Anniversary
Keynote speaker
Sept 29 6:00 pm Longmeadow MA Library
Oct 1 6:00 pm New Milford CT Library
Oct 21 6:00 East Longmeadow MA Library
Modern Calligraphy
Oct 25 2:00 Hopkinton MA Library
Nov 4 1:00 pm Somerville MA Library
Graffiti Graphics
Nov 4-7 is available for libraries in the greater Boston MA area
Dec 9 6:00 pm Mattapoisett MA Library
Modern Calligraphy for the Holidays
Dec 9- 12 is available for libraries in southeastern MA
2027
Jan 11 2:00 pm Mashpee MA Library
Fairy Tails
Jan 11-16 is available for libraries in southeastern MA
Apr 22 7:00 pm Wellesley MA Library
Fairy Tails
Apr 19-24 is available for libraries in the greater Boston MA area
UNITED STATES 250: Calligraphy that inspired a nation
A 90-minute journey into handwriting during the time of the American Revolution and a hands-on program where patrons get to use dip nib and ink. Click for Details
Available: In-Person Only.
Graffiti Graphics
A 90-minute exploration on graffiti-style letters and colored pencil techniques. Patrons will create their own graffiti project during the program.
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for Details
Intro to Blackletter Calligraphy
This is a hands-on introduction to broad edge calligraphy. Patrons are given inspiration, handouts, and practice in the 90-minute program.
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for Details
Modern Calligraphy
My most popular library program, Modern Calligraphy introduces a fun, flowing alphabet that can be drawn, or written with a pointed brush or flexible marker. Modern calligraphy is all the rage and seen just about everywhere! With a little guidance, students can learn to write this playful lettering style.
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for Details
Fairy Tails
Fairy Tale letters with Tails! We create a large versal letter and critter with colored pencils. Great for youth and adults-no drawing experience required because letterforms and animal worksheets for tracing are provided! Possible themes: Earth Day, gifting occasions (holiday, Valentine’s, teacher thank, Mother’s/Father’s Day)
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for details
Children's Cursive Program: Write like Thomas Jefferson
This history and cursive program is geared for elementary students and will teach children about cursive. Our inspiration will be the Declaration of Independence. Click for details
Available: In-Person Only
Art of the Book
A combination of presentation and hands-on activity, Debby will share numerous book projects she has made over her career and then lead particpants in making their own folded books. Click for Details
Available: In-Person
Intro to Irish Calligraphy
This is a hands-on introduction to broad edge calligraphy. Patrons are given inspiration, handouts, and practice in the 90-minute program.
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for Details
Handwriting Fun
A playful approach to lettering that is perfect for cards, journals, drawings. Participants are taken through a series of steps to encourage experimentation with letters and colors.
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for Details
Fun with Brush Letters
The Modern Calligraphy program was so well-received as a library program, I have created a follow-up program that will work for both those who attended the original program or are new to the concept. This is especially helpful for a younger audience that does not have as much experience with cursive.
Available Online or In-person. Click for Details
Ocean Tails
Patrons will create an ocean-inspired artwork. Scribes for centuries have combined letterforms with artwork and we will learn about that tradition and create our own watery masterpiece.
Available: On-line or in-person. Click for Details
Coral Reef: Ocean Doodle Fun
Participants will learn about Sylvia Earle, the female Jacques Cousteau and the rich tradition of doodles in calligraphy and illumination. We will have a fun and relaxing time doodling our very own coral reef canyon.
Available: On-line or in-person
Click for Details
Doodle Art
Starry Night
Calligraphers use patterns a great deal in the art of illumination. In the doodle programs, we focus on patterns and create an artwork full of texture. Relaxing, can’t-screw-it-up art program. Can be done black or white or with watercolor.
Available: Online or In-Person. Click for details
Following is a partial list of Libraries or Institutions that have hosted Debby either online or in-person.
*Indicates hosting Debby for two or more programs
CT Museum of Culture & History*
Knights of Columbus Museum
Florence Griswold Museum*
Mysticalligraphers Guild CT*
Society of Scribes CA
Los Angeles Libraries
University of Western Montana*
Waterbury Arts Magnet CT*
Ringwood NJ
Norfolk CT*
Trumbull CT*
Danbury CT*
Windsor CT*
Salisbury CT*
Simsbury CT*
Newton MA*
Glastonbury CT*
Sherman CT
Cohasset MA*
Wallingford CT*
Granby CT*
Watertown MA
Terryville CT*
Weston MA
Nashua NH*
Amherst MA
South Hamilton MA
Wethersfield CT*
Milford CT*
Darien CT*
Scranton CT
Amherst NH*
Leominster MA
Lexington MA
Seabury Retirement Community CT*
Clinton MA
Groton MA
Hudson NH*
Peabody MA*
IS 183 Stockbridge MA*
South Windsor Senior Center
Somers CT
New Milford CT*
Berlin CT*
Brookfield CT*
Bristol CT*
Meriden CT*
Farmington CT*
Bloomfield CT*
Derby Neck CT*
Durham CT*
Newtown CT*
Woodbury CT*
Bethel CT*
Groton CT
Weston CT*
Suffield CT
Junior League, Hartford CT
Manchester CT
Whitinsville MA
Litchfield CT
Newbury MA
Rowley MA
Hopkinton MA
Killingly CT
Wolcott CT*
Westport CT*
Old Lyme CT*
Southbury CT*
Wilton CT*
Harwinton CT
Fairfield CT*
Portland CT*
Sample of feedback from a range of Library programs:
“Thank you for scheduling Doodle Art With Debby. The three of us had fun with this project. Debby made the class non-threating and allowed us to proceed at our own pace. We thoroughly enjoyed it.” on Starry Night Doodle
“thank you so much for the doodle art activity, instructor, and supplies. time flew. this will keep me busy for a couple more days have so much left i want to do and don’t want to rush… Love zooming” on Starry Night Doodle
“Great program! I’ve never seen that group so quiet and focused ever!” on Starry Night Doodle
“Thank you, I have always wanted to learn about calligraphy. You are a wonderful presenter. Your style was relaxed and reassuring. Thank you for piquing my interest in this art. Thank you for the handouts. Very helpful! Bravo!” on Intro to Calligraphy
“Thank you for such a wonderful workshop… We’ve already gotten a few complimentary messages about it.” on Modern Calligraphy
“That was grande! (I had so much fun) Many thanks” on Modern Calligraphy
“Your approach to online teaching is perfect, btw…” on Modern Calligraphy
“I can’t thank you enough for yesterday’s LAMade program. It was my extreme pleasure to have discovered your extraordinary talents as a letting artist and to have expanded your circle of followers and admirers: you can count me as an enthusiastic one.” on Modern Calligraphy
“This was such a great program! Thank you again for being willing to craft this new, “intermediate” workshop level for us, it worked really well.” on Fun with Brush Letters
“As a retired art teacher, I thought you did a bang up job, really overall. And you went at a good pace. So again I learned and was able to process, practice and keep up. You also motivated me, especially at the ending. I really enjoyed the class. The teacher did a great job – very detailed and patient. I would enjoy having more classes.” on Modern Calligraphy at a Senior Center
“this was awesome! thank you!” on Modern Calligraphy
“Thank you so much LA Public Library and Debbie for sharing the love of brush Calligraphy. What a great program and a wonderful teacher! so Knowledgeable!” on Modern Calligraphy
“Thank you so much. Great job in just 1.5 hrs.!” on Modern Calligraphy
“Thank you – this was very fun and inspiring. And you are so sweet, Miss Reelitz!” on Modern Calligraphy
“Our patrons are asking us to book you again—you are very popular here” on Painted Versal