Winter Reminders from your Library

After some curious twists and turns, the weather seems to have settled into a routine winter pattern, which means it is time for some reminders about how Library users might be affected.

The Library makes its own decisions about weather closings, independent of what the schools or town agencies might do.  When we do alter our schedule due to weather, we will get the word out through radio, TV, the Ridgefield Press blog, CTWeather.com and our own website and other communications  (email newsletter, Twitter and the new Children’s Services Facebook page).  Go to www.ridgefieldlibrary.org to sign up for any and all of these to stay informed.

While the Library may remain open, if the schools are closed, our storytimes and other children’s activities are cancelled.  If school is delayed, any programs scheduled for the morning are cancelled.  Adult program cancellations are made on a case by case basis.

For those with mobility limitations that are aggravated by winter conditions, our Homebound Delivery service can keep you in touch with the world of books (and DVDs and other library materials) when you are unable to get to the Library in person.  Call Dorothy Pawlowski at 203-438-2282 x1007 to find out more.

Cast your Nutmeg Book Award Ballot this Month

It’s time to vote for your favorite Nutmeg book! 

The Nutmeg Book Awards are Connecticut's premiere honor for outstanding children's literature.  Each year, children in grades 4-8 have the opportunity to read distinguished literature and then vote for their favorite from a list of ten nominated titles in two categories.  Children in Grades 4-6 participate in the Intermediate category, and readers in Grades 7 and 8 select from a list of Teen nominations.

Students are NOT required to read all ten books to vote, but here at the Ridgefield Library we offer a number of programs to encourage the reading of the nominated titles, including Nutmeg Nibblers and Nutmeg Teen book discussions.  We also make sure we have plenty of copies, so there are always enough to go around. 

Students can vote once either at their school library or at their public library.  We have ballots and a voting box in Children’s Services should students choose to cast their vote here at the Ridgefield Library.  Voting closes January 31^st, with the winners to be announced on February 14^th. 

The new list of Nutmeg Book Award nominees is announced each year on February 1^st.

Contributed by Children's Librarian Mary Beth Rassulo

New for the New Year @ the Library

Each new year brings changes, and here are a few of the most recent ones at the Ridgefield Library.

•   Dedicated, convenient location for new DVDs: Look near the new books for a special display and shelving area for the latest additions to our entertainment DVD collection.
• New borrowing period for non-fiction DVDs (documentaries, how-to, etc.):  now 14 days instead of 7
• New borrowing period for magazines: now 14 days instead of 21 (current issues still only for use in the Library)
• More downloadable eBooks: Children’s and young adult titles are been added to our OverDrive collection for use on Kindle, Nook, iPad and other devices
• Tax forms: not a new concept, but forms for 2011 are newly available
• New bench at the entrance, given by her family in memory of the late Jean Keller, a loyal and beloved Library patron. As the inscription reads (and as Jean would say), “Laugh, Love, Learn” -worthy words to contemplate as you wait for a ride or take a study break.

Happy New Year – see you at the Library!

Take your Library with You Wherever You Go

Are you the proud new owner of a tablet computer or smartphone?  Then you will want to know about apps and mobile resources that allow you to access Ridgefield Library resources on the go.  Some are available for Apple devices, some for the Android operating system, some for both.  This is just a taste of what is available, and more features are being introduced every month. For details and links, visit the Technology page on our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

• Search over 1,000 periodicals plus numerous databases and reference works with EbscoHost Mobile and Gale AccessMy Library.  Novelist, the premier electronic reader’s advisory tool, is also now available in a mobile version – imagine how useful this could be at your next book club meeting!
• Put that time waiting in line to good use brushing up your high school Spanish or one of numerous other  courses available through Mango Languages Mobile.
• Download audiobooks and eBooks directly to your smartphone or tablet through the Library’s subscription to OverDrive.  Youngsters can enjoy also animated talking picture books from TumbleBook.
• Find out what’s new at the Library with the mobile version of our event calendar or our Twitter account and Facebook pages.

Getting Ready to Read @ the Ridgefield Library

Striving to meet the growing needs of our young patrons, the Ridgefield Library is adding a new class to our winter children’s programs. Designed for children ages three and older, Ready to Read is a drop in workshop for children and caregivers that will help to reinforce pre-reading skills through books and fun activities. Children will receive practice that encourages phonological awareness, letter recognition, narrative skills and vocabulary enrichment. Using literature and games that can also be played at home, children will talk, sing, manipulate and have guided reading experiences. Ways to use science and math to encourage dialog and critical thinking skills will be demonstrated. Ideas from the Every Child Ready to Read program developed by the Public Library Association will be used together with current research –based information on skills necessary for achievement in Kindergarten. The class will take place on seven Thursdays from Jan. 5 through Feb. 16, from 2:00 – 2:45PM in Children’s Services . Children who are ready to read will be ready to learn and the Library hopes to encourage them along their way to success! 

Contributed by Children's Programmer Diane Antezzo

Holiday Schedule Changes @ the Library

Please note the following changes to the Library schedule in observance of the holidays.  We will be closed on Saturday, December 24^th and Sunday the 25^ty. We will be closing early at 3:00 PM on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31^st and will be closed on Sunday the 1^st.  All other hours remain the same (check www.ridgefieldlibrary.org for details), and we welcome those looking for books and DVDs to keep the kids occupied during cold vacation days or self-help volumes to get a jump on those New Year’s resolutions! And don’t miss our family-friendly entry in the “What the Dickens!” series – a showing of the Mr. Magoo animated version of “A Christmas Carol” on Wednesday, December 28^th at 11:00 AM.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all the many people who have shown their support for the Library during the past year, through both the Annual Appeal and the Campaign for the New Ridgefield Library.  You truly make a difference. If you wish to participate in either initiative before the end of the tax year on December 31^st, stop by the Library or make your gift online at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.  Thanks, and best wishes for 2012!