Keychain Library Cards Now Available

Good news! Keychain library cards are now available at the Ridgefield Library. Effective immediately, everyone signing up for a new library card will actually receive two – one keychain variety for your convenience in using our Library, and one traditional card which enables you to use other libraries around the state.

Those who already have a regular Ridgefield Library card may exchange it free of charge for a keychain set, but be advised that the new cards will have a different barcode number. You will need to update your account with Library ELF, neighboring libraries you frequent and any other location where you have registered your existing number.

Here in Ridgefield, we hope the convenience of the keychain format will make it easier for you to keep your card handy for use at the Circulation Desk, when doing self-service check-out and when logging onto our Public Access Computers or wireless.

If you take advantage of the statewide ConnectiCard system, which allows you to use your home town library card at any Connecticut public library, you will need to present the full-sized regular card, along with additional identification, so make sure to have these with you when you travel out of town.

Get Creative @ Saving for College

Hundreds of children, teens and adults have been coming to the Ridgefield Library to “Be Creative” during Summer Reading (which runs through August 1^st). Here’s another way parents can “Get Creative @ Saving for College.” Tying in with this year’s summer reading theme, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) is inviting Connecticut residents with children any age through 8^th grade in the coming school year to enter their young scholar in a special promotion sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut State Library and the office of State Treasurer Denise Nappier.

A simple entry form (available at the Library or at www.aboutchet.com/library) qualifies the contestant for one of four $1,000 cash prizes to be awarded through a random drawing. What a great way to start a college savings plan for your child – and, if you are a winner, your local library also receives $500!

Entries must be postmarked by August 21, 2009 and received at CHET by August 28^th. Participation in our Summer Reading program is not required to enter this contest.

P.S. Older students might want to explore some of the other ways the Ridgefield Library can help you get ready for college, such as Learning Express and PrepMe test preparation software. See www.ridgefieldlibrary.org for more.

Help Us Help Your Book Discussion Group

On a regular basis, the Ridgefield Library helps some 50 local book discussion groups choose their selections, find background information and discussion questions and obtain multiple copies for group members. We are pleased to be able to support this popular and worthwhile activity, but we do ask that you follow these guidelines:

• Plan Ahead. You must submit your request a minimum of 3 weeks before the date you need books in hand.
• Check the Publication Date. We are not able to obtain multiple copies of books that are less than 1 year old.
• Confirm your Numbers. Save us time and money by ordering only as many copies as you really think your group will need.
• Pick a Contact Person. Please designate one responsible party to complete a request form for each title and to communicate with group members about the status of your request.
• Stick to your Meeting Schedule. Special arrangements made to accommodate your scheduling needs do not allow us to extend due dates or renew items from other libraries if your plans change.

For suggestions of titles that lend themselves to discussion, ask at the Fiction Desk or in Children’s Services. To request multiple copies of a title, contact Interlibrary Loan Coordinator Karen Kazzi at 438-2282 x1011 or at klkazzi@RidgefieldLibrary.org.