Thursday, October 27, 2011

Documentaries, etc. @ your Library

While many people know about the Ridgefield Library’s collection of entertainment DVDs, some may not know that there are many nonfiction titles to choose from as well.  Documentaries such as Ken Burns’ series Jazz, Baseball, The War, Civil War and The Brooklyn Bridge are available.  One can find DVDs in many subject areas.  For example,  Meerkat Manor, The Life of Birds and The Dog Whisperer are among the titles dealing with animals.  Science titles include The Planets, Evolution and Planet Earth.   If exercising is your goal, we have many titles at varying skill levels.  Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting, the Art21 series and The Art of Steal are among those on art.  DVD biographical portraits include John Adams, Martin Luther King, Jr., Edith Piaf and Albert Einstein.  For opera fans, we have many titles to choose from including Hansel and Gretel, the Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Rigoletto and more. Dance titles offer a variety from An Evening with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Kirov Stars: Shakespeare Dance Trilogy to Sleeping Beauty.  

Nonfiction DVDs are shelved with the books in the same subject areas.  Newest additions are found at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org, clicking Catalog and Collections, then Media. 

Contributed by Head of Reference Services Victoria Carlquist

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week


The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association, has designated October 16-22 as National Friends of Libraries Week, and there couldn’t be a more apt time to celebrate our own Friends of the Ridgefield Library (FORL).

The Friends Annual Fall Used Book Sale runs this Friday the 21st through Monday the 24th, with thousands of offerings in many popular categories, all at attractive prices.  Look for them at their new location at Yanity Gym, also with expanded Friday hours until 8 PM.

Also ongoing now through October 30 is the Friends Fall Silent Auction, featuring great packages created around the theme “Learning about Ridgefield.”  There are items to suit diverse interests and budgets, so check out the display near the Circulation Desk and place your bids.

Our Friends make possible some of your favorite library programs and services, including Summer Reading, Camp Snooze, Reading Is a Family Affair, Ridgefield Folk, the Poetry Discussion Group, Mango language learning programs, Great Courses on audio and video, e-books and e-book readers.  You can help through your generous support of the Book Sale and the Silent Auction. More information about both is available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

eBook Loans for Kindle Now Available @ your Library


The Ridgefield Library’s eBook service through OverDrive is now compatible with the Kindle. These eBooks can also be downloaded to any device with a Kindle app including computers, tablets, and smartphones.

There are over 1,000 current Kindle eBooks to choose from, with new titles being added each month.  To checkout an eBook, go to our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.  You’ll find a video link showing the process of downloading, or go directly to the “Help” section on the Overdrive page.    Your Ridgefield Library card barcode allows you to sign in.

Once you’ve selected and checked out a title, click the “Get for Kindle” button.   This will open the Amazon website, where you will be asked to log in to your Amazon account.  Select either a Kindle device or Kindle reading app and click on “Get library book.”   Please note that an active WiFi connection is required for wireless delivery to a Kindle device.   If your Kindle is not WiFi capable, you’ll need to send the eBook to your device via a USB cable.  

The Library also loans out Kindles for those who would like to try one.   Please contact Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski to reserve, or with any questions about our eBook service.