Parents Say Libraries Are Important for their Children, New Study Reports

A new study on Parents, Children, Libraries, and Reading from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project affirms what many librarians and library users already know – that libraries are recognized as being very important in the daily lives and development of children.  The latest data from the prestigious Research Center belies critics’ contentions that libraries are no longer relevant and gives important data to help libraries plan for their future service to this important population.

94% of parents surveyed said libraries are important for their children and 79% described libraries as “very important.”  The main reasons cited for parents’ enthusiasm for libraries are that libraries help inculcate their children’s love of reading and books and that libraries provide their children with information and resources not available at home.   The study goes on to highlight how children use libraries: 87% visit the library to borrow books, 55% to do school work, 46% to attend an event and 37% to use the Internet.   While also excited about potential new offerings, especially in the technology area, these families clearly value the core services libraries such as ours provide for children and families.

A link to more information and the full report can be found at thenewridgefieldlibrary.org/libraries_today_tomorrow/.

We’ve Got an App for That!

More and more Library patrons rely on their smartphones and other personal devices while on the go.  We are pleased to announce that now they can stay connected with the Library with the new “Biblio” app.

Compatible with all web-enabled phones and many other devices, Biblio offers a menu of links to frequently-used Ridgefield Library content and services, in most cases formatted or optimized for the mobile environment. Please note that some services require you to download their own apps first in order to interface with Biblio.

You can access our catalog and the My Account feature for renewing, reserving and seeing what you have checked out.   See a book somewhere and want to know if we have it?  Just activate the built-in scanner and point it at the book’s ISBN barcode.

You can download eBooks and eAudiobooks from OverDrive directly to your device. There is also a calendar of all our myriad programs and events.  Look up our hours and other information or contact us on the fly by automatically linking to your device’s phone and email features. Finally, learn the latest news with handy interfaces for Twitter and Facebook. 

Just search for “Bibliomation” in the app store on your device, and you’re ready to go – and take the Ridgefield Library with you!

Getting Ready for Summer Reading

Spring weather has barely arrived, but the Library staff is busy making plans for the 2013 Summer Reading Program.  The smaller size of our temporary facility is forcing us to make some modifications to our usual activities, but Ridgefielders can rest assured that Summer Reading will once again be a vibrant and busy time at the Library.

Summer Reading will run from June 24 through August 10, a full seven weeks, and there will once again be separate but thematically related programs for children (going into Grades K-5), teens (entering Grades 6-12) and adults.  The main theme is Dig Into Reading, and we will be exploring this with prizes and programs ranging from a performance of “The Secret Garden” to a “Digging into Nature” live animal program.  Participants will track their progress using our online reading log software.

One new offering this year will be the incorporation of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) into the program for adults.  More will be announced about this interesting innovation soon.

Once again we are grateful to the Friends of the Ridgefield Library, whose major support has made Summer Reading possible for dozens of years, and to the numerous local merchants and organizations who contribute prizes and co-sponsor events.

It Will Be One Busy Day in Ridgefield on Saturday

How much fun can you have in just one day?  You can find out this Saturday, May 4^th, when Ridgefield and the Library will be abuzz with activities for all ages.

•   It’s Ridgefield’s Gone Country all over downtown from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  At the Library you can enjoy a country-themed storytime at 10:30 AM and a visit from Farmer Minor and Daisy the Pig at 2:00 PM. 
•   From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM you will find Library staff at KidsFest in Ballard Park, where we will offer spring crafts, raffles and all the information you need about the 2013 Summer Reading Program.
•  Starting Friday and continuing through Monday the Friends of the Library are holding their annual giant spring used book sale at Yanity Gym; check www.ridgefieldlibrary.org for details.
• All day we will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day @ the Library and giving away free comics for children, teens and adults (while supplies last), donated by Cave Comics in Newtown.
• ·And while you are in the neighborhood, stroll across Governor Street to the Community Center for its Antiques Market and Country Fair – all part of what organizers are calling a “Take Pride in Ridgefield” occasion.

See you Saturday!