Welcome Back to the Neighborhood!

While we enjoyed our stay on Governor Street, it is nice to get back to our traditional home at 472 Main Street and to renew relationships with our neighbors.  Several nearby establishments are offering special promotions in the coming weeks to welcome us home.

Dimitri's Diner welcomes Library patrons back to the neighborhood with a special promotion to support Library operations. Now through June 9th, pick up a special coupon at any Library service desk and present it at the diner when ordering. 10% of the cost of your purchases will be donated by Dimitri's to the Library.

 It’s Guest Bartender Night with the Library at Gallo Ristorante on June 4^th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Enjoy the libation of your choice while supporting the Library!  Library Director Chris Nolan, Board members Peter Coffin, Shane Casey and Rob Ellis, and advisor Nick Donofrio will be behind the bar at the Library's Guest Bartender Night at Gallo Ristorante, 5 Grove Street. Bartenders keep all their tips as a donation to the Library, and Gallo will contribute 10% of the evening's liquor bill as well.

Thanks to our good neighbors!

Congratulations and Thanks to Paccadolmi Award Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 Paccadolmi Awards, given out at the Library’s dedication ceremony on May 9^th.  For generations of Ridgefielders, Phyllis Paccadolmi personified the Ridgefield Library, and this award honors those whose commitment to the Library exemplifies her spirit and dedication.  This year’s honorees are Philip & Christine Lodewick for leadership and the Friends of the Ridgefield Library for volunteer service.

Philip Lodewick, aided by his wife Christine, served as Chair of the Campaign for the New Ridgefield Library. He coined the slogan Do It Once, Do it Right, Do It Now, and then made it happen just that way.  It is due to his leadership that the Library was able to raise over $15 million privately and to secure bond funding of $5 million from the town at referendum.

The Friends of the Ridgefield Library's commitment of $100,000 in 2006 was virtually the first pledge received for the project, and their further commitment in 2013 was the gift that pushed us well along towards our fundraising goal.  Along the way, they helped out in every possible way.  With total giving of over $300,000 and countless hours of volunteer service, the Friends have been indispensable and inspirational.

The Power of Partnership

Even before Opening Weekend, the Library staff has been busy talking to groups around town who are excited about the possibilities the new building will offer for community events and joint programs.  Before we start welcoming them as our guests, however, we want to take a moment to thank the organizations that have played host to Library activities during our construction period.

For children’s programs, we are indebted to the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and especially to Parks & Recreation, the Ridgefield Playhouse and Woodcock Nature Center, who also co-sponsored some wonderful family performances and other events.

Key partners and hosts for adult programs included the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Keeler Tavern Museum, the Prospector, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, the Ridgefield Playhouse and the Watershed Gallery. Together we have been able to keep up a lively stream of educational and cultural activities.  Thanks also to the Community Center/Lounsbury House, the First Congregational Church and the Ridgefield Historical Society/Scott House for providing space for various Library events.

We look forward to continued fruitful partnerships with the many wonderful organizations that serve the Ridgefield community.