It's Picture Book Month

Read it again!  We’ve all heard those enthusiastic words.  The times we share reading a story to a child are treasured memories. It’s a child’s first time being read to and their first introduction to the visual arts.  These positive reading experiences help them develop into life-long readers and learners.
A picture book is much more than a simple story with pictures. A well-crafted story is born of an author’s imagination. The artist’s illustrations are essential as they are created to reveal more of the story.  Within 32 pages and sometimes in even fewer sentences, a skilled writer and illustrator create a story that takes us on a magical adventure certain to capture your heart.  It can make us giggle, weep, imagine and reminisce.  We will find wild things, Martin’s words, an unimaginary friend and frogs on flying lily pads.

November is Picture Book Month - a good excuse to check out some picture books, no matter your age. Sharing stories with a child is priceless and creates life-long memories.  Next time a child says, “Read it again,” be assured they are asking for precious time with you as well.

You can see some of our staff's favorites on our FlickR page at https://flic.kr/s/aHskpRFrfJ

Contributed by Gayle Pulley, Head of Children's Services

Library Days Return to Books on the Common, with Some New Twists

The annual Library Days at Books on the Common will take place Thanksgiving weekend.   Just show your Ridgefield Library card at the cash register, and 15% of the proceeds of your purchase will be donated by the bookstore to the Library.  As a special thank you, all participating buyers will receive a specially designed bookmark; these limited edition keepsakes are being made by community members in conjunction with an exhibit by artist Ruth Root at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum.  Those purchasing goods in excess of $100 will be entered in a special drawing to receive a signed bookmark created by the artist herself.

November 28 is also Small Business Saturday, and the bookstore will have additional promotions and special programs on offer. So many reasons to visit Books on the Common and support the Library that weekend!

Store hours are Friday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; call 203-438-9100 for more information about the store.  Ridgefield residents who do not have one may register for a library card at the Circulation Desk; all that is needed is proof of residence.  Contact The Aldrich at 203-438-4591 or aldrichart.org for information about the Ruth Root exhibit and related activities.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go – with your Library Card

You already know that your Ridgefield Library card is your passport to the wondrous worlds portrayed in the thousands of books on our shelves.  Most people are also aware that you can take many library resources wherever you go with downloadable materials and mobile apps.  Now, we are pleased to announce that your Ridgefield Library card gives you special entrée to select events offered by some of our community partners.

On Saturday, November 21^st, Library cardholders can enjoy discounted admission to the 45^th Annual Ridgefield Woman’s Club Craft Fair from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at East Ridge Middle School.  Watch for your discount voucher in the Library’s e-newsletter for the week of November 16^th. All proceeds support community programs sponsored by the Woman’s Club, which has worked with the Library on numerous projects over the years.

Throughout the season, the Ridgefield Playhouse invites you to show your Ridgefield Library card at the box office and receive the member discount rate on tickets to HD film showings of performances by the Met Opera, Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre (see the Library or Playhouse websites for details). The Playhouse and the Library work together frequently on projects such as The Big Read, and we are happy to continue this partnership through this special offer.

Wi-Fi Printing @ Ridgefield Library

For those who bring laptops, tablets, and smartphones to use in the Library, we are pleased to announce that we are now offering wireless printing.

Files supported by Wi-Fi printing include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint slides, PDFs (Portable Document Format) and picture files. Send these print jobs from your browser by going to www.printeron.net/ridgefield/main and completing the brief online form. You will be asked to enter your email address, which will be used to identify your print job. Printing from your email is accomplished by simply forwarding an email to one of the library printer addresses for either color or black & white copies.

Once a wireless print job is submitted, you may release your documents at any one of our three print release stations located in Adult Services on the Upper Level, the Bossidy Commons near the Circulation Desk, and the Lodewick Children’s Library.

Full details, including step-by-step instructions, are found on our website www.ridgefieldlibrary.org 
as well as on printed bookmarks located at service desks throughout the Library. Of course, staff members are available to answer any questions you may have. Please try out the convenience of Wi-Fi printing the next time you are in the Library!

Contributed by Adult Services Librarian Christie Mitchell