BookSizzle!

With thousands of new books being published each year, deciding what to read next can be daunting.  The Ridgefield Library provides many ways to help in this selection process.   The newest tool is an electronic newsletter called BookSizzle.

Once you sign up to receive BookSizzle, it will appear weekly in your email inbox.  This online newsletter features the Library’s latest acquisitions including new fiction, non-fiction, mystery, business, science, children’s chapter books, and more.  In addition, you’ll find lists of the current bestsellers and recommended titles on themed topics and current events as well as in-depth features on popular authors.   Book suggestions link directly to the Library’s catalog where you can check for availability or place a reserve.  Each week our staff will also highlight items and events of special interest to Ridgefield Library users.  To sign up for BookSizzle, visit our website or fill out a form at any of the Library’s service desks. 

     

While BookSizzle is a great resource for remote access to reading recommendations, we hope you’ll utilize our in-person readers’ advisory services when you visit the Library.  Our staff is always ready to offer personalized suggestions based on your unique interests. 

Contributed by Adult Services Head Dorothy Pawlowski

Weather Closings @ the Library

Winter is really here now! Here’s a brief reminder of the Library’s weather closing and cancellation procedures.  Details are available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

The Library does not automatically follow the lead of the schools or town offices when deciding whether to close due to severe weather.  Our decisions are made based on our own estimations of projected impact in our location during our open hours. When a decision is made to close early, open late or not to open at all, this information will be posted on our website, communicated via email blast and social media, and sent to regional web and broadcast media. If the Library closes for all or part of the day, no fines will be charged. 

If the Library closes due to weather, all programs are cancelled or postponed.  Some programs may be cancelled even if the Library remains open for business. When the school district cancels classes outright because of weather, all scheduled children’s and teen programs for the day are cancelled automatically. If the schools announce an early dismissal, afternoon children’s and teen programs are cancelled automatically. If the schools announce a late opening, morning children’s programs are cancelled automatically.  Adult program cancellations are made at the discretion of Library staff on a case by case basis.

Library a Home for Teens

Extended hours for midterms were a big hit, but this is not all we have on tap in the Ellis Family Teen Center for those in grades 6 through 12.

The 3^rd in our series of Teen Trivia afternoons for teams of 9^th through 12^th graders is coming up on February 6^th, with the final tournament of the year scheduled for May.

We are pleased to welcome NY Times columnist and author Frank Bruni to Ridgefield on March 6^th for a presentation and workshops based on his book “Where You Go Is Not Who You Will Be.” Registration is required at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org. We also invite students and parents to visit our College Corner to learn more about post-secondary school options.

Our popular Reading Is a Family Affair intergenerational book discussion series is being expanded to include sessions for those in grades 6-8 and their parents, starting with Gary D. Schmidt’s “Okay for Now” on March 15^th.

Joining Crafternoons, Teen Tech Thursdays and Middle and High School Critics as monthly programs are a Teen Writers Group and Fandoms Unite, a celebration of pop culture.

Add in Ridgefield Folk concerts and an upcoming “Scholarly Look at Harry Potter,” and it’s no wonder the Library is becoming a true home for Ridgefield teens.

Bookmarks Mark Ridgefield

The Library is currently partnering with The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art on a project dubbed “Bookmarks Mark Ridgefield.” Community members of all ages are invited to be part of Aldrich artist Ruth Root’s ongoing project exploring her love of books.

CREATE. Drop into The Aldrich’s Education Center or check at the Ridgefield Library for times to make and donate your own bookmark to the Library’s stacks.  All the materials you need are supplied, including fabric and paper selections from the artist’s studio.

DISTRIBUTE. Tuck your completed bookmark (or one supplied by the Library) into any book on the Library’s shelves.  Choose a favorite title, or search out something new and interesting.

DISCOVER. Find a bookmark in an item you take off the shelf. Keep it to use yourself, or put it in another book for the enjoyment of a fellow reader.

SHARE. Into social media? Take a picture of a bookmark you have made or found and post it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #rlbookmarks.  For fun, make it a selfie or a shelfie!

VISIT. Ruth Root’s work will be on exhibit at The Aldrich through April 3rd. Stop by and learn more about this very creative and inspiring woman.