Passport to Connecticut Libraries

Did you know that you can use a Ridgefield Library card throughout the state?  During the month of April, we will be participating in the Passport to Connecticut Libraries program to encourage cardholders to visit and explore the amazing diversity of the state’s public libraries.

With sponsorship from the Connecticut Library Association, over 120 libraries will be participating.  Starting on April 1st, pick up your passport and the list of participants at any of our service desks. Then take along your passport as you travel to other libraries and receive a stamp and a token gift from each place you visit.

If you have stamps from at least five participants by April 30, you will be entered into a statewide drawing for a chance to win a $150 Visa Gift Card (for adults 18 and over) or a $100 Visa Gift Card for children and teens (under 18).   A total of four winners will be randomly selected from two categories; the first is for those who have visited at least five libraries and the second is made up of those from each library with the most passport stamps.

The second week of April is National Library Week, the perfect time to discover all the doors your library card opens. 

Contributed by Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski

Spring Is Coming!

How can you celebrate Spring @ the Library?  There are so many ways!

Ride your bike here when the weather is good.  There is a bike rack on the terrace level between the prospector and the Library for your convenience.

Sign up for the Run Like a Mother 5K on Mother’s Day.  Proceeds from race sponsorships benefit the Library’s Noreen L. Papa Mothers Live your Life Fund, which makes possible many materials and programs on health and wellness, fitness, parenting and related topics. Visit runlikeamother.com for more information.

Check out books, magazines and even DVDs on gardening, landscaping and repair, and get ready for spring cleaning and home improvement projects. You can even enjoy periodicals like Better Homes & Gardens or Organic Gardening on your computer or device with the Zinio download service.

Take advantage throughout April of programs in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month and National Poetry Month, as well as our soon-to-launch Celebrating Shakespeare series commemorating the 400^th anniversary of the death of the Bard.

Save the dates of April 29 and 30 for Spring Stroll, this year featuring several wonderful professional chalk artists and lots of fun shopping, eating and entertainment in downtown Ridgefield, including at the Library.

Introducing our New Children's Library Assistant

The Ridgefield Library is pleased to announce the addition of Angela Skrobar as our new part-time library assistant in Children’s Services.  Angela fills the position previously held by Kathy Cherniavsky who retired in November after years of dedicated service to the Library. She joins Head of Children’s Services Gayle Pulley, Children’s Programmer Diane Antezzo, Children’s Librarian Mary Beth Rassulo, Library Assistant Christine Miller and Children’s Collection Specialist Ann Victor in this very busy department.

Prior to joining the Library, Angela worked in both the public and school library environments.  Her duties will include assisting patrons in finding great books to read and working with the Library staff to promote and present our popular children’s programs.  Angela’s support will also be a great asset during our busy Summer Reading program.

Angela and her family moved to Ridgefield in 2014.  Angela has quickly become a part of the community and volunteers her time to a variety of local organizations.  Her professionalism and positive attitude make Angela a welcomed addition and a strong asset to the Ridgefield Library.  Drop in and welcome her soon!

Contributed by Gayle Pulley, head of Children's Services

HeartStart Defibrillator at the Library!

There is a lot of discussion in town this winter about making Ridgefield a “heart-safe” community.  We are pleased to announce that, through the generous donation of David and Maria Victor Smith, a HeartStart Defibrillator (AED) has been acquired for the Ridgefield Library.  It is a small lightweight, battery-powered defibrillator to treat the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) including ventricular fibrillation (VF). The only effective treatment for VF is defibrillation. SCA can occur to anyone – infant, child, adult, male or female – anywhere at any time. Many victims of SCA do not have warning signs or symptoms. A person in SCA does not respond when shaken and is not breathing normally. Many of the Library’s staff members have been trained on the equipment by the Ridgefield VNA staff.  A voice-activated system walks the user through the process to administer hands-only help to the patient. The AED cabinet is outfitted with supplies for both adults and children and is conveniently located in the Main Lobby for easy access to all levels of the building.  What a life saver to have in a building with so many patrons!

Contributed by Facilities Manager Leslie Vuilleumier