Turn to BookPage

Trying to keep abreast of new books?  Stop by the Adult Services Desk and take home the latest copy of BookPage, a selection guide to the best new titles released each month.

Bookpage’s mission is "to connect every book lover with their next great read."   Reviews encompass a wide range of new books from literary fiction, history and biography to popular genres such as mystery and romance, with sections dedicated to recently published titles for children and teens.  In addition, each issue includes author interviews and special features. In May’s BookPage, Chris Cleave talks about his new novel “Everyone Brave is Forgiven,” and Pulitzer-prize winner Richard Russo explains why twenty years after the publication of “Nobody's Fool,” he decided to revisit the residents of North Bath, New York in “Everybody's Fool.”  The May issue also spotlights new books for planning a road trip and historical fiction focusing on Jewish history.

Not to be outdone, our librarians use their unique perspectives to create two monthly publications, Fiction News and Non-Fiction News that highlight new books chosen for their relevance to the diverse reading interests of our patrons.  Pick up copies at the library or view them on the Reader's Resources section of our website.  

Contributed by Dorothy Pawlowski, Head of Adult Services

Book Club Corner Expands

The Book Club Corner is the Library’s collection of discussion-worthy titles in fiction, memoir and non-fiction available in batches of 10 or so copies for use by book clubs. To help alleviate our current difficulties with inter-library delivery service, this spring we are adding several high-interest titles, including “The Muralist” by B.A. Shapiro, “Fates and Furies” by Lauren Groff and “Circling the Sun” by Paula McLain.

We are pleased to announce that we have recently instituted a Book Club Corner for children and families as well.  Among the first batch of titles are “Because of Winn-Dixie” and “Flora and Ulysses” by Kate DiCamillo, “Starry River of the Sky” by Grace Lin, “El Deafo” by Cece Bell and Jamison Odone’s re-telling of “Alice in Wonderland.”  All have been used to great effect in our Reading Is a Family Affair inter-generational discussion series, and we recommend them for either children-only or parent and child settings. Look for Children’s Book Club Corner selections in the Parent Resource area of the Children’s Library.

Don’t hesitate to ask at the Children’s or Adult Service Desk for assistance in making a selection for your book group and to reserve a Book Club Corner title. Book Club Corner offerings are made possible by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.

A New Look for Museum Passes

We are pleased to announce that we have developed a new packaging system for our popular museum passes.  Colorful and durable plastic pouches have replaced the cumbersome looseleaf notebook binders.  These are a convenient size to tuck into a handbag or pocket and are well-secured with zippers and snaps to keep all the important paperwork secure.

Thirteen popular institutions in Connecticut and New York offer some variety of free admission deal, and another eight offer discounted admission.  The choices range from art museums like the Wadsworth Atheneum and NYC’s Guggenheim Museum, to outdoor activities such as nature centers and parks, to interactive children’s learning experiences. Passes may be borrowed by Ridgefield Library cardholders for two nights on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some museums provide free passes to libraries; others offer special library discounts through a museum pass program organized by the Connecticut Library Consortium.  Here in Ridgefield, the Friends of the Library have generously paid these fees for us since the program started some years ago.

Pick up a brochure at the Library describing all the offerings or visit www.ridgefieldlibrary.org and click on Catalog & Collections, then Other Resources.  Have a great trip, and send us some pictures of your adventures!

Digital resources for Kids Now @ the Library

The Library’s digital collection isn’t just for adults anymore.  Along with audiobooks and eBooks for children, the Library also offers literacy resources to support emerging and reluctant readers.  BookFLIX is a new addition to our digital offerings that is specifically designed to support a child’s interest in reading.  It pairs classic fictional video storybooks with related nonfiction books to strengthen a love of reading and learning for children in PreK to 3^rd grade.  The digital library is quite extensive with 110 popular video storybooks paired with a related nonfiction eBook, such as the popular “Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type” storybook video paired with a nonfiction eBook about cows.  BookFLIX will help early readers develop and practice essential reading skills while introducing them to a world of knowledge and exploration.  Tumblebooks is another digital resource offering hundreds of popular storybooks and chapter books.  Both of these quality resources allow children to read the eBooks on their own or choose to read along.   Some of the benefits of the audio component include helping all children build fluency skills, improve sight word recognition, and build comprehension.  These digital resources are another way of introducing the love of reading to children.  

Contributed by Gayle Pulley, head of Children's Services