One-Stop Shopping @ the Library

Of course, we have books and DVDs and audiobooks and comfy reading chairs and study areas and computers and programs for young and old.  But did you know about these less traditional services we also offer for your convenience?

Photocopiers - Our copy machines can collate, duplex and copy up to size 11 x 17. Sorry, black and white only. Twenty cents per page.

Fax machine and color scanner - Outgoing fax service only. Easy to use - only $1.00 per page for faxing; no charge for scanning to file or email.

Passport issuance – Give us a call for new applications, children’s passports and renewals of long expired documents. By appointment only at 203-438-2282 x11022.  Comfortable and convenient, especially if have children in tow, and you can stop by the travel reference shelves while you are here!

Blood pressure screening – Drop in the second Wednesday of each month from 11:00 AM to noon, and let staff from the Ridgefield VNA help you monitor this important health indicator.

The Library Store – Check out our selection of blank journals, booklights, tote bags, greeting cards and more, many with Ridgefield Library branding you can show off with pride.

Library Board Welcomes New Members

The Ridgefield Library welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors.  Two are profiled here, and the others will be introduced in a future column.

Rob Freeman moved to Ridgefield with his wife and two children in 2010. He is a Vice President with Venbrook Insurance Services. Before joining Venbrook, Rob was founder and CEO of Green Buildings Online Inc., an award winning provider of e-learning and online training for employees of global institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that he worked for six years for a New York commercial real estate private equity group. Rob earned a BA from Skidmore College and an MBA from Babson College.

Tizzie Mantione has lived in Ridgefield 16 years with her husband Tom and their two children, Nico (13) and Jax (12). She grew up in neighboring Pound Ridge, NY and is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Her career has spanned multiple industries including sports marketing, event management, financial management, executive search and software sales. Tizzie has volunteered in Ridgefield in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as various programs at Farmingville Elementary and East Ridge Middle School. She is currently serving on the Ridgefield Prevention Council. She is an avid cyclist, golfer and reader who loves to travel. 

Lost and Found @ the Library

With more than 800 people visiting the Library each day, in all kinds of weather and for many different purposes, we wind up with quite a collection of lost and found items waiting for retrieval.  There are umbrellas; jackets, scarves and gloves; device chargers; eyeglasses; water bottles; car keys; jewelry; personal documents left in the copier; school texts and student notebooks; and medical paperwork used as bookmarks by people spending time in doctor and hospital waiting rooms.  Our hearts go out especially to the youngsters who have inadvertently left behind a treasured pacifier, security blanket or stuffed animal friend.

One of the most unusual items found recently was a framed vintage photograph left in the copy machine near the adult reference desk.  The Ridgefield Historical Society helped us identify the subject -  Geraldine Farrar, a popular opera star of the early 20^th century who lived for many years in Ridgefield.  While local historians and opera lovers frequently inquire about Farrar, we haven’t a clue who may have left her picture behind.

If you think you may have lost this photo, or any other items, please inquire at the Circulation Desk so we can get these objects back to their proper homes.

Time to Start Writing, Ridgefield!

The Ridgefield Library is not just for readers! We also serve numerous writers with workshops, networking groups and various occasions to share their work with the public. This summer we are offering special opportunities for writers of all ages to enter a pair of writing contests.

August 15^th is the deadline for submissions by children going into Grades K-8 for our project with the Story Pirates. All entrants will receive a written response from the Story Pirates professionals, and selected stories will be dramatized by the troupe in a lively and entertaining performance on October 1^st at the Ridgefield Playhouse.

Adults and teens (aged 15 and older) are invited to enter a separate contest, with a September 1^st deadline.  Submissions of up to 3,000 words are being accepted in five genre categories, including mystery/suspense, romance, historical fiction, science fiction/fantasy and general fiction.  The only other requirement is that each story feature the Ridgefield Library in some way! Winners will be recognized at an event at the Library on October 1^st.

Submission guidelines and entry forms are available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.  Tickets to the Story Pirates performance may be purchased by the general public at www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Get writing, Ridgefield!