Get Caught Reading a Banned Book

This year’s Banned Books Week celebration of the freedom to read, organized since 1982 by a coalition including the American Library Association (ALA), the American Booksellers Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, is September 24-30. This event highlights the need for free access to information and ideas without censorship regardless of personal views. From “A Brave New World” to “Harry Potter” to the Bible, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reports the books are challenged, censored and banned every year.

To raise awareness of the effects of censorship on communities, the Ridgefield Library is featuring an interactive “Get Caught Reading a Banned Book” display. Patrons may take a selfie, or pose for a photo in front of a “mugshot” backdrop with a favorite challenged or banned book. Check our displays or browse banned book lists at our service desk to help make a selection – you may be surprised at some of the titles on the list. The Library encourages patrons and visitors to share their images on social media with the hashtags: #rebelreader and #ireadbannedbooks.

Contributed by Kristina Lareau, Head of Children's Services

Introducing Kindle Fires for Kids

Just in time for summer leisure time - the Ridgefield Library is pleased to bring you six Kindle Fires for Kids! Released in June, this new Kindle tablet is available to our patrons at the Children’s Services desk. These supplement the LeapPad devices we have had available for some time.

There are four Kindle Fires available for in-house use in the Children’s Library, and two that can be checked out and brought home! One Kindle Fire can be checked out per family for 7 days with a current Ridgefield Library card.  They cannot be reserved or renewed and must be returned to the Children’s Services desk. For in-library use, you will need to leave keys or other valuables as collateral.

Each of the Library's Kindle for Kids is equipped with Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited which offers unlimited access to over 13,000 kid-friendly books, educational apps, games, movies, and TV shows from top brands like Disney, Nickelodeon, PBS, Amazon Originals for Kids, and a child-safe web browser. There are three age profiles for children to use: Ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

Stop by the Lodewick Children’s Library to bring Bumbersnoot or Bilbo (yes, your children’s librarians named them) home with you! 

Contributed by Head of Children's Services Kristina Lareau

Introducing our New Head of Children's Services

I am so pleased to be welcomed to the Ridgefield Library and the Ridgefield community!

I received a BA in English and Education at Worcester State College (MA) and earned my MA in Children’s Literature and MS in Library & Information Sciences from Simmons College in Boston. I’ve worked in various Massachusetts libraries-from the Bibliothèque at the Alliance française to the Boston Arts Academy to the Westfield Athenaeum-though most recently, I was a Children’s Librarian at the Fairfield Public Library (CT) for four years.

I love to laugh and be silly, talk about books, recommend books, review books and read books with children. I am a proud Gryffindor who loves playing board games, listening to audiobooks, and critiquing picture books. I cannot live without coffee. Or cheese.

I also have 2 cats, 2 dogs (Hermione & Houdini, Mercedes & Lana) and a well-trained husband named Matt. I am a Steampunk who loves to dress up and consequently own more petticoats than actual coats.

My favorite book right now is Ben Clanton’s “Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea.” Stop by the Children’s Library to say “hi” and talk about your favorite children’s book!

I’m the one with the purple hair.

Contributed by Kristina Lareau, head of Children's Services