Storytime via Skype

Libraries often stand at a crossing point in modern life, bringing together old-fashioned traditions and cutting edge technology. Activities as seemingly disparate as storytime and accessing the Internet can come together in unexpectedly creative and meaningful ways. A story from one of our frequent patrons illustrates this in a charming and personal manner.

A Ridgefield resident with a young grandson living far away, our patron regularly comes in and takes out stacks of picture books. She chooses titles she knows her grandson has available to him. Then she goes home and signs on to Skype, the free Internet-based phone application. Using this very 21st century communications tool, she reads the words aloud to the youngster, while he turns the pages of his own copies to view the illustrations. Despite the distance, they are able to share the precious act of parent (or grandparent) and child reading together.

Instead of avoiding technologies that might be intimidating to some older people, our patron has embraced them to help her enjoy one of the most ancient of human interactions – the sharing of stories between generations. We are pleased to play our part in this worthwhile effort!

Paccadolmi Awards Presented

Congratulations to Hope Swenson and Melissa Brady, recipients of the 2009 Paccadolmi Awards, which were presented at a library function on May 1st.

The Paccadolmi Awards were created by the Ridgefield Library Association Board of Directors in 2007 to honor individuals who have exhibited extraordinary dedication to the Library. They are named in honor of the late Phyllis Paccadolmi, a long-time Library employee who devoted more than 50 years of service to the town and the institution she loved.

Honoree Hope H. Swenson has lived in Ridgefield for nearly 40 years. She has been on the Library Board or closely associated with the Library all that time. She is a tireless advocate for public libraries in general and the Ridgefield Library in particular. She enthusiastically champions the book clubs, the film series, the staff, the collection and even the new “designer” library card.

Melissa Brady has thrown herself into the work of the Library’s Community Outreach Committee since its beginnings in January 2008. She is an outstanding volunteer who has taken a leadership role in bringing to life programs for all ages, particularly as a volunteer coordinator for our new Homebound Delivery Service.

Our heartfelt thanks to these two extraordinary women!

Tell Us Your Savings Stories

Do you have a story about how your public library is helping you to save money in these uncertain times? Well, we would like to hear about it – and so would Woman’s Day Magazine. Statistics tell us that library usage is on the rise due to the economy, and we want to uncover the human stories behind the numbers. Now through May 18th, women ages 18 and up are invited to send in stories in 700 words or less telling how you are using the library to save money. Submissions should be sent to womansday@ala.org for consideration; up to four stories will be profiled in the March 2010 issue of the magazine. Copy your entry to us at MFRind@ridgefieldlibrary.org, and we may feature it on our website and other local publicity as well (anonymously if you prefer).

This initiative continues an eight-year partnership between Woman’s Day and the American Library Association’s Campaign for America’s Libraries. Previous essay topics have included “how the library has changed my life” and, featured in the March 2009 issue, “how I have used the library to improve my family’s health and wellness.” More details and official contest rules are available at www.womansday.com/ala.