Summer Reading Rocks

As of July 7^th, we are halfway through Summer Reading, and the numbers are looking great!  In just 3-1/2 weeks, 112 adults have registered 233 items; 318 teens have logged 5,169; and a whopping 1074 school-aged children have completed 14,117 books and audiobooks.  This is well on a pace to be our busiest summer of reading ever.

In addition to the sheer enjoyment of reading, participants are urged on to new heights by the fabulous rewards they can earn. Adults have been thrilled by the gorgeous gift baskets created by the Friends of the Library and raffled off each week.  Teens are competing enthusiastically for prizes from The Cake Box, Deborah’s Sweet Shoppe and Books on the Common.  The Toy Chest and Deborah Ann’s have contributed coupons for all children reading a certain number of books, and the Friends of the Library have generously supplied additional prizes.

While the official end of the Summer Reading Program is July 31^st, the online reading log system will remain up and running, and young readers can continue to log their books and earn rewards until the day before school starts.  It’s not too late to get in the game - start your Summer Reading log today at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

Who is Reading What

I had the opportunity last week to attend a presentation by Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project.  The Center is in the midst of a 3-year survey about reading and libraries funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and their findings have some thought-provoking implications. Here are a few selected results.  More about the project can be found at libraries.pewinternet.org.

75% of people aged 16+ reported having read at least one book in the past 12 months.  The average number of books read was 10; the median was 7 books.  While consumption of e-books continues to rise over time, as of 2012 only 23% of this population reported having read an e-book while 67% had read at least one book in print.   13% of respondents reported having listened to an audiobook.

Contrary to popular conceptions about young people’s allegiance to their gadgets, three-quarters (75%) of younger Americans say they have read at least one book in print in the past year, compared with 64% of adults ages 30 and older.  

For reading with a child, survey respondents overwhelming prefer print books (81%), while travelers gravitate strongly (73%) towards the convenience of e-books.

Parents Say Libraries Are Important for their Children, New Study Reports

A new study on Parents, Children, Libraries, and Reading from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project affirms what many librarians and library users already know – that libraries are recognized as being very important in the daily lives and development of children.  The latest data from the prestigious Research Center belies critics’ contentions that libraries are no longer relevant and gives important data to help libraries plan for their future service to this important population.

94% of parents surveyed said libraries are important for their children and 79% described libraries as “very important.”  The main reasons cited for parents’ enthusiasm for libraries are that libraries help inculcate their children’s love of reading and books and that libraries provide their children with information and resources not available at home.   The study goes on to highlight how children use libraries: 87% visit the library to borrow books, 55% to do school work, 46% to attend an event and 37% to use the Internet.   While also excited about potential new offerings, especially in the technology area, these families clearly value the core services libraries such as ours provide for children and families.

A link to more information and the full report can be found at thenewridgefieldlibrary.org/libraries_today_tomorrow/.

Snapshot Day Returns to CT Libraries

Snapshot Day is back! On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, libraries all over Connecticut will be taking a ‘snapshot’ – collecting information to capture the impact that Connecticut libraries have in their communities on a typical day. This is the third Snapshot Day, sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association, the Connecticut State Library, and the Connecticut Library Consortium.

In just one day in 2011 during the 2^nd Snapshot Day, here’s what happened at Connecticut libraries, including at our own Ridgefield Library:

• 55,862 people walked through the doors of 90 Connecticut libraries
•  56,573 books, movies and more were borrowed
• 717 new borrowers were registered
•  6,063 reference questions were answered
•  9,422 people used computers
• 478 programs/classes were offered, attended by 8,520 people

Connecticut’s libraries are busier than ever, with people coming not only to check out books, but use computers or attend the many programs our libraries offer. All across the state, libraries are the cornerstones of their communities, places where people come together to visit, learn and share ideas.

On April 16^th we hope once again to capture a slice of life of Connecticut’s libraries. Come to the Ridgefield Library between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to be counted - and maybe even get your snapshot taken!

Stats Show Impressive Library Use Last Year

Who says people don’t use libraries any more? Our usage numbers for 2009-2010 are in, and they are mighty impressive.

Circulation was at an all time high of 429,854. Even with so many alternative formats available for our patrons, a solid 65% of items borrowed last year were good old-fashioned print materials.

The number of reference questions was up by 4%. Despite the ubiquity of Google, people continue to make a wide range of requests for assistance from our trained and experienced librarians.

Attendance at programs was up over 12%, to 24,940 (that averages out to every single person in town attending one event). The huge success of offerings from Enjoying Joyce to the children’s Summer Reading Program demonstrates that people are flocking to the Library for more than just books.

At year-end, the size of our collection stood at 132,268, almost exactly the same number as a year ago. While we added over 13,000 new items to make sure our patrons had plenty of the newest titles, we also discarded the same number to make space for them on our overcrowded shelves.

For more statistics, see the About the Library section on our website at http://www.ridgefieldlibrary.org/about/facts_figures.shtml .

By the Numbers

Just how busy is it at the Ridgefield Library these days?

• 1,365 children, teens and adults participated in the recently completed Summer Reading Program, logging 34,853 books read in just six weeks.

• 9,134 items were checked out during that period at the new self-service computer in Children’s Services.

• The number of items checked out rose by 4.9% in 2008-2009 over the previous year, to an all-time high of 428,104. Translating into an average of 17.8 items borrowed for each man, woman and children in Ridgefield, that’s a lot of free bestsellers, book group selections, DVDs, magazines and other items people might have bought in another era.

• Adult program attendance last year rose by 25% and children’s program attendance was up 9.2%, with a total of 22,180 people of all ages enjoying our myriad offerings, from films and book discussions to storytimes and craft programs.

• Computer use continued to skyrocket last year, with hits on our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org up 19.9%, visits to our online event calendar up 58%, wireless log-ins up 22.1% and the number of sessions on the computers in the Library up 9.5%.

Come in soon and become part of what we expect to be another record-setting year!

A Very Busy Library

A barrage of media reports recently have highlighted the way people turn increasingly to libraries in tough economic times. In fact, the Ridgefield Library is slated to be featured in a New York Times article on the topic within the next few weeks. For the first half of the year, check-outs are up nearly 7%, and there are times when as many as 1,400 people come to the Library on a single day. As any visitor to the building can tell you, so much activity going on in such a cramped space can put a strain on resources and patience. From job seekers researching potential employers to parents seeking free and worthwhile activities for their youngsters, there are a lot of competing demands for space and attention. We could use your assistance to make sure everyone’s library experience is enjoyable and fulfilling.

• Use your “library voices,” and encourage children with you to do the same. We have very little isolated space for quiet study, and ask that you remain mindful of those around you trying to read or study.

• Do not leave children under the age of 6 unaccompanied anywhere in the Library. With so much traffic through the building, little ones can become frightened or lost if their adult companion is not near at hand. Further, Library policy requires that an adult caregiver remain in Children’s Services (NOT down the hallway or out at CVS) when their preschool child is in a storytime or other program, in case your child requires your attention.

• Save time and inconvenience by always bringing your library card with you and having it ready when you approach the Circulation Desk, either to use the self-service check-out station or for staff assistance.

Thanks for your help in keeping the Ridgefield Library a pleasant place for all.

Adult Summer Reading a Success

One more set of numbers on this summer’s activity at the Ridgefield Library. Now in its 4^th season, our Summer Reading Program for adults really gained momentum this year, with 163 people reading and reviewing 652 books. This is a 31% increase in participants and a 56% increase in books read over last year.

One of the reasons for the increased participation surely was the magnificent prize baskets raffled off each week. Many thanks to the following for their generous donations to fill these baskets, all designed to help you “Read Around Ridgefield”: 50 Coins Restaurant, Adam Broderick, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Bernard’s Restaurant, Bissell’s Pharmacy, Caputo’s East Ridge Café, Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe, Early Bird Café, the Elms Restaurant, Home Stop, Keeler Tavern, Planet Pizza, Ridgefield Hardware, Ridgefield Magazine, Ridgefield Parks & Recreation, Ridgefield Ski & Sport, Steve’s Bagels, Stop & Shop, Sweet Pierre’s, Southwest Café, Trader Joe’s and Wild Ginger Restaurant.

Another incentive for participants this year was the chance to earn funds to support our new Homebound Delivery Service. For each book or audiobook completed, money was allocated for the purchase of materials for this new outreach program for those unable to visit the Library due to health problems or disabilities. This service is currently in its formative stages and will be available to the general public early this fall. Stay tuned for details of how you can take advantage of the program or volunteer to help implement it.

As always, prizes, programs and everything else related to Summer Reading would not be possible without the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.

Finally, for those households without a young reader who earned a Summer Reading poster, remaining posters, signed by artist Jamison Odone, are now available for $10.00 each at the Circulation Desk.

2007-2008 A Busy Year @ the Library

Did you hear the report on All Things Considered recently about library use rising in response to the downturn in the economy? Well, it is not just in rural Kentucky that people are turning to their public libraries for books to read, kids’ activities, Internet access, newspapers and magazines and more, all free and all close to home. The 2007-2008 fiscal year, which ended June 30^th, saw record levels of usage at the Ridgefield Library as well.

The number of visitors to the Library rose by 6,711 over the previous year, to 398,934 visits (an average of 1,170 per day). Checkouts reached an all-time high of 408,557, up 2.8% in the last 12 months. That amounts to an average of 16.9 items borrowed by every man, woman and child in town. Library staff fielded over 17,000 reference questions, and we logged an average of 81 sessions at our Public Access Computers each day. Visits to our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org went up by nearly 10,000 hits (a 16.4% increase), to 68,478, as Ridgefielders increasingly turned to our virtual library for more reliable answers than they could find on their own with a search engine. Subscriptions to our downloadable audiobook service were up by 6.1% and use of our wireless access rose 4.7%.

Attendance at programs reached over 19,000, due in no small part to the many wonderful Ridgefield Writes events presented in honor of the town’s tercentennial. The total number of programs presented came to 875, or an average of 17 storytimes, book discussions, concerts, author talks and more each and every week. To find out about those programs, over 2,000 families were subscribed to our e-mail newsletter and 22,193 visits were made to our online events calendar.

Whatever your motivation to come to the Library, we were pleased to welcome you during the past year and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Turn to Your Library When Times Get Tough

I was intrigued by the special coverage in the Danbury News-Times recently about the local impact of the shaky economy. Libraries were mentioned in article after article as great places to save money while still enjoying many favorite activities. In fact, libraries typically experience a surge in use when times are tough, and the Ridgefield Library’s usage statistics over the past few months bear this out. Here are a few of the ways the Ridgefield Library can help you weather these trying times.

· Instead of spending $50 or more taking the family to the multiplex, come to our Hollister Film Series every other Tuesday afternoon and evening. We’ll even throw in the popcorn for free!

· Give up on Netflix and get your DVDs from the Library. We don’t deliver to your door, but we will call or e-mail you when the title you have requested is available for your use.

· Why buy that expensive audiobook you will only listen to once? Borrow one for free on cassette or CD or available for download anytime, anywhere to an MP3 player.

· Take in a concert, lecture or art show locally instead of spending precious gas money on trips to the big city. Our Ridgefield Folk concert series features world class talent, and the artists on exhibit in the Dayton Program Room “Gallery” are top notch.

· Do you really need all those magazine subscriptions? The Library carries over 200 popular titles in print (available for borrowing) and offers full-text editions of hundreds more online.

Of course, we don’t want to dissuade you from patronizing local businesses or arts organizations, but if you are looking for ways to stretch your dollar to afford their offerings, make the Ridgefield Library a regular part of your family’s routine.

The 2007 Summer Reading Program is “in the books.” A grand total of 1,018 youngsters, 185 teens and 241 adults completed 32,819 books in just six short weeks. Grade schoolers were the most voracious, going through an average of 27.75 books each; teens weren’t far behind at 22.44 average. Even with the new Harry Potter counting as multiple books due to its 700+ page length, that’s a lot of reading! While adults on average read far fewer books each, the number of participants nearly doubled in just the third year of Adult Summer Reading.

And all those youngsters were anxious to talk about what they had read, logging in 2,890 visits to the Children’s Summer Reading table, for an average of 102 visits per day (up 23% over last year). Scores of volunteers young and old listened to all those reports and dispensed 776 posters, 605 certificates for ice cream sundaes at Deborah Ann’s, 332 book bags and 269 Toy Chest gift certificates at various reading levels. A whopping 448 passport photos on display in the stairwell recognized those who truly got into the spirit of our “Read Around the World” theme.

Teens and adults submitted hundreds of reviews to share with fellow readers, many taking advantage of the new online review/entry form. Teens also earned prizes from Piccolo Pizza, the Ridgefield Playhouse and Deborah Ann’s, along with chances on weekly raffles. Adult participants were entered in weekly drawings for beautiful themed baskets created by librarian Lesley-Anne Read, with contributed goodies from Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, Venice Restaurant, Parma Market, Wild Ginger, Southwest Café, Chez Lenard, Thai Pearl and Ridgefield Hardware.

As always, the Friends of the Ridgefield Library provided the primary support for our entire Summer Reading Program, underwriting printing costs, some incentives and the many special performances and other events that kept the Library hopping day and night. Thanks to all who made Summer Reading Program 2007 such a huge success!

The Numbers Tell a Story

Visits to the Ridgefield Library during the last fiscal year (7/1/06-6/30/07) were up 3.4% to a record high of 392,223 people, bearing out locally the findings of a nationwide study released by the American Library Association in April. According to the ALA survey, public library use continues to grow, increasing overall by 61% from 1994 to 2004 - the same period during which the World Wide Web and Google were becoming household words.

In Ridgefield, this translated to 1,150 visitors per open day last year, or an average of 16.26 annual visits by each man, woman and child in Ridgefield. And just what did those people do here?

· Borrowed an average 16.5 items per capita, nearly double the state average. At the same time, due to lack of space, our collection size stayed nearly unchanged, at 135,673 items of all types. During the year, we discarded 17,577 items to make room for 17,051 new releases and patron requests – the perfect example of a “capped collection!”

· Logged onto our wireless connection 3,245 times. This is an impressive total for our first full year of this service, even taking into account May 17th (the day after the Big Storm), when we tallied 153 log-ins, including at one point 27 people at the same time.

· Attended book discussions, concerts, lectures and other programs. Driven by the popularity of our Seriously Shakespeare program, the new Sense of Place series created with the Ridgefield Design Council and myriad other activities, adult program attendance rose 10.8% to an impressive 5,664 people enjoying 230 events.

· Asked 17,411 reference and readers advisory questions. Despite easy access to the Internet, Ridgefielders remain eager to consult our expert librarians, whether they are looking for a source of reliable health information, a read-alike for P.D. James or help finding details of life in Ancient Egypt.

Stop by soon and become one of this year’s statistics!