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.

Date Stamping to Be Eliminated

Starting March 15^th, the Ridgefield Library will be instituting new time- and cost-saving procedures in our Circulation Department. Encouraged by the great success of our self-service check-out station, we will no longer be stamping a due date on individual items. Each borrower will receive instead a printed receipt with information on each item checked out. This change will speed up transactions and shorten lines at the Circulation Desk, eliminate extra processing work in our Technical Services department and substantially reduce our expenditures on supplies such as labels, date due slips and stamp pads.

Worried about forgetting when things are due? We have several tools available to help you keep track.

• Pick up a Ridgefield Library magnet to keep your library receipts handy on your fridge or other central location.

• Check the My Account feature in our catalog, where you can see a list of all your borrowing, holds and other information.

• Sign up for Library ELF and receive advance notice of items coming due. You can even put all your family’s library accounts together and get one convenient e-mail notice for everything you have out.

Don’t hesitate to ask at the Circulation Desk or visit www.ridgefieldlibrary.org for more information.

Preschool Explorers Day Sunday February 22nd

Ever since the movie “Night at the Museum” came out, there has been a fascination with getting a “behind the scenes” look at imposing public institutions. At the Ridgefield Library, this has led to great interest in the annual Camp Snooze 4^th grade sleepover and to Teen Advisory Group after-hours “lock-ins.”

Now, we are pleased to announce Preschool Explorers Day: A Discovery Adventure at the Library for preschool youngsters and an adult companion on Sunday, February 22^nd at 11:00 AM. Arrive before the building opens to the public, and take a safari-style trip through the Library. Using your trusty flashlight, you will explore secret rooms, search for favorite storybook characters, and enjoy crafts, activities and snacks. When you’re done, you’ll be an expert about your Library – and your parent, grandparent or other adult companion will learn a few useful things as well.

This program has been planned especially for preschool-aged kids to share with a favorite adventurous adult. We especially encourage working dads and moms to take advantage of this opportunity, since so many Library programs take place during the workweek. Please, no siblings. We will be travelling into the nooks and crannies of the building, and there will be no accommodation for unattended older children.

Preschool Explorers Day has been organized by the creative volunteers of the Library’s Younger Set community outreach committee, who have also been responsible for the Fall for the Library Day in September and the new Books for Babes service. This group has come together to brainstorm about what young children and their families would like from their Library and to work with staff to bring some of these ideas to life. Please contact me as below for more information on joining this group.

Computer Upgrade February 18th

Do you know where your library card is? Please take a moment and check before Wednesday, February 18^th, when our library automation system will be down all day for an upgrade. A library card will be necessary for all check-outs, and we must ask you to limit yourself to 4 items per family. We will not be able to do name look-ups, renew items, pay off fines, issue new cards or renew expired ones and the self-check station will not be working.

We do not anticipate any interruption to access to databases, Internet and wireless in the Library itself, but some other services will be affected for this one day:

• Our catalog (both in the Library and online) will be unavailable. Ask staff for assistance in locating materials.

• You will not be able to access “My Account” to renew or reserve items. To place a hold, you may fill out a request card at the Library or call for phone assistance.

• Overdue and hold notices from the Library and from ELF will not be sent until the next day.

• We will not be able to check anything in, but all items returned that day will be recorded as coming in on the 18^th and no fines will accrue for that day.

• Many online resources that require your library card number to log in may not be available remotely, although all should be accessible at the Library. Try using databases provided by the state library at www.iconn.org or the recommended Internet sources listed on our website.

Most of the system improvements are technical in nature and won’t be very noticeable to our patrons, but they will enhance our ability to serve you. Thanks for your patience!

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.

Books for Babes

Do you have a new baby in your family, or know someone who does? The Ridgefield Library sends its congratulations and would like to give you a little gift to celebrate the occasion. Our new Books for Babes program provides newborns and their parents with a Ridgefield Library tote bag complete with a board book and a variety of information to introduce you to all the Library has to offer for even the youngest visitor.

Reading is closely associated with the path to success in school and life, and your Books for Babes bag is part of the foundation of your child’s lifelong love of reading and libraries. Enjoy the board book included in the bag, and then come to the Library to explore other offerings. Start by dropping in to Mother Goose, our popular program of music, movement and rhymes for newborns through age 2 and an adult. Material included in the bag tells you more about how our Children’s Services department will travel with you through the progressive stages of your child’s development.

The Library is also a great resource for parents and caregivers, with our special collection of parenting books and media, helpful staff and lots of opportunities for networking with other new parents.

Just contact me at 203-438-2282 x 1009 or MFRind@RidgefieldLibrary.org to request a Books for Babes bag for yourself or a friend. We know new parents’ schedules are full and unpredictable, so we have volunteers waiting to deliver a bag to your doorstep, or you can come in and pick one up if you wish.

Books for Babes was developed by the Library’s “Younger Set” community outreach committee and is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library. Contact me anytime for more information about these dedicated volunteer groups and how you can get involved.

New Beverage Policy Introduced

In this wintry weather, nothing is more appealing than a cup of hot coffee or tea, and now you can bring your favorite beverage into the Ridgefield Library to enjoy as you study or browse. Effective immediately, we will be allowing beverages in the Library, as long as they are in a container with a top or lid to minimize potential spills (standard cans and bottles are okay under this rule). Have a drink with you but don’t have a proper container? Then you can purchase a Ridgefield Library travel mug at the Circulation Desk for just $3.00.

Beverages (non-alcoholic only, please) will be allowed throughout the building, except in the History Room on the 2^nd floor. Please check with staff before bringing drinks into programs, where they may be inappropriate.

To accommodate the wave of water bottles, soda cans and coffee cups, we have installed new trash containers around the building for different types of recyclables. Please note that cardboard coffee containers count as food waste and not paper. To avoid messy spills, it is helpful if you can pour out in a restroom sink any leftover liquid before discarding the container. Just ask the staff if you have any questions.

Food will continue to be prohibited in the Library. Food allergies, maintenance concerns and the potential distraction to nearby patrons make this impractical in our cramped quarters. We appreciate your understanding of this restriction and thank you for your help in making this new policy a success for all visitors to the Ridgefield Library.

*** Going to be out and about town on January 20^th? Stop by the Library’s Dayton Program Room between noon and 4 PM to take in coverage of the inauguration on our big screen. Coffee and cookies will be served. Don’t miss history being made!