Shop the Holiday Book Boutique

This weekend, Holiday Strollers can continue their walk down Main Street to the Library, where the Friends of the Library will be hosting their annual Holiday Book Boutique. Hundreds of nearly new and gift quality children’s books, coffee table books and much more will be for sale at attractive prices for holiday gift giving. Hint for parents: this is a great place for youngsters to get affordable presents for family members. They can shop “in secret” while you take care of other library business. The Holiday Book Boutique will be open from 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday the 4th and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday the 5th.

The Boutique will be located this year in the historic Morris Memorial wing of the Library, and the doors from Main Street will be open for the occasion. Follow the decorative lights up the path and enjoy the rare opportunity to come in through this seldom-used entrance.

While you’re here, don’t forget to stop by the Circulation Desk to stock up on library travel mugs and special edition illustrated library cards. A mug and card combination package is only $5.00 – perfect for teacher gifts, stocking stuffers or Secret Santa presents.

Winter Service Reminders

What does the coming of winter mean at the Ridgefield Library?

• When schools are closed due to the weather, regularly scheduled storytimes and other children’s activities will be cancelled. Decisions about adult programs are made on a case by case basis.

• The Library does not necessarily follow the lead of the schools or town agencies when deciding whether to close early or delay opening because of the weather. Always call or check our website or www.ctweather.com for the latest status before starting out.

• If we are open but you don’t feel comfortable going out on the roads, call or go online to renew materials that are due. You can also check out the wealth of resources on our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org - all available for your information and entertainment from the comfort and safety of your home.

• Do you have health or mobility issues that are aggravated by the winter weather? Our Homebound Delivery Service may provide a solution to the problem of getting to the Library in the ice and snow. Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski at 203-438-2282 x1003 is happy to discuss long-term or seasonal service.

Here’s to a happy and healthy winter for all!

Ridgefield Library Days at Books on the Common

Ridgefield Library Days are coming once again to Books on the Common, now in its new location at 404 Main Street. On the weekend after Thanksgiving, just show your Ridgefield Library card at the time of purchase and 15% of the proceeds of book sales (hardcover, paperback and audiobooks) will be donated to the Library. The bookstore will be open Friday the 27th from 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (stop by before or after the tree-lighting ceremony), Saturday the 28th from 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday the 29th from 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

If you haven’t been to the new Books on the Common store, you are in for a treat. And now you can support your community library while supporting this local business. What more incentive do you need to get and carry your library card? Stop by the Circulation Desk today and get yours. All you need is proof of Ridgefield residence (such as driver’s license, lease or utility bill). Free keychain cards are now available for your convenience, or for a $5.00 fee you can get our colorful special edition card designed by author and illustrator Jamison Odone (this makes a great stocking stuffer, too).

Giving Program Expands Book Club Corner Selection

Is your book group looking for great selections for your future meetings?  Don’t forget to check out our Book Club Corner, located in the Fiction Room.  Here you will find 10 copies each of dozens of titles, chosen by our librarians for their suitability for discussion.  The choices range from proven hits like Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants” to newer titles such as “The Heretic’s Daughter” by Kathleen Kent. 

To maximize our purchasing power, the Library usually waits until a selection is available in paperback before acquiring it for the Book Club Corner.  But a new giving program is allowing us to respond more quickly to requests for titles that are in demand and in the news. For example, a recent donation from the members of the Westmoreland Book Club made possible timely purchase of hardcover copies of “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett.  The club gets first use of the books, which are then available for other groups to read and discuss.  Bookplates in each copy acknowledge the generosity of the donor club.

Please contact Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski for more details about this new program or for further information about other library services for community book clubs.

Give Mango Foreign Language Learning System a Try

Interested in learning or becoming more proficient in a foreign language?   The Ridgefield Library is here to support your efforts.  Responding to the proliferation of new products and formats, we are continually looking to expand our language learning collection to serve you better.  

Pimsleur language learning selections are no longer available as part of our NetLibrary downloadable audiobook service.   We are exploring several other options, including interactive computer-based programs, and would like your input.

This month, we are running a trial of Mango Languages, an online language-learning system offering instruction in speaking skills for a wide variety of languages.  Mango uses real-life situations to teach a new language.  By listening to and repeating material from native conversations, the user learns the language and how to use it in practical situations, while being introduced to elements of grammar and conjugation.

You can access the Mango Languages trial by visiting our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org, or you can try it at the Library.  Once you have sampled Mango Languages, e-mail your feedback to dlpawl@RidgefieldLibrary.org.  Please include reactions to the Mango 2.0 Technology Preview when commenting about whether this is a resource the Library should consider purchasing. Thanks for your help.

H1N1 Preparedness @ the Library

Along with many others, the Ridgefield Library is preparing to minimize risks to its patrons and staff from the anticipated onset of H1N1 virus, or swine flu.

First and foremost, if anyone in your family shows symptoms that resemble those associated with swine flu – stay home!  Renew items you have out online or by phone; call to let us know you won’t be coming to storytime.  As with any illness, if you are too sick to go to work or school, you are too sick to come to the Library.

Exercise sensible precautions when handling library materials or computers. Have your child wash his or her hands after using a “games” computer, or take advantage of one of the dispensers of sanitizing gel located throughout the building. Use a sanitizing wipe to clean off computer keyboards or tabletops before use.  Our maintenance staff works hard to make sure the Library is thoroughly cleaned each morning, but with more than 1,200 people coming through the doors each day, we can’t keep up with the continuous activity.

Visit our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org and click on “H1N1 Information” for the latest from the Town of Ridgefield, the state Dept. of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mystery Book Discussion Group to Launch in November

Murder by the Book – that’s the name of the Library’s newest book discussion group, set to launch next month.  Responding to popular demand, it will be dedicated exclusively to the enjoyment and exploration of the mystery genre.

Meeting on the first Thursday of each month, the group will alternate between traditional book discussions and other mystery-related programs, such as film screenings, author talks and more. Library Assistant Director Mary Rindfleisch will serve as facilitator.

The first session will be on Thursday, November 5^th at 1:00 PM in the Library’s Dayton Program Room, when we will discuss “Shroud for a Nightingale” by P.D. James. This title was selected for our inaugural meeting because of the author’s unique position in the transition between Golden Age writers like Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh and the more contemporary sensibility of Sue Grafton, Elizabeth George and others.

As with all Library book groups, copies of the selection are available at the Circulation Desk, or check Books on the Common to purchase at a 15% book club discount.

If you are a mystery fan, join us in November to help choose forthcoming selections and programs!