Celebrate Children’s Books in November

The Children’s Services Department at the Ridgefield Library offers a full schedule of programs and special events every month of the year.  Kids of all ages are welcome to learn, create, relax, and explore in the Library’s dedicated children’s area.  We are especially excited to share the love of books and reading with Ridgefield’s youngest residents.  On Saturday, November 10th, Gail Carson Levine, author of the beloved Newbery Honor Award-Winning Ella Enchanted, will be at the Library to discuss her new book, Ogre Enchanted.  Purchase books on-site by Books on the Common and stay for a book signing at the end of the event.

Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.  Join us for “Children’s Books Merit Grown-Up Conversation,” a two-part discussion series for adults which will examine the picture book as visual literacy, art, and cultural fare.  The first session will be held November 27^th.

For more information and to register for programs, go to the events page of the Library’s website www.ridgefieldlibrary.org

Still Alive! 200 Years of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Signs of Halloween are everywhere in the Ridgefield Library, many with a Frankenstein-inspired theme.  We are celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s classic tale with an array of special programs and activities for all ages:  you can decorate and display a Franken-Pumpkin; learn the art of Monstrous Make-up;  join a Frankenstein book discussion;  attend a screening and lecture by Mark Edwards of Sacred Heart University on Frankenstein: Book to Movie; enjoy a very special presentation by Dr. Mark Schenker of Yale, Frankenstein’s Creature: A Monster for Its Time--and Ours; and spend Halloween at our drop-in Frankenstein movie marathon (fans of Mel Brooks will not be disappointed!).  For dates, times and locations, please go to ridgefieldlibrary.org to download our special Frankenstein brochure.

Thank you to the Friends of the Ridgefield Library for their generous support of Still Alive! 200 Years of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.  For more information and to access the Library’s full calendar of events, please go to ridgefieldlibrary.org

Medical Information at Ridgefield Library

Looking for reliable medical information? The Ridgefield Library is pleased to announce our new Medical Reference collection located on the Upper Level. The collection consists of resources that have been recommended by the National Library of Medicine. Included are medical encyclopedias, a four-volume cancer encyclopedia, resources on mental health, laboratory and diagnostic tests, human anatomy, and a guide to prescription and non-prescription drugs.

The 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2019, for example, lists medical diseases and conditions alphabetically, and provides an overview, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care related to each condition. Additional resources cover general medicine, OB-GYN, and pediatrics. Periodicals include the Health & Nutrition Newsletter from Tufts University and Consumer Reports On Health. 

Who Can You Trust?: Finding Quality Health Information will be held at the Library on Monday, October 15, from 2-3:30 p.m. Please register at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org or call 203-438-2282 for more information.

Libraries are part of a healthy community. We aim to provide quality medical information to help everyone become better informed about their health.

Medical resources are for educational purposes and do not replace the advice of a medical professional. We encourage you to visit and share information with your doctor or health professional.   

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Christie Mitchell is Adult Services Librarian at the Ridgefield Library.  She may be reached at camitchell@ridgefieldlibrary.org or 203-438-2282 x12004

Arts Alive at the Library

Arts programming is alive at the Ridgefield Library this Fall. Opportunities abound for those who love to write, read, listen and create. The sixth annual Ridgefield Writers Conference happens September 21, and the Ridgefield Folk series kicks off on September 23rd. The Library’s many book groups are in full swing, offering lively and thought-provoking discussions every month. The Library’s STEAM corner is open and ready for all makers and creators.

On September 30th teens and parents are invited to attend Thriving Through the Arts: College and Beyond, a special program focusing on next steps for young musicians, actors, dancers, and visual artists.

Something else “fore” teens: Love Your Library mini golf on Friday, September 28 from 6:30-10:00pm. Middle and high school students can play the course for $10 per player. Food and refreshments will be served. Participants will be entered in a raffle for gift cards valued at $100, $75 and $50. This event sponsored by Woody and Suni Harford.

Go to ridgefieldlibrary.org to access the Library’s calendar of events and for more information.

Best New Things

Best new thing for your family game night: Ridgefield Library is now circulating board games and puzzles! Use your Library card to bring home a game. Join us on the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm for our teen and adult game meet-up: We Got Games! The Library has a collection of games from which to choose, or you can bring a game to play. All skill levels are welcome.

Best new thing for teens: the third annual LYL (Love Your Library) weekend includes a “teen only” mini-golf event on Friday, September 28 from 6:30-10:00pm. Middle and high school students will have the first shot at playing the course for $10 per player. Food and refreshments will be served. All participants will be entered in a raffle for gift cards valued at $100, $75 and $50. Teen Night is sponsored by Woody and Suni Harford.

Best thing for all Library lovers: Sunday hours resume on September 9. The Library is open from 1-5pm.

Go to ridgefieldlibrary.org to access the Library’s calendar of events and for more information.

Rock On, Readers!

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018 Libraries Rock! Summer Reading Program.  Readers of all ages enjoyed games, programs, prizes, and special events with a rockin’ theme.  The Summer Reading Program is possible thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.  While the organized activities have ended, children through grade 6 can continue to log their reading and collect prizes until August 29^th. 

RidgeCon, the Library’s daylong celebration of pop culture and fandom held on August 18th, was preceded this year by an innovative Friday evening event for adults, Blackout: RidgeCon After Dark.  Blackout---part escape room, part mystery night, part scavenger hunt.  It was a great night, and we thank Ridgefield Academy for their support of Blackout, and the Friends of the Ridgefield Library for sponsoring another fun and successful RidgeCon.

A busy summer at the Library?  Yes!  And there’s so much more to come in September:  author events, jazz celebration, the launch of our STEAM corner, book discussions, programs for children and teens, and the annual Love Your Library weekend September 28^th and 29^th.  Go to ridgefieldlibrary.org to access the Library’s calendar of events and for more information.

Tell Us What You Want

Hoping to read a new release but it is never on the shelf? We always encourage people to place a hold for a desired item rather than just wait to strike it lucky.  You can do this yourself online anytime or ask us to do it for you.  The more holds on a popular item, the more copies we will buy (our goal is to have at least 1 copy for every 4 names on the waiting list).

We now request registration for most adult programs and appreciate knowing if you plan to attend.  Some technology classes, for example, can accommodate only as many participants as we have available computers.  For larger gatherings, we want to make sure we have enough chairs set up and enough refreshments!  And, in winters like this one, it is helpful to be able to contact all expected attendees in the case of weather cancellations. We also ask that you cancel if you are unable to attend a program for which you have registered.  This allows us to offer a spot to someone on the waiting list and make sure we have a full house.  Registration (and cancellation) can be done online or by calling us.

Thanks for your help!