How to Get What You Want @ the Library

Here’s how to improve your success rate in receiving items requested from the Ridgefield Library.

• If you place a reserve on an item our catalog lists as being in, please wait for confirmation that the item has been located and is ready for your pick-up.

• If our copy of something is out, first place a request in our catalog rather than going out to an external source. In most cases, this will automatically trigger a request to our 40 sister libraries in Bibliomation, and the first available copy will be shipped here for your use. The statewide catalog, referred to as iCONN.org or reQuest, only gets updates from many libraries periodically (Ridgefield information is sent once a quarter) so does not accurately reflect our current holdings or availability.

• If you want to reserve a specific number of a multi-part DVD series, ask a staff person to help you. The public catalog interface only allows you to place a request on a title in general, but we can get behind the scenes to select a particular volume.

• Ask for assistance! Our staff is trained in the intricacies of navigating the various catalog and Inter-Library Loan systems, and we are happy to help.

Simple Changes Make Using the Library Easier

Small improvements can sometimes make a big difference. Here are a few changes that make using the Ridgefield Library more convenient.

• Our self-service Express Checkout computers at Circulation and in Children’s Services have a new interface. Now both units look and act the same, and it should be easier to follow the instructions to use this convenient service.

• To make check-out easier for staff and patrons, we are now putting the barcodes in the upper left corner on the outside of most items. Older items still have these in the original location, mostly inside the front cover.

• You may now pay for outgoing faxes with cash as well as credit cards. A new vending machine allows you to purchase pre-paid cards for this purpose. Exact change only, please!

• Sign-up for adult programs requiring registration is now being done online. Look for the “Register” button on the event calendar on our website, or ask at the reference desk for assistance. Most of our programs still operate on a drop-in basis, but this new system assures orderly and fair registration for those that require it.

Let us know if there is anything else we can do to make your life easier!

New Ridgefield Library Website Debuts

The new Ridgefield Library website is here! The address remains www.ridgefieldlibrary.org, but it takes you to a brand new place. This site is designed to evolve and grow to meet your needs, so take a tour of our new “virtual branch” and let us know what you like, what doesn’t work, what you would like to see that you can’t find there.

Here are just a few of the new features:

• Extensive homework help resources for students and topical research pages for adults
• Everything you need to know about getting a library card, reserving a book or signing up for the ELF notification service
• A page of tips and links for parents
• A feed from our new Twitter account, where we can post breaking news, such as status reports on last week’s closing due to lack of heat
• Details of upcoming programs, arranged by date, by type of program and even, for children’s programs, by age of the target audience
• Interactive displays of new books and other materials, with live links directly to our catalog to check availability
• Facts, figures and history about the Library
• How-to manuals for downloadable audiobooks and other special services

Visit today to try all this and much more!

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!

Text a Librarian

Now you can Text a Librarian! This is the newest way the Ridgefield Library invites you to send us your reference questions. Wherever you are, you can use your cell phone to ask all the same questions you might by phone, email or in person. Send your text to 66746. Start the body of your message with ASKRDG, then a space, followed by your question. Press send, and stay tuned for our answer!

During the Library’s open hours, our librarians will be monitoring and responding promptly to incoming text messages. At other times, you can send a message but it will not be answered until our librarians are next on duty.

Teens are known for relying on texting for virtually all communications, and we look forward to hearing from them. But we urge anyone on the go with a cell phone handy to give it a try.

The first time you use the service, you will receive a message with an advertising pitch from Mosio, the company that provides this service to libraries. After that, you should only receive responses from our staff. Please note that Text a Librarian messages will incur whatever charges are customary under your phone plan.

Vote in the Nutmeg Book Award and Get your Free T-Shirt

It’s that time again – time to vote for the Nutmeg Book Awards, Connecticut’s prize for children’s literature, voted on by youngsters all over the state. Over the past year, Intermediate level readers in grades 4 through 6 and Teen level readers in grades 7 and 8 have been reading the nominated titles (ten at each level). They shared their impressions with friends and classmates in Nutmeg Nibblers and Nutmeg Teen book groups.  Thanks to a generous grant from HSBC Bank, N.A., they had the opportunity to meet many of the nominated authors and ask them questions about their books and their lives as writers. Now the time has come to choose!

Ballots are available in Children’s Services and at elementary and middle school media centers. Please vote only once – at school or at the Library.  You do not need to read all ten titles in a category to vote – pick your favorite of those you have read. Ballots must be submitted by January 31^st.  Results will be announced in February. This year, all Ridgefield voters will receive a coupon entitling them to a special Nutmeg Voter T-shirt, courtesy of HSBC (coupons redeemable at the Library).  Vote today and wear your shirt proudly!

New Museum Passes Available

The Danbury Railway Museum is the latest addition to the Library’s Museum Pass Program. This pass, made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Library, is good for free general admission to the museum for two adults and up to four children. The Museum, located in the historic station and rail yard in downtown Danbury, offers railroad history, tours, train rides, a collection of original and restored rolling stock and opportunities for hands-on railroad work at "12 inches to the foot" scale. You can find out more about this local treasure at www.danbury.org/drm.

We also now have available a limited number of passes worth 20% off general admission for up to four people at the new Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. The Connecticut Science Center opened in June and is the hottest new thing in fun, interactive science education for the whole family. Thanks to the Science Center for providing this opportunity for Connecticut residents to get acquainted with their exciting programs. Find out more at http://www.ctsciencecenter.org/.

Ask in Children's Services about borrowing these and passes to many other great area cultural and educational institutions.