National Reading Group Month Celebrated

Here's some news from Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski.

The wealth of active book discussion groups in Ridgefield shows that proclamations about the demise of reading are greatly exaggerated, at least as they apply to our town. October has been designated National Reading Group Month by the Women’s National Book Association, and we’d like to recognize the Ridgefield Library’s long-running book groups, as well applaud those who have formed their own discussion groups in town.

The Library offers three reading groups for adults each month. The A.M. Book Group, which meets the 4^th Wednesday of each month at 10 AM, and the Critics’ Circle Book Group, which meets on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM, both focus mainly on fiction titles. Their selections run the gamut from new contemporary works to the classics. The Tuesday Evening NonFictioneers meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month, and their choices reflect the breadth of topics and titles available in this genre. Become a regular participant or pick and choose from the groups based on your reading interests and schedule. It’s a great way to meet a wonderful group of people who share a love of reading, and drop-ins are always welcome.

The Library is also committed to supporting community reading groups. Three years ago, with the support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library, the Book Club Corner began offering resources for book groups and multiple copies of popular book discussion selections. We’re happy to provide the books needed for a discussion either from the Book Club Corner or through inter-library loan. We do ask that you allow at least two weeks to fulfill requests, and please be aware that, regrettably, we can not supply multiple copies of brand new bestsellers. Contact Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski for more information about this service.

Celebrate Teen Read Week @ the Library

Here's an update from Teen Services Librarian Geri Diorio.

You may hear occasional news stories about teens doing bad things. But not all teens are like that, and I wish there were more attention paid to the good things that teens do. One of the places where teens can go and find meaningful ways to spend their time is the library. Teens use the Ridgefield Library for homework and school projects, but also much more. They attend programs like Final Fridays and High School Critics, and they help run the Teen Advisory Group. Local teens know the Library has plenty of magazines, newspapers, graphic novels, and how-to books. We also offer movies, music CDs, video games, CD-ROMs and special programs. We have computers that Ridgefield teens use for homework, to keep in touch with friends and family, and to play games.

I’d like to tell teens who may not be using the Library that they should check it out. There is more to do here than they may think, and there are people here who can help them get their questions answered. A good time to stop by might be next week – Teen Read Week. The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, has designated October 12 to 18 as Teen Read Week. This year’s theme is “Books with Bite,” and we’ll have displays of books that teens can read for the fun of it. There will be books of biting humor, vampire books, bite-sized books of short stories, adventure books where the hero bites the bullet, biting questions of philosophy and sound bites (audiobooks).

So, don’t forget to visit the Ridgefield Library during Teen Read Week. You’ll see plenty of teens here, and I guarantee you that they won’t be doing any of the bad stuff you hear about in the media.

Homebound Delivery Service Now Available

The Ridgefield Library is pleased to announce the launch of a new outreach service to deliver library materials to Ridgefielders who are unable to come to the Library due to disability or health problems. “Despite record-setting numbers of visitors to our facility, we recognize that there are many people in town who are missing out on the delights of the Ridgefield Library because of physical challenges of one sort or another,” says Library Director Chris Nolan. “Now, thanks to community support, we are able to bring the Library to them.”

Homebound delivery service is available to Ridgefield residents of any age and may be requested due to long-term or short-term disability or health problems that make it impossible for an individual to come to the Library. Library staff conduct an intake interview and explain the program guidelines. They also work with each participant to develop a reader preference profile to assist in selecting materials of interest.

Participants call the Library to request a delivery. Any book, audiobook, DVD, large print book, magazine or other item owned by the Ridgefield Library may be requested (there may be a wait for some popular items). All items are loaned for 28 days and most may be renewed for an additional loan period.

Each participant is matched with a volunteer, based on geographical and schedule compatibility. Deliveries and pick-ups may be made once a week, at an agreed upon time.

The Library’s Homebound Delivery Service is made possible by crucial funding from the Friends of the Ridgefield Library and by the generous donation of time by volunteer drivers from the community. Special thanks are due to Melissa Brady, who is serving as volunteer coordinator for the project.

To sign up to receive homebound delivery service or to volunteer for the service, contact Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski at 203-438-2282 x1003 or FictionRoom@RidgefieldLibrary.org.

The Scoop on Overdue Notices

We sometimes hear from patrons taking us to task for “wasting” money sending out overdue notices too quickly. I thought it might be helpful to explain exactly what our procedures are and how you can avoid getting unnecessary notices.

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy to alert you to library items you may have overlooked. Our purpose is not to scold you for bad behavior but rather to give you a gentle nudge to return items so they are available for other users.

The first notice of an overdue item is generated 5 days after the due date and is sent either by mail or by e-mail, as you prefer. Signing up for e-mail notification is one way to help us save money by eliminating the cost of envelopes, paper, stamps and staff time. It will also get your notice to you quicker, saving you the cost of accumulating fines.

If you can’t get into the Library to return the listed items right away, you can call or go online to renew most items.

To save time and money, we have recently eliminated a second notice which had gone out when an item was 10 days overdue. At 28 days past the due date, we send a bill for the replacement cost of items now considered lost rather than late. This charge must be resolved before you are able to borrow anything further.

The best way to avoid getting any overdue notices is, of course, to return or renew everything on time. To help you do so, we have recently introduced the Library ELF service that provides an alert ahead of time of items coming due on all the cards you register, all in one handy e-mail. Ask at Circulation for details of signing up for ELF or for e-mail overdue notices.

Banned Books Week 2008

Here's a report from Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski.

Next week, the Ridgefield Library will join booksellers and libraries throughout the country in observing the 27^th annual Banned Books Week from September 27^th through October 4^th. While not every book is suitable for every reader, Banned Books Week celebrates our individual right to decide what we read.

People are often surprised by the breadth of titles that are challenged each year. Challenges are formal, written complaints filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed. The American Library Association reports that in 2007 there were 420 known attempts to remove books and estimates that for every formal challenge there were four to five incidents that went unreported. This year’s list of challenged books includes such diverse titles as Beach Music by Frank Conroy, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and many of the Harry Potter titles by J. K. Rowling.

The Ridgefield Library will feature displays throughout the building of books that have been banned or challenged. For any questions about why a particular book has been cited, visit the Fiction Desk for a look at Banned Books, a resource guide that details the exact nature of each challenge. And, while supplies last, pick up a colorful bookmark promoting this year’s theme “Closing Books Shuts Out Ideas.” There are versions with artwork geared specifically to children, teens, and adults.

In the words of Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, “We must remain vigilant to assure that would-be censors do not threaten the very basis of our democracy – the freedom to choose.” We hope you’ll take time this coming week to celebrate this precious First Amendment right.

Ridgefield Writes Spotlights O'Neill

Along with the rest of the town’s 300^th anniversary activities, our Ridgefield Writes yearlong celebration of Ridgefield authors will wrap up this month with one last special series of programs, applying the successful formula we have used previously for explorations of “Don Quixote” and Shakespeare’s tragedies. A Ridgefield property owner starting in 1922, Eugene O’Neill wrote many of his most celebrated plays while living in town. We will focus on “Desire Under the Elms,” which has the further local significance of having its setting inspired by the playwright’s Brook Farm on North Salem Road.

We will start out on Saturday, September 13^th at 10 AM with a screening of the 1958 film version of the play, followed by a discussion led by film buff Lou Sabini.

Knowledgeable and entertaining on a wide range of literary topics, Yale Professor Dr. Mark Schenker returns on Thursday the 18^th at 7 PM with a lecture on “Eugene O’Neill: The Man and his Works.”

On Saturday the 20^th at 10 AM, we will air a documentary on Eugene O’Neill produced for PBS’s American Masters series.

Monday, September 22^nd at 2 PM and at 7 PM, readers will have a chance to weigh in during scholarly book discussions led by Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski. Registration is required only for the book discussions, and those who sign up will receive a free copy of the text.

We will wind up our journey with a dramatic presentation by Stephen Collins on October 23^rd at 7 PM. A frequent performer at the Library, Mr. Collins will treat audiences to scenes from the “Theater of the 30s, 40s and 50s,” including excerpts from plays by Thornton Wilder, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and, of course, Eugene O’Neill.

Ridgefield Writes has been made possible by a grant from the Wadsworth Russell Lewis Fund.

September Brings Schedules Changes and More

Can you feel the nip in the air? To cap off the summer season, the Library will be closed on Monday, September 1^st in observance of Labor Day. We will be here 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday the 30^th, so plan ahead to stock up on DVDs for the kids, cookbooks with new grilling recipes for the family picnic and one last good summer read for the holiday.

Registration for fall storytimes and after school activities starts when we return on Tuesday the 2^nd and continues through the 8^th. Programs begin the week of September 23^rd. Visit Children’s Services for a complete calendar and to sign up.

When the seasons change, it’s time to return to fall hours at the Ridgefield Library. Starting September 7^th, the Library will be open Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 PM for the convenience of students, commuters and anyone who has a hard time getting here during the busy week.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month – a great time to make sure every member of your family is ready to take advantage of all we offer. To encourage our youngest visitors to get their first library cards, we are hosting a family fun day called Fall for your Library on Sunday, September 7^th from noon to 3 PM. Geared especially for children aged 4 to 6 and their families, this special event will give youngsters a chance to sign up for a library card with a new design just for kids. Each child getting a card will also have their picture taken, to take home in a commemorative frame. There will be face painting, balloon art, a cozy reading corner, free popcorn, crafts, a raffle and more – all under a tent on the Library’s front lawn. All are welcome!