Recycling Expands @ the Library

Long before the current “green revolution,” libraries were the original recycling centers. While some people do wish to own some printed materials for a variety of reasons, libraries make it possible for one or just a few copies of newspapers, magazines and books to be used by dozens or even hundreds of people over their lifetime. Building and sharing such a community resource has always made sense environmentally (less impact from production and disposal) and economically (requiring a minimal investment per person for access to a wide range of materials).

For some time, the Ridgefield Library has made extra efforts to dispose of such materials when they are no longer needed in an environmentally responsible way. Through an arrangement with Hudson Baylor Corporation, we are able to recycle at no cost to us most of our paper waste, from a tattered paperback book that is losing its pages to the cardboard packaging in which our new acquisitions are shipped to out-of-date newspapers.

Now we are expanding our recycling program to include additional materials, and we need your help. Visitors to the Library will notice new clusters of containers with separate sections for different types of trash: paper, glass, plastic, metal and “waste”, i.e. non-recyclable materials like candy wrappers. These are located at several convenient locations around the building to make it easy for library patrons to dispose of their own trash appropriately. Please feel free to ask staff for assistance in locating the nearest containers and with any questions about what should go in which bin.

And now for the best part – with a proper recycling system in place, we will be changing our policy as of January 1^st to allow visitors to bring in beverages in closed containers. Stay tuned for more on this in the coming weeks.

Plan Ahead for 2009 at the Library

Here are a few tips for planning ahead for 2009 at the Ridgefield Library.

• Registration for winter storytimes and after school programs is taking place in Children’s Services December 2^nd through 8^th. Programs, from Mother Goose to Terrific Twos and beyond, start the week of January 5^th. Stop by for a full calendar.

• Our Critics’ Circle and AM Book Groups will be announcing their selections for the first half of 2009 next week. New members are always welcome, so pick up a list at the Library or check www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

• Are you part of a community book group? The Library is happy to make arrangements to get you multiple copies of your discussion titles, but advance planning is essential. We recommend submitting your requests at least one month before you need copies in hand. Consult with our staff now about your choices for early 2009.

• Do you have health or physical limitations that make it difficult to get to the Library? Now is the time to sign up for our new Homebound Delivery Service before the snow flies and your mobility is even more restricted. Call Dorothy Pawlowski at 438-2282 x1003 to register, and volunteer drivers will deliver books and other materials right to your door.

• 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, and the Ridgefield Library is playing a big part in observing this landmark occasion. We have been chosen as one of only 40 libraries nationwide to host “Visions of the Universe,” an exhibit created by NASA and the American Library Association to commemorate the 400 years of exploring and learning about space since Galileo first turned his telescope on the heavens. Under the guidance of local astronomer Dr. Heidi Hammel, there will be dozens of activities this spring throughout the community. Stay tuned for details!

Website Survey Underway

We’re re-designing our website, and we need your help! Whether you are a regular visitor or have not yet explored the Virtual Ridgefield Library, we invite you to come to www.ridgefieldlibrary.org, take a look around, and then complete a brief online survey by following the link on the main page.

For a list of online services currently offered by the Ridgefield Library, pick up one of our blue informational bookmarks. One side gives our hours and contact information; the other details many of the things you can do even when you can’t come to the Library in person, including:

• Check the event calendar for upcoming programs
• Search the catalog
• Reserve a book
• Check your account for a list of what you have checked out
• Renew most items
• Download an audiobook for listening on your computer or mp3 player
• Get reference help 24/7 from the InfoAnytime virtual reference desk
• Get ready for the SATs and other tests with Learn-a-Test and PrepMe
• Research almost any topic with dozens of authoritative databases from ProQuest, Ebsco and other respected publishers of reference materials
• Check stock prices with ValueLine or recent antique sales with Prices4Antiques
• Read Library Lines, BiblioEvents and other newsletters and publications
• Make a secure online donation to support the Library

What else would you like to see on the site? Podcasts of storytimes and other programs? Online event registration? A blog where you could post your own reviews of the books you’ve read? More information on a favorite research topic? RSS alerts when something new is added to the site? The survey will be open until December 15^th, so don’t miss this chance to let us know what you are looking for.

Shop Locally and Support the Library

Want to shop locally and support the library? Now you have several opportunities to do both at the same time!

The Library is proud to be one of the locations in town where you can purchase the brand new Ridgefield 300^th Anniversary Video on DVD. Did you enjoy the Library’s Ridgefield Writes Author Festival? What about the Governor’s Ball or the July 5^th parade? Produced by videographer Ed Simmons, the video features highlights and favorite moments from the yearlong tercentennial celebrations. The cost is $19.95, and a portion of the proceeds from copies bought here go to support the Library. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

To preview the video, you can check out the display monitor at the Library’s circulation desk or come to a special presentation at the Library on Thursday, December 4^th at 7 PM. Also on hand will be Geoffrey Morris, author of the beautiful new coffee table book “Ridgefield at 300.” Copies of both DVD and book will be available for sale.

For the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list, visit Books on the Common during Ridgefield Library Days on Friday, November 28^th (10 AM – 6 PM), Saturday the 29^th (10 AM – 6 PM) and Sunday the 30^th (10 AM – 5 PM). Not only will you experience the friendly and knowledgeable help of a locally-owned independent bookstore, you will save time and gas money by staying close to home. And, as a further benefit, if you show your Ridgefield Library card when you make a book or audiobook purchase during this weekend, the bookstore will donate 15% of the proceeds to the Library.

Holiday closing update: The Library will be closed on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th for Thanksgiving and open again on Saturday and Sunday for your convenience.

Special Design Library Card Now Available

Vanity license plates, affinity credit cards, logo T-shirts and bumper stickers – there are a multitude of ways people can declare their interests and affections for everything from a brand of coffee to a preferred political candidate. Now you can show your love for the Ridgefield Library with our new special edition library card, with full-color art by local artist Jamison Odone (creator of the 2008 Summer Reading Program graphics).

The new cards are available to any Ridgefield resident who signs up for a library card, for a charge of $5.00. Our original blue and white cards are still available for free to all cardholders – just tell the staff which you want when you fill out your application.

If you already have one of the regular cards and would like to “trade up,” bring the old card in with you and we will transfer your account to a new barcode. The same $5.00 charge applies. Don’t forget to update your subscription to Library ELF with the new number, so you will continue to get advance e-mail alerts about overdues and holds.

We are delighted to offer this beautiful card and to take advantage once again of the talents of Jamison Odone. His bright colors and whimsical creatures capture the happy excitement many youngsters feel when they visit the Library, but we bet many adults will want one of the new cards as well.

Also available for sale at the Circulation Desk are copies of the 2008 Summer Reading Poster signed by artist Jamison Odone ($10.00) and insulated travel mugs with the Ridgefield Library logo ($3.00). Share the Ridgefield Library with everyone on your holiday shopping list!

New Fiction Now Circulates for 14 Days

Good news for fiction fans! New fiction may now be borrowed for 14 days, instead of the previous 7-day loan period. You will find the latest selection of new mysteries, romance, science fiction, fantasy, historical novels, literary fiction, chick lit and much more on a special display unit conveniently located by the Circulation Desk. Now you will have twice as long to savor the latest installment in a favorite series or check out that recommended new author. New fiction can be renewed for an additional 2 weeks as long as there is no waiting list. And no need to worry – we are committed to buying enough copies to ensure that the wait for in-demand titles is not increased by this change.

As always, new books that are 500+ pages in length circulate for 28 days, so you can take your time to enjoy a good read.

New selections appear in our catalog as soon as they are ordered, so you can make your reservation even before the books have been released. You can put your name on the list through our online catalog or by asking a staff member to assist you. Indicating your interest is the best way to help us make sure we have enough copies to meet demand.

If you don’t have time to come to the Library and peruse the New Fiction shelves in person, you can still “browse” new and forthcoming titles by subscribing to BookLetters e-mail newsletters. There are editions for bestselling fiction and non-fiction; new mysteries, romance, science fiction and fantasy; business, lifestyles and science titles; and even several categories of children’s and teen books. Along with descriptions, reviews, author interviews and more, each entry links directly to our catalog so you can check availability and place a hold quickly and easily.

Read-a-thon to Support Teen Programs

A special announcement from Teen Services Librarian Geri Dioro

The Teen Advisory Group (TAG) of the Ridgefield Library will hold a Read-a-thon on Saturday, November 15 from 11am to 5pm to raise money for young adult programs and services at the Library. Since the TAG was formed several years ago, the level of activity for and by teens has skyrocketed, and it is hard for the Library to keep up with all the good ideas generated by these young people. The TAG members have decided to take action to help maintain the quality of service they are used to finding at the Library. “Teens use the library as much as anyone else and we hope to raise enough money to keep up the programs we can come to.” said TAG member Lana Dubin.

TAG members are seeking pledges from friends and family now, and on November 15^th, they will gather at the Library to read all day, under the supervision of Teen Services Librarian Geri Diorio. Those interested in supporting this effort may make a tax-deductible contribution using the Library’s new secure online donation option on our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

Since 2006, TAG has met monthly to help serve the Library and to help the Library serve teens better. TAG members have painted the windows of the Library for the Friends of the Ridgefield Library’s holiday book sale, worked to shift and shelve books, stayed inside on sunny summer days listening to little children talk about books for the Summer Reading Program, and have helped out at Library events by selling books, taking tickets and directing people. For more information about TAG or the Read-a-thon, contact Teen Services Librarian Geri Diorio at 438-2282 x1004 or GADiorio@RidgefieldLibrary.org.