WILTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
137 Old Ridgefield Road
Wilton, CT 06897
Tel: 203-762-3950
  • Hours:
  • Mon-Thurs: 10-8
  • Fri: 10-6
  • Sat: 10-5
  • Sun: 1-5 (Sept-June)
Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Information about our expansion project is on its own page.

Your question not here? Use our comment form to ask.

The Library and Its Services
Why is it called the Wilton Library Association? Why not Wilton Public Library?
The Wilton Library Association was founded in 1895 as a private subscription library before the widespread creation of public libraries in the United States. While we serve as the public library for the town of Wilton and have not charged subscriber fees in many decades, the Association remains a private, non-profit institution which relies on donations to maintain its collection and services.

How is the Wilton Library funded?
Donations fund 100% of the collection (including books, online and electronic databases, magazines and newspapers, CDs, videos, and audiobooks). These are raised in our annual Friends appeal. An annual grant from the Town of Wilton covers most of our operating expenses.

How can I donate to the Wilton Library?
The Friends of the Wilton Library will accept donations by check, cash, Visa or MasterCard, or United Way designation. We will also accept direct donations of securities. You may print out a donation form (in .pdf format) from our Web site or pick one up at the circulation desk. The Wilton Library also accepts donations of books and other items. [You can download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing .pdf files from Adobe's Web site.]

If you are interested in setting up a memorial fund, giving a memorial gift, or making a designated one-time donation please contact the Director, Kathy Leeds, at 762-3950 x215 or kcleeds@wiltonlibrary.org.

If you would like to speak with someone about making a contribution or pledge to the "Campaign for the Wilton Library" expansion project, you may also contact Kathy Leeds at 762-3950 x215 or kcleeds@wiltonlibrary.org.

What are the Library's hours?
The Wilton Library is open Monday & Friday 10am-6pm; Tuesday - Thursday 10am-7pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; and Sunday (September-June) 1pm-5pm.

Who can use the Wilton Library?
Anyone is welcome to use any resource in the Library including Internet workstations, the word processing computer, the reference collection, and the services of the reference librarians.
FREE borrowing privileges are available to:
  • Wilton residents over the age of 5
  • out of state residents employed by Wilton businesses
  • persons employed on a live-in basis in Wilton
  • all Connecticut residents upon presentation of a valid card from their home town library
You may apply for a library card online with this form.

How long can I keep an item? What are the overdue charges?
A complete listing of our loan periods and overdue charges is available here.

How do I contact the Wilton Library by email?
The Library has a number of email addresses:
Can I search the catalog from home?
The Web Catalog is available at http://catalog.wiltonlibrary.org.

Can I ask a reference question online?
You may submit your question to our reference staff using this online form. If your browser doesn't handle forms, you may email your questions to reference@wiltonlibrary.org. You may also phone us with your question -- dial 762-3950 and ask for the reference desk.

Can I have my books delivered to me at home?
Yes. Our new At Your Service: At Home books-by-mail program allows you to request books and other library materials to be mailed to you at home. To sign up for this program or get more information, please call our Head of Circulation at 762-3950 x238. You may also send email to circulation@wiltonlibrary.org.

Does the Wilton Library have computers for public use?
We have Internet workstations in the Adult area and the Children's Library. These computers also have Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

What other equipment does the Wilton Library have available for the public?
The Library has a typewriter, fax machine, and two photocopiers for public use. We have a CD player and a turntable, each with headphones, for onsite use. For our vision-impaired patrons we have an Optelec reader in the adult reference area.

Does the Wilton Library offer computer and/or Internet training?
We offer Internet workshops, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint training and occasional specialized Internet workshops. We will be resuming classes when the new library building has been completed. Our offerings will be available on our Computer Classes page.

Does the Wilton Library have programs for children?
Among the programs available are storytimes for children age 6 months to five years age 1 - grade 3, arts and crafts programs, special concerts, and a summer reading program. For information about currently scheduled programs, please contact the Children's Services department at 762-3950, Ext. 217.

Are there any book discussion groups at the Wilton Library?
The Wilton Library sponsors a monthly lunchtime group, The Wilton Library Readers, with professional leader Susan Boyar of Weston. They meet the second Wednesday of every month. A list of titles and a full schedule can be found on the group's page. All are welcome; meetings are informal; bring your lunch.

In addition, the Library hosts regular special programs. Please watch the newspaper, the bulletin board in the Library, and our Web site for announcements. All Library programs are posted on the Wilton Community Calendar and our Events page.

The Collection

How many items does the Wilton Library own?
The Library's collection totals more than 120,000 items including:
  • over 1500 adult audiobooks and over 700 childrens audiobooks
  • over 1000 CDs of classical, jazz, and popular music
  • over 1500 movies for adults and children
  • over 200 periodical subscriptions
  • over 1000 books in large print
  • fiction, non fiction, picture books, and reference materials for adults and children

What databases does the Wilton Library have?
On the PCs in the reference area, patrons can search American Business Disc (a directory of over 10 millions businesses in the US); PhoneDiscs (U.S. white pages); EBSCO magazine, business, and health indexes; ReQuest CT Library Catalog; a number of magazine and business databases available through iCONN; and 4 library-created databases (Wilton Business Directory, Wilton Community Organizations, Wilton Bulletin Index, Wilton Bulletin Obituary Index).

In addition, a number of these databases are available to Wilton residents (and many to all Connecticut residents) from home. For a complete list, links to, and descriptions of these databases, see our Research Databases page.

Do you have the newest book by ...?
You can search our catalog from home on the Web. The Library does try to acquire multiple copies of new books by popular authors as soon as they are available. If you would like to request that the Library consider purchasing an item or that we hold a copy for you when available, please complete our book request form or call the reference desk at 762-3950.

Miscellaneous
Who is in charge of the art exhibits?
Library Trustee and artist Ed MacEwen is in charge of our monthly art exhibits. If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact him at 227-8502. If you are interested in purchasing one of the pieces on exhibit, stop by the circulation desk on your next visit.

When is the Wilton Library Book Sale?
The Wilton Library holds two book sales annually. Our big browsers and collectors book sale is usually held in April (this year, April 26-29, 2008). Our children's book sale is usually held in the fall or winter.

Can I volunteer at the Wilton Library?
The Wilton Library has many jobs available for volunteers of all ages and skills. Please complete this form or contact Melissa Friedman at 762-3950, Ext. 238 for more information.

Does the Wilton Library rent meeting rooms?
Yes. Please refer to our Policy on the Use of Library Facilities for information about acceptable use of library facilities. To check date availability, please contact Fran McGowan at 762-3950, Ext. 228. You may download or view the application forms in .pdf format. [You can download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing .pdf files from Adobe's Web site.]

Does the Wilton Library accept donations of books?
Yes, books in good condition can be left in the gray boxes outside the Godfrey Place entrance. Donated books will either be added to the collection or sold in one of our book sales. Receipts for donated books are available either at reference or at the circulation desk. Please note: the Library does not accept donations of magazines, condensed books, text books, or records. The Library stops accepting donations in late March and resumes again in May to allow time to prepare for the book sale.

Recent issues of National Geographic (less than five years old) may be donated to the Darien Book Aid Plan in Noroton (203-656-2777). They also accept current textbooks. Textbooks must have clean white pages (no highlighting, underlining or other notations). Textbooks should only be of these types: literature, spelling, grammar, geography, high school business, economics, or physics. No classroom sets. Condensed books and recent magazines may be donated to the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown (203-270-2800).

Does the Wilton Library accept donations of other items?
Occasionally the Library will accept donations of other items. If you are interested in donating, please speak with our Director, Kathy Leeds at 762-3950.