The Friends of the Library 110th annual meeting takes place this Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m. George Guidall, an award-winning audiobook narrator and actor, is the featured speaker. Mr. Guidall has recorded more than 850 unabridged novels over the past 20 years. His narrations include everything from classics like Crime and Punishment and The Iliad to best sellers like Snow Falling on Cedars and Lilian Jackson Braun's Cat Who… series. He received the Audi Award for best unabridged narration of a novel for his recording of John Irving's A Widow for One Year in 1999 and again in 200 for Wally Lamb's I Know This Much Is True. In addition to his award-winning work as a narrator, Mr. Guidall has enjoyed a forty-year career in the theater, including starring roles on Broadway in such plays as Chapter Two, Café Crown, Alone Together and Cold Storage. Mr. Guidall will appear after the library's brief business agenda, awards presentations and update on the building expansion project. Following Mr. Guidall's talk, hard hat tours will be available for anyone interested in seeing the new expansion. A reception will follow the tours. The library will close at 4 p.m. to accommodate the meeting which is open to the community. For more information, call 762-3950.
Gardens in literatureAfter the very chilled May weather, people's gardens are starting to flourish and thrive with bursts of color. This annual rite of spring will be discussed as it relates to literature in the library seminar, Garden Literature on Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m. Daryl Beyers, garden writer, lecturer and teacher at the New York Botanical Garden focuses on garden writing by authors such as Jamaica Kincaid, Beverly Nichols and Karel Kapek. His discussion centers on how gardens and horticulture invariably inform, inspire and ultimately produce important works of literature. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Children's reading program beginsOn Wednesday, June 15 the last school bells rings and the library will be ready for the onslaught of kids racing to register in the summer reading program, Passport to Adventure. This year program embraces the cultures and customs of children around the world. Children will be creating their own passports at the Passport booth at the library, complete with their smiling faces on a photo. The passports will be stamped when they visit the library during the summer. Drop-in story times will be available on Tuesdays in July, along with craft programs on Thursdays and entertainment on various Wednesdays and Fridays. A flyer is available in the library with information about the summer program. For information, call 762-3950.
Shakespeare's play discussedStoryteller Tom Lee visits the library this year on Thursday, June 23 at 7 p.m. for The Tempest Storyteller, a community outreach program for Shakespeare on the Sound in Rowayton. Mr. Lee brings the story of The Tempest, Shakespeare's last play to children in grades 3 - 8 and their families. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Concerts alive while construction continuesThe construction crews pack up each day between 3:30 and 4, but even above the din of the construction noise, the Summer Music & More Concert Series would be heard. With four consecutive Thursday night concerts starting with Chance Browne and his blues band, Twinkies, opening the 5th annual Wilton Library courtyard concerts on Thursday, June 30 from 5 - 6:30, none of the bands will have a problem being heard. Flooded and Friends return to the schedule on July 7, Jeff Harding, a '94 WHS graduate brings acoustic rock to the courtyard on July 14 and Bob Riccio rounds out the schedule with his rock 'n' roll band, Kix on July 21. The library will be in various stages of operation during the four weeks, but the bands will play on. The Summer Music & More Concert Series is sponsored by The Village Market for the fifth straight year. Michael Crystal will be donating the wine for the events. The concerts and refreshments are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, call 762-3950.
Books wantedWith the new building nearing completion, the library has access to brand new space to prepare for its annual book sale. With the newly-named space, The Book Cellar, available all year long, gently-used books, CDs and DVDs are wanted. Items may be placed in the covered book bin by the back door of the old library building on Godfrey Place. These items become part of the annual book sale, the ongoing lobby sales or the Children's Book Sale in December. The sales from these donations benefit the library's operating budget. Community members are reminded that textbooks, magazines and encyclopedias are not part of the book sales and should not be left for the library to dispose of them. Donation receipts are available on request. For more information, call 762-3950.