Even with construction crews surrounding the library like sentinels, the Summer Music & More Concert Series begins tonight from 5 - 6:30 p.m. with Chance Browne and the Twinkies blues band opening in the courtyard for the fifth year in a row. This also is the fifth straight year the series is sponsored by the Village Market. The concerts, food and refreshments are free. Michael Crystal, founder of The Grand Crew Wine Club is donating wine for the concerts for the third year in a row. Additional concert dates and performers are: the teen band Flooded on July 7 with Alex Blair, Mike Grippi, Geoff Albertson and Maggie Lyons; Jeff Harding, a '94 WHS graduate from Florida with Frank Licari playing acoustic rock on July 14 and Bob Riccio returning with Kix, a rock 'n' roll band on July 21. The library will be closed the week of July 4 to allow for the move of the Children's Library to the new wing. Sections will remain closed through the end of the month for major structural renovations. The bands will play on in the courtyard during this time. For more information about the Summer Music & More Concert Series call 762-3950.
Library closed during Children's Library moveThe library will be closed the week of July 4 while thousands of items are moved from Children's Services area clear across the lobby to the new home of the Children's Library in the expansion. During this time, administrative offices also will be moved to the second floor of the new wing. The Children's Library is scheduled to open on July 11 ready for a month's worth of program events for Passport to Adventure, the summer reading program. The remaining portions of the library, not including the Children's Library or the new lobby, will stay closed through the end of the month to allow for major structural renovations which will be taking place. On August 1 when the original portions re-open, patrons will be able to see new carpeting, furnishings, paint and lighting. Work will continue in portions of the library through the fall, including the building of the Brubeck Room. For information about the closings, call the library at 762-3950 or visit us online.
Amnesty MonthWith major renovations taking place in the existing library in July, patrons will be excused from late fees on items from July 1 through end of business on August 1. With construction crews and vehicles scattered around the premises, it may not be as convenient for patrons to drop off materials when they are due therefore the amnesty period is being made available. There are three possible ways for people to return items: the first is at the book drop bin which has been in existence in the library parking lot and will continue to be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Starting July 11, a drive-up window is planned on the Godfrey Place side of the new building and the new lobby is scheduled to be open. Both areas can be used to return materials. Items that are brought in after August 1 will be charged late fees dating back to the day they were due. The amnesty does not apply to late fines that are already on patrons' records as of June 30. For more information, call 762-3950.
Passport to Adventure begins in new expansionAfter the opening of the new Children's Library, the programs for Passport to Adventure are set to begin. In the first week, Drop-In Story Times will take place on Tuesday, July 12 for kids at the following times: ones with adults at 10:30 - 11; twos with adults from 11:30 - noon; threes and fours at 1:30 - 2 and fives through eights from 3 - 3:45. Additional dates for Story Times are July 19, 26, August 2 and 9. There is neither a charge for the program nor registration. Adventurous Entertainment takes the children to the Caribbean with Caribbean for Kids on Wednesday, July 13 at 4 p.m. More entertainment events are on July 20, 22, 27, 29 and August 4. There is no charge for Adventurous Entertainment. Advance registration is required for each event. The Cultural Crafts programs begins on Thursday, July14 with Antarctic Antics from 3 - 4 p.m. for children ages 3 - 7. Kids can enjoy Native American crafts on July 21 and Australian crafts with Down Under on July 28. The materials fee for the crafts programs are $5 per child/$4 Young Readers per session. Advance registration is required for Cultural Crafts. Call the library at 762-3950 or register online. The Passport to Adventure summer reading program is sponsored for the fifth year by Stop & Shop.
Summer reading cart for area schoolsA sure sign of summer at the library is the Summer Reading Cart placed prominently in view so that kids in grades 6 - 12 can easily find their reading lists and books for their summer reading endeavors. Wilton High School, Middlebrook, New Canaan Country School, Greens Farms Academy, St. Luke's School, Our Lady of Fatima and Staples High School are represented in the binder on the cart. Some of the books are The Mists of Avalon, The Great Gatsby, Emma and Tess of the D'Ubervilles to name a few. Most titles are available in multiple copies and are on loan for three weeks at a time. A binder of reading lists is kept in Children's Services for kids in Cider Mill, Miller/Driscoll, Our Lady of Fatima and Middlebrook. For information, call 762-3950.