The new Children's Library is open for business and thriving with the Passport to Adventure programs which are scheduled in the coming days. Today's event is the Cultural Craft Program from 3 - 4 p.m. for kids ages 3 - 7. Following the theme of the summer reading program in which different customs and cultures are studied, Native Americans will be the craft for today. Advance registration is required. The materials fee for the craft is $5 per child/$4 for Young Readers. The final craft program is on Thursday, July 28 with crafts from Down Under. Friday's Adventurous Entertainment is Won-Ldy, a Liberian storyteller at 2 p.m. Tales passed down from his African grandmother will be shared with audience members. Additional entertainment dates are Wednesday, July 27 with The Lost Art-Animals of the World at 2 p.m.; Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 29 and the Irish Minstrel with Richard Stillman at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 4. Children must be accompanied by adults. There is no charge for the Adventurous Entertainment. Advance registration is required. Call 762-3950 or register online. The Passport to Adventure Summer Reading Program is sponsored by Stop & Shop.
Season-ending concert tonightBob Riccio and his rock 'n' roll band, Kix, return to close out the season of Summer Music & More Concerts tonight from 5 - 6:30 p.m. in the courtyard. The concert, food and refreshments are free. The concerts series is sponsored by Village Market. The wine is donated by Michael Crystal, founder of the Grand Crew Wine Club. For more information, call 762-3950.
Wilton Playshop students perform tidbits from TamingStudents from the Wilton Playshop Summer Program perform songs from the production, The Taming of the Shrew on Sat., July 23 from 1 - 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the program. Registration is not required. For more information, call 762-3950.
Drive-thru window opensOne of the best new features of the library, the drive-thru window, now is a reality and the first one in the state. Patrons can drive up to the window and pick up reserved items which have previously been placed on hold or return materials and pay fines. Items may be placed on hold through the library's Web site at www.wiltonlibrary.org and by calling the library at 762-3950. Patrons will be called when items are available. The materials can either be picked up at the drive-thru window or the circulation desk. The window is on the Godfrey Place side of the building and is approached from Hubbard Road. The drive-thru window is open during regular library hours which are Monday and Friday 10 - 6; Tuesday through Thursday 10 - 7, Saturday 10 - 5 and closed on Sundays in the summer. While the library is closed, patrons may return their items in the blue book drop which is located in the driveway between the library and the Bank of America. For more information, call 762-3950.
Renovation updateThe Adult Services area is under construction with floors and ceilings being ripped apart awaiting sprinkler systems, new carpeting, paint, lighting fixtures and new furniture. During this time, patrons have access to DVDs, new books, large print books, summer reading books for children in grades 6 - 12 in the new main lobby of the library. The remaining portions of the collection are wrapped under plastic to keep them dust-free during the renovation. Non-fiction and fiction books, audiobooks, the teen collection, videos and music CDs are off limits to patrons and staff alike. Patrons may continue to place holds on items either by calling the library or using the Web site catalog at www.wiltonlibrary.org. Patrons will be called when items are available for pick up either at the new drive-thru window or at the circulation desk. During this time, there is an amnesty on all fines for items that have been on loan during the construction period from July 1 through July 31. All items will need to be returned by August 1 so as not to incur any fees. Any fees on patrons' records before the July 1 date are still owed. For more information, call 762-3950.
Lobby art exhibitionAn art exhibition has been set up for the summer months to inaugurate the pristine gallery walls in the new lobby. Patrons are encouraged to visit the new library lobby to see the art works created by many well-known Wilton area artists. Representatives from previous summer art exhibitions include Sandra Bacher, Melody Best, Suzanne Crossland, Carol Hamilton, Nash Hyon, Maria Jarreau-Heller, Robert Lilienthal, William Logan, Ed MacEwen, Nancy McTague-Stock, Jen Shelly and Carolyn Woodfin Wood Larsen. The more than twenty pieces cover an array of watercolor, oils, acrylic and mixed media. The majority of the pieces are for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. For more information, call 762-3950.