Betsy Bray, a leading authority on Beatrix Potter, presents The Life and Times of Beatrix Potter at the library on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. The informative talk for teens and adults explores the author's life as a children's book author, illustrator, land conservationist, gardener, furniture collector and sheep farmer. A question and answer period follows the seminar. Ms. Bray is a member of the Beatrix Potter Society and has been involved in telling the author's story for more than twenty years. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. To register, call 762-3950 or register online.
Poets' lives examinedBen Van Vechten returns on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 10:30- to noon for a five-part series entitled Five Poets. The additional seminar dates are Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 20 and 27. The series looks at the lives and works of each poet rather than dissecting individual lines of the poems. The poets are William Butler Yeats, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost Dylan Thomas and Emily Dickinson. The poems are available in a packet at the circulation desk. There is no charge for the seminar. Advance registration is required. To register, call 762-3950 or register online.
Discussion of the first college yearFor the parents who have just shuttled their children off to their first year of college it may just be a short breather before the phone calls start coming in about how hard or bad it is at school. To help parents help their kids through this precarious stage, the library presents Freshman Frenzy-How to Support Your Teenager's Transition to College at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22. Janet Bertoldi, Ph.D. examines issues many parents face during their teenagers' freshmen years. This segment reviews some of the traditional adjustment issues such as balancing social and academic life; separation anxiety, homesickness and loneliness; identity issues, independence and dependence; roommates and other relationship issues; drinking, drugs and sex; and academic pressure. Dr. Bertoldi also discusses how parents can be supportive without being intrusive. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or log on to www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Programs/Classes.
Visiting authors discuss schizophreniaCarolyn Spiro, M.D. and her sister Pamela Spiro Wagner provide insight into their lives through their book, Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and Their Journey Through Schizophrenia on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. The book is an account of how the twins grew up and then had to deal with the diagnosis for Pamela. They share the intimate details of what it's like for the victim and the family to deal with the hardship and illness. Books will be available for purchase and signing. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Dazzling effectsThe library's sixth annual ladies' soireé, Just Jewels, takes place from 6 - 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. This year's fund-raiser includes a silent auction of very glittery, bejeweled treasures. Proceeds from the evening benefit the library's technology and program funds. Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served throughout the evening. The cost is $25 per person. Advance registration is required. Invitations were sent last week, however attendees do not need to receive an invitation to join in on the festivities. Call 762-3950 ext. 216 or register online.
New systems installationsThe library is instituting two computer management systems that provide cost savings and better service for patrons. A print management system is being implemented in the Children's Library similar to the one being used in Adult Services. Black and white print outs are 10 cents per sheet and color print outs are 25 cents per sheet. This print management system has enabled the library to reduce expenditures for paper and ink cartridge supplies.
The second system is a PC management system that allows a patron to reserve a computer for up to two one-half hour periods per day. A library card will be needed to place the reservation. The reservation system will allow for a more equitable allotment of time for the popular and busy Internet computers throughout the library. For information, call 762-3950.