Wilton Library Association Newsletter
April 2003
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in this issue
-- Expansion News
-- Public Information Sessions - April 1 and April 14
-- Special Thanks to the Brubecks!
-- April Art Exhibt - American Modern Art
-- Internet Skills and Microsoft Word
-- The Play's The Thing - Up and Coming Talent
-- A Reading Adventure for Parents and Kids
-- Local Businesses Get Behind the Library
-- Annual Book Sale - April 12 -15
-- A Short Series on Short Stories
-- Ten Steps to College Admission
-- Community Open House - April 27
Happy Spring
Expansion
News
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The Wilton Bank and Village Market have joined forces to make
a wonderful gift of $100,000 to the Library's Capital Campaign! We
so appreciate the ongoing support of these two community-minded businesses
- and particularly grateful for the leadership role they have taken
with regard to the Library expansion.
We have moved forward another step on the path to expansion with the approval
by both Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen of our Public Private Partnership
Proposal. Now required for new and significant sharing of costs between the
Town and private entities, the Proposal is a business plan that assesses need
for the project, details the scope of the expansion, and outlines the financial
plan that will be put in place to govern the disbursement of and oversite of
public funds for the project's completion. If the bond issue of $4.8 million
is approved by voters in May, the Selectmen agree (according to the terms of
the Proposal) to release $3 of bond money for every $2 raised privately.
As you may have read in the newspapers, the scope of the project has been scaled
back by the Selectmen from $8.7 million to $8 million (postponing the enclosure
of the "northeast corner" of the main courtyard and eliminating a significant
section of adult stack area). We hope to be able to raise $3.2 million from
sources other than the Town of Wilton, and our initial fundraising efforts
have confirmed the incredible generosity of longtime Library supporters.
Plans to solicit additional major gifts and launch a townwide appeal
for the Campaign are moving ahead, and some very special events will
take place in mid to late September to benefit the expansion fund.
Mark September 20th on your calendar now - it will be the evening of
an incredible black-tie gala that features, among other wonderful things,
an auction of artwork by local artists who have agreed to donate a
significant portion of the proceeds to the Library's Campaign.
Currently, our focus is very much on the public appropriation vote on May 6th
(Annual Town Meeting) and May 10th (Saturday continuation vote for those unable
to attend the Tuesday night Meeting). We hope you all will voice your support
for our Library's future at the polls and encourage others to do the same.
Although these are certainly difficult and uncertain times, interest rates
have never been lower and construction contracts promise to weigh in a bargain
prices. We have a wonderful plan, a terrific team, strong private support and
tremendous need to get the project underway. Please join us in laying foundations
(and erecting walls!) for the Library's next 30 years.
Public
Information Sessions - April 1 and April 14
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On Tuesday, April 1st at 7:30 p.m.in the Performing Arts Center
at Wilton High, the Selectmen will talk about the Library's budget
and expansion plan to the Board of Finance as part of their overall
presentation. The Board of Finance will subsequently decide if budgets
from the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education need to be trimmed
further and what bond appropriations will be put forward on the May
ballot.
On Monday, April 14th in the Cider Mill Cafeteria, a public information session on the Library's expansion is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. We urge supporters and those with questions or concerns about the project to attend. Hope to see you there!
Special
Thanks to the Brubecks!
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If you were among the members of the (sold out!) audience on
March 29th at the Wilton Performing Arts Center, you know what a special
evening it was. Celebrating poetry, art, music, the environment --
and the creativity of our children above all, it was a "Wilton happening" of
the very best sort. Our thanks go to the scores of people who made
the event one never to be forgotten, including the staff of the school
system and Library trustees, staff, dinner/cocktail party hosts and
production volunteers who donated countless hours to this benefit.
Most of all, we thank Tish and Chris Brubeck - for their incredible
vision, generosity, hard work and talent. We are truly blessed to have
them here in Wilton and as Friends!
April
Art Exhibt - American Modern Art
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A Wilton collector has agreed to put his magnificent collection
of American modern art on exhibit at the Library for the month of April.
These works comprise one of the most spectacular holdings of art of
the period in the area and are well worth your trip to seen them. If
you can, join us for the opening reception on Sunday, April 6th from
11:30 am-1 pm.
Internet
Skills and Microsoft Word
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Computer guru Mary Anne Franco will lead a hands-on class in
Intermediate Internet Skills on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 8:30-10
am. Mary Anne will teach her students basic Microsoft Word on Wednesday,
April 16th, from 8:30 to 10 am. Prospective students need no previous
Word experience, but should know how to use a mouse.
Students should register in advance as space is limited and the classes are extremely popular. There is a fee of $15 for Friends of the Library and $20 for others (proceeds help to fund future programs). Come benefit from these user friendly learning sessions before hours in the Reference Area of the Library.
The
Play's The Thing - Up and Coming Talent
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Sunday, April 27th at 2:00 pm, the Library will hold the fifth
in a multi-part series of Sunday talks featuring actors, critics, and
playwrights. Devon Higby, aspiring director, Krista Apple, aspiring
actress and Joshua Adler, aspiring filmmaker round out the discussions
with their perspective on starting out in theater today. This session
is a must for students hoping for a career connected to the stage!
Thanks to A&E Television Networks for their generous sponsorship of this series. It has afforded all who attend with a true "behind the scenes" view of performing arts and the creative process.
A
Reading Adventure for Parents and Kids
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A Book Voyager book group discussion for third and fourth grade
boys and girls and their parents will take place from 4-5 pm on Thursdays
April 3rd. Stop by the Library to register for the session and to pick
up copies of the book to be discussed. This wonderful parent/child
opportunity is provided in part by grants from the Connecticut Council
on the Humanites, Southern Connecticut Library Council, and the Fairfield
County Community Foundation.
Local Businesses Get Behind the Library
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Special thanks to Stewart Flowers for their weekly donation
of floral arrangements to the Front Desk at the Library! We are all
enjoying this early taste of spring. Thanks, too, to the recent sponsors
and contributors to the Wilton WaterWorks Festival: Waterworks, Fleet
Bank, Workman Publishing, Greenfield Online, and Marianne Wilson Catering,
Cogolulu Cafe and Stewart Flowers (again!).
Annual Book Sale - April 12 -15
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Saturday, April 12th through Tuesday, April 15th the Library
will be full of gently used books at great prices. Hours are Saturday,
7 - 9 a.m. Early Buyers $15 per person admission, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. free
to public; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; Monday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. books 1/2
price; Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. books free. The sale features over
25,000 items in 40 categories - mysteries, gardening, travel, and science
fiction. A silent auction of rare books will be conducted by John and
Pat Curran on Saturday and Sunday.
A Short Series on Short Stories
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This 5-part series (April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22) with popular
lecturer Ben Van Vecten explores various authors and their writing
techniques. $5 rental charge for binder with stories (available upon
advance registration). Ben will lead a discussion for the Senior Center
folks on The Great Gatsby Tuesday, April 22 at 11 a.m., as well!
Ten Steps to College Admission
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Howard and Matthew Greene, respected college admissions experts,
will conduct a seminar based on their recent PBS special, "Ten Steps
to College Admission." Held on April 24th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at
Wilton High School's Little Theatre, the seminar will be free of charge,
but proceeds from sales of workkits and books and any donations will
help fund the Library's expansion of teen space in the new building.
Advance registration required - call the Library (762-3950) or register
online. Thanks to the Greenes for their longstanding support of the
Library and their willingness to share valuable information about the
college application process with us all!
Community Open House - April 27
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The Library will be serving wine and cheese and lots of information
at its third community forum to discuss its expansion plans on Sunday,
April 27th from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. Bring your questions and an appetite!
Contact Information
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email: library@wiltonlibrary.org
voice: 203-762-3950
web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org
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