Wilton Library Association Newsletter
February 2005
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in this issue
-- First Annual Guys' Night Out - February 11th
-- eBay for Dummies
-- Internet Safety for Your Kids - Rescheduled!
-- Sacajawea Returns
-- February is Reading and Book Discussion Month
-- CBS Reporter Ira Joe Fisher - Rescheduled!
-- Two Teen Takes
-- Prevailing Winds Quintet of Connecticut
-- Expansion News
-- Special Thanks
-- Wanted: Jane Eyre
-- We Need Your Support!
Hello!As I write these words, the ground outside my window is covered with
snow, the trees are shivering in their bark and we are in the throes of the
season. Of course, a couple of weeks ago it was balmy, so we can hope that
the Farmer's Almanac was in error when it predicted a particularly cold and
weather-filled winter.In spite of the frigid conditions, construction and programs
and collections are all on course at your Library! Stop in to see our progress
on the expansion. Come by to check out a book to read by the fire this weekend.
Drive over to borrow a movie to watch with your family or friends on those
cold winter evenings. Drop in to discuss a book, hear a lecture, attend a workshop
or attend a storytime. We're here despite the white stuff - for you!
Sincerely,
Kathy Leeds,
Director
First
Annual Guys' Night Out - February 11th
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| For
several years, the ladies have had all the fun - now it's time
for the men to have their turn! On Friday, February 11th,
from 7:30-10:30 pm, they are invited to play miniature
golf among the classics, buy gift items at our special Valentine's
Boutique, bid on wine, cigars, trips and more, and enjoy great
food, drinks, and comraderie.
You won't believe the terrific course we've designed throughout the Library- bring your favorite putter and have a ball! Your $50 entrance fee and any other proceeds from the evening will benefit the Library's technology and collection funds. Call to reserve your spot (762-3950 extension 405) or register online... |
 |
eBay
for Dummies
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| Tom
Greenbaum, president of Con$ign-net, a company that vows it will "sell
virtually anything at the best possible price using existing Internet
auction sites," will be our guest lecturer on Tuesday, February
1st, from 12:30-2 pm, in the Community Room. Tom will take the
mystery out of eBay, showing us how to buy and sell successfully
on the hugely popular Internet auction site.
If you have always wanted to try eBay, or even if you've been buying or selling for a while, Tom has some really valuable tips that will maximize your income and save you time and money. Register online or in person, or call 762-3950 to sign up for his class. |
 |
Internet
Safety for Your Kids - Rescheduled!
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 |
Unfortunately,
last month's talk on Internet safety for parents was postponed
due to weather. Fortunately, Officer Scott Sear has offered to
reschedule the program on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:30
pm. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an expert
about the dangers that lurk in cyberspace and how you, as a parent,
can best protect your children from them. You owe it to yourselves
and your family to be informed and Scott is a recognized authority
in the field - sign up and show up -- you won't regret the effort!
Register by calling 762-3950 or online. |
Sacajawea
Returns
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For the more than fifty who were spellbound by George Lowell's first lecture
on Sacajawea in January, and for anyone else wanting to learn more about this
celebrated Indian guide, we will have a second presentation on Tuesday, February
9th from 7-8:30 pm. George will speak this time about Sacajawea, her son "Pomp" and
her other descendants and it's sure to be another fascinating look at the true
story of this very special woman. Register online or
call 762-3950 to save a seat!
February
is Reading and Book Discussion Month
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We
have some wonderful reading and discussion opportunities lined
up this month for all ages. There is nothing more satisfying than
sharing a book with a friend, so take a look at the titles and
take part:
Call 762-3950 or register online. |
 |
CBS
Reporter Ira Joe Fisher - Rescheduled!
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We are most delighted to host a poetry chat with Ira Joe Fisher, the celebrated
CBS reporter, who will show another side of his personality and talent. This
program was originally scheduled for January, but was postponed due to weather.
Ira Joe will read and discuss his own poetry as well as that of two other poets - and he'll have books to sign and sell. Join us from 2-3:30 pm on Sunday, February 13th for this very special celebrity seminar. Advance registrationis suggested.
Two
Teen Takes
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We've
got two very exciting programs for teens in February - be sure
to tell the teens you know!:
|
 |
Prevailing Winds Quintet of Connecticut
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 |
From 2-3 pm on Sunday, February 27th, Prevailing Winds woodwind quintet will present a free concert for children. A narrated piece about Winnie the Pooh, music about the lives of insects, and pieces featuring animal sounds will all be part of the fun. Don't miss this wonderful program presented by musicians Ralph Kirmser, Richard Epstein, Kristen Sponheim, Janet Atherton and Steward Edelstein. Advance registration is suggested. |
Expansion News
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As we head into the winter months, much of the work on our two story addition will take place "under cover," but rest assured, we are right on schedule. All concrete floors have been poured and the roof is on. Work is continuing on the connection between our existing building and the new section - you'll see the footings and foundation slab in process if you drive by. As soon as the steel is in place to tie our old and new sections together, backfilling will allow us to reclaim the parking area we lost for several months to construction equipment.
Five of our staff members have been moved from basement quarters to shared space behind the scenes on the first floor in order to make renovation of the basement area possible. By the end of the project we will be a very "close-knit" group of employees, indeed, with several sharing computers, chairs and desks for the duration!
Special Thanks
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Although
it is impossible to adequately thank all who donate money, time
and services to the Library each month, I'd like to mention a few
recent gifts:
|
 |
Wanted: Jane Eyre
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 |
We'd
love to add an exceptional re-recording of Charlotte Bronte's classic,
Jane Eyre, to our books-on-CD collection. Narrated by British actress,
Josephine Bailey, this 21-hour, 18-CD work is sure to entertain
those on the road, on the bike, on the run or in the garden. If
you would like to make a gift of this book-on-CD to the Library,
please send your tax-deductible check for $144 to my attention
(137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897) or call me at 762-3950,
extension 215 to use Visa or Master Card.
Gifts may always be made in memory or honor of a loved one - simply call us or stop by to let us know how you would like the item inscribed. |
We Need Your Support!
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The following letter from our Wilton Library Board President was sent to the local papers following our budget presentation to the Board of Selectmen on January 25th. Please contact your Selectmen immediately to let them know about how you feel concerning the Library - they want to represent your views.
To the Editor, Last week's Bulletin reported on this year's budget increase presented by the Library to the Board of Selectmen. While factually accurate, the article missed a key point critical to understanding how the numbers were developed. Yes, the Library is asking for a 16.5% increase over last year, and yes, the bulk of the increase is due to the estimated costs of operating and maintaining the expanded two-story when it opens this summer. But there was no reference to the fact that these estimates were based on information included in the Public Private Partnership Agreement (between the town and the Library), well-publicized before the town-wide vote in May 2003 for the bond issue that would contribute $4.8 million to the Library project (the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the contribution). Consequently, there was no new news in the Library's presentation last week-to the Selectmen or the town. Two years ago, before the Partnership Agreement was signed, the Selectmen asked Library leadership to estimate how much more it would cost to heat, light, staff and generally maintain the "new" Library once the addition was finished. Together, the Library and the Selectmen worked on a plan which would phase in new staff over a five-year period, as well as any other costs that could be added in years 2-5. Much of the increase, we all knew would occur in the first year once we opened the new addition-in FY '06. Because the town funds 95% of the annual operating budget, it was important for the Library and the town to agree on how the maintenance of the expanded Library would be funded before we put a shovel in the ground. We were surely not going to build a Library without a plan for maintaining it! Because we knew that the expansion costs were going to add significantly to our budget request this year, we did everything we could to cut other expenses or keep them at last year's levels. Leaving out expansion expenses and contractual obligations (medical and pension-expenses we can not do anything about), we pared our budget increase to only 2.6%, well below the 4% the Selectmen asked of all departments and organizations seeking town funding. We are looking forward to opening the two-story addition this summer - on time. Our town eagerly anticipates the day when we can take our children to the magical new story room in the Children's Library and use the new resources there. If we continue to be on schedule with this first phase, we will be able to finish phases II and III in 2006. Then we can look forward to attending a jazz concert or lecture in the Brubeck Community Room, having our teens use their own comfortable new space, signing up for a quiet study room, finding with ease that new book, audio tape or DVD we want to read or listen to, and using a computer without standing in line.The Selectmen - our representatives - need to know that we do not want the opening of the addition postponed once it is finished. They need to know that we believe the newly-expanded Library will draw us together as a community and send us on new journeys of learning and discovery that we are eager to experience sooner rather than later. We are asking all who voted for the expansion bond, who have donated privately to support the expansion and who share our vision of its potential for our town, to contact the Selectmen immediately, encouraging them to recommend the Library budget this year as presented - for the benefit of us all.
Katharine
H. Welling
President of the Board
Wilton Library Association, Inc.
January 29, 2005
Contact Information
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email: library@wiltonlibrary.org
voice: 203-762-3950
web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org
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