We are most excited to kick off the initiative with a special screening of An Inconvenient Truth, a film that has sparked discussion and raised awareness around the globe. Following the film, a panel of experts will address and engage the audience on the topic of global warming, including Adam Markham, Executive Director of Clean Air-Cool Planet, James Lucey, science teacher and Instructional Leader at Wilton High School, and Anji Seth, scientist and professor in the Department of Geography at the University of CT. There will be no charge for the film, but space is limited and filling quickly, so please register immediately. The 1-1/2 hour film will start at 7 pm sharp, so please arrive early so that we may confirm your registration at the door and get you to a seat (seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis for those registered).

We owe it to ourselves and our children to understand the forces that impact our environment so that we can make informed decisions about our actions. Let's all start 2007 right by talking about homeland security of a second sort - how we all may safeguard our home on planet Earth.

Sincerely,
Kathy Leeds, Director

Yet Another Four Poets with Ben Van Vechten

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Have you ever yearned to parse a poem? (I always think of parsing as a little like mincing without the mess.) If so, please join master "poetry chef" Ben Van Vechten on Thursdays from 10:30-noon as he slices, dices and serves up four poets and their work. Up for discussion during this series (January 4, 11, 18, 25 and February 1) are Marianne Moore, W. H. Auden, Wallace Stevens and Philip Larkin.

Poetry packets for participants are available at the Library's front desk, so stop by before the seminar begins to get yours. Space is limited, so register soon - in person (when you pick up your packet), by phone (762-3950), or online.

Wishlist

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Even as the gift-giving season draws to a close, I'm hoping that one of my readers will present the Library with an exceptional item for its collection. Wilton resident Owen Williams is the Assistant Editor for the two-volume Greenwood Press publication, Encyclopedia of Antislavery and Abolition. This comprehensive resource spans continents and time periods as it describes organized opposition to slavery as "one of the great intellectual revolutions in the history of the world." The movement holds special relevance for those of us in New England, surrounded as we are by the historical context of the Underground Railroad. Students and history buffs alike will find the almost 900 pages of text and photographs a fascinating look at the "broad topic of ending historical systems of slavery and human bondage" around the world.

If you would like to donate this new work in two volumes to our collection, please call (762-7196 x215) or email ( kcleeds@wiltonlibrary.org)me immediately. We would be pleased to dedicate it with a bookplate in memory or honor of a loved one, should you so desire. The cost of this important title is $199 and your gift to the Wilton Library Association is entirely tax-deductible.

Art Receptions & Exhibits: Wilton's River Road Gallery and PTA Reflections

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Many of you may have peered in the windows of Wilton's River Road Gallery nestled between Starbuck's and Chico's in Wilton Center. If you've ventured inside, you know the quality and quantity of works that cover its walls. Join us during the month of January to experience a collection of exceptional works assembled by the River Road Gallery expressly to grace the Library's wonderful exhibit space.

A portion of all sales will benefit our collection of books about art and art instruction. We'll hold an opening reception Friday evening, January 5th, from 6-7:30 pm and all are welcome to attend and shop!

In addition, on Friday, January 12th, from 6-8 pm, the Children's Library will host a reception celebrating Wilton students' work (grades K-12) shown in the annual PTA Council Reflections Exhibit. The show continues through Thursday, January 18th, and will include work in six categories: dance/choreography, literature, film/video production, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (including drawing, painting, print making, and collage). This year's theme is My Favorite Place and we hope you'll come on the 12th for the reception or during the weeklong exhibit.

Recollections & Remembrances of Wilton's Past

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Five years ago, in celebration of Wilton's Bicentennial, Bob and Carol Russell (with the generous help of award-winning videographer Danny Tepper) produced a documentary about Wilton's history as seen through the eyes of thirty-two of the town's longtime residents. Historical photographs and documents, current video images of Wilton, and extensive narration and interviews capture the essence of what Wilton was.

Join us in the Brubeck Room on Sunday, January 7th at 2 pm for the hour and a half screening of Recollections & Remembrances: Stories of Wilton's Yesterdays. Bob Russell will introduce the film and some of the films "stars" and conduct a question and answer period following the film's screening. This program is co-sponsored by the Wilton Historical Society and refreshments will be served. There will be no charge for the program and we'll have copies of the video (on VHS and DVD) available to buy, in case you would like your own or would like to give one as a gift. Please register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950) or online.

Dungeons & Dragons at the Library - January 6th

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Kids in grades 6-9 will be able to take part (with adult supervision) in a new Dungeons & Dragons club on Saturdays at the Library. According to Wikipedia, Dungeons & Dragons was originally derived from tabletop games (such as Chainmail) played with paper, pencil, and dice, D&D's publication is widely regarded as the beginning of modern role-playing games-and by extension, the entire role-playing game (RPG) and massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) industry. Players of D&D invent fictitious characters who embark upon imaginary adventures in which they battle many kinds of fictional monsters, gather treasure, interact with each other, and earn experience points to become more and more powerful as the game progresses. D&D departs from traditional wargaming in this regard by assigning each player a specific character, as opposed to legions and armies.

Come help plan the club on Saturday, January 6th, from 12:30-2:30 pm and then plan to attend its sessions through March. Registration is required and space is limited, so sign up immediately in person, by phone, or online.

You may register for additional sessions in January and February, too:
Saturday, January 13th, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)
Saturday, January 20th, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)
Saturday, January 27th, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)
Saturday, February 3rd, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)
Saturday, February 10th, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)
Saturday, February 17th, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)
Saturday, February 24th, 12:30-2:30 pm (register online)

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:

• Thanks to the Wilton Bank for underwriting our 2005-06 Wilton Library Association Annual Report. Stop by and pick one up today!
• Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Max Gabrielson for establishing a new family fund for the purchase of Greek and Latin literature.
• Thanks to Charles Safford, Hope Swenson, William Ziegler, and Virginia Collier for their donations in support of the literature seminars of Ann Martin and Ben Van Vechten.
• Thanks to all who purchased materials for the Library to memorialize or honor others through our 2006 Giving Tree.
• Thanks to the United Way of Norwalk & Wilton for generously supporting this year's Wilton Reads! initiative. Their grant, along with support from the Wilton Bank and Wilton Bulletin, helps fund our visit from Russell Banks in March.
• Thanks to the friends of Colin Kahal who gave books in his name to the Library to celebrate his birthday! What a great idea!
• Thanks to all who continue to give to our Annual Appeal. We are delighted with the response to date and urge all who have not yet donated to do so as soon as possible. Our programs, technology and collections will shine as a result of your support.

Computer Classes Return in January

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We are delighted that our new Computer Lab is up and running! We'll begin using it full force this month as we mount several hands-on classes in addition to some demonstration style seminars (to be held elsewhere in larger areas).

Note that some hands-on classes for the month carry a fee of $25 ($20 for seniors and Friends of the Library). Hands-on classes include:
Thursday, January 9th, 12-1:30 pm
Files and Folders
~~Mary Anne Franco will give you a wonderful introduction to the world of computers, discussing hardware, software, file structure, and programs on PCs. Class size is limited to 10 and registration is required in person, by phone or online. This class will be repeated on Tuesday, January 30th, from 7-8:30 pm and again, advance registration is required. Note that these classes will not cover Apples or Macs.

Tuesday, January 30, 12-1:30 pm
Introduction to Microsoft Word
~~Mary Anne Franco will show you how to create documents and how to use editing and formatting tools. Basic keyboarding skillls and familiarity with Microsoft Windows are required, as is advance registration and payment of $25 ($20 for seniors and Friends of the Library). Class size is limited to ten students. Please call us (762-3950) or stop by to register.

Demonstration-style classes (with no fee required) include:
Thursday, January 11th, 12-1:30 pm
Downloadable Audiobooks
~~Join in the fun of downloading audiobooks from NetLibrary to your computer at home and then transferring them to your MP3 player. You'll always have books on hand in your pocket or purse with this new technology! The service from NetLibrary is compatible with MP3 players only, not iPods. Please register in advance in person, by phone, or online.

Saturday, January 13th, from 11-12:30 pm
How to Use That New Digital Camera, with Michael Franco
~~Digital photography wiz Michael Franco will return to the Library to go over the basics of how to use a digital camera. He'll discuss the differences between auto and manual modes, show you how to force a flash, explain macro mode, and lots more in this demonstration. Please register in advance.

Wilton Reads! The Sweet Hereafter Discussion

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As you may know, Wilton has embarked on its third annual community read. The program has received support this year from our good friends at the Wilton Bank, the Wilton Bulletin and United Way of Norwalk & Wilton. We have several events coming up in connection with the "read," including our first discussion on Thursday, January 11th at 7:30 pm, moderated by our book discussion guru, Susan Boyar. Please register in person, by phone, or online for what's sure to be an insightful talk about The Sweet Hereafter, by Russell Banks.

Additional upcoming Wilton Reads! events:

• Sunday, February 4th at 2 pm -- film screening in the Brubeck Room (register)
• Thursday, February 15th at 7 pm -- film screening in the Brubeck Room (register)
• Thursday, March 1st, at 10:30 am -- discussion with Ben Van Vechten
• Thursday, March 15th at 7:30 pm - author talk with Russell Banks

Candlelight Concert: Stephen Hough, Pianist

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Few pianists of Stephen Hough's generation have made the impact on the music world that he has since winning the Naumberg International Piano Competition in 1983. A composer and music scholar as well as pianist, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship in 2001. His interpretations of standard piano repertory have become legendary; and he has also become well known as a champion of neglected works of the 19th century.

On January 14th, at 4 pm, Mr. Hough will perform a benefit recital for the Candlelight Concert series at the Wilton Congregational Church, located just north of Wilton Center on Route 33. Tickets may be purchased at the door one-half hour before the concert for $25 (seniors pay $20, students $10) Among works on the program are the Variations Serieuses of Mendelssohn, Beethoven's Sonata in C minor, Op. 111, selected Chopin waltzes, and works of Chabrier and Debussy.

A reception in honor of the artist and the Candlelight series will follow the concert. For more information on this recital or on the series, phone 203-762-3401, or 203-762-5019. Or go to the organization's website: www.wiltoncandlelightconcerts.org. Candlelight Concerts benefit the Wilton Library.

More January Book Discussions

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There are some wonderful book discussions planned for this month, in addition to Susan Boyar's session on The Sweet Hereafter mentioned above:

On January 10th, from noon to 1:30 pm, Susan will lead a discussion about March, by Geraldine Brooks. All are welcome to join the Wilton Library Readers as they talk about the book that Publisher's Weekly called a luminous second novel (after Brooks's Year of Wonders) that imagines the Civil War experiences of Mr. March, the absent father in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. No registration is required - just come and enjoy the conversation.

On Tuesday, January 23rd, at 11 am, Bill Ziegler will lead the Senior Center book discussion at Comstock Community Center, 180 School Road. The Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy, is an improbable yet illuminating and engaging tale of Michael Henchard, who sells his wife and daughter while he is in a drunken state, only to be located 19 years later by the same wife when he has become the Mayor of a small country town. Join Bill in discussing this masterpiece by a master story-teller, but please call the Senior Center (834-6240) to register.

Story Times Galore

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Regular story times begin again with the start of the new year, and note that we have a special story time planned, as well. Several sessions are scheduled only for children with a parent or caregiver in attendance.

1 to 2 year olds with caregivers ~~ Wednesdays, 10:15-10:45 am (register)
1 to 2 year olds with caregivers ~~ Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 am (register)
2 to 4 year olds with caregivers ~~ Mondays, 10:15- 10:45 am (register)
2 to 4 year olds with caregivers ~~ Tuesdays, 10:15- 10:45 am (register)
3 to 4 year olds ~~ Wednesdays, 11:30 am-noon (register)
3 to 4 year olds ~~ Thursdays, 1-1:30 pm (register)
4 to 6 year olds ~~ Mondays, 2-2:45 pm (register)
4 to 6 year olds ~~ Tuesdays, 2-2:45 pm (register)

Read Around the World is a wonderful series for 6 to 10 year olds that will introduce literature from other lands. Please join us on Saturday, January 20th, from 3-4 pm, when Jung Soo Kim will discuss books from her native country, Korea. Children may attend other sessions in the series on Saturdays, February 10th and March 10th. Please register in advance!

Visiting Author: Jack Cavanaugh

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Author Jack Cavanaugh will visit the Library on Sunday, January 14th, from 2-3:30 pm, to discuss, sell and sign his new book, Tunney: Boxing's Brainiest Champ and His Upset of the Great Jack Dempsey. Shaun Assael, writing for the International Herald Tribune says, "the boxing scenes are spun gold, and the author is at his best when he shows us what Tunney meant to the sweet science.". A Publisher's Weekly review states, "Cavanaugh brings alive an era when boxers fought more in a year than they do now over entire careers."

Come hear about the remarkable life of this intellectual, talented and priviledged figure in boxing history. You may register for the program in person, by phone (762-3950), or online.

Calling Parents and Families!

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We have a smorgasbord of offerings for parents and families during January:

Young Reader Parent Program
Parents of Young Readers are invited to a very special program presented by the Children's Library staff that will focus on trends in literature, new titles, parenting resources and upcoming programs. If you are a Young Reader parent, please participate on Tuesday, January 9th, from 10:30- 11:30 am - this is our new year's gift to you! You may register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online.

If your child would like to become a Wilton Library Young Reader, please contact us! A contribution of $25 per child or $75 per family is all it takes to become a young friend of the Library (ages birth-12 years) and take part in discounts and programs just for these special donors.

Get Plugged In: Understanding the MySpace Generation
On Wednesday, January 24th, from 11:45 am to 2 pm, Wilton Police Detective Scott Sear will help parents understand general Internet safety by sharing vital information about social networking in cyberspace. The phrase, "It's ten o'clock; do you know where your children are?," takes on new meaning in the realm of MySpace. Come hear about Internet predators and the "grooming process," chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail issues, and the good, bad, and ugly sides of social networking. Please register online to attend programs on January 24th and January 31st (the latter is a follow-up computer lab Detective Sear will present).

Our Computer Lab is dedicated to the memory of Claire Giler and has been outfitted with a generous grant from the Praxair Corporation. This program is sponsored by Parent Connection, Wilton PTA Council, and the Library.

Norwalk Symphony (Not) Just for Kids
Thanks to the Wilton Bank, we are delighted to present the third segment of a four-part series by members of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra for children ages 3-10 and their families. On Saturday, January 27th, from 2-3 pm, the Library's Brubeck Room will host a lively, interactive hour as percussion instruments are the topic -- come try them out at the Library! Please register in advance, and mark April 7th on your calendars, as well, for the fourth wonderful session (brass instruments)!

Did You Know?

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Did you know that the Library has a books-by-mail program? At Your Service: At Home is intended for those who are temporarily or permanently homebound due to disability or health problems. The program allows you or someone you care for enjoy our books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and videos without having to travel to the Library.

Here's how it works:

• Simply fill out the application available at the Circulation Desk. This profile lets us know what types of materials, authors, subjects, and formats you enjoy.
• Mail the application back to us. We'll contact you to determine what your top choices are.
• We'll mail materials for you. Enjoy them and when you're finished, mail them back to us in the free, postage-paid mail pouch we provide. At the same time, you may fill in another request form and enclose it in the mail pouch so we can get your next selection ready.

That's all there is to it!

If you need more information, have questions, or just want to sign up for the program, please call Melissa Friedman, Head of Circulation, at 762-3950 extension 238. We'd love to send the Library to you!

In the Midst of Winter Series

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In collaboration with Mid-Fairfield Hospice, we will continue the In the Midst of Winter series of informative discussions on psychological and physical problems that impact us particularly during the winter months:

On Wednesday, January 10th, from 10:30 to noon, Nanette Greene, MS, will speak about Techniques for Coping with Stress. Stress is normal - and can be positive in some situations, but is implicated as a factor in many illnesses. Strategies for handling it well can make all the difference. Learn how to relax and achieve balance through times of both elation and depression. Please register in advance for this important session.

On Wednesday, January 24th, from 10:30- noon, Colleen Kolf, MSW, will speak about Sharing Your Memories: Recording a Family Legacy. She will teach us how to start gathering and recording life histories of our family members. After all, oral histories have for countless generations, preserved a unique family treasure - heritage. Learn why reminiscing is so important to both teller and listener. Register in advance, please.

Critic's Choice for Grades 4 & 5

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Kids in grades 4 & 5 can be both book reviewers and movie critics when they participate in the Library's new Critic's Choice program. They'll read the book, watch the movie, and then meet to compare and discuss them the following week.

Our first session on Thursday, January 18th, from 5-6:45 pm will feature the movie, Hoot. The following Thursday, January 25th, from 5-6:30 pm, kids will discuss the movie and book as they enjoy pizza compliments of Tom-E-Toes! This program will be repeated in February and March, so keep your eyes peeled for dates and titles! Please register in advance by calling the Children's Library at 762-3950 or just stop by to let us know you want to be part of the action!

Games Mondays for 2nd-5th Graders

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What fun! Kids in grades 2-5 can drop by the Children's Library on Mondays January 22nd and 29th, from 3:30-5 pm, for games and puzzles. High school volunteers will supervise chess and Scrabble games. In addition, we'll have jigsaw puzzles, Monopoly and Checkers. Learn to play or take on the toughest challengers - all levels of play will be welcomed. Please register in advance so that we know to expect you.

Spotlight On: Book Sales at the Library

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As is true with most libraries around the nation (and, for all I know, around the world), the Wilton Library receives thousands of used books, CDs and DVDs each year. These items are dropped off primarily at our grey collection bins at the back door on Godfrey Place - those who would like a receipt for tax purposes can either ring the doorbell next to the bins or stop inside for a slip. The last couple of years (because we now have more space to sort, store and sell), we have collected books on Hazardous Waste Day, as well - a tremendously successful effort. Donated books are brought to the basement of our new building by our maintenance staff and then hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of volunteers proceed to sift, sort, price and place them in our new selling area "down under" - the Book Cellar. The work can now go on year round and it DOES, building a true spirit of camaraderie among the "regulars" under the guidance of Book Sale chairs Jan MacEwen and Jan Galletly.

A selection of books and gift items is continually available for purchase in the lobby/gallery area and in the Children's Library, bringing in more than $1,000 per month. We have begun to provide more items for sale around the holidays, too, augmenting the money raised from these ongoing sales. In addition, we have a tremendous sale in the Book Cellar and gallery each spring (this year the dates for the big sale are April 28th - May 1st, so mark your calendars if you want to volunteer to help or want to shop -- or both!) It really is an extraordinary event and it raises about $50,000 a year for the Library, in spite of the extremely reasonable prices. Finally, fall is the time we hold our Children's Book Sale and this year (for the first time), we were able to do it in the Brubeck Room - yet another great use of that space. This smaller sale aimed strictly at our youngest readers and listeners raises approximately $5,000 for our operations. Altogether, we count on our book sales to contribute about $75,000 to our coffers - a significant reward for all that volunteer effort.

I think the special magic of the Wilton Library book sales is that they create a community of sharing. Books and audiovisual materials brought to us in good condition become bargains for shoppers, many of whom treat them well enough to donate them back when they're done (many of the items we find in the grey bins already have pricing marks on them, so we know that this is so). Volunteers share in the year-long effort, talking about books, films, and music as they sort and sell. Everyone in town, it seems, stops by to check out the bargains at one time or another, sharing in a wonderful shopping experience that is often as much about books remembered as it is about those remaining to be read. I love combing over the well organized shelves for authors and titles, regardless of how many books I have piled at my bedside waiting to be savored.

If you would like more information about upcoming sales or volunteering, please call Jan MacEwen (227-8502) or Jan Galletly (377-1831)!

Chamber Music from Connecticut's Own

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Please come enjoy the glorious Brubeck Room and the talent of our local musicians by attending the third in our series of classical music concerts on Sunday, January 28th from 4-5 pm.

Dr. Ralph Kirmser and the Prevailing Winds of Connecticut (a quintet of woodwinds) will return to the Library to perfom an enchanting and exciting program. Performers include Ralph Kirmser (oboe), Richard Epstein (bassoon), Kathy Sumerow (flute), Janet Atherton (clarinet), and Stewart Edelstein (French horn). Come early, as attendance at our Sunday concerts has been robust. We encourage you to register in advance in person, by phone, or online.

Pizza and Talk About College with the Greenes!

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Teens won't want to miss this fireside chat from 6 to 7:30 pm on Sunday, January 28th at the Library as they think about the college planning process. Howard and Matthew Greene, authors of more than a dozen books on the topic, will be on hand to share strategies. Please register in advance - and remember, this program is for teens only! Bring your questions, but not your parents, this evening.

This program was made possible through donations to the Red, Hot and Cool Gala Giving Tree.

Lights Out at the Library

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Girls in grades 2-4 get this year's treat of staying overnight in the Library! Games, food, and fun are guaranteed. A fee of $25 ($20 for Young Readers) helps defray the cost of the program.

Please call the Children's Library staff at 762-3950 to register. Parent volunteers are needed at points throughout the evening, so please let us know if you are available and willing to help out. Drop off will be Friday, January 19th at 7 pm and pick up will be Saturday promptly at 8:30 am. Our snow date will be Friday, February 9th. Don't miss out on the sleepover fun!

Contact Information

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email: kathy_leeds@wiltonlibrary.org

phone: 203-762-3950

web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org