Wilton Library Association Newsletter
July 2006
in this issue -- Read 'Em and Reap Teen Summer Reading Program Hi! The summer is a busy time at the Wilton Library, and even though we hear from area merchants that demands for their wares and services are down significantly in July and August, you certainly couldn't prove it by us! Our summer concerts, teen movies, and summer reading program for kids are packed with participants each year, so we are quite sure a few people are left in town, in spite of the widely held "mass exodus" impression. In addition to taking part in the Library's lineup of activities, you may want to borrow a museum pass. Generously sponsored by the Ridgefield Bank this year, our Museum Pass Program is available so that families may enjoy several museums around the state, providing free or reduced admissions to Discovery Museum, Maritime Aquarium, Dinosaur State Park, Mark Twain House and other engaging explorations. Check out the details below. Our website features a page of links to family attractions within driving distance for those who want to make summer trips short and special - see Daytrips for all sorts of suggestions for summer fun. And if you are thinking of taking in a movie, get a coupon at our Circulation Desk that will save you money on regular adult admissions at Crown Cinemas and make money for the Library at the same time! Have a wonderful July! I look forward to seeing you around town and at the Library.
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Bookmarks and tattoo decals will be provided for each brief discussion Monday-Thursday, any time from 3-6 pm. Raffle tickets will be awarded based on pages read. Weekly raffle ticket drawings take place on Thursdays at 6:30 pm for gift certificates to local merchants for ice cream, pizza, and coffee or other beverages. The final drawing on Thursday, August 24, will be for a backpack filled with coupons and gifts. Kids receive extra raffle tickets for providing written reviews of the books they've read. Library DVD/VHS free rental coupons will be given to all who participate. This fabulous teen reading program is made possible by the John and Patricia Curran Teen Fund. Call the Library for more details at 762-3950 - or just stop by our new teen room to chat! |
Teen Movie Tuesdays (5-7 pm): -- “chronicles the rebellious, inspiring and sometimes controversial rise of snowboarding--as seen through the eyes of the snowboarders setting the standards and breaking the boundaries of this worldwide phenomenon." July 25th: Monty Python and the Holy Grail -- "follow King Arthur and his knights in their search for the Holy Grail. This, of course, isn't your average medieval knights and horses story!"
Reel Fridays for Kids (10:30 and 2): July 14th at 10:30: Wiggles Splish Splash-- skits and familiar songs by the wonderful Wiggles! July 14th at 2: Cheaper by the Dozen 2 -- sequel to a modern-day remake of the classic that stars Steve Martin as the father of twelve July 21st at 10:30: Doogal -- there's a star-studded cast in this wizardly tale July 21st at 2: Chronicles of Narnia -- the recent film version of the C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Please note that children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for the program and free refreshments will be served. You don't need to register - just come on in for cool summer fun at the Library! |
July 6th ~~ Chance Browne and the Twinkies Each summer hundreds enjoy the tunes and refreshments this series provides - from tots to seniors, audiences look forward to this treat in the heart of Wilton Center. Stop by on your way home from work, out to dinner, or back from the beach. There's no need to register - we'll have a seat for you! |
We'll have a special Guest Reader Story Time on Tuesday, July 11th, from 11-11:30 am. Chris Falkner, a library staff member, will read to children 3-6. Chris is a biomedical engineering major at the University of Connecticut. He started working at the library when he was a high school student 5 years ago and many kids (and parents) will recognize him. Advance registration is definitely suggested for this popular program - give us a call at 762-3950, stop by or sign up online. |
Tom's informative sessions this summer are: |
Scheduled booksales will take place in October for kids and April for all ages, but don't forget to shop the "books for sale" shelves in the gallery and our special sale cart in the Children's Library year round for bargains you won't find anywhere else! If you require a receipt for tax purposes, simply inquire at the Circulation Desk at the time you make your donation or ring the bell at the back door near the grey collection bins on Godfrey Place and a member of the reference staff will provide one. |
-- Thanks to Bob and Nancy Faesy for their gift of a year's subscription to Organic Gardening. |
The Earth Balloon program is made possible by Stop & Shop and is part of the summer reading program, Read, Recycle & Renew, sponsored by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation. Advance registration is required in person or by phone (762-3950). |
If you would like to purchase any of the works marked for sale, either at the reception or throughout the exhibit, enquire at the Circulation Desk and our staff will "red dot" your choice to reserve it and put you in contact with the artist. |
Kids who would like to be part of the action should stop in and make their own globe so they can put stickers on it for each title they complete this summer. We are always pleased and amazed at the number of books read over the summer - there is no better activity to accompany and lend to summer fun! Read, Recycle & Renew programs are so exciting - and we are grateful to the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation for underwriting them this summer. Programs for July include:
Finally, we will have two craft programs based on our recycling and ecological theme:
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Don't forget that you can visit us online every day and time of the year and that materials can be returned to our collection box in the parking lot at times that the Library is closed. |
Passes are free ($5/day late fee), circulate for three days, and may be reserved up to one month in advance by calling the Library (762-3950) or stopping by the Circulation Desk. |
Contact Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: kathy_leeds@wiltonlibrary.org phone: 203-762-3950 web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org |
Now through Thursday, August 24th, students in grades 7-12 can meet with a teen library staff member to talk about a newly read fiction or non-fiction book.
Thanks to a grant from the 
Celebrating our 6th year of outdoor summer concerts, the Library has a great group of performers for you and we are most grateful to both the Village Market (musicians and food) and Michael Crystal (wine) for making the series possible. This year we will hold the concerts rain or shine - outside if it's fine and in the Brubeck Room if not! Stop by Thursdays in July from 5-6:30 pm and see what the excitement is all about.
Drop-In Story Times will take place on Wednesdays, July 5th and 19th for our little readers:
Tom Greenbaum has taught hundreds to have fun and profit from dealings on eBay and given guidelines and cautions about online buying and selling. We are so pleased to have him back and know his audiences will not be disappointed in his fact-filled and user-friendly approach. Looking for bargains or hoping to do a "tag sale" that draws buyers from beyond your back yard? Stop by and get answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding this online worldwide marketplace. 
Gently used books, DVDs and CDs are in demand! Stop by our collection bins at the back entrance to the Library on Godfrey Place and leave us those items in condition good enough to sell. Each year our volunteers sort and sift through thousands of your donations to stock the shelves of our sales and the sales themselves contribute significantly to the operations of the Library (more than $60,000 per year!) We are counting on your generosity as you clean out closets and bookcases over the summer to make next year's sales a success.
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:
Please join us on Friday, July 7th, from 6 to 7:30 pm, to toast those featured in this year's Summer Art Exhibit. More than 40 Wilton artists will take part and the show will include diverse styles, media and subjects. Many of the works will be for sale to benefit the Library (20% of each sale comes back to us for the purchase of art and art instruction materials), and the show will continue through Wednesday, August 30th. Each year I am amazed at the talents of our friends and neighbors and I expect this summer to be no exception. No registration is required for the reception - simply stop by.
Each summer, the Library conducts a reading program for our youngest customers centered on a theme that will capture their imagination. Thi's year's program is no exception - entitled Read, Recycle & Renew, it will involve us all in improving the world around us by using natural resources wisely and increasing our awareness of the environment.
In addition to the Summer Reading Program crafts above, we'll have drop in crafts to start the month off right on Thursday and Friday, July 6th and 7th. Kids of all ages can stop by at any time and use materials provided by the Children's Library to make their own crafty creations. Additional drop-in craft days for July are the 17th, 18th and 31st. No registration is necessary - we look forward to seeing you! 
It's Harry Potter's birthday and the Library is throwing him a party on Friday, July 28th, from 7-8:30 pm, complete with games, prizes and a birthday cake! Professor Snape's new assistant will perform - don't miss this event. Call 762-3950, stop by or register 
We'll be on vacation, too - on July 4th for 
Thanks to the Ridgefield Bank, our Museum Pass Program will continue this year to allow Wilton Library patrons to receive free or deeply discounted admission at many area museums. The participating institutions are: