Wilton Library Association Newsletter
June 2006
in this issue -- Celebrating Volunteers with Sculptor Peter Rubino Greetings! June is the end of the fiscal year for many municipalities and not-for-profits. It is truly a bit odd to think in terms of summing up or reviewing our efforts when most of us are gearing up for summer vacations, engaging in recreation of one sort or another, traveling or relaxing in our personal spheres. Still - the Wilton Library will celebrate the conclusion of its 111th year at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 11th, and we hope you all will join us at 4 pm that day. (Actually, if all 2,950 of you who receive this newsletter show up, there may not be enough cake to go around, but you'll still be most welcome!) Taking time from your start of summer schedule to stop by that day will be rewarding - particularly if you are one of the thousands who have brought our dream of an outstanding expansion to fruition. We plan to thank you in many ways as we talk about the year just past, and I know I can guarantee that feeling a part of the team that brought the dream to life is very gratifying. Two years ago we broke ground for the expansion with a line up of little construction workers in their hard hats (do you remember the picture in the paper?). Last June we met for the last time in our Picture Book Room - now reincarnated as study rooms and a computer area - just as the "old" library was about to embark on renovation. This year we will meet in the beautiful Brubeck Room - that is unless all three thousand of you decide to come! Joining us on the 11th will be many of our governmental representatives, local dignitaries, representatives from the State Library, Tai Soo Kim Partners, Turner Construction, and trustees, staff, volunteers and Friends of all ages. Our keynote speaker will be Leslie Burger, new President of the American Library Association. Leslie's remarks are always inspiring, but they promise to be doubly so on this occasion as she started us on the expansion path in 2001 when she served as consultant to our Committee for the Future of Wilton Library (she was then and is now the Director of the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, NJ). Leslie has remained our advisor over the past five years and we are so pleased that she will be able to join us. We hope you can be there on the 11th to be recognized and thanked - we could not have succeeded without the support of our community. Now we are poised at the beginning of a new year, ready to fulfill the needs of that community in wonderful ways. Looking forward to the celebration - and the challenge, Kathy Leeds, Director |
Please join us at the gathering for a lovely repast to thank those who gave countless hours over the past year to support our Library. Volunteers play such an important part in our book sales, our fund raising events, our outreach services and monthly mailings, and in maintaining our collection for the community. We are glad to show our appreciation with a meal and a feast for the senses orchestrated and performed by Peter Rubino. Peter will transform 250 pounds of clay into a bust in 20 minutes in a tremendously entertaining burst of artisitic ability accompanied by aptly chosen music. His bust of Dave Brubeck was presented to the Library for permanent installation in the Brubeck Room, so you can see it that day as well. Please join us - register in person, by phone or online. |
Fairfield University students chose Dr. Paul Lakeland as 2005 Teacher of the Year and his credentials are most impressive. He is a member of the American Academy of Religion, where he currently chairs the Theology and Religious Reflection Section, and the Catholic Theological Society of America. He is an editor for "Religious Studies Review," a member of the editorial board of "Cross Currents," co-editor of the Fortress Press series, "Guides to Theological Inquiry," and co-convener of the independent ecumenical association of systematic and constructive theologians, The Workgroup for Constructive Theology. Dr. Lakeland received his Ph.D. in religion from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, a Licentiate in philosophy from Heythrop Pontifical Athenaeum, a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University in English language and literature, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the University of London. Dr. Lakeland will help us untangle fact from fiction through the mix of history, art and religion in The Da Vinci Code. Participants are encouraged to see the feature film just released (at Crown Wilton 4, Crown Royale 6 Norwalk or Crown New Canaan) as well as read the book. Discounted Crown Theatres passes are available for purchase at the Library's Circulation Desk; these passes must be exchanged for tickets at the theatre. Please register in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. |
On Thursday, June 1st, from 6:15-6:45 pm, children 3-5 years old are invited to come in their pajamas and bring special blankets to the sleepytime story time at the Library. Please register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online for this popular program. On June 9th, from 5-5:30 pm, the same age group is welcome to fill the end of the day, end of the week with a Friday Afternoon Story Time - a great way to start the weekend. Again, please register in person, by phone, or online. Finally, June 21st will be a Drop-In Story Day, with lots of reading happening all day long for ages 1-8. Ones and twos must be accompanied by adults. This day is part of our Read, Recycle & Renew summer reading program sponsored by the Betsy & Jesse Fink Family. Story times (no registration necessary) are:
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In The Certifiable Salesperson, bestselling author and sales guru Tom Hopkins and leading sales consultant Laura Laaman play on the double meaning of "certifiable" and demonstrate how readers can become both a reputable professional with a specialized skill set and a salesperson going crazy with record sales. This handy reference help readers master the art of selling, enabling them to close more deals in less time. Come hear Laura at the Library and learn how to become certifiable yourself! Advance registration is required. The cost for the program, sure to be a good investment, is $15 per Chamber member and $25 for those not yet Chamber members. To register, call Stephanie Barksdale at the Chamber office (762-0567). |
Join us for the artists' opening reception on Friday, June 2nd, from 6-7:30 pm. All are welcome and there is no need to register. Refreshments will be served. |
Please join us to celebrate their talents and see their creations! - all are welcome on Monday, June 5th, from 5-6:30 pm. Refreshments will be served. |
We have many interesting and exceptional businesses in town and on Tuesday, June 15th, you'll get to sample the wares of some and meet their employees and owners at the very first Chamber of Commerce Expo. The Expo will be held from 4-7 pm in the Brubeck Room and refreshments will be served. Please call Stephanie Barksdale at the Chamber office (762-0567) for information about presenting or attending. The Library is happy to be able to host this event in the heart of Wilton Center. Stop by and see what the buzz in business is all about! |
There is no charge for the program, no need to register and all materials necessary will be provided. Happy Father's Day! |
In a starred review, Publishers Weekly said, The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 workers, most of them women, and galvanized efforts to reform working conditions in sweatshops. In Esther Gottesfeld, the last remaining survivor of the Triangle fire, Weber (The Little Women) creates a believable and memorable witness to the horrors of that day. Esther managed to escape, but her fiancé, Sam, and her sister, Pauline, both perished in the blaze. Please join us to meet Katharine Weber on Tuesday, June 20th, at 7 pm - she's a terrific speaker and a great friend of the Wilton Library. We'll have books on hand for her to sign and sell. You'll want one to read and another to give as a gift - this title is sure to rise to the top of the best- seller lists. Please register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. |
This program has been filled to capacity, but you may call 762-3950 to be put on the waiting list. |
On Wednesday, June 28th, from 2-3, families can learn about how humans impact the environment as they meet Atka, the Arctic Wolf. Atka is a seasoned ambassador and takes about a hundred road trips each year to give students a firsthand lesson in wolf conservation. Don't miss this opportunity to meet him at the Wilton Library! Please register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. On Thursday, June 29th, from 2-3 pm, kids aged 3-7 can make their very own "wolf craft" to celebrate Atka's visit. There is a $5 materials fee per child ($4 for Young Readers). Please register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. |
As is customary, the Library will be closed on Sundays in the summer starting June 18th. Our website is always open for business and you may return materials to the blue drop box in the parking lot when the building is not open. |
If you would like to purchase Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh for the Wilton Library collection, please email me or call 762-7196 x215. The book's cost is $50 (including processing), and we will be glad to dedicate it with a book plate to anyone you'd like to honor or memorialize. |
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Contact Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: kathy_leeds@wiltonlibrary.org phone: 203-762-3950 web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org |
On Sunday, June 4th, the Library will celebrate its many volunteers with a brunch at noon and then a fabulous "speed sculpt" by Peter Rubino in the Brubeck Room from 12:30 - 1:30 pm.
On Thursday, June 1st, from 7-8:30 pm, meet Dr. Paul Lakeland, Director of Fairfield University's Center for Catholic Studies, and discuss with him The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown's controversial blockbuster novel that's just come out on the big screen.
We have some wonderful listening adventures lined up for our youngest patrons this month:
The Wilton Chamber of Commerce and the Library will cosponsor a talk by 
Well - our recent exhibit of works by American Impressionist J. Alden Weir is a tough act to follow, but we think you'll be delighted by the June exhibit of works by Deborah K. Flavin, Paul Heifetz, Bill Moran, Bobbie Eike Mullen, Erin Nazzaro, Andy Neilly, and Ellin Spadone. Colorful and representing a diverse assortment of styles, media and subjects, the show is sure to be a dazzler. Bring along your checkbook or credit card - many works are for sale and 20% of each transaction will benefit the Library's Art Fund for the purchase of materials related to art and art instruction.
And speaking of incredible art works... have you seen the murals under construction in our Teen Library? Under the guidance of graphic artist Tom Swick and Teen Librarian Susan Lauricella, talented teens have sketched and painted walls to make the space their own.
Are you stumped about what to get Dad for Father's Day? The best gifts come from the hearts - and hands - of kids. Come to the Craft Room in the Children's Library on Monday, June 19th, and Tuesday, June 20th, to make your very own creation. Almost 100 stopped by to make presents for Mother's Day in May!
On Wednesday, June 21st and Thursday, June 22nd, the 
This year's summer reading program theme, Read, Recycle & Renew has everything to do with saving our Earth and conserving resources. Thanks to the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family, we have terrific programs and crafts that will bring the theme alive scheduled throughout the summer.
Would you like to buy the community a present? We would like to add this beautiful exhibition booklet to our collection for the enjoyment of both those who are able to visit the Metropolitan Museum to "meet" Hatshepsut, the great female pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and those simply interested in the fascinating reign and its impact on the history, culture, and art of Egypt in the 18th Dynasty. Having earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly , this publication is sure to be a magnificent addition to our collection.
Please bring us your gently used paperbacks to donate to our ongoing lobby book sale - it's a particularly popular place to browse at this time of year. Donate books you have read and loved - and pick up beach reading material for bargain prices while doing a "good thing" for the Library. We keep the sale shelves stocked in both the lobby and the Children's Library year 'round, so don't forget to check them out for bargains the next time you're in!