Wilton Library Association Newsletter
May 2006
in this issue Hi! Late April and early May seem to be the time when nature goes into overdrive. Within the last couple of weeks, bulbs have bloomed, trees have budded and leafed out, and the grass has begun to green (although the Leeds family seems to have a bumper crop of moss). Activity at the Library is blooming as well, to which all of our statistics attest. March followed trends we started to see developing in February and during the month of March, we had a total of 65 library-sponsored programs with a total attendance of over 1,600 patrons of all ages (600 adults, 800 children and 200 teens). In addition, there were 25 uses of Library facilities by outside groups (both non-profit organizations and businesses) during the month. Circulation of books and audiovisual materials was up 9% over the same period last year, and we've had more than a 40% jump in visitors to the Library in both of the last two months! More than 1,500 people visit the Library each week, and the number is climbing. Could this truly be an example of "if you build it, they will come?" - perhaps, and it is certainly an experience many newly expanded libraries across the nation have documented. With so many visitors - and with so many of them brand new to our facility - we face a tremendous challenge, and one that the staff and trustees embrace wholeheartedly. We will strive in coming months to show just how well we can serve them all, using our fabulous new spaces to best advantage. Won't you join us in this effort by suggesting programs and services you'd like to see us offer? Not everything is possible, of course, without adequate resources. By the same token, very little is possible without inspiration, and you can be a wonderful resource in that regard. Let me know if you meet an artist, see a performance, or take part in a discussion that thrills you and we'll see if we can do something similar at the Library. Call (762-3950 x215), stop by, or email me at kcleeds@wiltonlibrary.org. I'd love to hear from you! Sincerely, |
There is no need to register ahead of time, and don't forget to bring your camera - I predict this will be the photo opportunity of the year. |
~~ On Thursday, May 4th, local interior designers Stephanie Mercado and Kerry Brock will discuss Interior Design 101, sharing the basics of residential design including defining your project and goals, determining its style, picking colors, planning room layouts, handling walls, windows, and floors, choosing furniture, textiles and rugs, designing built-ins and storage, and adding accessories. Register in person, by phone (762- 3950) or online. |
On Thursday, June 1st, at 7 pm, we will have a fascinating installment in our Read the Book/See the Movie series. Please mark the date on your calendars now and register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. Dr. Paul Lakeland, Professor of Catholic Studies and Director of Fairfield University’s Center for Catholic Studies, will help us untangle fact from fiction through the mix of history, art and religion in The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Dr. Lakeland was chosen 2005 Teacher of the Year by students at the University and 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. Participants are encouraged to see the feature film released in May (as well as read the book). Discounted Crown Theatres passes are available for purchase at the Wilton Library front desk, so stop by soon to take advantage of this special offer. You'll save a bit yourself at the same time Crown contributes a bit to the Library! |
The program is underwritten in part by the John J. and Pat A. Curran Teen Fund, but there is a $10 per person materials fee. Advance registration and payment are required to reserve a space. Stop by or call 762-3950 to register. |
On Friday, May 5th, from 10:30 am-1 pm, we'll co-host a session with SPED*NET entitled Testing & Evaluations - Understanding them and Making them Useful. Donna Chauvin Wualle, a consultant, general and special educator, and former educaional and Special Services Administrator will provide guidance and advice about this often difficult topic. To register, please call SPED*NET at 761- 0680. On Saturday, May 6th, from 10:30 -11:30 am, new parents, grandparents and caregivers will be able to learn important baby safety and child proofing strategies in this educational session. Child safety experts will be on hand to answer questions on how to install products and help solve safety concerns for all attendees. Don't miss this potentially life- and limb-saving talk. Register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. On Friday, May 19th, from 10 am-12:30 pm, the Library will again co-sponsor a program with SPED*NET - this one entitled Understanding Behavior and Learning Challenges from a New Perspective. Sally Brocket, Director of the IDEA Training Consultation Center in North Haven, educator, special education consultant, and auditory training practitioner will share her experience, insights and expertise. Please register by calling SPED*NET at 761-9171. A fourth program for parents, caregivers and library staff will take place on Wednesday, May 17th, from 8:30-noon, and will address the needs of families that include children coping with the challenges posed by handicaps. Carrie Banks, director of The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs at Brooklyn Public Library will conduct the workshop with an emphasis on role-playing. This workshop is funded in part by a grant from the Federal LSTA (administered by the Connecticut State Library). Register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. |
~~ The Norwalk Symphony returns on Saturday, May 6th, from 1-2 pm, with its very popular (Not) Just for Kids concert series - this time with an emphasis on brass instruments. Come see and hear the group on the stage in the Brubeck Room - and get to meet both the musicians and their instruments close up. Thanks to the Wilton Bank for making this series possible! Please register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. ~~ On Thursday, May 25th, at 7 pm, attorney mediator Maurice Segall will present a session on mediation as a non-adversarial, less expensive and faster way to go through the divorce process. If you are struggling with this issue yourself, or have a friend who is going through the process, join us for this eye-opening session, designed to lessen tension and avoid the uglier aspects of family splits. Please register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. |
|
The Norwalk River Watershed Association has mounted a photography exhibit throughout our adult computer area and we invite you to take a look through Friday, June 2nd. A reception on Wednesday, May 10th from 7-8:30 pm will feature remarks by Irwin Block, recipient of the 2003 Weir Farm Artist in Residence Award. Again - please join us! |
On Saturday, May 13th, from 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Michael and Mary Anne Franco will present another installment in their popular series on digital photography: Catalog Your Photos Using Adobe Photoshop Elements. This duo is known for their clear and user friendly approach to technology - stop by and see what all the buzz is about. Be sure to register in person, by phone (762-3950), or online. |
On Tuesday, May 23rd, at 11 am, our own Barbara Jones will lead a discussion of Carmen Bin Laden's Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia. A page-turner of international proportions, this memoir is an illuminating look at the life she led as the wife of Yeslam bin Ladin, Osama's older brother and her subsequent brush with orthodoxy and banishment. All are welcome to the Senior Center located on School Road in the Comstock Community Center building. Please call the Senior Center at 834-6240 to register. |
Look for us at the Memorial Day Parade on Monday - we'll be handing out flyers announcing our upcoming Summer Reading Program for Kids, marching to remember the past and looking ahead to the future. |
|
On Tuesday, May 30th, from 10 am-1 pm, U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays's staff members will be on hand at the Library to speak with constituents on a first-come, first-served basis about questions and concerns about government programs and agencies. Please stop by to register your opinions. Congressman Shays and his office staff have made themselves available to his constituents across the district, and our Library is becoming one of their favorite sites. |
email: kathy_leeds@wiltonlibrary.org |
Celebrate the start of spring with your children at an old fashioned May Day (on May 1st) at the Library! We'll have a wonderful maypole and do the traditional weaving dance to usher in milder weather at 1 pm. Stop by earlier in the day to make spring crafts in the Children's Library, as well. 
Our new Home & Garden series continues in May with four wonderful sessions from 7-8:30 pm on weekday evenings: 
Teens in grades 7 – 12 will love this workshop with 
During the month we'll have three informative programs for parents:
In addition to our regular story time schedule, we invite young listeners to take part in three new story times this month:
Our extraordinary exhibit of J. Alden Weir's work featuring paintings, prints and pastels from private collections and the National Park Service continues throughout the month. We will hold a reception to celebrate this marvelous collection and its curator, Joan Kaskell, on Friday, May 5th, from 6-7:30 pm , and would love to have you join us for refreshments and an opportunity to savor the wonderful exhibit, Recollecting Weir, hung throughout our gallery, reading, and reference areas.
The Wilton Library Readers, led by Susan Boyar, will talk about the E. M. Forster classic, Howards End on Wednesday, May 10th, from noon to 1 pm. Alfred Kazin said, "Howards End is a classic English novel . . . superb and wholly cherishable . . . one that admirers have no trouble reading over and over again." First published in 1910, it is the novel that earned E. M. Forster recognition as a major writer. Its themes resonate today and its characters are unforgettable. Please join us for a fascinating discussion of the book and its author. All are welcome and no reservation is necessary. 
The Wilton Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, May 28th and 29th, in observance of Memorial Day.
Kids - remember to stop by the Children's Library any time from Tuesday, May 9th through Saturday, May 13th to make your own Mothers' Day gift! Supplies and help will be on hand throughout the week. It's not too late to let your mom know how much you love her in a fun and creative way.