Wilton Library Association Newsletter
November 2004
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in this issue
-- Expansion News
-- Wilton Reads! in November
-- Trip to the Frick Collection - November 4th
-- Our Annual Appeal
-- Books and Authors in November
-- Focus on Photography
-- Teen Takes
-- Operation Respect: Stonewall Speakers
-- Norwalk Symphony's (Not) Just for Kids Family Program
-- Digital Photography: How to Buy a Camera
-- November Computer Classes at the Library
-- "The Day After" Film Fun
-- Wishlist
-- Critical End-of-Life Health Care Decisions
Greetings!
As Thanksgiving approaches, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who use, support and spread the word about the Wilton Library. We rely on all of you and consider you the key to our ability to serve the community well. Some give us suggestions and thoughtful feedback, some their time and talent, some their financial support. All help us build a library that is responsive to community needs, making use of appropriate technology to provide service to every segment of our town.
We are grateful - because only with your vested interest will our library achieve its vision: to excel as the lifelong learning and cultural center for our community. The expansion provides us a very dramatic and tangible product resulting from your involvement, but the outstanding collection, programs and services we are able to provide are proof every day that Wilton cares about its library. Thanksgiving is an all year round event for us!
Sincerely,
Kathy Leeds,
Director
Expansion
News
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It's hard to believe that when I wrote last month, the excavation
for our two-story addition had barely begun. If you haven't been by recently,
you're in for a surprise... as a patron quipped the other day, "We have
a really big pothole in the rear parking lot!" We do, indeed - and footings
have been poured despite the fact that we hit water (a tributary of the
Norwalk River!) before we hit bottom and had to pump continuously to
dry out the area before pouring. Cement work will continue throughout
the month and steel will arrive in December, when we will really start
to see the addition take shape. Sidewalk superintendents (including those
of the toddler variety) are making good use of the benches along our
temporary pedestrian walkway.
Toward the end of the month, we will lose a bit of the back parking lot to the huge crane that will hoist the steel into place. Be prepared for shifting driving patterns and a temporary relocation of our "book bin" for book and AV returns in order to accommodate the crane.
Wilton
Reads! in November
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 |
Our community-wide read of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird will
feature three wonderful events this month:
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Trip
to the Frick Collection - November 4th
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| The Wilton Library and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church have planned
a bus trip to the Frick Collection in New York City. Join us at
the Library for coffee and a brief talk about what we'll see by
noted art lecturer Joan Kaskell at 9 am that morning. The deluxe
mini-bus will leave the Library at 10 am and return by 5 pm. Transportation
costs $30 per person; museum admission and lunch are "on your own," although
we'll provide some suggestions for nearby restaurants. Seating
is limited to 24 and advance registration is required. Call 762-3950
or register
online.
From the museum's site: |
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Our
Annual Appeal
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Our annual appeal was put in the mail a couple of weeks ago to
households throughout Wilton and the responses are pouring in. Thanks
to all who have sent in their donations already and to all who soon will.
We need your help now more than ever!
The Library is not a municipal department and receives only about 75% of its annual budget from the Town of Wilton. Each year we must raise privately all the money we spend on books, videos, DVDs, music CDs and books on tape and CD. In addition, half the funds for technology and most of our program budget come from individual, organization and business donations. The Town can guarantee a good Library with significant support from tax dollars... but our Friends (all those who donate) can make it great.
Please send in your donation today if you haven't done so already -- and email me if you haven't received a donation packet. I will get one out to you immediately.
Books
and Authors in November
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 |
A wonderful lineup of literary events is on tap this month -
mark your calendars!:
|
Focus
on Photography
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The Wilton Arts Council will hold its 7th Annual Photography
Show, Focus '04, at the Library during November, beginning on Saturday,
November 6th from 6-8 pm with an opening reception. All are
welcome and refreshments will be served. No registration is necessary.
Teen
Takes
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November is a great month for teens at the Library - Teen Librarian
Susan Lauricella has three terrific programs in store:
- On Thursday, November 18th, the first of a two-part knitting class, Stick to the Knitting, will take place from 4-5:30 pm (the second session is on December 2nd. Teens (grades 7-12) will learn how to make a simple scarf. Materials are included in the $10 registration fee. Space is limited, so call 762-3950 or register online. What a great idea for a holiday present!
- Our third Teen Poetry Open Mike Night will take place from 7-9 pm on Friday, November 19th in the Community Room! Kids in grades 7-12 can read, sing, "rap," and/or play music to original or existing pieces of poetry. This incredibly popular program is sponsored by Fleet Bank and refreshments will be served.
- We'll have babysitting training by the American Red Cross again on Saturday, November 20th from 10 am to 3:30 pm (bring lunch) for kids 11- 15 years old. There is a charge of $50 per child and advance registration is required. Sign up now to reserve your spot.
Operation Respect: Stonewall Speakers
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 |
Representatives of Stonewall Speakers will appear at the Library
at 2 pm on Sunday, November 21st, to lead a discussion
on homosexuality and homophobia. We encourage you to attend and
take part in the dialogue... advance registration is strongly suggested.
This program is presented as a result of the Operation Respect
film discussions held last spring and as part of a continuing effort
to build understanding and appreciation of diversity in our community.
The Stonewall Speakers group does not encourage people to pursue homosexuality or lesbianism as a lifestyle, but instead works to discourage bigotry and violence by dispelling myths about homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people. Some speakers with the group are friends or relatives of gay people. Activists created the organization after two youths killed Wethersfield resident Richard Reihl, who was homosexual, in 1988. They originally named the organization Speak Out, but members changed the name in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall gay riots in New York City. |
Norwalk Symphony's (Not) Just for Kids Family Program
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The Wilton Bank has generously funded a four-part series that will bring sections of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra to the Library to provide hands-on participation for kids (3-10 years old) and their families. The four programs, for which advance registration is strongly suggested, span the year to come:
Saturday, November 6th at 3 pm ~~woodwinds
Saturday, January 22nd at 3 pm ~~ percussion
Saturday, April 2nd at 3 pm ~~ strings
Saturday, May 7th at 3 pm ~~ brass
This terrific program is sure to inspire budding musicians with a close-up look at the instruments and those who play them.
Digital Photography: How to Buy a Camera
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Continuing a tremendously popular series on several aspects of digital photography, Mary Anne and Michael Franco will give you the do's, dont's and features to consider when choosing a digital camera on Saturday, November 13th from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Timed just right for holiday purchases, this hour-and-a-half long session will help you choose wisely for yourself or those on your holiday list! Call to reserve your spot, or register online.
November Computer Classes at the Library
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Join us to learn the basics and more in November! Hands-on classes require a $20 fee per person ($15 for Friends of the Library) and the 11/16 demonstration class is free: Monday, November 1st from 8:30-10 am ~~ Hands-on Email |
"The Day After" Film Fun
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Looking for something to do with the kids the day after Thanksgiving? Bring them to the Library from 11 am to 12:30 pm and from 2-3:30 pm on Friday, November 26th for free movies, compliments of the Louis Dreyfus Corporation! No reservations are required, but arrive early to get a seat. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. |
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Wishlist
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