Fall story times in our newly expanded and equipped Story Time Room will run from Monday, September 26th through Thursday, November 17th. All are welcome and there is no charge for the 8-week program. Ones and twos must be accompanied by an adult and advance registration by phone, in person or online is required. Give your children one of the greatest gifts they will ever receive - a love of and appreciation for - READING!

You may register online, in person, or by phone at 762-3950.

Ones: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday ~~ 10:30-11 am
Twos: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday ~~ 11:30-12 noon
Threes: Monday or Tuesday ~~ 1- 1:30 pm
Fours & Fives: Monday or Tuesday ~~ 2-2:45 pm

Join us for an evening of questions and answers with members of and candidates for the Wilton Board of Education. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th at 7:30 pm, the discussion will center on issues and will be moderated by a member of the League of Women Voters, co-sponsor of the evening along with the Wilton Chamber of Commerce and the Library.

Bring your kudos and concerns - this is your chance to ask those who set policy for our schools about what's on the education horizon and how they stand on the issues ahead. Registration is suggested in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. Wine and cheese will be served during the informal chat following our question and answer session. Upcoming Chips 'n' Chat dates are October 19th for the Board of Selectmen and October 26th for the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Hazardous Material Drop-off Day is Saturday, October 29th, from 9 am to 3 pm at Comstock Community Center. This year, you'll be able to donate your used books at the same time and place! We are hoping to have our biggest book sale ever in the spring, so are delighted to "piggy-back" with the town at Comstock.

Now, at the same time you are combing closets, basements and garages for hazardous materials, you can weed your bookshelves as well. Bring us all your used books, videos, DVDs, audiobooks and computer games in good condition (no LPs, textbooks or condensed books, please) and we will offer them up for sale in April, helping to fund the operating costs of our wonderful Library.

On Thursday, October 6th, from 7 to 9 pm, educational planning consultants Howard and Matthew Greene will provide essential information for students and parents involved in the college planning process. Based on their successful television program, Ten Steps to College, this seminar will help families formulate strategies for the admissions and financial processes of achieving a college education. There is no charge for the program, but advance registration is suggested in person, by phone (762-3950) or online.

More help for parents of kids about to go off to college (or there already) is on hand Thursday, October 27th at 7:30 pm from Dr. Janet Bertoldi in the third part of her series about life on campus.

She'll provide an overview of mental health counseling services that colleges and universities typically provide and discuss a variety of related topics, including confidentiality and patient rights, how to recognize depression, eating disorders, self-injurious behavior and anxiety, when to encourage your teen to seek help, how to communicate with the college or university, particularly in case of a pre-existing psychiatric disorder. There is no charge for the program, but advance registration is suggested in person, by phone (762-3950) or online.

We have a several terrific programs for teens planned at the Library in October:

On Sunday, October 16th, from 11 am to 5 pm, those ages 11 through 15 are welcome to come to a babysitting course given by the American Red Cross. Devoting this day to training will pay off in more confidence and competence for what is often a first job for your kids. Registration and payment of the Red Cross $50 fee is required in advance, so please stop by our front desk to sign up soon -- space is limited for this very popular program.

Edgar Allan Poe will make an appearance (sort of!) when kids in grades 7-12 celebrate his life and times on Thursday, October 20th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Just in time for Halloween, we will commemorate the master of the macabre with readings from his work by a Poe impersonator! Advance registration is suggested in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. This evening is provided without charge through the John Curran Memorial Fund.

Teens in grades 7-12 will learn to make a "recycled sweater purse" when they gather for It's in the Bag on Tuesday, October 18th from 5-7 pm. They're really terrific looking (we have samples) and make great gifts - bring favorite old sweaters to cut up (or use the materials we provide), and register soon in person, by phone or online as space is limited. Pizza and drinks will be served during the session. This program is provided without charge through the John Curran Memorial Fund.

And we have two October treats in store at the Library for kids:

From Monday the 24th through Friday the 28th, children of all ages can create their own pumpkin decorations in the Children's Library. Supplies will be on hand and no registration is necessary for our littlest artists!

Halloween at Hogwarts will celebrate the newest Harry Potter movie due out in November! On Friday, October 28th, from 7 to 9 pm, kids ages 8-13 can enjoy a pre-Halloween treat at the four Hogwart Houses, try games, listen to storytelling, have pizza, goodie bags and just plain fun! Advance registration is required in person, by phone (762-3950 x217) or online.

The Wilton Library will serve as the center for Beatles lovers on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30 pm! Author Bob Spitz and publisher Little Brown have chosen us for a gala pre-publication party for his new and much-lauded definitive biography of the Beatles.

Amazon says: "As soon as the Beatles became famous, the spin machines began to construct a myth, a myth that has continued to this day. Biographers have come and gone, each repeating the story precisely as they were meant to. But the truth is much more interesting, much more exciting, and much more moving. Now, after years of research around the world, hundreds of unprecedented interviews, and the mining of tens of thousands of documents (many never before seen), Bob Spitz has written the masterpiece biography that Beatles fans have been waiting for. Spitz restores the Beatles to what they were: a loud, angry, rock and roll "band kids" who became gods, not gods who happened to look like kids. This is a biography of a band in full, not the story of John and Paul and their two mates from Liverpool. Here we see a vibrant Ringo, sharply portrayed for the first time, willing the Beatles to produce the classic White Album. And here we see in vivid focus George's wild passion for innovative music."

Bob is an area resident who did much of his research right here at the Wilton Library. He is the author also of The Making of Superstars, Barefoot in Babylon, Dylan, and Shoot Out the Lights. His articles appear regularly in the New York Times Magazine, GQ, Conde Nast Traveler, Men's Journal, In Style, Premiere, and the Washington Post.

We will celebrate the book with readings, sales and signings to benefit the Library, and the wonderful music that made the group famous - performed by Bob Riccio and friends. Wine and cheese will be served, so please let us know you are coming by registering in person, by phone, or online.

October is Awareness Month for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center and the Library will host a discussion at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, October 18th, of the recent survey conducted about dating violence among Wilton teens. High school seniors and members of the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force will be on hand to present the findings and to talk about this disturbing phenomenon and how prevalent it is in our town. You owe it to your daughter to attend! Advance registration is suggested - by phone (762-3950), in person, or online.

October marks the start of another fabulous Shakespeare series by popular lecturer Ann Martin! On Monday, October 24th, from 10:30 am to noon, the 5-part series entitled Revenge: A Dish Better Served Cold will begin to explore the topic of getting even in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and The Merchant of Venice. Join us for this and subsequent sessions on October 31st, November 7th, 14th and 21st to delve into the depths of human motivation with Ann - an enlightening and lively experience! Advance registration is required and plays are available at the Library - stop by or call 762-3950 to register or for details.

Maureen Canary will be the discussion leader at Comstock Community Center for a discussion of By Myself and Then Some, by Lauren Bacall on Tuesday, October 25th at 11 am. Please call the Senior Center (834-6240) to register.

Our International Book Group will embark on a journey to India with guest speaker Laureen Mody this month, when they discuss Jhumpa Lahiri's award-winning collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies. All are welcome for international desserts and discussion on Thursday, October 27th from 7 to 8:30 pm. Please register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950) or online.

This fall and winter, our town will come together to read, discuss and learn from Pete Hamill's coming-of-age novel, Snow in August. This magical story of an unlikely friendship and triumph in the face of adversity is sure to spark emotion and reflection. Discussions about the book and screenings of the film will take place throughout fall and winter, culminating with an appearance, talk and book signing by the celebrated author himself, Pete Hamill.

Please save the date of Thursday, February 2nd, for this event, and be sure to stop by the library to pick up your free book late in October (a large number will be available through a grant from the >Wilton Bulletin). We are grateful to the Bulletin and to the Wilton Bank for their generousity in supporting our second annual Wilton Reads! Check out our special Wilton Reads! website for information on what's in store and to find out more about the book and its author.