Wilton Library Association Newsletter
September 2006
in this issue -- Art Exhibits and Receptions
Hi! The world of information has changed so drastically since the advent of the Internet, making access to answers infinitely easier and yet strangely more complicated. Googling (I love the fact that this "verb" has come to connote using any of the search engines and subject directory tools on the Internet) yields hundreds of thousands of links ranked in relevance order - though relevance to whom is not entirely clear and the quality of both search and linked resources depends on their authors for skill in the first case and expertise or authority on the other. Perspective is key - and we all need to be engaged and cautious consumers of the information flow that comes to us from the Internet. I am heartened that our schools are teaching students how to blend information from many sources (other individuals, databases, newspapers, magazines, books AND online searches) to come up with valid and useful answers to their research. Personally, I love using the Internet and almost resent the times I can't turn to it for simple answers - when the power is out, occasionally when the cable is acting up, or when we are in the car or otherwise between access points. We've come to rely on it to search for phone numbers, find a movie, see a review of a play or book, get directions to theaters and restaurants. I can hardly remember the time when this instant, useful access was not part of our lives, nor would I ever choose to live without it. Be on the lookout in coming months for classes by our reference team on how to research health issues, travel plans and more. You'll be empowered and enlightened about how to solve your information quests - and enjoy the process! Sincerely,
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In addition, in our Reference Area, we'll have a show of works created during the Art Explorers sessions at Weir Farm. The work will hang from mid September through October 27th and on Monday, September 18th, we'll hold a reception from 6-7:30 pm... all are welcome. Students (ages 6-12) participating as Art Explorers at Weir Farm had the unique opportunity to explore nature in conjunction with art making. They discovered new and innovative methods of drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture and were led by teachers through the Weir Farm and preserve during nature walks to encourage the creative process. Please stop by on the 18th to celebrate their accomplishments or any time during the rest of September and throughout October to view the fruits of their labor. |
Remember that you can always dial 203-762-3950, extension 211, to reach the Wilton Library Reference Desk during library hours. If you have any questions or comments about this service, please contact Mary Anne Mendola Franco, Head of Network Services, at 203-762-3950, extension 210. |
Proceeds from this fund raiser benefit the Library collections and technology. Please register in advance at the Circulation Desk and prepay your admission of $50 We'll save a place for you! |
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Please note that there are gently-used books and gifts on sale for adults and children year 'round in the Children's Library and near the Circulation Desk. Volunteers are always needed, whether for an hour a week during the year, or for each of the book sale events. To volunteer, please call Jan MacEwen at 203-227-8502. It's great fun and good company is guaranteed! |
On Thursday, September 21st, from 10:30- noon, Ben Van Vechten will begin another popular short story series (to continue on September 28th, October 5th, 12th and 19th). Participants will discuss authors and writing techniques in this 5-part seminar and stories are available at the Circulation Desk prior to the start of the series. Please register in advance as space is limited - by phone (762-3950), in person, or online. On Tuesday, September 26th, at 11 am, Library staff member Mike McEneany will discuss The Rebels of Ireland: The Dublin Saga, by Edward Rutherford. His talk will take place at the Wilton Senior Center on School Road and all are welcome. Please call the Senior Center to let them know you are coming (834-6240). Our International Book Group featuring the literature of other lands will resume discussions on Thursday, September 28th, from 7-8:30 pm as guest speaker Gorel Bogarde discusses Sweden and Blackwater, by Kerstin Ekman. Refreshments and international desserts will be served. There is no charge for the program, but we ask that you register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. |
The trip to the Morgan is only the first of three bus trips we will co-sponsor this fall with St. Matthew's Episcopal Church... the other trips will be to the Museum of Modern Art and the New Britain Museum of American Art. Look for details in upcoming issues of librarEmail. |
For more information, contact Teen Librarian Susan Lauricella by phone at 762-3950, extension 243, or email teenpoetry@wiltonlibrary.org. This program is sponsored by the Wilton Library with funding from the Fairfield County Community Foundation, the Connecticut Humanities Council, and the John and Patricia Curran Teen Fund. |
On Friday, September 15th, from 10:30-11:30 am, illustrator Emma Sutherland will show children ages 3-5 how to create crafts with recycled materials. Smocks will be provided and there is no charge for the program. Please sign up in advance by phone (762-3950), in person, or online. |
On Saturday, September 16th, from 3 to 4 pm, a special story hour will highlight folktales from the people of the Middle East for children in grades K-3. Please register in advance to take part in this timely and community-building program - you may do so by phone (762-3950), in person or online. The Library will hold another of its very popular Sleepytime Story Times on Thursday, September 28th from 6-6:30 pm. Children ages 3-5 should come to the Library in their jammies, bring their blankets and special stuffed friends, and listen to wonderful stories to help get them ready to sleep. Sweet dreams are guaranteed! Please register in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. Regular fall story times will commence on Monday, September 18th and run through Thursday, November 9th. Please register in advance by phone or in person for the session you choose: |
If you have any questions about this terrific new service, please call Mary Anne Franco, Head of Network Services, at 762-3950, extension 210. I assure you - it's the best thing since sliced cheese! |
On Thursday, September 14th, from 7-8 pm, Jill McKean will talk about her Seven Steps to Productivity in the Office and Home. Jill is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and she'll share tips and techniques for reducing procrastination and getting our personal and professional lives organized and efficient. There is no charge for the program, but we ask that you register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. On Tuesday, September 19th, from 7-8 pm, author, "ambulance girl" and reader, Jane Stern will return to talk about her 40-year interest in Tarot card reading. She'll speak about the myths surrounding and origins of Tarot and describe methods for their reading. Join us for this very popular program - but please let us know you intend to attend by registering in person, by phone (762- 3950) or online. On Thursday, September 21st, from 7-8 pm, personal and professional coach Kathy Caprino, will address us concerning Women Amidst and After Professional Crisis. She'll delve into the personality traits, belief patterns, relationships, roles, societal trends and other factors that may lead women to experience a crisis in their professional lives. Caprino offers approaches and insights that facilitate finding new professional paths leading to reward and success. Please register in advance in person, by phone (762-3950) or online. |
Alternately, you might want to donate an audio collection on CD of several of Shakespeare's plays. Recorded Books has put together an all-audio series of his work with full-cast performance and guided analysis. The commentary includes information on the themes and historical and sociological background of the text, making each play an exceptional "read." Included in the $170 set are Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry V, and Othello. Please consider a donation in the name of an honored teacher, friend or relative. Finally, if you are an opera lover, you may want to help us acquire the Black Dog Opera Library for $270. Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, The Barber of Seville, Aida, La Traviata, and Il Trovatore are performed on these CDs with and introductory disk for each title. Again, this donation can be recognized as a donation in memory or honor of a loved one. Please email soon. |
Once groups are formed (with a maximum of 4 students per instructor), classes will commence in October and take place at the Library once a week for 1 to 2 hours of instruction. Sponsored by the Literacy Volunteers of Southeastern Fairfield County (a program of Family Services of Woodfield and a member agency of the Untied Ways of Eastern Fairfield County, Norwalk-Wilton and Westport-Weston), the classes will continue for one year and will allow students to become more fluent in English conversations for daily activities at work and at home. Please pass the word to anyone you think might be interested! |
Inside the building, we do have a wheelchair that is available for patron use just inside the front door near the restrooms - please call ahead or inquire at the Circulation Desk if you require assistance in its use. In addition, our drive-thru window on Godfrey Place provides a way to return or pick up reserved materials without even leaving your car - try it out by placing your request online or by phone. It's a terrific asset when the weather is bad or if you have small children asleep in the back seat, as well. Our Library has the first of its kind in the Northeast, so stop by and be part of library history. If you are in the building and need books located for you, simply ask at one of the service desks for assistance. And if you are at home and need materials delivered or picked up by mail, simply call our Head of Circulation, Melissa Friedman (762-3950, extension 238... she'll select and mail your requests in a simple-to-use return postage paid envelope. |
You may return materials in our parking lot book bin, donate books at the back door bins on Godfrey Place and visit us on the web at any time! |
The game will extend over 10 Thursday sessions from September 28th through December 7th (no session 11/23). The Wilton Library teams did extremely well last year and were even featured on Channel 12 News... look for more success this fall! |
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Please join us during the month of September to enjoy a beautiful collection of water paintings in oil and prints by John Harris. The exhibition runs through September 29th, and we will celebrate its opening with an artist's reception from 6-7:30 pm on Friday, September 8th. Refreshments will be served and sales will benefit the Library, so bring along your credit card or checkbook. Proceeds from sales are used to purchase materials about art and art instruction for our outstanding collection.
The Library is pleased to bring you InfoAnytime, a 24/7 reference service we will use to supplement our resources when the library is closed. Click on the 
Wilton Library's 7th annual ladies' soiree fund-raiser is about to take place on Sunday, September 10th, from 6-8 pm and you really must come. It's an outstanding way to get back in the swing of things after the summer vacation - see your friends, enjoy fabulous refreshments and take part in this year's Silly, Serious and Sensational Services silent auction. This year we'll be auctioning off all manner of services from spa treats to landscaping to poker lessons and more.
Also on September 10th, but from 11:30 am to 1 pm, we'll celebrate grandparents in a special way. They are invited to bring their grandchildren to a simple brunch, stories, entertainment and a chance to make a craft. Space is limited, so we urge you all to register soon - by phone (762-3950), in person, or 
The library’s book sales are an important part of the fund-raising activity that goes on year-round. Patrons are reminded that gently-used books and audio-visual items can always be placed in the gray bin on the Godfrey Place side of the library. Additionally, with the success of the Hazardous Materials Day pick up last year, the library once again plans to collect books that are dropped off at that site in October. More details for that and the upcoming Children's Book Sale, on October 20th and 21st, will follow in the coming weeks. Lastly, if patrons have large quantities of books to be gathered, such as when cleaning up an attic before the sale of a house or estate, arrangements can be made for those items to be picked up as well. Patrons may call Jan MacEwen at 203-227-8502 or Jan Galletly at 203-377-1831.
On Wednesday, September 13th, from noon to 1:30 pm, Wilton Library Readers with Susan Boyar will discuss On Beauty by Zadie Smith. Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review when it was published last year, and described the novel as "an intrepid attempt to explore the sad stuff of adult life, 21st century– style: adultery, identity crises and emotional suffocation, interracial and intraracial global conflicts and religious zealotry. Like Smith's smash debut, White Teeth (2000), this work gathers narrative steam from the clash between two radically different families, with a plot that explicitly parallels Howards End. No registration is necessary, and you may bring your lunch. Beverages will be served. All are welcome, and if you haven't taken part in a Susan Boyar discussion, you owe it to yourself to attend - it's truly a treat.
On Wednesday, September 20th, registrants will take a comfortable mini-bus trip to see the newly reopened 
Join us for the first phase of an exciting poetry initiative for teens in grades 7-12. From Friday, September 1st through Friday, October 6th, teens are invited to submit original poetry about some aspect of diversity or tolerance. Their efforts will culminate in a two-performance poetry and arts event in March, 2007 to take place in the Library's Brubeck Room.
Looking for activities for the children now that summer is over and school has started? Kids of all ages can stop by the Children's Library Monday through Wednesday, September 11th through 13th to create fall/harvest crafts. Supplies are free and the Craft Room will be set up and waiting. There's never a need to be bored - just stop by and get in on the action!
On Thursday, September 14th, we'll hold a Pizza Story Time from 5:30-6:30 pm! Children ages 3-5 and their parents are invited to come to the Library for Tom-E-Toes pizza at 5:30, with stories by Leslie Keogh starting at 6. It's sure to be fun - and yummy! THANKS, 
Do you have a hard time keeping track of those books, audios and videos you have borrowed? You can now sign up with Library ELF, a free third-party service to receive email notices for due, coming due, holds, and overdue materials. And to help keep track of the entire family's borrowed items, you can also consolidate all family library cards on one handy email notice. Join the hundreds who have already tried Library ELF and 
The month of September brings three fascinating classes on all manner of things... try one or two to start the "school year" off right! 
If you are as big a Bogie and Bacall fan as I am, please consider donating their Signature Collection to the Library. A donation of only $40 will allow us to purchase this release of The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, Key Largo, and To Have and Have Not - each a DVD that we will circulate separately. The dynamic duo have never been better than in these four classic films and I hope you will agree that they are a must for the Wilton Library Collection. If you would like to grant our wish, please email me at 
I am very excited to announce that this fall the Library is forming new English classes for speakers of other languages. Participants will learn conversational English, along with some reading and writing skills. These free classes are open to all, so if you, a relative, friend or employee would like to improve English-language skills, call us at 762-3950, extension 246 to arrange time for level testing during the month of September (allow 30 minutes for the test) - Library staffer Jeanne Zornoza will schedule the test time).
Most are aware that the Library parking lot has four parking spaces on the west side of the building (nearest the start of the entry ramp) that are designated for those who are handicapped. These are the number and location required by law and their specifications and location fall within ADA guidelines. In addition, there are two "mobility impaired" spaces marked just north of the front doors. While not ADA compliant, these spots provide close access to those able to mount the curb and steps and are intended for those whose mobility is limited but who do not require an access ramp. 
Please note that the Wilton Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, September 3 and 4, in observance of Labor Day.
On Thursday, September 28th, from 4-5 pm, the Library's stock market guru Michael McEneaney will help teens in grades 7-12 participate in the nation-wide Stock Market Game, with Wilton Library teams competing against others from around the country. Teams of 2-4 kids should sign up by calling the Library at 762-3950 or stopping by to register. Students will use print and electronic Library resources and the ongoing guidance of Mr. McEneaney to make their investment decisions. They'll use the actual stock market, assemble a real-time portfolio with a live trading simulation, and use "not so real" currency. The game is endorsed by the National Council on Economic Education and our participation is made possible by the John & Patricia Curran Teen Fund.