You can support these and other Library services with a tax-deductible donation to the Library's Annual Appeal.  You can mail your check or  

From September 2nd through September 30th, the Ridgefield Library will be participating in the first Passport to Connecticut Libraries program, sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association in support of Library Card Sign Up Month.

Anytime, on or after September 2, ask for a passport at one of the Library's service desks.  You'll also receive a list of the over 80 participating libraries.  Visit any one and show a valid library card to have your passport stamped and to receive a small gift.   At the end of the month, hand in your passport at any participating library to be entered in two drawings, one for Most Libraries Visited and a Random Drawing for all participants.   The drawings will be for two adult prizes of $150.00 and two children's prizes (for those under 18) of $100.00.

For more information visit Facebook.com/passporttoctlibraries. Happy exploring!

Monday, September 15

Two sessions: 10:00 AM and 7:30 PM 

Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 PM

Main Program Room

Author Talk with Todd Brewster

Ridgefield's own Todd Brewster discusses his just released book Lincoln's Gamble (9/9/14 Scribner). In this compelling narrative, Brewster focuses on these critical six months to ask: was it through will or by accident, intention or coincidence, personal achievement or historical determinism that he freed the slaves? The clock is always ticking in these pages as Lincoln searches for the right moment to enact his proclamation and simultaneously turn the tide of war.  

Todd Brewster has served as Don E. Ackerman Director of Oral History at the United States Military Academy, West Point, and is a longtime journalist who has worked as an editor for Time and Life and as senior producer for ABC News. He has written for Vanity Fair, Time, Life, The Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, and is the coauthor with the late Peter Jennings of the bestselling books The Century, The Century for Young People, and In Search of America.

Co-sponsored by Books on the Common.  Registration recommended.

In recognition of International Read an eBook Day, the Library will be hosting an open house to help Ridgefield Library cardholders get started with OverDrive, the Library's eBook platform.  Whether you've never tried downloading an eBook or haven't done so in a while, drop-in anytime between 1 and 4 PM when staff members will be waiting to answer your questions and offer assistance. 

OverDrive eBooks can be accessed and read on a computer and on most smartphones, eReaders and tablets.OverDrive has added many new user friendly features including OverDrive Read offering the option to easily download and save an eBook in a browser or "see book, read book."   The Kids Collection and Teens Collections enable easy searching for age appropriate selections for every member of the family.   And, as more publishers make their eBooks available, the selection of titles continues to grow.  

If you can't make it on September 18th, our staff is always ready to answer your eBook questions.

Thursday, September 18, 6:00 PM

Dayton Program Room

Lecture: CHOICES

Darylle Willenbrock from the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) will introduce CHOICES, a program that helps Connecticut's older adults and other people with Medicare understand their Medicare coverage and healthcare options. Ridgefield has a number of newly trained volunteers who will be available to help people navigate the Medicare website and review all the different options available to them. Please register as space is limited.

Partner organizations are Western CT Area Agency on Aging, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, Commission On Aging, Ridgefield Social Services, Founders Hall, and Ridgefield Library.

In this talk, artist and experimental filmmaker Eva Lee will share experiences from her 2013 Fulbright research on 10th-12th century Buddhist mandalas in ancient Tibetan monasteries of Spiti, Lahaul, and Ladakh. Her presentation will include incredible photos of her Himalayan journey, along with a video of the astonishing interior of Tabo Monastery's main temple, the famed Tsug Lhakhang. Also shown will be examples of contemporary mandalas, with discussion on their aesthetic structure and sacred purpose, including a four-minute time lapse video of the creation and dissolution of a Compassion Sand Mandala by Drepung Gomang monks from Southern India. The artist will also screen her latest experimental film-a five-minute long abstract short--to show how her research and experience with Buddhist philosophy inspires her animations.  Information and registration.

From Page to Stage to Screen! The Library and the Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts have teamed up to highlight offerings from Britain's acclaimed National Theatre presented in HD broadcasts at the Playhouse.  At the Library, look for displays where you can learn more about the books and authors featured in these popular presentations.

Contact the Ridgefield Playhouse for performance information and ticket purchase.  

Transformations Through Paint, an exhibition of the Watercolor Group opens at the Ridgefield Library on September 20, with a reception from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.  The exhibition will run through October 29 in the Gallery on the Library's Lower Level.  More information.

Tuesday, September 9, 5:45 - 7:00 PM

Thursday, September 18, 4:30 - 5:30

Ellis Family Teen Center

Teen Tech Thursdays

People in middle school and high school are invited to get technical. On the third Thursday of each month, teens can drop in and we'll delve into technology.

Register on our website during the month of September for fall storytimes and afterschool programs. Classes begin the week of September 29th.

Thursday, September 18, 4:30 PM

Kellen Family Children's Program Room

Bookworms

Readers in Grades 2 & 3 are invited to a book discussion group! Children pick up the book at the library and return to discuss it. Snacks will be served! This month's title: Joe and Sparky Go to School, by Jamie Michalak. 

Sunday, September 21, 2:00 PM
Leir Family Children's Program Room

Robotics

Join Ridgefield resident, science teacher and coach of the  Sleepy Hollow Middle School Headless Horse-bots (a First LEGO League Robotics Team) Mike Garguilo for another great year of Robotics.  Food Factor is the name of this year's missions - all about healthy eating and where food comes from. This program runs until June..with a final event to see which team can complete the mission fastest! For kids in grades 5-8.
Please register.

LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.