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Banned Books Week September 21-27
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 Since 1990, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom has recorded more than 10,000 book challenges. A challenge is a formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed from library shelves or school curriculum. The most challenged and/or restricted reading materials have been books for children. Challenges are not simply an expression of a point of view, they are an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others. For children, decisions about what books to read should be made by the people who know them best-their parents!
In support of the right to choose books freely for ourselves, the ALA and the Ridgefield Library are recognizing Banned Books Week this week. It is an annual celebration of our right to access books without censorship. Why not take part? Read an old favorite or a new banned book this week. Stop by the Ridgefield Library to learn more and check out a banned book!
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Kids and the Low Down on Lyme
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Monday, September 22, 7:00 PM
Main Program Room
Kids and the Low Down on Lyme Come learn about the serious impact Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are having on our children. Speakers include pediatrician Dr. Nancy O'Hara, who will speak about signs and symptoms to watch out for, and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an educational psychologist, who will help us understand how Lyme disease affects behavior and learning. They will also address the best ways to support young patients in their recovery. Lyme- disease survivor 24-year-old John Donnally will talk about his own personal story and his advocacy work cycling across America for Bite Back for a Cure to raise awareness of this fast growing tick-borne disease epidemic. This program is co-sponsored by Ridgefield's Lyme Disease Taskforce and Lyme Connection. Please register.
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Lecture: How to Self Publish your Book
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Tuesday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Main Program Room
How to Self Publish Your Book with Roy Weinstein
Do you have a book idea? Whether it's a cook book, a children's book, an art or photography book, memoir, romance, poetry, travel or more, self publishing a book is easy. Come and learn book writing and design tips and find out how and where to print and sell your book. These and other issues will be discussed in an interesting evening with Roy Weinstein, co-owner of CustomArtistBooks.com. Roy is a graphic artist, book designer, photojournalst and member of the National Press photographers association and Art Directors Club of New York. He is also the author of many self published books himself. He will be joined by professional ghost writer Richard Mintzer and Ken Kast, Roy's partner in Custom Artist Books Publishing. Please register.
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CT Fund for the Environment Presents Fabien Cousteau
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Sunday, September 28, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Main Program Room
CT Fund for the Environment with Fabien Cousteau
Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound will present its Annual Meeting with key-note speaker Fabien Cousteau. The program is free and is cosponsored by the Ridgefield Library. Refreshments will be served.
 Growing up on the decks of his famous grandfather's ships, Calypso and Alcyone, Fabien Cousteau was destined to work to protect our planet's immense and endangered marine habitat.
From his vast experience in the field, coupled with a degree in environmental economics from Boston University, he has refined a public policy platform grounded by his strong belief that environmental discipline can be the basis for innovative solutions that strike a balance between regional and global environmental problems and the realities of market economies.
Please register.
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Ridgefield Writers Conference
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Now in its second year and expanded to include Friday evening, the Ridgefield Writers Conference is a unique writers' conference patterned after the workshop model featured in the residency of the MFA in creative writing. The conference features immersive morning and afternoon workshops with accomplished faculty authors in varied genres dedicated to the craft and art of the written word. They are also gifted professors and teachers committed to helping students of writing - whether returning attendees, established authors or emerging writers - hone and perfect their skills.
Conference registration includes the optional Friday evening wine and cheese reception with local authors, conference coordinators and faculty. Registration also includes a full day on Saturday, with keynote address, morning and afternoon workshop sessions, and morning and afternoon panels with editors, publishers and literary agents, as well as agent consideration and post-conference networking. Refreshments are included. Please check the Conference website at ridgefieldwritersconference.blogspot.com for a full listing of classes and for information about registration.
Friday, September 26, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Main Program Room
Opening Reading and Reception
Free and open to the public - no registration required
- Introductions and welcome
- Reading by award-winning novelist Peter Spiegelman
- Reading by acclaimed poet Carol Ann Davis
- Wine and cheese networking reception
Saturday, September 27, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Main Program Room
Closing Reading and Reception
Free and open to the public - no registration required
- Award-winning writer Rebecca Dimyan
- Award-winning author Adele Annesi
- Acclaimed author Steve Otfinoski
- Multiple award-winning author Pete Nelson, author of I Thought You Were Dead
- Refreshments will be served
- Post-conference networking
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Book Discussions this Week
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Wednesday, September 24, 10:00 AM
Dayton Program Room
A.M. Book Group
The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofir
No registration.
Click here to learn more about this and upcoming A.M. Book Group selections.
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Exhibit: The Watercolor Group
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September 20 - October 29
Transformations Through Paint by The Watercolor Group Transformations Through Paint, an exhibition of the Watercolor Group opens at the Ridgefield Library on September 20 and will run through October 29 in the Gallery on the Library's Lower Level. More information.
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Time for Teens
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Tuesday, September 23, 4:30 PM
Kellen Family Children's Program Room
Middle School Critics
People in middle school are invited to come talk about whatever books they've been reading lately, while enjoying a snack.
Middle School Critics is not a traditional book club where we all read one book and talk about it. Instead, we share share whatever books we've read recently and discuss whether or not we'd recommend them. No registration.
 Tuesday, September 23, 5:30 PM
Leir Children's Program Room
Scrabble
Play Scrabble with a tournament experienced teacher. For grades 4 - 8. No registration.
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September Is Library Card Sign-up Month!
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With the school year starting, you will want to make sure that everyone in your family has an up-to-date Ridgefield Library card so they can take advantage of everything we have to offer.
 Everyone who gets a new card or renews an existing one will be entered into drawings for tickets to several exciting shows coming up this fall at the Ridgefield Playhouse.
Those who register for a new card are also eligible to receive a free copy of The Great Gatsby, our selected title for The Big Read taking place in October and November.
Click here or ask at the Circulation Desk for details on getting or renewing a card. Do it today! |
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Registration for Fall Children's Programs Now Underway
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Register on our website during the month of September for fall storytimes and afterschool programs. Classes begin the week of September 29th.
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Special Children's Programs
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Wednesday, September 24, 4:30 PM
Kellen Family Children's Program Room
Harry Potter Book Club
Calling all Muggles in grades 4- 6. Join us for our next Harry Potter Book Club! This fall we'll be reading and discussing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Grab your brooms and join us! Registration required.
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Weekly Drop-In Children's Programs
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Monday, 10:30 AM
Leir Children's Program Room
Drop-In Storytime
Children ages 3 and up are invited for stories, songs and a short book-based film.
Tuesday, 9:30 or 11:00 AM
Leir Children's Program Room
 Mother Goose A language enrichment program for infants through age 2 including finger plays, music and movement. Please note the time change for the 2nd session of Mother Goose, which now takes place at 11:00 AM instead of 10:30 AM. Tuesday, 5:30 - 7:00 PM Leir Children's Program Room Scrabble Play Scrabble with a tournament experienced teacher. For children in grades 4 - 8. Please note change to earlier start time for this program.
Thursday, 10:00 AM Leir Children's Program Room Musical Storytime with Ann
Miss Ann will play her keyboard to accompany songs and stories for children ages 2 - 4. Friday, 11:00 AM Leir Children's Program Room Friday Flicks Movies based on favorite children's books for ages 2 and older. Saturday, 10:30 AM Leir Children's Program Room Drop-In Storytime Children ages 3 and up are invited for stories, songs and a short book-based film. |
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Passport to Connecticut Libraries
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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!
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