Monday, January 20, 2014

Saving Money and Resources


Library Executive Assistant Leslie Vuilleumier is always on the look-out for ways to save money and resources. While a lot of the furniture that had been in use in the old library was truly falling apart after years of hard use, Leslie was able to identify several dozen chairs and tables that could still be useful with a little TLC.  Then she called Correctional Enterprises of Connecticut, a state program that trains prison inmates in several useful trades, including high-quality furniture re-finishing and re-upholstery.  CEC supervisors came and collected our items and brought them back mere weeks later, looking like new.  And the charge was a fraction of what new purchases would have cost.  Thanks, Leslie!

Before: Dark and dirty after years of hard use



After: Clean and re-finished to match newly purchased furnishings

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Drive-Up Book Drop on Tap

Many people have asked whether we can have a drive-through book drop at the New Ridgefield Library.  A full drive "through" option would take up more parking spaces than we want to lose, so we have planned a drive "up" alternative.

A return box will be positioned to the left of a designated parking space at the front of the building, so people can pull in, load their returns into the box through the driver's side window without getting out of the car, then back out and continue on their way. Fast and easy!

The outside book return box has already been purchased, and we are putting it to good use at the temporary library on Governor Street!