It's Official!

Peter Coffin, Chair of the Ridgefield Library Board of Directors, is very pleased to announce that the official Opening Weekend for the New Ridgefield Library has been set for May 9-11^th.   “It has been more than 10 years in the works, and has taken the generosity and hard work of nearly 1,300 people, including planners, designers, volunteers, Friends, staff, Board and donors to bring to fruition, but the time is finally here,” says Coffin. “We invite the entire community to join us on the afternoon of Friday, May 9^th (exact time TBA) for ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremonies, to be followed throughout the weekend by performances, demonstrations, games and more to help visitors discover the many delights of the New Ridgefield Library.”

More details will be posted shortly.

Putting It Together...Piece by Piece

To steal a line from Stephen Sondheim in "Sunday in the Park with George," the crew is putting the New Ridgefield Library together piece by piece.  Just a few of the things that happened on Tuesday: the wood floors in the Library Commons were finish (and look gorgeous), parking lot lights were installed and are now working, and new energy-efficient refrigerators for program room kitchen and staff breakroom were delivered, courtesy of our friends at GE. 

Now Hiring Shelvers for the New Library

The Library is seeking applicants to re-fill several Shelver positions that have been left empty during our temporary relocation.  Shelvers have primary responsibility for maintaining the physical organization and condition of the Library’s various collections, especially the return of all borrowed materials to their proper shelf location after use.  $9 per hour for 8-12 hours per week. Year-round position (no summer only applicants, please). Start date: late March 2014.  Full job description.

All applicants must complete an Employment Application, available at the Circulation Desk at the Library’s temporary location at 21 Governor Street, Ridgefield, or by clicking here.  Completed applications must be received by Monday, March 10, 2014 in person at 21 Governor Street, by mail to 472 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT  06877 or by email to tngladwin@ridgefieldlibrary.org.

It's beginning to look like a real library!

A huge shipment of boxes was delivered to 472 Main Street on Friday, each full of a different component of the shelving for the New Ridgefield Library.  There are boxes of flat shelves, boxes of the vertical supports they hook onto, boxes of built-in bookend mechanisms, boxes of "endcaps" - the flat panel at the end of each aisle that can accommodate book displays, posters, catalog computers and other useful things.  It is going to be like putting together a giant Lego (TM) creation for the next couple of weeks!

Teen Library Service in the News

Last month, the News Times in Danbury ran an article about the release of a research report about services for teens in public libraries.  Several local libraries were mentioned, but not Ridgefield.  In response, our Library Director Chris Nolan sent a letter to the editor outlining what will be in store for Ridgefield teens in the New Ridgefield Library.  Her comments were finally published in the paper and online this week.

Link to Chris's letter:   http://www.newstimes.com/default/article/Ridgefield-Library-to-offer-dedicated-Teen-Room-5222313.php

Link to the original article:   http://www.newstimes.com/default/article/Libraries-urged-to-increase-teen-services-5136804.php

Computer Delivery!

ALL of the computers for the new building have arrived! That is some big pile of boxes - all full of equipment waiting to be configured and installed.  Opening day is getting closer!

It's peaceful on the outside...

...but inside the building at 472 Main Street, it is a beehive of activity.  People keep asking, "What is going on over there?  Why are there so many cars?"

In a word, what is going on is "Everything!"  On any given day, the building is swarming with workmen and -women: carpenters hanging door frames and installing acoustical ceiling tiles, painters priming and finishing walls on all three floors, plasterers at work on restoration of the Morris Memorial rooms, electricians and A/V technicians running electrical, cable, data and phone lines in an amazing spider's web connecting every part of the building.