Facts & Figures

1903

2012

Ridgefield population

2,226

24,784

Library building (sq. feet)

4,000

25,000

Opening hours (per week)

10

60

Library staff (full-time equivalents)

2

25.4

Collection size

3,593

113,529

Annual circulation

7,124

380,179

Operating budget

$ 663

$2.219 million

Average daily visits

50

1,109

Adult programs

None

311

Children’s programs

None

768

Public computer stations

None

26

Library chosen to be one only 9 libraries nationwide to participate in a new pilot project with NASA and the American Library Association. "Astro4Girls and their Families" will offer numerous educational and hands-on astronomy activities during March 2012

Library selected to serve as a Cooperating Collection of the prestigious Foundation Center in New York City

Along with The Ridgefield Playhouse, Library is chosen to participate in "The Big Read: Ridgefield Reads The Grapes of Wrath," a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts

2009

International Year of Astronomy - chosen in a competitive process as one of only 40 participating libraries nationwide to host the "Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery" exhibit.  Presented by the Space Telescope Science Institute; the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; and the American Library Association, through funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2006

Excellence in Public Library Service Award for the “Inspiring Girls – and Others - in Science” initiative -  awarded by the Connecticut State Library and the Connecticut Library Association, Friends of Connecticut Libraries and the Association of Connecticut Library Boards

2005

“Einstein’s Big Idea” - chosen in a competitive process for an outreach grant from NOVA’s Big Idea Program, produced for PBS by the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit (one of only 20 sites nationwide)

2004

Outstanding Friends Group - awarded by the Friends of Connecticut Libraries

2003

Outstanding Library Trustee (Thomas R. Mantz) - awarded by the Association of CT Library Boards

2002

$10,000 Long-Range Planning Grant – chosen in a competitive process by the Connecticut State Library, serving as local administrator of the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program

2002

“Steinbeck Centennial 1902-2002” – chosen in a competitive process by the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities to receive funding as a participating venue

1795

First library opens, with 150 volumes

1852

Hiram K. Scott’s Circulating Library in operation (private subscription only)

1871

Ridgefield Library and Historical Association established

Building supplied by Phineas Lounsbury (on Bailey Avenue, then moved to Governor Street)

Library open daily from 10-12; Wednesday 4-6 and Saturday 7-9 PM

Dewey Decimal system implemented by Miss Jennie Smith, one of first librarians

Current land purchased

Elizabeth Morris Memorial building begun (donated by husband)

First annual grant from the Town of Ridgefield (endowment income and private donations until then) -- $10,000

Town grant doubles to $40,000 after 20 years of nearly static growth

Friends of the Ridgefield Library established

Town grant reaches the $100,000 mark

Major renovation increases footprint from 7,200 to 24,000 sq. ft.

Bibliomation automated circulation system instituted

Current Summer Reading Program for children started

First "games computer" in Children's Services

Dayton Program Room built and adult programming blossoms

Computerized Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) replaces card catalog

Extensive renovation -- no appreciable change in square footage overall

First public Internet access offered, on a handful of computers

Technology Plan implemented, bringing # of public workstations to 24

Anita Daubenspeck retires; Christina B. Nolan becomes new Library Director

Storytime Sculpture Room built, to house life-size bronze sculpture by Glenna Goodacre, donated to the Library in honor of Anita Daubenspeck on her retirement

Colonial Smith Tavern re-opens for business for Patriot Weekend

Library Centennial Celebration & Ridgefield Reads “The Wizard of Oz”

Teen Summer Reading Program launched

Name changed to Ridgefield Library Association, inc. after establishment of Ridgefield Historical Society

Summer Reading for adults added

Wireless service first provided

“Einstein’s Big Idea” and “Inspiring Girls in Science” initiative

Colonial games, music, stories and food bring Rochambeau’s “March to Victory” to a transformed Library

Print & time management system implemented for Public Access Computers

Paccadolmi Awards established

First self-service checkout station installed

“Ridgefield Writes” celebrates the town’s 300th anniversary

International Year of Astronomy “Visions of the Universe” exhibit and related activities

2009

"The Big Read: Ridgefield Reads The Grapes of Wrath" (sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts)

Library selected to serve as a Cooperating Collection of the prestigious Foundation Center in New York City

Migration to open source Evergreen Integrated Library System

New Town-Library operating agreement signed

"Astro4Girls and their Families" pilot project with NASA and the Harvard/Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics