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Facts & Figures

Since the doors opened on its Morris Memorial building on Main Street in 1903, the Ridgefield Library has been a destination for Ridgefielders of all ages. Here are some highlights of activity, past and present.

Contact: Mary Rindfleisch, Assistant Director, 203-438-2282 x1009 mfrind@ridgefieldlibrary.org

Facts at a Glance | Then and Now | Accolades and Honors | Do You Remember This?|

Ridgefield Library

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Facts at a Glance

A brief statistical snapshot of library activity during 2008-2009PDF

Then and Now - Look how far we’ve come in 100+ years

 

1903

2009

Ridgefield population

2,226

24,031

Library building (sq. feet)

4,000

25,000

Opening hours (per week)

10

58

Library staff (full-time equivalents)

2

27

Collection size

3,593

132,220

Annual circulation

7,124

428,104

Operating budget

$ 663

$2.119 million

Average daily visits

50

1,178

Adult programs

None

269

Children’s programs

None

627

Public computer stations

None

27

 

Accolades and Honors

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

 
1996 Outstanding Library Director (Anita Daubenspeck) - awarded by the CT Library Association

 

Do You Remember This?

A timeline of memorable moments

1795

First library opens, with 150 volumes

2008

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

2007

Ridgefield Library and Historical Association established

1880 By-laws adopted
1883

Building supplied by Phineas Lounsbury (on Bailey Avenue, then moved to Governor Street)
1892 Library open daily from 10-12; Wednesday 4-6 and Saturday 7-9 PM
1899 Dewey Decimal system implemented by Miss Jennie Smith, one of first librarians
1900 Current land purchased
1901 Elizabeth Morris Memorial building begun (donated by husband)
1901 RL&HA chartered by the state General Assembly as a Connecticut corporation
1903 Opening of Morris Memorial building & establishment of endowment fund to provide operating income
1961

First annual grant from the Town of Ridgefield (endowment income and private donations until then) -- $10,000
1974 Town grant doubles to $40,000 after 20 years of nearly static growth
1976 Friends of the Ridgefield Library established
1981 Town grant reaches the $100,000 mark
1984 Major renovation increases footprint from 7,200 to 24,000 sq. ft.
1984 Bibliomation automated circulation system instituted
1988 Current Summer Reading Program for children started
1989 First "games computer" in Children's Services
1990 Dayton Program Room built and adult programming blossoms
1993 Computerized Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) replaces card catalog
1996 Extensive renovation -- no appreciable change in square footage overall
1997 First public Internet access offered, on a handful of computers
2000 Technology Plan implemented, bringing # of public workstations to 24
2000 Anita Daubenspeck retires; Christina B. Nolan becomes new Library Director
2001 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
2002

Colonial Smith Tavern re-opens for business for Patriot Weekend
2003 Library Centennial Celebration & Ridgefield Reads “The Wizard of Oz”
2003 Teen Summer Reading Program launched
2005 Name changed to Ridgefield Library Association, inc. after establishment of Ridgefield Historical Society
2005

Summer Reading for adults added
2005 Wireless service first provided
2005 “Einstein’s Big Idea” and “Inspiring Girls in Science” initiative
2006 Colonial games, music, stories and food bring Rochambeau’s “March to Victory” to a transformed Library
2006 Print & time management system implemented for Public Access Computers
2007 Paccadolmi Awards established
2008 First self-service checkout station installed
2008 “Ridgefield Writes” celebrates the town’s 300th anniversary
2009 International Year of Astronomy “Visions of the Universe” exhibit and related activities
2009 Self-check expands to Children’s Services