The Library’s Museum Pass Program offers free or discounted admission to over 20 premiere educational and cultural institutions in Connecticut and New York. Passes are located at the Circulation Desk. They may be borrowed for two nights and are available on a first come, first served basis only (no reservations). The Museum Pass Program is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
For more information, call the Circulation Department at 203-438-2282 x202 or email the Circulation Desk.
The Library’s 2022 Scholarly Series is Seeing Beyond: the Works and Vision of H.G. Wells. Herbert George Wells (1866 –1946) was an English writer best remembered for his science fiction novels and has been called the “father of science fiction.”
In addition to his fame as a writer, he was prominent in his lifetime as a forward-looking, even prophetic social critic who devoted his literary talents to the development of a progressive vision on a global scale. He foresaw the advent of aircraft, tanks, space travel, nuclear weapons, satellite television and something resembling the World Wide Web. His science fiction imagined time travel, alien invasion, invisibility, and biological engineering. His most notable science fiction works include The Time Machine (1895), which was his first novel, The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Don’t miss these upcoming programs for all ages celebrating H.G. Wells, his works and lasting impact.
Seeing Beyond: The Works & Vision of H.G. Wells is made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
When the weather is fine, you can enjoy our comfortable outdoor spaces: the beautiful new Dean and Theresa Miller Terrace, located off the Bossidy Commons; the Richardson Terrace outside the lower level program rooms; and the Library Lawn on Main Street. There is seating and wifi service available in all of these areas.
The Ridgefield Library welcomes Jane Lindenburg as the Library’s new Development Director. Ms. Lindenburg began her career as a communications consultant with the human resources firm Hewitt Associates (now AonHewitt). In the following ten years, she became a partner and a mother to two daughters. During a long hiatus from the professional world, Jane made a significant commitment to volunteer service in education, mainly in the Ridgefield Public Schools. Her recent career path includes work in development for an education start-up, the Ridgefield Playhouse and a nonprofit serving low-income students in Danbury. Ms. Lindenburg is a long-time Ridgefield resident and a graduate of Colgate University.
The Library undertook an extensive search process to replace Development Director Laureen Bubniak who retired from her position earlier this summer after 12 years of service. Library Director Brenda McKinley said, “We are thrilled to have Jane step into this critical role for the Library. Her professional experience and deep knowledge of our community make her the ideal candidate to continue growing and expanding on Laureen’s important work building the Library’s successful development program.”
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit association library, the Ridgefield Library is not fully funded by the Town of Ridgefield. The Development Director plays a vital role in helping to close the estimated 30% operational budget gap each year, enabling the Library to meet its stated mission: “The Ridgefield Library anticipates and meets the evolving needs of our community. We are an essential partner and the place where people discover, question, learn and connect.” Ms. Lindenburg will begin in her new role at the end of September, just in time for the Library’s annual LYL:Love Your Library weekend scheduled for Friday, September 30th-Saturday October 1st.
(Pictured left to right): Assistant Library Director Andy Forsyth, Development Director Jane Lindenburg, Library Director Brenda McKinley)
September 30th @ 7:00 pm: For the Love of Books & Ridgefield: A Book Battle. Get your tickets now for this unique fundraiser! Five extraordinary presenters will each champion a book on behalf of their nonprofit. The audience will vote for the most persuasive argument to choose a winning book. This year’s Book Presenters are: Katie Faughnan, The Prospector Theater; Melissa Houston, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center; Cybele Maylone, The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art; Daniela Sikora, Ridgefield Chorale; and Jonathan Winn, Thrown Stone Theater. This event is presented by the Ridgefield Library and Books on the Common, sponsored in part by Fairfield County Bank. Learn more about this year’s Book Battle.
And on Saturday, October 1st, Library representatives will be around town with members of the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club handing out bookmarks, Library information, and collecting donations at the Early Bird Café, Steve’s Bagels, Stop & Shop and the front lawn of the Ridgefield Library. And don’t miss Danny Magic on the Library Lawn at 11:00 am, and a family concert, Rhythm & Rhyme with Ray, at 2:00 pm in the Main Program Room.
Click here to donate during LYL Weekend.
On Saturday, September 17th at 2:00pm, the Ridgefield Library will celebrate the creativity of local writer and longtime Ridgefield resident Ron Goulart.
You are invited to join his family and friends as we celebrate the life of Ron Goulart, author of more than 200 works of fiction and non-fiction: science fiction, mysteries, comic novels, TV and movie scripts, newsletters, cartoon strips, and more. Many of Ron’s books, manuscripts, sketch books and other memorabilia will be on display. Light refreshments will be served.
To register, please visit our calendar at ridgefieldlibrary.com or call (203)438-2282
August 20th–September 29th: Works by Phil Demise Smith are on view now in the Library Gallery on the Lower Level of the building during open hours. An artist, poet and musician, Smith applies the concept of Zuihitsu (“follow the brush”) to all of his creative pursuits. This expressive way of painting has no central point, but rather has many parts that interact with each other. Smith’s colorful, jewel-toned paintings mirror what Smith says is his “train of thought” which presents form and color “all at once,” “going in all directions,” and “presenting the past, present, and the future simultaneously – all at the same time”. The artworks being exhibited are from 1987 through 2022.
On Saturday, September 10th at 2:00pm, Smith will talk briefly about his approach to his artwork, read some of his poetry, and perform a few of his songs. This event will be held in the Library’s Main Program Room. Please register to attend.
Immediately following this presentation there will be an artist’s reception starting at 3:00pm. Refreshments will be served. Both events are free and open to the public.