Facts & Figures
Contact: Brenda McKinley, Director, 203-438-2282 x101
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.
Facts at a Glance
A brief statistical snapshot of library activity.
Click here for the 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Then and Now
Look How Far We’ve Come in 100+ Years
| 1903 | 2018 | |
| Ridgefield population | 2,226 | 25,137 |
| Library building (sq. feet) | 4,000 | 44,000 |
| Opening hours (per week) | 10 | 60 |
| Library staff | 2 | 42 |
| Collection size (physical items only) | 3,593 | 98,418 |
| Annual circulation (including downloadable items) | 7,124 | 278,304 |
| Operating budget | $ 663 | $2.841 million |
| Average daily visits | 50 | 815 |
| Adult programs | None | 591 |
| Children’s programs | None | 665 |
| Teen programs | None | 125 |
| Public computer workstations | None | 21 |
Accolades and Honors
| 2018 | Library chosen as one of a 100 recipients of a Revisiting the Founding Era grant designed to bring libraries and their communities together to explore the continuing relevance of the Founding Era. Presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, in partnership with the ALA and the National Constitution Center with generous support from the NEA |
| 2018 | Library Staff selected to present about our staff-created Escape Room experience “Artefacts Through Time” at the Connecticut Library Association annual conference |
| 2018 | Library selected as a local club of the national Girls Who Code organization |
| 2018 | Cris Nichols, Book Sale Coordinator for the Friends of the Ridgefield Library, awarded the Friends of Connecticut Libraries Individual Achievement Award |
| 2017 | Kirby Klump and Ginny Canfield of the Ridgefield Library’s Friends’ Internet Sales Fulfillment Department awarded the Friends of Connecticut Libraries Individual Achievement Award |
| 2016 | Library staff selected to present about our Comic Con programs at the Connecticut Library Association annual conference and at New York Comic Con |
| 2014 | Library is selected as a local club of the national Girls Who Code organization |
| 2014 | Along with The Ridgefield Playhouse, the Library is chosen to participate in The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, and organizes a town-wide series of programs focused on The Great Gatsby |
| 2013 | Library invited by NASA to participate in the second year of Astro4Girls |
| 2012 | Library chosen to be one of only nine 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 |
| 2011 | Library selected to serve as a Cooperating Collection of the prestigious Foundation Center in New York City |
| 2010 | 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 1 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 NASA |
| 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 (1 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 |
| 1852 | Hiram K. Scott’s Circulating Library in operation (private subscription only) |
| 1871 | 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 AM to 12 PM, Wednesday 4 to 6 PM, and Saturday 7 to 9 PM |
| 1899 | Dewey Decimal System implemented by Miss Jennie Smith, one of our first librarians |
| 1900 | Current land purchased |
| 1901 | Elizabeth Morris Memorial building begun (donated by husband) |
| 1901 | Ridgefield Library & Historical Association chartered by the state General Assembly as a Connecticut corporation |
| 1903 | Opening of Morris Memorial building and 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 |
| 1975 | Anita Daubenspeck becomes Library Director |
| 1976 | Friends of the Ridgefield Library established |
| 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 |
| 1997 | First public Internet access offered |
| 1999 | Phyllis Paccadolmi retires after 53 years, including service as Head Librarian from 1955 to 1974 |
| 2000 | Technology Plan implemented |
| 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 Program for Adults added |
| 2005 | Public wireless service provided |
| 2005 | “Einstein’s Big Idea” and “Inspiring Girls in Science” initiatives |
| 2006 | Colonial games, music, stories, and food bring Rochambeau’s “March to Victory” to a transformed Library |
| 2007 | Paccadolmi Awards established |
| 2008 | Capital Campaign for the New Ridgefield Library launched | 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 |
| 2010 | “The Big Read: Ridgefield Reads The Grapes of Wrath” (sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts) |
| 2011 | Library selected to serve as a Cooperating Collection of the prestigious Foundation Center in New York City |
| 2012 | New Town-Library operating agreement signed |
| 2012 | “Astro4Girls and their Families” pilot project with NASA and the Harvard/Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |
| 2012 | Town passes referendum for $5 million grant toward construction of the new Ridgefield Library; private fundraising nears $15 million goal |
| 2012 | Library sells adjacent theater/bank property to Ridgefielder Valerie Jensen and work begins to transform the space into the Prospector Theater |
| 2012 | Library operations move to temporary location at 21 Governor Street for the duration of construction |
| 2012 | Groundbreaking for major renovation and expansion project on the site of the original Library building |
| 2013 | $15 million private fundraising goal reached; construction well underway at 472 Main Street |
| 2014 | Building project completed; Library re-opens for business at 472 Main Street in May with many new and expanded services. |
| 2014 | “The Big Read” of The Great Gatsby (sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts) |
| 2014 | Launch of local club of the Girls Who Code organization and of several Library-affiliated Odyssey of the Mind teams |
| 2015 | First Ridgefield Library Comic Con, leading to expanded RidgeCon event in 2016 |
| 2015 | Introduction of “Making STEAM @ Ridgefield Library” as an umbrella “brand” for the Library’s expanding technology and creativity programming |
| 2016 | “Full STEAM Ahead” 3-day educational symposium and community engagement event produced in collaboration with the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum |
| 2016 | First Annual “Love Your Library” Day in October offers short story writing contests, author showcases, and many other activities for the entire community |
| 2016 | “A Roast and a Toast” of Chris Nolan at the Ridgefield Playhouse celebrates her 16 years of service upon her retirement |
| 2016 | Passing Fall, Ridgefield, CT 2014 tapestry designed and donated by artist Helena Hernmarck installed in the Main Lobby of the Library |
| 2017 | Brenda McKinley comes on board in January as new Library Director |
| 2017 | Second Annual “Love Your Library” Day adds “Fore! Your Library” mini-golf in the stacks event |
| 2018 | Artefacts Through Time: An Escape Room adventure |
| 2018 | Making STEAM expanded to include a Maker-in-Residence Program, starting with a Virtual Reality immersion experience for all ages |