Tuesday, February 27th @ 7:00pm: Terry Garcia, former chief science and exploration officer for the National Geographic Society, and author of the new book The Future of Exploration, joins Ridgefield’s David Yaun for an exclusive conversation and book-signing in the Library’s Main Program Room. Hear from a real-life Indiana Jones about his work saving precious antiquities from destructive war lords in active combat zones, the search to find the woman who graced one of the most famous magazine covers ever, and what 30 of the world’s leading explorers think about the future of uncovering and preserving our planet’s history.
Books on the Common will have copies of The Future of Exploration available for purchase and signing.
For more information and to register, click here.
Sunday, February 18th @ 2:00 pm: Longtime friends Greg Greenway and Reggie Harris team up for this presentation. Deeper Than the Skin is a concert that explores their unique history as a White man from the capital of the Confederacy and a Black man whose maternal ancestor was a slave on a plantation just outside of Richmond. They have built a bridge between their lives through thirty years of friendship, shared goals and a passion to build community. It’s an electrifying musical presentation.
The Ridgefield Folk Concert Series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Saturday, February 17th @ 1:00 pm: It’s on! Our SOLD OUT special fundraising event featuring New York Mets’ announcer Gary Cohen will be held as scheduled at the Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road in Ridgefield, CT.
A 2023 inductee to the Mets’ Hall of Fame, and a member of the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, Gary will entertain questions from the audience, share anecdotes from his more than three decades broadcasting the Mets and provide his take on the upcoming Major League Baseball season, including new Mets GM David Stearns, manager Carlos Mendoza and major player acquisitions.
Saturday, February 3rd: On the first Saturday in February, thousands of libraries across the world celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day by offering special activities for families. The Ridgefield Library is an ideal place for children to learn, play, discover, make friends and have fun. And Take Your Child to the Library Day is the perfect time to discover some library magic – we’ll have a Library Scavenger Hunt, Teddy Bear Yoga, Michele Urban in concert and Read to ROAR — the Ridgefield Library always offers something unique and delightful! And be sure to stop in again soon – because every day is a great day to take your child to the library.
Library Scavenger Hunt – All Ages — All Day
Teddy Bear Yoga – Grades K-2 – 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Read to ROAR – Grades 1-4 – 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Michele Urban Music – All Ages – 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm
January 19th, 2024: Give the gift of Adventure! Students in Grades 3-5 are invited to an exclusive After Hours Adventure at the Ridgefield Library. Campers will arrive for this fundraising event after the Library closes to the public and join their fellow campers in a one-of-a-kind experience that includes flashlight tag, fishing, archery, s’more making, live night creatures, hot dogs from Chez Lenard and a host of camping goodies to take home at the 10:00 pm conclusion of the evening.
Spots are limited to 48 campers. This event is $135 per student and is a fundraiser for the Ridgefield Library in support of its annual operating budget.
This special fundraising event is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library and Dr. Blaine Langberg Orthodontist.
Detailed information and registration links are available here: https://libguides.ridgefieldlibrary.org/familyfundraiser
Monday, January 29th @ 7:00pm: Join us for “Toxic Achievement Culture in School and What We Can Do About It : A Fireside Chat with Award-Winning Journalist Jennifer Wallace and Wooster Head of School Matt Byrnes.” This very special program will be held in the Library’s Main Program Room. Jennifer Wallace, author of Never Enough, and Head of School Matt Byrnes will discuss Wallace’s latest book, what parents can do and how schools like Wooster are at the forefront of creating a healthier vision for school and life.
Books on the Common will have copies of Never Enough for sale and signing.
Please register to attend HERE
Saturday, January 13th from 9:00am to 4:00pm: Recycle your old electronics safely and securely! Decluttering after the holidays? Here’s your chance to clean out your home or office, recycle responsibly, protect your private information and support a great cause, all in one simple act.
Bring your old phones, tablets, laptops, hard drives, PCs, Macs, printers, TVs, DVD players and other technology to the Lower Level of the Library. Computer parts will be destroyed and then safely recycled. Other home electronics and small appliances will also be accepted for recycling, except for large kitchen appliances and any device containing mercury, Freon or hazardous liquids. Secure e-waste recycling and final disposal will be provided by Take 2 Inc of Waterbury, the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority’s certified electronics recycling provider. Suggested donation is $20 per item, with proceeds supporting the Library’s technology initiatives, including STEAM programming for all ages. (E-waste recycling is also available at no charge at the Ridgefield Recycling Center.)
The E. W. Morris Memorial Library Building that forms the historic front wing of the Ridgefield Library opened its doors for the first time on June 22, 1903. After 120 years, the Morris Building continues to welcome Ridgefield residents to the Library. Members of the community are invited to share their memories of the Library and its place in their lives through a new collaborative online platform, The Morris Building 120th Anniversary Community Collection. Create and share your materials for inclusion in the Collection — the submission process is free and easy! Submissions can include pictures, old Library cards, programs, flyers, maps, posters and other visual memorabilia. Submission of original written material is also encouraged. Contact the Adult Services Department for more information at [email protected]
Do you know the little boy in this historic photograph of the Morris Building? Please email the Library if you have any information!
See more beautiful historical images of the Ridgefield Library in our online gallery, The E.W. Morris Building Anniversary Collection.
Here in New England, we anticipate that at some point each winter season we will experience weather so severe that the Library will need to close (sometimes, as in the case of Superstorm Sandy, this situation isn’t even restricted to the winter months). Here is what you need to know about our cancellation and closing procedures:
The Library does not automatically follow the lead of the schools or town offices when deciding when or if to close due to severe weather. Our decisions are made based on our own estimations of the severity of the weather and of local travel conditions and are designed to ensure the safety of staff and patrons coming to or departing our premises during our scheduled open hours.
Programs for Children and Teens:
When the school district cancels classes outright because of weather, all scheduled in-person children’s and teen programs for the day are cancelled automatically, regardless of the overall Library closing status.
If the schools announce an early dismissal, afternoon children’s and teen in-person programs are cancelled automatically, regardless of the overall Library closing status.
If the schools announce a late opening, morning children’s in-person programs are cancelled automatically, regardless of the overall Library closing status.
Programs for Adults:
Adult in-person program cancellations are made at the discretion of Library staff on a case-by-case basis.
All virtual programs will continue as scheduled, be postponed or cancelled on a case- by-case basis at the discretion of Library staff.
More information about cancellations and closings is available here.
Sunday, December 17th @ 2:00 pm: Jeff Snow’s seasonal program will combine songs, tunes, history and stories from England, Ireland and Scotland with the music of Christmas. Familiar (and some not-so-familiar) songs will have you singing, laughing and wishing for more when it’s all over!
Jeff Snow is a multi-instrumentalist who shares the music, and the stories behind the music, of Scotland, Ireland and England. Growing up in a home where old Scottish folk songs were the everyday sounds, Snow developed an early love for Celtic music. Much of the history of these lands was preserved in song.
Snow’s music has been described as “quiet and relaxing,” and while much of it is, he’ll periodically let loose and foot stomping will begin. He plays the guitar, autoharp and bouzouki. He can also find his way around a drum set and most of the percussion family.
The Ridgefield Folk Concert Series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.