May 13: Our new materials sorter is being installed! Please return items to the free-standing book return container located outside the sliding doors. All kits, Playaway book packs, games, puzzles and oversized books must be returned inside to the Circulation Desk during the Library’s open hours. All donations must be left on the Friends of the Ridgefield Library book carts on the Lower Level of the building. Thank you!
Changes Happening May 13-23: After 10+ years and more than 2.25 million items handled, the Ridgefield Library’s automated materials sorting equipment is getting an upgrade.
With the new sorter, you will be able to insert a stack of books into the book return slot – no more waiting for the green light to insert items one at a time! And our new equipment will be faster, more accurate, gentler and quieter with updated software for improved cybersecurity.
Starting on Tuesday, May 13th, both our outside and inside Main Lobby book return slots will be closed for the installation of the new sorter. During this time, Library items will need to be returned to a book drop container located outside near the Library’s main sliding door entrance.
You will also see new, easy-to-use self-checkout machines arriving in the Bossidy Commons, the Lodewick Children’s Library and on the Upper Level near our Book Club Collection.
We expect the new materials sorter and self-checkout machines to be ready for use on Friday, May 23rd.
Thank you, Ridgefield! Your support of this fiscal year 2024-2025 capital project has made this upgrade to a vital part of the Library’s operations possible. If you would like to learn more about the automated materials handling sorter system or if you have any questions, please contact Library Director, Brenda McKinley at [email protected]
Saturday, May 17, 2025 @2:00 pm: Young readers and budding chefs will relish this celebration of the new book A Banquet for Cecilia: How Cecilia Chiang Revolutionized Chinese Food in America. Families with children of all ages are invited to meet author Julie Leung and illustrator Melissa Iwai. We’ll read the book, learn more about the Chinese-American chef Cecilia Chiang, and hear about the research that went into the writing and illustrations. Then we’ll craft our own dumpling treasure to take home! Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome as space permits. Please register once for your family and indicate the number of children in the comments.
Books on the Common will have copies of the book available for sale and signing. Programs like this are supported by the generous donations of our patrons.
Thursday, May 22 @ 4:30 pm: To Bee or Not to Bee, that is the question! Students in Grades K-2 are invited to get up close and personal with crawly critters such as giant millipedes, hissing cockroaches, and tarantulas! Learn the differences between insects and other invertebrates in this hands-on workshop with educators from Earthplace. Registration is required.
Programs like this are made possible in part by the generosity of our donors.
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.
Tuesday, May 13th @ 1:00 pm: Did you know that 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day? Leonard B. Comberiate, ISCEBS Fellow and Adjunct Associate Professor at New York University will present Comprehensive Personal Financial Planning with Insight Into Strategic Long-Term Care Planning at the next Senior Voices meeting.
Professor Comberiate is a Certified Financial Planner and instructor who teaches courses in retirement planning, risk management, investments and estate planning. He will explain the importance of picking the right certified financial planner. Whether you are 55 or 75, everyone should understand long-term care and what Medicare covers. Professor Comberiate will also cover the subject of long-term care insurance and hybrid long-term insurance. There will be Q & A after the presentation.
Senior Voices is a free event and hybrid program. You may come in person or register to attend via Zoom. Participants are invited to enjoy light refreshments and conversation following the program. If you have any questions, please contact the Commission on Aging at [email protected].
Click here to learn more and to register.
Friday, May 9th @ 6:00pm: Join us for our 21+ adults-only tabletop gaming experience. Snacks, non-alcoholic beverages provided as well as a ticket for one beer or glass of wine included. Tabletop games mean anything from card games to dice games, board games to strategy games.
You are welcome to bring a game and play, learn a new game, borrow a game from our collection to take home, or just observe! If you have a specific game that you are interested in teaching, please let us know so we can put a table aside for you. Larger groups of six or more can also email to request a table be set aside.
All attendees must be 21 or older. Registration is recommended.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Saturday, May 10th @ 9:00am to 5:00pm: The Friends of the Ridgefield Library invite you to stop by the Friends Sorting Room on the Lower Level of the Library for their monthly Secret Stacks Book Sale, held on the second Saturday of the month. Great choices for readers of all ages and interests!
The Friends of the Ridgefield Library accept book donations! Leave your donated books on the cart(s) outside the Friends Sorting Room on the lower level of the Library during regular open hours. (Please do not leave donations in the Library Lobby or anywhere outside the building.)
Saturday, May 3rd @ 2:00 pm: It’s time for another Jigsaw Puzzle Contest! Every team will be provided with the same 500-piece puzzle, and the first to finish wins. All will be allowed to finish. To sign up your team, please email Adult Programs Coordinator Lucy Handley with your name, contact information and the number of people on your team with their names if possible.
Sunday, May 4th @ 2:00 pm: KJ Denhert is a NYC-based songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and bandleader whose soulful and smoky vocal stylings are earthy and elegant. See KJ’s full bio HERE.
The Ridgefield Folk Concert Series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, April 29th @ 7:00 pm: New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis returns to the Ridgefield Library to discuss her utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.
https://www.fionadavisbooks.com/the-stolen-queen
Books on the Common will have copies for purchase and signing.
Click here to learn more and to register.