Ridgefield Library

Saturday, June 8th @ 2:00pm: Art collector and Ridgefield resident Joel Third will give a lecture about his collection of floral prints that span five centuries, from the 17th to the 21st. There will be a reception in the gallery immediately after Joel’s talk from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Refreshments will be served.

Flowers have always played a big role in human lives, present at our beginning to our passing. We enjoy their natural beauty and the feeling of constancy and comfort they provide. This exhibition explores beautiful floral prints by a wide range of artists over five centuries. The prints in in this exhibit are from the Bettie Jane and Joel Third Collection.

Joel has been an avid antique and contemporary print collector for about 50 years. He was also past president of both the Ridgefield Rotary Club and Ridgefield Men’s Club. His impressive record of volunteerism and leadership at the Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center is to be noted. The Museum has established a memorial scholarship in Bettie Jane’s name for high school students.

Born and reared in Northeastern Ohio, Joel graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a degree in electrical engineering. He retired after 47 years as an international systems engineer and marketing director with ITT and Harris Corporations. He traveled all over the world for business. 

Sponsors for this talk, reception and exhibition include: the host organization, The Ridgefield Library; refreshments from the Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center; labels and and framing from The Frame Shop of Ridgefield; flowers from Soar Together and poster from Gerry O’Hare Marketing and Design Group.

Click here to register for this special lecture and reception.

Heartfelt thanks to our Library community for your support and to our colorful 2024 Gala Committee – some pictured below – for the creativity,  time and work that goes into making this a wonderful evening! The 2024 Annual Great Expectations Gala, which celebrates the 10^th Anniversary of the opening of the “new” Ridgefield Library, will honor Marcie and Peter Coffin with the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award for their years of leadership and service to the Library’s vision and mission.

On June 1^st we will celebrate Marcie and Peter Coffin’s many contributions to the Library. If you missed the chance to attend and would still like to support the Library Gala, donate here: https://ridgefieldlibrary.ejoinme.org/gala24donation .

Marcie, EVP Risk Management at Fairfield County Bank, and Peter, AIA and principal of Doyle Coffin Architecture, have strong ties to the Library. They raised their two sons in Ridgefield and spent countless hours participating in children’s programming and in summer reading contests. Peter served on the Board of Directors for a decade, including seven years as Board Chair. Most recently, the Coffins were co-chairs of the successful 2023 Great Expectations Gala. Each summer, the Coffins compete with a team of stalwart Library supporters in a local charity Bocce Tournament.

“It is fitting to honor Marcie and Peter on the 10^th Anniversary of our beautiful Library,” says Brenda McKinley, Library Director. “We are grateful for their long history of commitment and dedication, especially for the lasting impact of Peter’s vision and professional counsel during the process of building our new Library.”

Following his years of Library Board leadership, Peter’s contributions included serving in an advisory role, through every phase of the development process for the new Library, from negotiations with the town, through the design, construction and the opening of the new Library in May 2014. Peter continues to offer his professional guidance to the Library, most recently with the completion of the Miller Terrace outdoor space.

Tuesday, May 28th @ 7:00pm:  Mark Riser of the Ridgefield Economic and Community Development Commission will give a talk explaining the process for starting your own small business.

The Economic and Community Development Commission welcomes you to Ridgefield. We appreciate and recognize that you have many options on where and how to open a business today, and even more options with the advent of remote work. The ECDC welcomes you to town and will work with you to make opening, maintaining, and growing your business as easy as possible from a town and regulatory perspective.  https://www.ridgefieldct.com/open-a-business-in-ridgefield

Mark has been a general partner in private equity funds, a private investor in middle market businesses and a principal in family office investments since 1999.  He has been a board member of a dozen companies, has invested in over 20 private companies in his career and is a frequent panelist at industry events.

Click here for more information and to register.

May 17th through May 20th: It’s One Big Book Sale!  Enjoy four days of great selections for ALL ages. Sale will be held in the program rooms on the Library’s Lower Level. View the schedule here:

Wednesday, May 8th @ 7:00pm:   Come hear from Megan Searfoss, owner of Ridgefield Running Company, honored as America’s Best Running Store (2022) and recently honored by the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce as the Woman of the Year, in recognition for her outstanding contributions to the community and her exemplary leadership in business.

“It’s not what you sell but why you sell it. Customers who walk into Ridgefield Running Co. looking for new shoes run out with new friends, new motivations, and new reasons to move forward as well. The shoe costs money but the community that surrounds it adds the real value for the customer. Yes, when starting out, you need a business plan to make sure your concept works. But, hell yes, you need to answer why people shop at my running store, my hardware store, my clothing shop compared to the one up the street, the one at the mall, or the one online.” -Megan Searfoss

Economic & Community Development Commissioner Geoffrey Morris will lead a discussion with Ridgefield Running Co. owner Megan Searfoss about her journey – from a multisport athlete and a stay-at-home mom to an athlete and mom who owns and operates three running stores and the vibrant communities that go with them. A journey that was not a direct line – but rather included failures, pivots, late-night inspirations, hard work, and a little help from friends.

Click here to register to attend.

And mark your calendar for Starting a Small Business with Mark Riser on May 28th, a step-by-step look at opening a business in Ridgefield.

Saturday, May 4th:  It’s the 10th Anniversary of the New Ridgefield Library! Join us as we celebrate a decade of discovery, lifelong learning and enhancing community connections in our beautiful library building! Stop by any time between 10:00am and 2:00pm and learn more about what’s happening at the Ridgefield Library through building-wide special tours, demonstrations, displays and more. Share a special Library Birthday Treat at 11:00am in the Bossidy Commons, enjoy a scavenger hunt around the Library and relax with music on the front lawn with School of Rock. We hope to see you!

The Ridgefield Library is thrilled to announce a collaboration with The Maurice Sendak Foundation and the vision of Ridgefield artist Cynthia V. Meyers for the creation of the Children’s Mural to be located in the Philip and Christine Lodewick Children’s Library.  The Children’s Mural is a permanent installation Library fundraiser comprised of 120 named glass tiles of original artwork by Cynthia V. Meyers and featuring the art of Maurice Sendak.  Ms. Meyer’s whimsical line drawing illustrations on each 8-inch by 8-inch tile are a Love Letter to Ridgefield, an ode to children’s literature and an homage to the magic of childhood.  Due to the special nature of this unique donation opportunity, tiles are expected to sell out quickly.  Stop by the Children’s Library to see an exhibit of sample mural tiles.

The Library is grateful to the Maurice Sendak Foundation for their partnership on this project. Special thanks to founding sponsor USAlliance Financial whose support is given in memory of Simon R. M. Walton and to the Friends of the Ridgefield Library for their support.  Please go to https://ridgefieldlibrary.ejoinme.org/Mural for more information and to purchase a tile, or contact the Library’s Development Director, Jane Lindenburg, at [email protected] or call (203) 438-2282 ext. 104.

Tuesday, April 30th @ 7:00pm: Ridgefield resident Mark Robinson’s second book, Black On Madison Avenue is part deeply personal memoir and part explosive history of what he calls “America’s most un-diverse white collar profession.” Since its release in July 2023, the book has been the recipient of a remarkable six literary book awards.  Robinson is a past member of the Multicultural Marketing Leadership Council, a national touring lecturer and an ongoing mentor for the American Association of Advertising Agencies. 

Saturday, April 27th @ 2:00pm: Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ridgefield Recycling with a special presentation about the state of waste in Connecticut.

Our state is experiencing a waste crisis. More waste is generated than we have the capacity to manage. What’s happening to all that waste? Where does it go? Managing waste and knowing what to recycle can be confusing. Come to this family-friendly event to learn where our garbage and recycling really goes. Learn about the State of Connecticut’s universal recycling guide and what happens when you put the wrong thing in your recycling bin. Understand how waste and recycling impacts the environment and how reducing your waste and separating your food scraps can save you money.

Find out what the Town of Ridgefield is doing to be part of the solution. It’s easy to join and Take the Challenge!

Jennifer Heaton-Jones, the Executive Director of the regional governmental solid waste and recycling authority, HRRA, will give a one-hour presentation followed by a half-hour Q & A. You’re guaranteed to learn something new.

Learn more and register here.

Sunday, April 14th @ 2:00pm — A Visit with Verse: Poetry Reading  by Ira Joe Fisher.  In celebration of National Poetry Month, join us for a reading of Ridgefield Poet Laureate Ira Joe Fisher’s poems (from his published books and newly composed works) and those from some of poetry’s giants. Bring your love of language! Learn more & register.

More Poetry Programs!

April 19th @ 7:00pm — Online: An Evening with the Youth & Adult Poets Laureate of CT. Don’t miss this special virtual reading and talkback with CT State Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell and CT 2023-24 Youth Poet Laureate Mercuri Lam. The two honored poets will read from recent works, share hopes for their roles as laureates, and answer questions from the audience – and each other. Learn more & register.

May 10th @ 2:00pm — The Multiverse of Poems: Exploring & Explaining Exquisite Words From Exquisite Writers. Ridgefield Poet Laureate Ira Joe Fisher leads this monthly study group, offering a deep dive into the beauty of poetry and verse. Learn more & register