| 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 |