Building Expansion Project
For those still asking about the Library Expansion project I have disappointing news. On August 14, 2006, the Town Council voted 5-4 against granting the Building Committee's request to allow the project to move forward to a town meeting.

The Building Expansion Committee and Library Board of Trustees agree that this project is too important to let end this way. They are determined to continue to move forward in order to see that the needs of the community and library program are met.

One recurring theme often stated is that "it is not a good time" for moving ahead because of other projects being brought simultaneously before the town. Yes, there are other projects but that has been the case over the past eleven years. Is there ever a good time? One thing or another comes up and is determined of more importance than the Library Expansion. The Library project has been included in the Town's 5-Year capital plan for at least seven years. Various amounts of Waste Management monies have been talked about being used for the project. There is an ordinance that states that Waste Management funds be used specifically for the expansion project. These funds were meant for capital projects that would benefit the entire town. Why is there a reluctance to make use of these funds for the designated purposes?

In the short term, this temporary setback means that the issues that were identified during long range planning and which restrict the growth of the current library still exist. Inadequate seating, programming space, material storage, material display, computer access, old HVAC systems, electrical systems are just some of the issues that haven't gone away. They are still here and retard the Library's growth.

What's New
We are always investigating new and exciting products that we hope to offer in the future. For instance, the Adult Services department is looking to set up a Library blog. There is the possibility of using a new software product to offer an email newsletter or program announcements in addition to the printed quarterly newsletter that is distributed in the Spectrum. This would allow us to make residents aware of materials, services and programs on a more immediate way. Currently we offer downloadable audiobooks from NetLibrary/Recorded Books. These can be downloaded to a computer or MP3 player. On November 1, we are offering a 6 month trial of downloadable video content which includes shows on cooking, travel health and some older movies. There are always new and exciting materials and services that we consider and hopefully are able to offer to our patrons.

New $ Features @ the Library
by Peggy Ganong
Library Technology Coordinator

Tired of carrying change in your pockets to pay for print jobs at the library? Tired of asking the reference staff to release your print jobs? Well, starting in January 2007 this will all change!

Through the EnvisionWare software that provides the print function of our computers, we are able to offer a new service. Now patrons may set up a new account where you can pay in advance for print jobs. This would be in the form of a debit account where you pay for example $10.00 and then whenever you print out pages from the PCs, these fees would be deducted from your $10.00 balance. So when you want to print out something from the internet, just go to the reference staff who will release your job and the fee is automatically deducted from your account! When your account runs low, just speak to the reference staff and they will reset your account and you can deposit for example another $10.00 into your account.

Once this new service is available, a full policy and procedure will be announced.

Atheneum and Aquarium Passes Available
by Laurie Putnam
Public Services Librarian

The New Milford Public Library has free and discounted admission passes to 3 Connecticut attractions: Wadsworth Atheneum, Mystic Aquarium and the Maritime Aquarium. New Milford residents only may check out a pass for 1 week (no renewals) with their library card. A $25.00 cash or check deposit is required and will be returned when the pass is returned to the main desk (passes may not be placed in the overnight book drop).

Wadsworth Atheneum

The library pass for the Wadsworth Atheneum Art Museum offers free general museum admission for 2 adults and 2 children (ages 6-17) to New Milford residents. Special exhibitions may require additional fees. The pass is not valid during annual fundraisers including Festival of Trees and Traditions and Fine Arts & Flowers, or other special events.

Mystic Aquarium

The library has discounted passes available to Mystic Aquarium. New Milford residents only may check out a pass that will admit 2 adults and 2 children for $13.50 per adult and $9.50 per child, September 5 through June, and $15.75 per adult, $11.25 per child July through Labor Day. (Regular admission is $17.50 per adult, $16.50 per senior and $12.50 per child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are free).

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

The library has discounted passes available to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. New Milford residents will receive a $2.00 discount off a Combination ticket to the Aquarium and IMAX Theater for each of up to six people. Regular admission is $16.00 per adult, $12.00 per child (ages 2-12) and $14.50 per senior (ages 62+).

For more information, call the library at 355-1191 x201.

They’re Back
by Candace Barth
Information/Reference Librarian

Two useful databases are back at NMPL. LitFinder and Ebsco’s Auto Repair Reference Center are available once again for use in library or from home using your NMPL Library Card.

The Auto Repair Reference Center database includes auto repair information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles with repair information for vintage makes back as far as 1945. There are close to 26,000 vehicles covered. Information includes repair procedures with step-by-step instructions, diagrams and images; 70,000 manufacturer-supplied technical service bulletins and recall notices; more than 100,000 wiring diagrams with complete schematics on the electrical systems of vehicles; specification and maintenance schedules, a labor time guide and estimator, and a guide to vehicle ownership and maintenance. Procedures are updated and added continuously.

LitFinder is a comprehensive literature database. Find poems, essays, fiction, speeches, and drama and in-depth information on authors and their works from all eras. More than 126,500 full-text poems and thousands of essays, speeches, plays and stories are included.

To use these databases from home visit the library’s web page at http://www.biblio.org/newmilford/ or stop in and the Reference Librarians will be happy to assist you.

Email Update
by Laurie Putnam
Public Services Librarian

In the January 2006 newsletter we announced the capability of sending notices and reserves to patrons via email. Since then we have been collecting our patrons’ email addresses and the service is working well.

To keep you informed about this service and how it works best for you, we have compiled a list of email information that will help the service run smoothly and efficiently for both you and the library.

The following is information and suggestions we want to share about email.

1. Once you’ve reserved an item, check your email every day. If you don’t, you could lose the reserved item.
2. Please do not respond to the email. If there is a question or problem, please call the library.
3. Some email providers (e.g. Yahoo) frequently dump New Milford Public Library email into your Bulk Folder.
4. Please notify the library if you change your email address.

Our goal in offering email capability is to improve service to our patrons.
We want patrons to be informed about the service so that it works well for them.

If anyone has further questions about email service from the library, please call the circulation desk at 355-1191 x 201 or ask us the next time you visit the library.

The November/December Junior Library programs will start the week of November 6 and run through the week of December 11. If you would like to register for any of the following programs, stop in at the Junior Room and fill out a registration form to be put into the lottery for the November/December session.

Little Lap-Sitters (for children who will be 1 year olds by Dec. 31, 2006) Monday 10:00— 10:30AM, 10:40 – 11:10 AM or 11:15— 11:45AM.

This program for babies and parents/caregivers consists of stories, rhymes and music play. These activities help build emerging literacy and start your child off on a life-long love of reading and books.

Parent and Child (for children who are 2 years old by Dec. 31, 2006) Monday or Friday, 10:00— 10:45 AM or 11:00— 11:45 AM

Geared to toddlers and their parents/caregivers, Parent and Child takes the two-year-old child to the next level of interaction with books and rhymes, along with starting to build social interaction skills.

Three Year Olds Story Time (for children who are 3 by Dec. 31, 2006) Wednesday 10:00— 10:30AM or 11:00— 11:30AM

The three-year old story time starts to focus in on more independence from the parents/caregivers and more reliance on group behavior and individual interaction with the librarian. Using books, puppets, flannel board stories and finger-plays, the children further develop their pre-reading skills. Parents can stay with the group if their child is not ready to separate, but the parent is expected to join in with the children and model the appropriate behavior.

Wednesday Morning Preschool Films 10:30— 11:00 AM (No registration necessary)

This half-hour program offers quality children’s films based on books and characters appropriate for toddlers/preschoolers. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with their children.

Story Time for 4, 5 and 6-Year Olds (for children who are 4, 5 or 6 by Dec. 31, 2006) Tuesday 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM; Thursday 10:00 AM. (45 minutes)

This story time program is similar to the three-year-old story time (see description above) but we extend the program to 45 minutes and add a simple craft.

Thursday Morning Preschool Films 11:00— 11:30 AM (No registration necessary)

The Thursday film program is a repeat of the Wednesday film program.

Lunch Bunch (for children who are 4, 5, or 6 by Dec. 31, 2006)
Thursday 12:15 – 12:45 PM

The Lunch Bunch is a more social story time where the children bring bag lunches and sit on blankets and listen to stories while they eat their lunches.

Thursday Fun Time (for grades 1 - 4)
Thursday 4:00 PM

This after-school program consists of books, films, crafts and other literacy related activities.

Chess Club for grades K - up (Drop-in group, no registration necessary). Wednesday 4:00 PM

Children who attend this group should know the basic rudiments of chess.

CHESS CLUB
by Sue Ford
Children’s Librarian

Did you know that NMPL has a Chess Club for youngsters in grades K – 8? The group meets on Wednesdays at 4:00 PM. Organized and directed by Junior Library staff member Valerie Fisher, the club emphasizes good sportsmanship and sharing the knowledge of the game with each other. The children are encouraged to stretch their abilities by playing others who are at a higher level. Mrs. Fisher usually holds an in-house Chess tournament in May or June. The club meets most Wednesdays, unless the library is closed or there has been a school closing or holiday. If you want to learn more about chess in a friendly encouraging atmosphere, join us on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM.

YOUNG ADULT COUNCIL
by Sue Ford
Children’s Librarian

New Milford Library invites 6th, 7th and 8th graders to join the Young Adult Council, an advisory group that meets once a month at the library. This group helps plan activities and projects, and suggests new titles and authors for the YA collection. The young people in this program also help with programming for the younger patrons and summer reading activities. If you like to read and enjoy books, this may be the activity for you!

The YA Council usually meets on the second Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 PM. The meeting dates for the rest of the school year are: November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 13. There are occasional extra meetings and activities on other days.

For more information, call Mrs. Elmore at 355-1191, ext. 204.