This Week @ the Library

March 2, 2008

New and Notable - Exam Preparation Software

PrepMe is the latest specialized electronic resource now offered by the Library for Ridgefield residents. PrepMe is a customizable program that aids students in doing their best on standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT and PSAT. Take practice exams, learn about test-taking strategies and even improve your basic skills and knowledge in key areas such as math and reading comprehension. Each user can set up his or her own profile and return as often as necessary. Access at the Library or from home or school - all you need is your Ridgefield Library card.

For additional help with college entrance exams as well as citizenship tests, licensing exams, GREs, GED, military and law enforcement tests and more, you can also turn to Learning Express. A recent addition to the Learning Express Library is a series of computer skills tutorials on Microsoft Office and other popular software applications.

Find out more about these and other special electronic resources available through the Ridgefield Library.

Kid Stuff

Ongoing Programs:

·  Monday 10:30 AM Drop-in Story Time (ages 3 and up)

·  Tuesday 6:30 PM Scrabble (grades 4-8)

·  Friday 11 AM or 2 PM Friday Flicks (ages 2 and up)

·  Saturday 10:30 AM Drop-in Story Time (ages 3 and up)

Special Programs: Wednesday, 6 - 7:30 PM Reading Is a Family Affair. Book discussion program for children in grades 3 and higher with their parents. THIS SESSION IS FULL - WATCH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NEXT PROGRAM IN MAY.

Reminder: Registration for Spring story times and after school programs takes place this week March 4th - 10th in Children's Services.

Learn more about these and other children's programs.

Just for Teens

Young Adult Critics. Tuesday 4-5 PM. Students in Grades 6 - 8 meet to discuss their favorite titles while enjoying snacks.

Scrabble. Tuesday 6:30- 7:30 PM. Young people in Grades 4 - 8 learn strategies from a tournament player as they enjoy playing the game.

Teen ListenParties. Tuesday 7:30- 9 PM and Thursday 7-9 PM. Celebrate Teen Tech Week! Tune in @ the Ridgefield Library by listening to a killer mystery (Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher). People in grades 6 to 12 are invited to come with friends, blankets, pillows, games, knitting needles and, most importantly, their ears.

TAG Meeting. Friday 4-5 PM. The Teen Advisory Group is for interested teens (grades 6 to 12) who want to help make the Library a better place. Come learn what you can do to get involved! Call Geri at 438-2282 x1004 for more information.

Check out our Teen Page.

Activities for Adults

Tuesday Evening Nonfictioneers book discussion group. Tuesday 7-9 PM. See No Evil by Robert Baer. In his explosive New York Times bestseller, top CIA operative Robert Baer paints a chilling picture of how terrorism works on the inside and provides startling evidence of how Washington politics sabotaged the CIA's efforts to root out the world's deadliest terrorists. Seymour Hersh of The New Yorker contends that "Robert Baer was considered perhaps the best on-the-ground field officer in the Middle East and one of the most talented Middle East case officers of the past twenty years." New members always welcome.

Shutterbugs Monthly Meeting. Saturday 9:30-11 AM, History Room. The Ridgefield Library's photography group meets on the second Saturday of the month to discuss their craft and/or head out on their many field trips. New members are always welcome. As the group sometimes goes straight out to take photographs contact Mary Harold at 438-7350 or e-mail ridgefieldshutterbugs@hotmail.com if you are interested in joining the group.

Reading Ahead... Ask at the Circulation Desk for copies of these upcoming book discussion group selections:

• Critics' Circle, March 18. My Antonia by Willa Cather.
• AM Book Group, March 27. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• Tuesday Evening Nonfictioneers, April 1. Ridgefield in Review by Silvio Bedini.

See what other adult programs are on tap.

Did You Know...?

In honor of the town's 300th celebration, we will be featuring each week a tidbit of information about the past, present and future of the Library.

When the Ridgefield Library opened in its current location in 1903, the town had 2,626 residents. The most recent census figures show a population of 24,117. On a per capita basis, townspeople checked out app. 3 books each in 1903 and a whopping 16 items in the 2006-07 year (more than double the state average). Despite competition from bookstores and the Internet, Ridgefielders in large numbers continue to turn to their Library.

Be a Power User

As a subscriber to this e- newsletter, you are already a "power user" of the Ridgefield Library. Look for weekly tips to make you even more powerful!

THIS WEEK'S TIP: Looking for a magazine or newspaper that never seems to be out on the rack? Try asking at the Reference Desk. Some items are so popular that we need to keep a close eye on them so they don't go missing. Smart readers know to ask here for the Wall Street Journal, the Ridgefield Press, Consumer Reports, Barrons, the Commercial Record, the New Yorker, New York Magazine and the New York Times. Don't be shy about asking - we are happy to share as long as you return these items intact!

Favorite Library Links

·  Library Catalog

·  Event Calendar

·  Library Webpage

·  Book Group Selections

·  Hollister Film Series Schedule

·  Ridgefield Authors Wiki

·  Ridgefield Writes

Contact Information