Hello!

June 30th is the official end of the Library's year when we take the opportunity to review the ways in which we've been able to serve the community and celebrate those who have made exceptional contributions. We invite you all to join us at 4pm on Sunday, June 15th, at the 113th Annual Meeting. We'll congratulate a volunteer and staff person of the year (plaques commemorating them both will join those of others named in the past decade or so and hung upstairs outside the Rimer Room). In addition, we will say thanks to Trustees departing from the Board of the Wilton Library Association, presenting a book in the name of each to the Library's collection. Wilton Library Friends (those who have made donations to the Library in FY'08) will elect new Trustees to fill vacancies on the Board and name the officers for the coming year.

After the business portion of the meeting, we'll adjourn to hear and view an entertaining presentation about modernist architecture by Frederick Noyes, architect and son of the late Eliot Noyes, who designed the 1975 portion of our building. Fred recently appeared at the Aldrich Museum and was very warmly received by the audience there; we are excited to welcome him to Wilton on the 15th.

Finally, and with great fanfare, we will announce the new Wilton Reads! selection for the fall, and distribute 100 complimentary copies of the novel, made possible by a generous donation from The Wilton Bank. Come hear what the community will be discussing in coming months and get a copy to read this summer. Please note that the Library will close at 4pm so that everyone may attend the Meeting and a brief reception will follow the proceedings.

I hope to see you there!
Kathy Leeds, Wilton Library Director

Basic Internet
Feeling behind the times? Want to jump on the information superhighway? Anxious to learn how to search for restaurant reviews, stock prices, or movie times? There are no prerequisites for this class on basic Internet skills other than a desire to learn. Sign up now!
~~Tuesday, June 3rd, from 6:30 to 8 pm
~~Thursday, June 5th, from 12:30 to 2 pm

Intermediate PowerPoint
Learn how to add and format charts and graphs in your presentations. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, are required. Sign up now!
~~ Tuesday, June 10th, from 6:30 to 8 pm
~~ Thursday, June 12th, from 12:30 to 2 pm

Fades to Gray Teen Band Concert
On Tuesday, June 17th, from 8 to 9:30 pm, local teen band "Fades to Gray" will play classic rock tunes. Members include: Greg Golterman, Will Boudreau, Devon Jeffries, John Liebowitz and Jeff Liebowitz. Refreshments will be served. The concert is open to teens and all those who love classic rock tunes. No registration is necessary - just come and enjoy the music.

Teen Book Talk
On Wednesday, afternoons June 18th and 25th, from 4 to 6 pm, we'll hold the first of our weekly drop-in book discussions for teens. These talks are open to students entering grades 7-12, and teens can come in and talk with other teens about any book they've just read in an informal roundtable format. Free snacks will be provided. No registration is required - just stop by. This series of summer Wednesday talks is sponsored by the John and Patricia Curran Teen Fund.

"Gotcha Reading" Teen Photo Contest
>From Monday, June 23rd through Friday, July 25th, teens entering grades 7 through 12 and 2008 high school graduates can enter the Library's very first "Gotcha Reading" Photo Contest. Enter your 5x7 or 8x10 photos of people reading, compete for prizes, and have your work displayed at the Library in an August show. Prizes will be awarded for the most original place found reading, the most humorous photo and the most artistic composition. Photos should be dropped at the Circulation Desk if the Teen desk is closed and must be accompanied by entry forms. This contest is sponsored by the John and Patricia Curran Teen Fund. Call for details.

Body Collage for Teens
On Thursday, June 26th, from 3 to 5 pm, teens entering grades 7 through 12 can create life-size images of themselves using paper, markers, yarn, fabric, and other materials. All necessary materials will be provided by the library. Please register in advance. This program is sponsored by the John and Patricia Curran Fund.

Additonally, please note that our Sleepy Time Story Times start Monday, June 23rd, from 6 to 6:30 pm for kids ages 2 through 6. Children can put on their pajamas, grab a blanket, and come to the Library for stories before they head home for bed. Children under the age of 4 must be accompanied by an adult, and no registration is necessary for this great way to end those summer days. Additional dates in the Sleepy Time series are July 7th, 21st and Aug. 4th.

We hope you'll be able to come to the reception to shop and meet the artists attending, and the show will run through Saturday, June 28th. A portion of the proceeds from all purchases during the month benefits the Library's Art Fund for the purchase of materials on art and art instruction.

A reception will follow the concert and we'll have CDs available for sale and signing. The series is funded by the William and Karen Tell Foundation with special thanks to Ed and Catherine Romer and Tish and Chris Brubeck.

Advance registration is strongly recommended and pre-registrants must arrive by 4:50 pm to be guaranteed seating. After 4:50 pm, and if space is available, wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted. We ask that you consider a donation of $10 per person for the outstanding concerts in this series so that we can continue to bring outstanding music to the Brubeck Room all year long.

Please dress comfortably and note that leather soled shoes are preferable. There is no charge for the program, but we ask that you register in advance.

All necessary materials will be supplied by the Library at no charge and samples will be provided to inspire and guide kid creations. No reservations are required - just come!

On Monday, June 16th, from 11 am to noon, popular art historian and guest lecturer Joan Kaskell will return to the Library to talk about the Florence Griswold Museum and a very special exhibit that will be a highlight for those who visit. Beginning in the early 1900s, Florence Griswold opened her timeworn family home to several artists searching for a quiet country retreat where they could rejuvenate their spirits and find sources of inspiration. The group was known as the Lyme Art Colony and Miss Florence's boardinghouse soon became the center of Impressionism in America. To honor Miss Florence and the Colony, the Florence Griswold Museum was established in 1947 and it has become one of New England's premier tourist destinations. Please register in advance for Joan's presentation (including a slide show with images from both permanent and special exhibits).

On Wednesday, June 18th, from 9:30 to 4:30 pm, we'll be off to visit the Museum. Our mini-bus will depart from the Library at 9:30 am, with the return trip leaving Old Lyme at 3 pm. The trip to Old Lyme includes a tour of the Museum including the current special exhibit entitled "Impressionist Giverny: The Americans, 1885-1915," and lunch at the wonderful Bee and Thistle Inn. The cost for bus, museum admission and tour, and lunch is $68 and reservations will be made on a first come-first served basis. Please call for more information about availability (762-3950) and stop by our Circulation Desk at the Library to register immediately if space is available or to be placed on the waiting list. Note that payment is required at the time of registration and is non-refundable unless we are able to fill your seat at the time of cancellation.

Each week kids will see a different focus on our country, from the South and Appalachia to the Prairies and all the way to California. Craft programs, live animal events, musical programs and Drop-In Story Times will take place throughout the summer to build excitement about reading and engender a love of literature. Children are invited to sign up, decorate their automobile-shaped posters, and begin a reading log at any point during the program which ends Friday, August 15th. June Summer Reading events include:

On Mondays, June 23rd & 30th, from 10 am to 8 pm, kids of all ages can drop in to create Crafts based on the weekly theme. Necessary materials for each craft will be supplied by the Library. There will be no charge for these "crafty Mondays" that extend throughout the summer, ending August 11th, and no registration is necessary.

Starting on June 24th, Travel the 50 States Story Times will take place on Tuesdays through August 12th. Please join us as our staffers entertain and engage Ones and Twos with caregivers, from 10:15 to 10:45 am, Twos and Threes with caregivers from 11 to 11:30 am, Threes and Fours on their own from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm and Fives through Eights from 2 to 2:45 pm.

On Wednesday, June 25th, from 3 to 4 pm, kids won't want to miss Wild Goose Nation, a string band specializing in an astonishing range of traditional American music. These three multi-instrumentalists learned their music from some of the master tradition bearers of Appalachian, African-American, Cajun, French-Canadian and Irish-American culture. Wild Goose Nation is dedicated to promoting America's rich heritage of traditional music. Their music will take listeners (ages 4-12 and caregivers) on a joyful trip across America! There is no charge for the program, thanks to underwriting by the Fannie Lienhard Fund, and no registration is necessary. The first 150 people (children and caregivers) to arrive will be admitted. Children must be accompanied by adults and seating will begin at 2:30 pm, one-half hour before the program.

On Monday, June 30th, from 6 to 6:30 pm, the Children's Library will be the site for American Tales. Staff members will read folk tales and stories about America for kids 5 and older. Stop by on the 30th and on additional dates of July 14th, July 28th, and August 11th. There will be no charge for the programs and no registration is necessary.

We are hoping you will find this new service a time-saver and fun. In fact, we are soon going to apply for a grant to fund a second checkout machine in the Children's Library so that our youngest patrons and their caregivers can take advantage of the self-service model. We all know how tech savvy youngsters are and fully expect them to be on the front lines, explaining the user-friendly process to everyone around once we have our second station purchased and installed.

Please make sure you stop by the Gallery self-check station and "check it out!" Circulation staff members are close by to help you get started.

Registration is required for each individual meeting, so sign up for June 24th now.

The ever-popular Mrs. Keogh will provide an outlet for kids' creativity at these sessions on three Fridays during the summer (additional workshop dates are July 18th and Aug. 1st) at no charge and no registration is necessary...simply come and have fun!