Changes coming...

We have to make some changes-starting in January:
1. DVD & Videos will now be loaned for 7 days - no renewals
2. Reserves on new DVD's will not be allowed.
3. Magazines will now be loaned for 3 weeks - 1 renewal
Hopefully these changes will allow a quicker turn-around of our video materials and allow more patrons to access them. If you can return your materials before the 7 day loan period is over that would be helpful. As always, your input and comments are welcome.
Margaret

Coupons & such

We have a coupon exchange that is very popular. Take some, bring some is the policy.
We also have an ongoing jigsaw puzzle out, so puzzle fans should take a minute to put a piece in, or two!
We have some exciting programs planned for after the holidays so keep an eye on our calendar, and Oh!
Merry Christmas!

CT Science Museum

We just received coupons for 20% off the admission price to the new Connecticut Science Museum in Hartford. They are free to EWML cardholders, one per person please. The coupon may be used at anytime, and expires in May 2010. We have a limited number of coupons so please get one if you plan on visiting the museum before 5/31/2010.
The library offers many other museum passes, courtesy of the Friends of the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library. See what we offer online at: http://www.ewml.org/passes.htm
Enjoy!

Picturing America

EWML will be celebrating our National Endowment for the Humanities grant - Picturing America -this coming January and February. We are so excited! Exhibited in the Ehlers Room will be selected high quality reproductions of masterpieces of American art that bring us face to face with the people, places, and events that have shaped our country. The images are just a small sample of significant works. They serve as a starting point for learning about our nation's history and artistic legacy.

In addition to the exhibit in the Ehlers Room, and in collaboration with art instructor Cathy Vincent, the library will be offering a series of six free workshops that use selected works in the Picturing America collection. Cathy created these workshops to explore your own creative talents, and they are for all ages!

For families - use designer fabrics to create a decoupage quilt panel in a valentine theme.

For teens - Funky Fabrics -participants will enlarge, crop, and alter textile design motifs to create fun and funky works of art.

For adults - escape into an abstract landscape painting workshop using tempra and acrylic on canvas. Wine and cheese will be served to get your creative juices flowing.

For kids - make some clay pots, design a "family snapshot" collage, and along with a parent, create a self-portrait.

Watch for more information on our events calendar and posted in the library. Register early. These programs will fill up fast.

Book our meeting room online

Groups wishing to use the library meeting room may now apply online. Check for room availability, read our meeting room policy and then fill out the application. Once your application is approved you will receive a confimation by email. If you have any questions please email or call our Reference Desk at 452-2850 #6 or reference@ewml.org

Looking for a boat!

Do you have a wooden boat (aluminum would work but wood is better) you could lend us for a few months next summer. We are busy planning summer reading for next year and the theme is water. We would love a boat to decorate the Children's Room. If you have one that we could borrow, let me know. Don't worry about it's condition, we will deal with it. Ahoy!

Need help with job seeking?

JobNow is the library's new online access to free expert job coaching. Patrons can access this new service from the computers in the library or from home using their library barcode number. Connect one-on-one to a trained job coach for assistance in the job search process. The coaches are available to help patrons with any and all job search related questions. All coaches possess 4-year college degrees, must undergo a rigorous selection and training process, and must complete a full background and security check. In addition to helping beginning job seekers pinpoint their desired career field, coaches can also provide constructive suggestion on resumes, help write a professional cover letter, and give live interview practice and feedback.

Don't have time for live resume help? Simply submit your resume at any time of day through the JobNow Resume Lab and a job coach will send it back to you within 24 hours with detailed feedback and suggestions for imporvement.
To access JobNow follow the link on the library homepage or call the library Reference Desk for help.

Harry Potter

I just saw the new Harry Potter movie and loved it! I think I will re-read the last book. I could use a "good fix" of anything Hogwarts and my new phrase anytime I have a problem will be: "What would Dumbledore do?"

Museum Passes

Looking for something to do this summer? The libray has a number of museum passes available for Monroe residents to borrow. To see a list of passes go to: http://www.ewml.org/passes.htm
The Friends of the Library purchase these passes for us. Thanks Friends!

Donations to the library

Did you know the library receives donations all the time? Each is acknowledged with a thank you letter and then recorded in the Library Director's monthly report to the Library Board of Trustees and the First Selectman. Our patrons though, don't read that report. Now, each month, a list of doners will be posted at the Circulation Desk, over by the book return slot. Gifts to the library help in so many ways. Many thanks to people who donate as a memorial gift, for a birthday, or just because they love our library so much!

Join our email mailing list!

Receive news of our events and programs by joining the library mailing list. You will receive news on only those topics that interest you. Try it! You can un-subscribe at any time. Join by going to our homepage - fill in your email address at the top/right of our page.

What happened to the power?

On Friday, June 19 the library lost power in the late morning. The emergengy generator was able to supply emergency power but main lights and all the computers were down. The library was forced to close for the afternoon. We are up and running again (Monday morning) and I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our patrons. Fines will not be charged for items due on Friday, and please report any problems with your library accounts to the Circulation staff to have them corrected. Thank you.

Congratulations Joan!

Joan Clark was awarded a Individual Achievement Award in the Employee Recognitions Award Ceremony on June 11, 2009 by First Selectman Tom Buzi. Congratulations Joan for your excellent service to the library and the community of Monroe! Joan started working at the library in 2004 as a part-time library aide. She received her Master of Library Science Degree in 2007 and began working as a Reference Librarian at that time. Joan is a very dedicated librarian and she helps everyone who comes to the Reference Desk find what they need. No matter how long it takes or how hard the job, Joan will do it. She, like all members of the library staff, is totally dedicated to excellent service with a smile :>)
She totally deserves this award and we are all so proud of her!

Congratulations to Bill Ehlers

Bill Ehlers, Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, was honored by the Rotary Club of Monroe on June 7, 2009 at their annual "Service Above Self Breakfast". Bill was one of three people honored who exemplify the rotary motto, "Service Above Self". The three categories of awards include awards in Education, awarded to Carl Bodnar; Business, awarded to Paul Moyse; and Community, awarded to Bill Ehlers.

Bill Ehlers has been involved for over 20 years with the library and he played a significant role in obtaining the new building named in honor of Edith Wheeler. A Monroe resident since 1968, Bill has been a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, served on the school bus committee and been involved with flag football. He served with Habitat for Humanity in Mexico and he volunteers at St. Stephens Church. He loves boating, golf,and reading (of course!).

Thank you Bill for your service to the community and especially to the library.

Teen Photo Contest Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of our Teen Photo Contest! You may see them by linking to:
http://www.ewml.org/teenphotos.htm

A big thank you also to Eph Tobin and Jon Aspinwall of the Greater Bridgeport Camera Club for judging; and to Pat Grabarz for framing the winners.
Lorna Rhyins organized the photo contest and she was so impressed with all of the entries that she is planning to run it again next year so save your photos.

Library Elf & overdue notices

I't almost April and time to stop mailing overdue notices!
Please sign up for Library Elf. Library Elf's premium service is available to all Monroe library patrons free of charge. EWML subscribes to this service to help our patrons keep track of their library items. Go to www.libraryelf.com to subscribe.
Happy Spring everyone!

"EWML at Night"

On behalf of Bob and Antoinette Cargill, Cargill Photo of Monroe recently donated the photographic print "EWML at Night" to the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library. This print shows the front entrance of the library at sunset with the interior lighting of the library in striking contrast to the darkening sky. Bob and Antoinette "feel this image shows the inner glow of knowledge that permeates this beautiful building and will provide a place for learning and sharing knowledge for generations to come". Framing for the photo is the gift of Eric Peterson and Kosal Eang of Creative Framing, 150 Main St. Monroe.

The Cargills have two sons and six grandchildren. Mr. Cargill is active in the community and serves, or has served on, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Business Directory Committee, Monroe Rotary Club, Monroe Health Dept., St. Peter's Vestry, Boy Scout Troop 62 committeeman and Photo Merit Badge councilor. Cargill Photo provides services in aerial, advertising, commercial and industrial photography with specialties in glass, bright metal, close-up photography and plane-to-plane photography.

As Library Director I am very pleased to accept this handsome gift. The area I have chosen to hang it also includes the oil painting of the first library, built of brick and dedicated in 1958, it stood adjacent to the old Monroe Town Hall. With these two images close together, our patrons can see the history of library service in Monroe and be proud of the commitment of this community to learning, knowledge, and freedom of information. Bob and Antionette are good friends to the library and Monroe as evidenced by this gift.

Library Elf -what is this?

Library Elf is a free service that allows library users to:
Receive email notices of items BEFORE they are due
Be notified of reserves as they become available
View the due dates of various items in a calendar format

Many of our EWML patrons use library elf and they love it! So does the library staff, because users of library elf are less likely to have overdue books. The email reminders are sent out before your books & movies are overdue. You can then go online and renew them yourself, or give the library a call and we will do that for you. Library Elf saves the staff from having to make phone calls about reserves and overdues. We love it.

Please give it a try. Their website, if you want to sign up, is: www.libraryelf.com

What's new?

1/22/07
Local Links page is up!
Looking for information on Monroe sports, education, business, or clubs? Need help with social services, or health? Want to find out about the arts in Monroe? Just go to the EWML Local Links Page at: http://www.ewml.org/ (look for Local Links on the left)
Reference Librarian Karen Recine spent months gathering and double checking this information, and Reference Librarian Joan Clark crafted the webpage. Congratulations to them both for a job well done!

Live Stream Broadcast of the Inauguration
The Friends of EWML gave the library a laptop computer (our first) and we used it to live stream the Inauguration of Barack Obama in the Ehlers Community Room on Jan. 20. Over 40 residents watched our 44th President get sworn in, and for me, it was made more memorable and poignant by being among friends and co-workers.