The Secret World of Arrietty

Friday, February 8

9:15 a.m.- Art sheets and paper crafts in the Children's Library

10 a.m.- Craft Stations in the Children's Library (make a snowflake, learn how to draw a penguin)

10 a.m. – The Secret World of Arrietty Starring (running time: 95 minutes) Rated G

In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live quietly among us. Tiny Arrietty goes on an extraordinary adventure. Based on the classic children's book The Borrowers.

11 a.m.- Lego Club in the Children's Library for ages 5 and up.

Afternoon programs TBD pending weather conditions.

We will screen THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER February 15.

Friday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller; Rated PG-13; 103 minutes; Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

A funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. This is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope—and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.

"This somewhat disjointed but refreshingly earnest movie ultimately establishes itself as a charmer." -- Jen Chaney, Washington Post

For more information, please watch the film's trailer. Check out the rest of our Friday Night Features in February.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

We will screen THE INTOUCHABLES March 8

Friday, March 8 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. – The Intouchables (2012) Starring Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, and Anne Le Ny; Rated R; 112 minutes. In French with English subtitles.

A true story of two men who should never have met — a quadriplegic aristocrat who was injured in a paragliding accident and a young man from the projects.

"It's the classic odd-couple buddy movie setup, only it'll pull at your heartstrings, whether you want it to or not." -- Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

For more information, please watch the film's trailer. Check out the rest of our Friday Night Features in March.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Flickr image courtesy user Blyzz

Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

This exciting family-oriented program will include an indoor formal presentation followed by an outdoor viewing using the Library's telescopes. We'll look for celestial objects such as the rings of Saturn, craters on the Moon, weather permitting. This date was chosen because the Moon will not be in a first quarter phase, which is a good time for viewing its craters because the terminator (line separating sunlight from shadow) is the area of highest contrast and the craters showing up are in abundance.

Presented by Astrophysicist Kevin Manning, a former consultant with NASA.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behing Nielsen's).

We will screen LIFE OF PI March 22

Friday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. – Life of Pi (2012) Starring Irffan Kahn; Rated PG; 123 minutes; Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.

"This transcendent fable carries a real sting in its tail. Ang Lee has made a bold and wondrous movie, one of his best." -- Tom Charity, CNN.com

For more information, please watch the film's trailer. Check out the rest of our Friday Night Features in March.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

image courtesy Flickr user jimforest

Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m.

Mark Schenker, Dean of Academic Affairs in Yale College, will give a lecture on the 19th-Century Russian Novel, with special reference to Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy. Dean Schenker will discuss how 19th-century Russia enjoyed one of the most fruitful periods in world literature, and how the religion, politics, and philosophy of the day combined with a longstanding tradition of story-telling to create the great Russian novels—which are not just long, but deep and broad in their political and spiritual implications.

This program is part of our One Book, One Community series. The book selected for the town-wide read is City of Thieves by David Benioff, who will be speaking at the Library Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. The book selected for young readers is Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Showing in our Community Room Wednesday, February 20.

Wednesday, February 20 at 1:30 p.m. - Anna Karenina (2012); Starring Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson, and Jude Law; Rated R; 130 minutes. Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

The story unfolds in its original late-19th-century Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and community.

“A handsome, grandly theatrical reimagining of the Tolstoy novel starring his muse, Keira Knightley.” -- Lou Lumenick, New York Post

For more information, please view the film's trailer.

Are you the lucky owner of a new iPad?

Did you receive a new eReader or tablet this holiday season? Are you feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of figuring out how to use the thing? Take advantage of these tech classes at Darien Library for smooth sailing to the land of technological prowess:

iPad Boot Camp

Thursday, January 3, 6:30 p.m.

eBook Extravaganza

Tuesday, January 8, 10 a.m.

You can also take a look at this cheat sheet featuring step-by-step instructions tailored specifically to your device. Check out the rest of our Winter 2013 technology classes for a wide range of workshops covering Photoshop, tumblr, Etsy, eBay, and more.

Flickr image courtesy user simone-walsh

Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

So you've been selling on Etsy.com and wondering how to boost sales. Jennifer St. Jean, graduate of Etsy's June 2012 Educator training will share what has helped her become a successful shop owner. We'll perform shop critiques on your individual shops, discuss elements of photography, marketing strategies, and share resources to help you become a better seller. We'll revisit the four keys to success to selling your work online. Jen has been selling on Etsy since 2009, has had thousands of sales both on and off Etsy and has sold her items all over the world.

Students are kindly asked to please either already have an active Etsy shop or have attended Jen’s 101 class as a prerequisite.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Flickr image courtesy M1I4n

Wednesday, March 27 at 10 a.m.

Registration for this workshop is full. Please email eshea@darienlibrary.org to be added to the waitlist.

Have you ever wondered how the green seed of a cherry is transformed into the brew of your morning cup? You’ve never seen a coffee tree (yes, coffee cherries grow on trees!), but you’re curious how the different steps from seed to cup might affect your flavor experience. Or you’ve never quite figured out how the caffeine is removed to keep you from getting the jitters. Come learn and discuss over tastes of NEAT coffee. We'll teach you a bit of the background and guide you in the fundamentals of selecting, storing, grinding, and brewing. You'll know your stuff next time you buy a cup of coffee or bag of beans, so you can get the best at home as well as at NEAT.