Ah...the marvels of technology! One of the great things about having a virtual presence is that we can still be there for you in many ways during the weeks that we are closed.

Except for the few days when we are physically moving the servers to the new building, darienlibrary.org will be open. We'll still continue to read, watch, and listen...and then report back about books, movies, music, and technology, as usual. And, perhaps, of most importance, while we are closed you will still have access to much research information.

We want to remind you that our "Online Resources" will still be available. These resources will help you find articles that Google can't access!  You will be able to access online magazines and journals, and utilize specialty databases which include topics such as Investing & Finance, Health, Consumer Information, and Geneology, to name a few. (You'll be happy to know that Homework Help will also be available!) To use these services from home, you will need to provide your library card number so that we can verify that you are a Friend or town resident.

For more information about what to expect while we're closed, click here. We're looking forward to opening the actual doors at 1441 Post Road on January 10th! 

Have you seen Amazon’s new portable reading device, the Kindle? Just last week, talk show host Oprah Winfrey named the Kindle as her favorite new gadget. Ms. Winfrey cited the Kindle's wireless connectivity, paperless platform, and competitive per-title pricing as the primary reasons for her enthusiastic support. About the size of a paperback book, the Kindle can hold over 200 digital books, newspapers, magazines, and/or blog posts. The Darien Library invites you to stop in and take a look at our Kindle. We have predownloaded several recent titles, as well as a daily subscription to the New York Times. And, we have a complete, printed version of the Kindle User's Guide for your easy reference. Why not come in and see what the Kindle is all about. Interested? To check out a Kindle please call the Help Desk at 203-669-5238.

Last week I was stuck in the mother of all non-holiday traffic jams-- Tuesday night repaving on I-95 northbound. For better or for worse, I entertained myself for an hour and a half by listening to the second presidential debate. Not a bad way to pass the time, but not what I expected to do during a trip that usually takes about 11 minutes.

The cause of all this craziness? Merging down from three lanes to one. You’d think by now folks would know how to do that in an organized, timely manner, but no. To find out why normally thoughtful, rational people are incapable of this simple maneuver, check out the latest by Tom Vanderbilt-- Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do (And What It Says About Us). In a recent interview he summed it up quite nicely:

Merging is the most stressful single activity we face in everyday driving, according to a survey by the Texas Transportation Institute. People who have done studies at highway construction work zones have also told me of extraordinarily bad behavior, triggered by this simple act of trying to get two lanes of traffic into one. Sometimes, it’s simply the difficult mechanics of driving — trying to enter a stream of traffic flowing at a higher speed than you are, for example.

Drivers, to quote a physicist who was actually talking about grains, are objects ‘who do not easily interact.’ But I also think there’s something about the forward flow of traffic that makes us register progress only by our own unimpeded movement; as in life, we seem to register losses more powerfully than gains, and registering these losses boosts stress.

Wow. If his theory sounds familiar, check out the financial headlines from last week.

So what did I learn from all this? The next time I hit 95, I’m checking the Connecticut DOT website before I head out. You know all of those cameras along the roadway? They record what the highway action is like in real time. No waiting for traffic info on the 8’s or 10’s (and praying they will say something—anything!—about the Connecticut roads), just live pictures of headlights and tail-lights moving right along. 

Another option is to check out the Tom Tom One GPS system, a great resource for finding those less traveled alternate routes.  Either way, you can bet I won't be listening to tonight's debate from my car!

First, the bad news: The Library's classic iPod crashed after many, many checkouts. Now the good news: A replacement model has been received and is ready for use! Our iPod, along with all of our library materials, including our computers, was purchased with contributions from Friends of the Darien Library. So, in order to check out our iPod, you must be a Darien resident, work full time in Darien, or be a non-resident Contributor to the Library at the $300 level. Before stopping by, be sure to check our catalog to see if the iPod is available for checkout. If it's checked out to another library user, just click on "Request this item" to place a reserve, and we'll email/call you as soon as it's ready.

For more information on the Library's iPod or on any of our technology, please call the Help Desk at 203-669-5238.

Free and open Wi-Fi is available at the Darien Library. To connect, simply choose “Darien Library” from the list of wireless networks on your computer.

If you are not a Darien resident, you can register your library card at the Welcome Desk on the First Floor. It only takes about five minutes. We also issue one day guest passes at the Help Desk when you present your photo ID.

Additional prints:

• Black and white: 10 cents/page
• Color: 25 cents/page
• Color 11" x 17": 50 cents/page

If you need to add funds, please see a librarian.

• Adobe Acrobat Standard
• Canon scanning software
• Flash player
• Google Earth
• Internet Explorer
• iTunes
• Mozilla Firefox
• Office 2007 (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word)
• Photoshop Elements 3.0
• QuickTime
• Real Player
• Roxio Creator 9 (for CD/DVD burning)
• Windows Media Player
• Windows XP

Additional software is loaded on the Tech Center computers only:

• Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5
• InDesign CS 5
• Illustrator CS 5.5
• Microsoft Office 2010
• PageMaker 6.5
• Photoshop CS 5.5

For more information on the Library's public computers, call the Help Desk at 203-669-5238.

Need to laminate a document? Then come down to the Small Office Home Offie (SoHo) on the Lower Level! Our laminator can laminate papers up to 11" x 17". We also offer laminating pouches in two thicknesses: 3-mil ($1/page) and 5-mil ($2/page). Since the machine gets very hot during the lamination process, the laminator is operated by the Library's Help Desk staff.

For more information on the laminator or any other Library technology, call the Help Desk at 203-669-5238.

Service For The Homebound

Darien residents of all ages, temporarily or permanently homebound, may use a Darien Library service which provides them with books, DVDs, videos, audiobooks on tape or CD, and other items.

Volunteers will deliver borrowed items to your home and will also return them to the Library.

To use this free service, simply call the Library at 655-1234 or email us.

Wondering what to read next? Our Readers' Advisors are here to help! Stop by the front desk or call us at 203-655-1234 and we'll help you find your next great read. Join us in person or ask us online!

Good reads can be found among our staff favorites. In your own book group? Learn how the library can help your group with reader's guides and Books in a Bag (BIAG).

Already know what you want next? You can reserve materials by logging into this website and then clicking Request this Item. You can then see what items you have requested by looking at My Account.

Like to search on your own? Check out these online resources for readers:

• Literature Resource Center -Find author biographies and literary criticism.
• NoveList - Search over 70,000 fiction titles to find new books to read based on your interests. Besides locating books to read, users can learn more about books and authors through feature articles, book discussion guides, and book talks.

	Stephanie Email Stephanie Head of Readers' Advisory I will read ANYTHING but especially love: long novels, traditional British lit, contemporary fiction, speculative fiction, classics, presidential biographies, Regency romances, graphic novels, weird books, cookbooks, Victorian mysteries, psychological thrillers, and just plain old darn good books, no matter what the type.
	Abby Email Abby Reader Advisor While I binge on an author or genre, I like to read a wide range of books. My primary categories are: mystery, political thrillers, fiction, nordic crime, dystopian stuff (because nordic crime is not bleak enough), chef memoirs, biographies/memoirs, and general nonfiction. It depends upon my mood and what happens to catch my eye.
	Ann Email Ann Reader Advisor I like fiction that has a lot of heart to it. I tend to read books that make you think and sweep you along in the emotions of the characters. I enjoy books by Asian and Indian writers that transport you to different places and ideas. I love historical fiction especially British. Memoirs and cookbooks are also high on my list.
	Asha Reader Advisor Most of the books I like have dark themes, but that's not all I read. I am a fan of all genres of literature; specifically, steampunk, fantasy, science fiction, a spot of poetry, and a I sometimes dabble in romance.
	Babs B. Email Babs B. Reader Advisor I love to read anything dealing with the French Resistance WII, family sagas (dysfunctional even better), detective-mystery, historical fiction, medical thrillers, and nonfiction. There is not much I don't like...except fantasy.
	Babara M. Email Babara M. Reader Advisor I will read any book that is well-written but I am especially passionate about other cultures, history, word etymology, and France (especially Paris). Therefore I read mainly (but not limited to) historical fiction and non-fiction.
	Jeanne Email Jeanne Reader Advisor I like (sometimes love) books that have a great story told in well-crafted sentences. I want to read about characters who say things that make me sigh or shake my head or say "aha!" I want to be able to see the characters in their surroundings. I love clever conversation.
	Jen Email Jen Collection Development Coordinator
	Marianne Email Marianne Book Group Coordinator
	Pat S. Email Pat S. Reader Advisor I enjoy biographies both living and dead artists, writers, and business/political powerhouses. Especially all things Mitford! I'll read any fiction or history dealing with the first half of the twentieth century. And I can't resist home decor and design books.
	Pat Tone Email Pat Tone Reader Advisor I especially enjoy reading fiction that has character-driven plots, historical fiction, and nonfiction -- history and biographies. I have become a big champion of audiobooks and have the privilege of ordering and maintaining our audiobook collection. Many audiobooks enhance your reading experience! I would be delighted to assist you in selecting an audiobookbook, especially for your commute or travel.

The HP Designjet 800ps banner printer prints documents up to 24 inches wide. The preferred file format for banner print jobs is PDF. You may email or bring your file to the Library for printing.  Please give us 24 hours notice to print your banner.

For more information on the banner printer or any other Library technology, please call the Help Desk at 203-669-5238.