We close this building in less than 4 weeks. We're looking forward. We're looking back. It's a wonder our heads aren't spinning...there is no time to wind down before we gear up for everything that's to come with our big, exciting move.

Besides, we still have lots going on here throughout the month of November!

On November 22nd, we will host A Fond Farewell,  a gathering to say goodbye to our beloved building. If you are interested in attending, the ticket price is $75.00 per person. The party will include a silent auction of some well-loved, recognizable items, giving attendees the opportunity to own a piece of the Old Darien Library. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  RSVP by November 7th. Click here for more information. 

In other November-news, our final Book Sale in this building begins next Saturday, the 8th! There will be an enormous amount of really great stuff for sale and you'll have through noon on the 12th to come by and sort through. Here are all the details.

Picture (left) by Photobucket user prologue31

On Sunday, November 16th, our Fall Book Discussion Series concludes with Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri. It's the 4th and final book of our series, OF THEE I SING: NOVELS ABOUT THE CHANGING FACE OF AMERICA. We'll meet with our discussion leader Jordon Pecile (pictured at left) at 2:30 p.m. in the Program Room.

And fall is not fall in Darien without our Foreign Film Series!  There are still two more films on the schedule and you won't want to miss them!

 On Friday, November 14th, we'll be showing The Grocer's Son. In French with English subtitles, running time is 96 minutes.

And then on Friday November 21st (our last Friday in the building), Hula Girls will be the feature. In Japanese with English subtitles, the films runs 120 minutes.

We also have a fine art show that just went up and will be our Art On View through the rest of our time here. The exhibit is by the Art Faculty of the Darien Schools and not only is it a privilege to view, it's fabulous knowing that we are so privileged to have these talented individuals teaching in our schools!

Susan Reading by J. Morton

And, now we return to our biggest Event-news of the month...we will close this building for good on Wednesday, November 26th at 6 p.m.

Here are a few thoughts on this question:

Monday's New York Times article, After Suicide, Blog Insults Are Debated, reported on an incredibly disturbing event. After being personally attacked by unwarranted comments posted on two well-known advertising blogs, the very successful and accomplished creative director of DDB-Chicago committed suicide. The article also discussed the 2006 suicide of a 13-year old girl who, in the months leading up to her death, had been cyber-bullied by an adult neighbor pretending to be a teenage boy.

We can certainly ponder the cause-and-effect relationship of bullying in the virtual world. The hard truth, however, is that what so many of us value and praise the Internet for providing - anonymity, ease of communication, freedom of expression - has, in part, morphed into a venue for virtual bashing without consequence. There it is - the electronic mob.

The even harder truth is that yes, the mob is right here in Darien. It's happening in the Darien News Blog. It's inevitably happening on our MySpace and Facebook accounts. It's even happening in The Darien Times, where individuals are using the public forum to personally attack people or the paper itself rather than presenting a civil argument on concrete issues affecting the town.

It's a curious thing. We would all take action if we saw a child being outright bullied on the playground by another child. We would stop what was happening to the best of our ability, wouldn't we? So why do we so readily accept the type of from-afar bullying that goes on in this town - the kind that tries to pass itself off as valid criticism? Why do we allow anonymity and personal attacking to occur while accountability falls by the wayside?

Another, and perhaps the most important, question for us all: What can we do about it?

For our close-knit community, as part of a world that has embraced the Internet age and freedom of speech with open arms, it's a question that should be confronted and answered. There's no doubt about that.

Perhaps a starting point for action will be the program being held at Darien Library tomorrow night at 7pm, when author Lee Siegel will be visiting to speak about the ideas in his new book, Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob. Mr. Siegel clarifys the urgency with which we need to deal with the hidden dangers of the Internet and the lack of accountability that has become a norm in our society. Please join us and let's get the ideas rolling on how we can implement the changes that need to take place.

Searching for something fun to do on Saturday evening? Here is my suggestion, considering winter is in full swing and temperatures are set to dip into the 20s:

Rather than standing out on the platform in the wind and cold at Darien Station, waiting for a train heading into the Big Apple, instead visit the warm and cozy Library to experience New York City transportation through exquisite photographs.

This Saturday, January 19th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, the Library will hold an Artist Reception displaying The Astoria Elevated Line, a collection by photographer June Steffensen Hagen. Stop by, meet the artist, and mingle with your fellow community members. Refreshments will be served, and you're all invited!

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has introduced a fun, new way for you to locate a variety of fresh, top quality produce at neighborhood farms throughout the state. Visit the Farm Map Website for an interactive exploration of the farms & commodities that each county has to offer, including farmer's markets & stands, Christmas trees, honey, ice cream, maple syrup, orchards, seafood, wineries, and greenhouses.

Want a foldable map so that you can embark on a Connecticut Grown road trip at a moment's notice? Stop by the information desk at the Library to pick up a paper version of the website, as well as brochures for Connecticut Grown pumpkin picking, hay rides, farm festivals, and wine tastings.