Darien Library wins Best in Show!

Yesterday, at the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) Annual Conference, the documentary, Darien Library: The Great Good Place, was awarded Best in Show in the 2010 (CLA) Publicity Awards Contest.

The conference and the awards ceremony were held at the Stamford Hilton. The contest honors materials designed by a library to promote a library concept or event.

Accepting the Best in Show award were Library Director Louise Berry and filmmaker, Manny Perez (both, pictured).

Click here to read more about it.

 Click below to watch the documentary's trailer.

The documentary, Darien Library: The Great Good Place, was recently awarded Best in Show in the 2010 Connecticut Library Association (CLA) Publicity Awards Contest! Click below for a preview. Click here to learn more and to view the full-length feature.

 Longtime Smith College professor Elliot Offner (pictured left) died on Friday at the age of 79. Mr. Offner, was a nationally known sculptor whose artwork is found in many private and public collections. His impressive work is locally known as well; the Great Blue Heron has resided in Darien for more than 20 years at Darien Library.

The Great Blue Heron sculpture was commissioned by Darien Library and was the first piece of public art in Darien. The dedication ceremony took place on May 31, 1987 and since then, the beloved sculpture has graced our courtyard. From its original perch in the courtyard at 35 Leroy Avenue, to its new home in the reflecting pool at the new Library, the heron has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to Darien Library.

Two years ago, when we were preparing to move to the new Library, among one of the biggest concerns voiced by our members was whether or not the heron would be moved, too. That is the language of community pride, of shared memories, of continuity, of roots. We are proud that Mr. Offner's Great Blue Heron has become a symbol of Darien Library and as always, we embrace its beauty, its strength, and its grace. We mourn the passing of Elliot Offner. 

Smith College is home to our heron's twin, which resides on the campus in a small pond next to Victorian greenhouses. Smith's moving tribute to Mr. Offner includes a description of the Great Blue Heron: " ...with its exhilarating and unfolding of wings and elastic curve of neck --lithe and filled with potential." Click here to read the full tribute. 

The New York Times' obituary of Mr. Offner can be read by clicking here.

The recent transformation of Darien Library in preparation for the Library's Spring Gala was a sight to behold! The amount of hard work and planning that went into The Bookmark was extraordinary and the individuals who worked on this major fundraising event for the Library, we hold in high esteem. The Bookmark took place on Saturday, June 5th and was a tremendous success! The atmosphere, the food, the music, and the company made for a perfect evening and perfect event. We are still catching our breath and will have much more to tell you, but in the meantime,  please join us in thanking this dedicated group of volunteers that made The Bookmark possible.! Just look at what they were able to accomplish, purely on a cosmetic level...just think of all the good their efforts will bring to Darien Library!

MARVEL!

BEHOLD!

THIS...

 Became THIS!

Watch and see!

(Image courtesy of Flickr user joannamkay.)

Recently, while at a convention in New York, I was having trouble locating a major (huge!) exhibit area. Feeling puzzled and lost, it was by pure coincidence that I found myself in very familiar territory...right next to the Google booth. Of course Google would know! 

I asked.

They shrugged.

Though I found it amusing at the time, the reality is, in virtual life as well as real life, Google is great but it cannot get you everywhere. The Library, however, can help you locate the online resources and articles that (even) Google can't access. 

Facts on File, New York Times Historical, Mergent Online, Biography and Genealogy Master Index, Reference USA, and Consumer Reports Buying Guide are just a few of the available resources. Click here for an alphabetical list, and click here for an overview of our online resources and research tools.

As a member of the Darien Library community, you may use them free-of-charge. While at home, you will need to provide your library card number so that we can verify that you are a Friend or town resident.

(DL Did You Know is a new way for us to get the word out about the wonderful services and resources that Darien Library (DL) provides. Each installment will direct our members to information that may have escaped their notice; our way of knowing that you're in-the-know about all things DL.)

(photo courtesy of flickr user Jon Erickson)

DL Did You Know is a new way for us to get the word out about the wonderful services that Darien Library (DL) provides. Each installment will direct our members to information that may have escaped their notice; our way of knowing that you're in-the-know about all things DL.

So, back to our question -

Did you know that we provide Notary Public service?

We have a Notary Public (Notary) available most hours that the Library is open. There is no charge for the service.

• Valid driver’s license
• Passport
• Credit card 

Gretchen Caserotti, Head of Children's Services at Darien Library

Library Journal has named Gretchen Caserotti, Head of Children’s Services at Darien Library, as one of 50 “Movers & Shakers” for 2010! " Congratulations, Gretchen!

Gretchen was cited for her leadership of the Children’s Library, including an innovative reorganization of the children’s book collections, particularly the picture books, making them easily available to young children. This has resulted in a significant increase in use and is a model now being adopted by other libraries. The article also noted her “innate connection with kids,” which has led to new programs and services. Here's what Library Journal had to say about Gretchen in their announcement.

Each year since 2002, Library Journal has identified outstanding professionals from around the world who are considered the emerging leaders in the library world and whom the editors believe will shape the future of libraries by innovating with technology, advocating for community-based research and programming, and improving the quality of life of the people they serve. The 2010 list of “Movers & Shakers” was announced in the March 15, 2010 issue of Library Journal. Click here to read more about it.

In June of 2008, Gretchen became Head of Children’s Services at Darien Library. She was instrumental in developing the new service model for the New Darien Library, especially within the Children’s Library. When designing the Children’s Library, spaces were organized to meet the needs of two distinct user groups: “First Five Years” and “Kids.” The “First Five Years” section supports and advances the Library’s Early Literacy Initiative, and the “Kids” section addresses the needs and growing independence of beginning readers. Since the Library’s opening of the new building in January 2009, the reorganization has proven to be an extremely successful innovation.

When she learned of the “Movers & Shakers” honor, Gretchen said that she was honored and excited: “I feel like an advocate in the profession for Youth Services,” she said, adding, “It’s nice to have a Youth Services person represented among the ‘Movers & Shakers.’”

Prior to coming to Darien Library, Gretchen worked as a Children’s Librarian at New York Public Library (Chelsea). She credits her choice of vocation to her enjoyment of working with young people and years of studying theater: “I loved storytelling. Children’s librarianship provided the perfect package of fun and play and experimentation. Kids are open to learn with you,” Gretchen said, and then smiled, adding “I’m just a big kid. But I do have a driver’s license.”

Gretchen grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and said that Darien reminded her in many ways of her small hometown community. She knew Darien Library by its reputation, and said that when the opportunity arose to work there, she was aware that “no other library in this country gives you the freedom to say, ‘I have an idea. We can make it happen.’ Darien Library encourages that.’”  

Speaking enthusiastically about the Children’s Library staff members, she said, “This team is incredible. I know because parents tell me. They each have tremendous skill sets; they are kind, compassionate, and creative.” She added the surprising fact that five Children’s Library staff members travel to Darien from New York City daily. “It’s a testament to Darien Library that staff members are willing to commute.”

Gretchen stated that she is grateful and proud to be part of the Darien Library and the Darien community and pleased that other libraries throughout the country are paying attention to the achievements in Darien. “It’s such an honor that our efforts serve as a model, but first and foremost, it has to work at home. Darien Library took the risk to navigate the Children’s Library in a new and different way. Being selected as one of Library Journal’s ‘Movers & Shakers’ is a great honor. The reward is in the recognition of moms and kids and children’s librarians.” 

When learning of Gretchen’s inclusion in the select list, our Library Director Louise Berry said, “We could not be more pleased by this recognition of Gretchen’s leadership and innovative thinking. What she’s done, and is doing, has widespread repercussions for the library world, but most importantly, she has assured that Darien Library provides absolutely the best services to the children and families of Darien, and that is our mission.”

Library Journal publishes a “Movers & Shakers” edition annually in March. (John Blyberg, our Assistant Director for Innovation and UX, was named a 2006 “Mover & Shaker” while he was at Ann Arbor District Library.) Now in its 133rd year of publication, Library Journal is the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field. Library Journal is read by over 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries.

Again, congratulations, Gretchen!