Start learning now!

Since October 5, 2009 Darien Library has offered lynda.com as a technology education resources. The service is available to residents, those who work full-time in Darien, and non-resident Contributors to the Library at the $300 annual level, lynda.com currently provides 1,612 online subscribers with instruction in a wide range of Mac and PC software programs. 

With Lynda, you can set your own training schedule. The site includes practice exercises and a helpful feature that keeps track of where you left off each time you end a session. In addition, upon completion of the video training, you can take part in lynda.com’s Certificate of Completion program.

How to Gain Access

Come to the Help Desk in the Power Library (aka computer room) on the Lower Level or call the Help Desk at 203-669-5238 to get started. Give us your name and email address so we can register your account. You will receive an email from lynda.com to active your account. We will then assign you to either an in-library access for a couple hours or you can access lynda.com from home for seven days. If no one is waiting, you can ask for your access to be renewed. 

by Flickr user Gelatobaby

Tired of Google being unable to find you the correct answer? Darien Library's reference librarians are here to help while you are on the go!

Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 9 pm  

Friday: 9 am - 5 pm  

Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm

iPad Boot Camp: Thursday, August 4, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. (Photo courtesy of flickr user Daveonflickr.)

iPad Boot Camp at Darien Library

Thursday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m.

On Thursday, August 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., we are pleased to present iPad Boot Camp. Taught by Evan Barnet, President of Barnet, LLC, all features of the iPad will be explored, from web-searching to e-reader.

The iPad is a tablet computer (mobile computer) designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. Its primary uses include, books, movies, music, games, and web content.

iPad Boot Camp is part of the Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, You’re Connected!

Have you been participating in our Adult Summer Reading Program? The Grand Prize is an iPad2. How's this for perfect timing?

Last night, we welcomed author Simon van Booy to Darien Library for an Adult Summer Reading, Meet the Author event. His newest book, Everything Beautiful Began After, is the first novel for this award-winning short story writer. His writing is fine, precise, and spare. Every word is necessary; the imagery, vivid.

What could be better than reading Simon van Booy's writing? I'll tell you. Listening to him read it aloud. His reading, his remarks, his responses to questions were all so very thoughtful and he delighted the audience with his presentation.

This morning, The Patch, posted a nice article about last night's author event at the Library. To read, click here.

To watch the presentation in its entirely, please click below.

Ever been in this situation?  You've found some great information, but left your flash drive at home?  You're short on time and don't want the hassle of email or CD burning.  Well, you're in luck.  Now you can buy flash drives right here at the Darien Library.  We're pleased to announce the arrival of our own Darien Library Flash Drives!  With a capacity of 2 GB, these sleek, stylish drives can hold multiple documents, digital photos, and video clips.  Equipped with a keychain attachment, the drives are small enough to add to your car keys.  They don't require any additional software; you just plug them in to the computer, and you're good to go. Each drive costs $10 and is available for sale at our Help Desk in the Power Library on the Library's Lower Level. They also make thoughtful gifts (that won't break the bank!).  Stop by and pick up yours today.

See you @ the Library!

Earlier this month, Darien Library hosted the Connecticut Library Consortium's (CLC's) 5th Annual TRENDSPOTTING symposium:

eBooks: Collections at the Crossroads

Below, Eli Neiburger, the Keynote Speaker, delivers his presentation at the event. Eli is the Associate Director of IT & Production at Ann Arbor District Library. He is the author of "Gamers...in the LIBRARY?!" He was recently named one of Library Journal's 2011 Movers and Shakers.*

*Every 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 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.

An Apology from Darien Library

Alan Kirk Gray – Assistant Director for Operations

A Message From Darien Library from Darien Library on Vimeo.

We know that many of our users are having difficulty in managing their accounts while we finish updating our SOPAC software. The conversion process has been going on since December, and we share your impatience with how long this has taken, and we are sorry that in some cases we cannot provide the services you have been accustomed to finding at the Library. In the meanwhile, our staff members are working hard to assist with difficulties, so please let them know if you would like assistance.

We believe we are getting close to resolving the remaining problems, and for more information, please look here.

At the same time, we have heard from a number of you that you are unhappy with our decision to move away from circulating music CDs. We have taken this decision because we believe it reflects the reality of the music market, where the trend is towards digital music access, not ownership of physical CD albums. We do apologize for how long it has taken for us to determine how we will address this new reality.

For more information about our plans for music, please look here.

Details aside, the most important thing is for me to tell you how sorry I am that we are not providing the service you deserve. I would be happy to speak to you when you’re in the Library if you ask for me at the Welcome Desk. Or you can email me at agray@darienlibrary.org

Again, if you click here you will give me a chance to apologize to you digitally, if not directly.