Hours: Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
You need your library card number and the email address you gave the Library when you registered. If you have forgotten which email address you gave or library card number, please call us at 203-669-5238.
The Library's website does not have a password. Instead, it relies on your library card number and the email address you gave the Welcome Desk when you registered your card. If you have forgotten which email address you gave, please call us at 203-669-5238.
For your convenience, we've changed how you log into your library website account. You will need your library card number and the email address you gave the Library when you registered. The advantage of this new login system is that you can now manage your family member's library accounts through linked account feature — a very popular request!
Go to Settings.
Go to Update Your Account Information and enter your new email address.
Yes, simply go to My Account and enter your family member's library card number and the email address they have on record with the Library. Then click on Link Account to finalize the connection.
With a linked account, you can manage other people's library accounts. You can see their checkouts, holds, fines & fees, wishlist items, and checkout history. The person whose account you're linked to cannot see your information in return.
For example, Lucy has linked to her daughter's account. Lucy can see her daughter's checkout history, what she wants to read next (wishlist), and that she has no overdue fees. Her daughter cannot Lucy's account information.
If you have linked access to someone else's account, you can see their checkouts, items on hold, wishlist, checkout history, and fines. You can then make changes like add money to their library account or remove a book from their checkout history.
By default, linking account is enabled. To turn it off, go to your Settings and click the button next to Account Linking.
Go to your Settings and click on Linked Accounts. You can see whose accounts you've linked to so you can see their account. As well, you can see accounts linking to you.
No. If you entered their barcode and email address into your Add a linked account page, you can see their information, but they cannot see yours.
Go to your Settings and click on Unlink Account to break the connection.
Sure, it's easy! If you live in Darien, simply bring in something with your Darien address on it (e.g. a piece of mail, your license, a tax bill, or your lease/mortgage agreement). If you work in Darien full-time, bring your pay stub or a letter from your employer verifying your full-time employment. Friends at the $300 level or above are eligible for a Non-Resident Member card.
Absolutely! Just bring your hometown library card and we will register you in our system. Please note that e-Books and other digital content is only available to Darien residents and Friends of the Library.
View your Checkouts & Holds list. Notice that you can see
Holds refers to when you "place hold" on an item so it will be taken off the shelf and waiting for you when you come to the Library. However, if the availability of the item says 0 of XX (some number), that means there is no copy right now. So you will be notified via email when your item is ready for pick up.
When holds are ready to be picked up we put them in a special area behind the Welcome Desk on the first floor. You can walk in and pick up your books without any staff assistance. Please note that books on hold still need to be checked out!
Yes, please check your items at the self check outs.
View your Checkouts & Holds list to see when your items are due.
Generally yes. Items which have other people waiting on them may not be renewed. You can put another request on it to finish it later. 14-day books (described below) are not renewable.
View your Checkouts & Holds list to see if you can renew the item.
Check your Checkouts & Holds list to see which items can be renewed. If it can be renewed, you'll have a checkbox which you can select. Then click on Renew Selected to renew just that item(s).
To renew all items, click on Renew All.
After finding the book or movie in the catalog, you will see an option to Map It on that item's listing. By clicking on Map It, you will then see a map showing the approximate location of the item in the building.
On the Main Level, make a left at the Welcome Desk and walk through the stacks all the way to the fireplace. The large type books surround this comfortable reading space.
14-day books are the hottest items in our collection straight from the top of the bestseller lists! If you think you can read the book in two weeks or less, this is the collection for you!
You'll find 14-days on our Main Level straight across from where you enter the Library from the parking lot.
Pull into the Library's driveway from Post Road. The 24/7 book drop is located between the Library and the parking lot as you drive around the building. If you drive past the fountain, you've missed it.
If you are coming into the building from the parking lot side, the book returns are in the entry way.
Go to your Checkout History to view everything you have checked out. If you see nothing there, you will need to enable your checkout history.
By default, Checkout History is enabled. To turn it off, go to your Settings and click the button next to Checkout History.
Go to your Settings and click the button next to Checkout History.
We cannot retrieve your checkout history if you delete items from it. Disabling Checkout History does not erase what you have checked out.
Go to Checkout History and then click the checkbox next to the item you wish to remove. Then click on Delete Selected.
On your Checkout History page, click on Purge Your Entire History. We cannot retrieve your checkout history if you delete items from it.
For Mac users:
For PC users:
Oh no! We're sorry to hear that. Fines are caused by three things:
The Library attempts to keep you aware of when your items are due by:
If you need a receipt of what you checked out, please see the Welcome Desk.
Please pay at the Welcome Desk or online.
Once you owe $50, you will be unable to check out items or use a computer. Please get the amount under $50 to resume using the Library's services.
To acknowledge the many years of contribution and service that our senior patrons have made to the Library, we waive overdue fees on items for patrons 65 years and older. Those who still want to pay overdue fees are welcome to make a contribution!
If you want to learn about new programs, book recommendations, and events, sign up for one of our emails!
When you are on an event listing, click on I Might Attend.
If an event is registered, on the event's page, click on Register Now. Then enter your name or of the person who will be attending the event. Click on Confirm Registration.
Once you've either RSVPed for an event by clicking on I Might Attend or Register Now, go to My Account. On your library account summary page, you'll see a listing of Your Upcoming Events.
Go to My Events and you'll see a listing of all events you have previously attended or ones you are going to in the future.
Wishes are items you wish to read, listen to, or watch later. You can see your list of wishes by viewing your Wishlist. You can also see the wishlists of accounts you are linked to.
Note: If your account is linked to by someone else, they can see your wishlist and checkout history. If you are the one who linked to their account by entering their library barcode number and email address, they cannot see your information.
When looking at an item in the catalog, simply click on the heart icon to add it to your wishlist.
Go to your Wishlist and click on the trashcan icon to remove it.
The Library is a busy place with people using the space in different ways. If you want a quiet place to work, our recommendations:
Ask the Reference Librarian on the Second Level to schedule you. This is a no-talking space for up to two people.
In the winter months, relax and enjoy a soothing fire. Find the fireplace behind the fiction shelves to the left when you enter the building from the parking lot.
On the Second Level, head towards the far left side of the building (towards Darien, not the cemetery). Enjoy a whole area devoted to quiet time.
If a room is available, of course! All we ask is that you have a library card registered in our system.
Yes, if you live in Darien, work full-time in Darien, or are a Friend of the Library. Place your request online. If you are a non-resident, you will need to become a Friend to book a room in advance.
Meeting rooms are available for larger groups to rent out. Study rooms are for groups eight or fewer. View all our rooms
Yes! We even have a cafe on the Main Level for your convenience. The only rooms where food and drinks are not permitted are the Digital Media Lab on the Lower Level and the Storytime Room.
We have three water fountains located throughout the building. One by the Cafe, another by the bathrooms on the Lower Level, and one on the Mezzanine Level by the bathrooms.
In the evenings, please park at Thorndal Circle, behind Nielsen's.
Faxes are 25¢ per page and needs to be paid for by coin. You can fax in the Business Center on the Lower Level and on the Second Level.
To make copies, come down to the Business Center.
Good news: you get 50¢ of free printing a day! After that, the cost are:
For banner and poster printing, please see the Business Center.
You can print in three ways:
If you email or upload your document, you will need to visit the Second Level's Wireless Print Release station. Once you log in and release the document for printing, you can pick it up at the printer.
Scanning is available on the Lower Level in the Business Center and on the Second Level.
Use the scanners in the Business Center or the Reference Room to scan your documents to email. The file will be sent as a PDF.
Use a flatbed scanner to digitize your photos. If you have a lot of photos, the Digital Media Lab may be a better option.
Nope! If you print, then you pay for your print outs.
You can find computers on all floors except for the Mezzanine Level. The computers in the Children's Library are only for children and likewise, the computers in the Teen Lounge are only for teens. For adults, go to the Second Level or to the Lower Level for the main computer rooms.
Yes! Please bring your hometown library card to the Welcome Desk to register it. If you're just stopping in for the day, bring your ID to the Lower Level or the Reference Desk on the Second Level. You will be issued a day pass. After that, please bring your hometown library card or consider becoming a Friend of the Library.
Nope! We only ask that you be considerate of how long you are on a computer during very busy periods. That's usually during power outages elsewhere in the community.
Do you have your own laptop, tablet, or phone? Then you can sign onto our WiFi network! Just connect to Darien Library. WiFi reaches out into the courtyard, so you can enjoy browsing the web outside on beautiful days.
If you need to log into websites or apps, please use the Darien Library WPA network. The password: lovemylibrary
The Library's WPA-enabled WiFi provides an additional layer of security to your online browsing. However, it does not replace end-to-end encryption in the browser or in apps. To learn more ways to help protect yourself online, visit our online security page.
We offer a wide variety of digital content: e-Books, eMagazines, Movies, Music, TV Shows, and Comics. Visit the e-Books & Downloads to learn more.
iPads and other technology gadgets may be borrowed by Darien residents, those who work full-time in Darien, and Friends of the Library who have donated $300 or more per year. iPads are loaned out for 7 days.
Early Literacy iPads from the Children's Library will help your child learn to read. View the list of apps Early Literacy Apps
The Tween Tab iPads are great for older children who aren't quite teenagers yet. View the list of apps Tween Tab Apps
Borrow a general iPad from the Help Desk on the Lower Level.
The Children's Library has the TEA Room makerspace for children in grades 3 to 6. It includes a 3D printer. We host librarian-led programs and children may use the room with their grown-up when the room is available. Contact the Children's Library at 203-669-5235 or send an email to make a reservation.
For those 14 and up, the Digital Media Lab is available. The DML is focused on digitizing video tapes, photos, slides, and negatives. You can also record and edit videos and audio. Some of the software avialble includes Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Office 2016 Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote). Contact the Help Desk at 203-669-5238 or send an email to make a reservation.
Teens between the ages of 12 and 18 may play the video games within the Teen Lounge. Just ask at the Help Desk to open the cabinet.
Yes, we have video games for children, teens, and adults. Games for children's are located within the Children's Library. All other video games are on the Main Level. Find a video game
3D Printers allow you to print a digital file into a physical object. You can download designs online or create your own. Learn more about 3D printing at Darien Library.
Yes! Children in grades 3 to 6 may use a 3D printer directly. Read about your 3D printing options.
If you are a child twelve and under, you may print your object for free in the TEA Room.
We wish! The technology isn't there yet.
All events and programs are free to attend. However, special programs like classes, some workshops, and the storytime lottery are limited to Darien residents, those who work full-time in Darien, and Friends of the Library who have donated $300 or more per year.
We announce our new events in a few different locations. Pick the one that best suits your needs:
In the evenings, please park at Thorndal Circle, behind Nielsen's.
Tell us about your idea by filling out the Propose a Program Form.
Storytimes are for babies, toddlers and children up to age 5. The Children's Library offers other programs for children up to age 12. Some programs are registered which is done during an open registration period. Others are weekly Drop-In Programs for anyone to join without prior notice. View Storytime listings
When you are on an event listing, click on I Might Attend.
If an event is registered, on the event's page, click on Register Now. Then enter your name or of the person who will be attending the event. Click on Confirm Registration.
Once you've either RSVPed for an event by clicking on I Might Attend or Register Now, go to My Account. On your library account summary page, you'll see a listing of Your Upcoming Events.
Go to My Events and you'll see a listing of all events you have previously attended or ones you are going to in the future.
Did we forget something? Click the chat box in the lower right corner to ask us a question whenever the Library is open. Or email us.