Future of Fairfield County: Darien

What Does Darien Envision for Itself in the Next 10 Years? Zoom Meeting, Presentation April 5

Download PDF

The League of Women Voters of Darien is pleased to join the Darien Library and the Fairfield County Community Foundation in cosponsoring the first in a series of civic conversations on “The Future of Fairfield County: Darien.” — an announcement from the Darien League of Women Voters, Darien Library and the Fairfield County Foundation

The online series via Zoom will begin on Monday April 5, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Each discussion or conversation will focus on the future of Darien as part of Fairfield County and will include expert, forward-looking analysis of demographics and statistics in each of several areas. Most importantly, the series will focus on what the community envisions for their hometown during the next 10 years and beyond. The April 5 program will focus on the long-range economic outlook in the area, as well as the impact on environmental sustainability, and equity. During the discussion, attendees will identify key issues to examine in a follow-up session at 7 p.m. on April 22.

Yoga moon craggy mountains

You Can Still Register for Darien Library’s Online Yoga Lunch Break Monday for Parents

Download PDF

Take time to destress, clear your mind and virtually join instructor Talita Moss in this relaxing 45-minute yoga session on Monday from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m., via Zoom. It can be hard to carve out time for yourself as a busy parent especially when you feel everyone needs something from you. In the time it takes to have your lunch you can unwind with an in-home yoga session. Registration Information

You can register here. There were still four spaces available on Thursday morning.

Emily Gray Tedrowe author square thumbnail

Author Emily Gray Tedrowe Discusses Her Latest Book Thursday Night at Darien Library Online Event

Download PDF

It is with great pleasure that Darien Library welcomes back author, Emily Gray Tedrowe at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1. After an introduction by her father, Alan Kirk Gray, the former Director of Darien Library, Ms. Tedrowe will discuss her new book, “The Talented Miss Farewell” in conversation with Katherine Nintzel, executive editor of Custom House, An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. — an announcement from Darien Library

The event will happen online via the Zoom platform. Register online at darienlibrary.org to receive the link to the program.

The Art of Seed Saving with ‘The Seed Huntress,’ an Online Talk

Download PDF

Sefra Alexandra, “The Seed Huntress,” will discuss her work with seed saving for conservation, multiplication and distribution. Her talk, hosted by Darien Library, takes place online from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21. — an announcement from Darien Library

This work supports seed sovereignty through the different initiatives she’s worked on at the local, national, and international scales. She’ll look at the importance of in situ (in place) seed banking and of ex situ (cold storage) seed saving strategies.

Jim Cameron Jim Cameron 8-2-16

‘Off the Rails’ — Jim Cameron on CT’s Transportation Future: Online Darien Library Talk at 7 PM, Tuesday

Download PDF

What is the future for transportation in Connecticut post-COVID? Will ridership ever return to Metro-North? How will we pay for our highways with dwindling gasoline tax revenues? What will all of this mean to local property values and taxes? Transportation Guru Jim Cameron will address these questions and more in a virtual talk, “Off The Rails: The Future of Transportation in CT” for the Darien Library on Tuesday Sept 8 at 7 p.m.

Cameron is the author of the weekly newspaper commentary “Getting There” and has served as a commuter advocate for over 25 years.

Denise Merrill headshot square

‘Voting During COVID-19’ Locally Hosted Discussion with CT Secretary of the State on Sept 10

Download PDF

The Darien Library and the Leagues of Women Voters of Darien and New Canaan will present “Voting During Covid 19,” an online discussion featuring Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, on Thursday, Sept. 10. Americans have a superpower: voting. Democracy’s most constructive mechanism for self-improvement, voting is every citizen’s right, privilege, and civic duty. So how can we make sure we vote safely during COVID-19?

Kiera Parrott

Meet Darien’s New Library Director, Kiera Parrott and Find Out What’s New at the Library

Download PDF

Darien Library invites the community to meet their new director, Kiera Parrott, on Thursday, Sept. 17. Attendees will enjoy shaved ice, learn about the latest services and virtual programming for kids, teens, and adults. The librarians will also reveal the names of the hottest books to read this fall. The meet-and-greet takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. and will be hosted in Darien Library’s courtyard.

Kiera Parrott

Kiera Parrott, Former Darien Librarian, Named the Library’s New Director

Download PDF

The Board of Trustees of the Friends of Darien Library today announced it has appointed Kiera Parrott, MLIS, as the next director of Darien Library effective Sept. 8. Parrott, who was selected by the Board after a nationwide search, succeeds Alan Kirk Gray, who recently retired after six years as Director and 11 years in various other roles. — an announcement from Darien Library

“The Board of Trustees was seeking a visionary leader ready to reimagine the Library’s role consistent with its culture of excellence in service to its patrons and the Darien community, and we are thrilled to have found this leader in Kiera,” board President Tamara Sload said. “She is an inspirational and gifted leader, understands and values the importance of excellent communication and respectful relationship building, and brings a unique and compelling perspective to strategic planning that we believe make her uniquely suited to assume this role.

1894 Day Darien Library

Darien Library Launches ‘1894 Day’ Fundraiser

Download PDF

Today we are launching our Second Annual Day of Giving. Our goal is to raise $126,000 in 24 hours from our incredibly generous Friends and community members who continue to enjoy the programs, services, and collections of our Library each and every day, even from home during these unprecedented times. Now more than ever, we need your support to help ensure the long term vitality of the Library. Donate

To commemorate this day, each donor who participates in 1894 Day will receive a special gift at the following suggested contribution levels:

$12.60: A Darien Library koozie
$126: A Darien Library Travel Tumbler
$1,260: An L.L.Bean waterproof outdoor blanket with an embroidered Darien Library logo OR a custom Vineyard Vines 1894 Day tote bag
$12,600: All of these items plus extra Darien Library swag! All funds raised today, as with all gifts to our Annual Fund, will be dedicated directly to library resources, including all of the books, DVDs, technology, learning resources, and programs for children, teens, and adults.

Frankenstein https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frankenstein%27s_monster_(Boris_Karloff).jpg

Townwide Book to Read in June: ‘Frankenstein’ — Events Planned Around the Classic

Download PDF

Darien Library invites you to join them in June to explore Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” as part of their One Book One Community program. The town-wide read encourages the community to enjoy the same story and then participate in a shared exploration of the tale. — an announcement from Darien Library (followed by information from the library website)

The month of online activities is a way for the community to come together while remaining isolated. The program kicks off on June 1. The classic tale of Frankenstein is a touchstone of popular culture and can be experienced in any way you choose: from a literary exploration with the guidance of Carroll Stenson, a journey through the music of horror movies with Gil Harel, or a search for meaning within the many film iterations with Max Alvarez.

Darien Library General 10-13-17

Visit the Library This Week Online: Mark Your Calendar With Events for Adults, Teens, Kids

Download PDF

Visit Darien Library this week without leaving home: Here’s a list of events (some a bit beyond this week) that you can take in from home. Some are for adults, others for teens, others for kids. This article, from the Darien Library regular newsletter, also has some other information you can use, especially during the social distancing shutdown. You can subscribe to the library’s newsletters from the library website (scroll down to the blue bar near the bottom of the home page). Online Events for Adults
Know What You Grow: Native and Invasive Plants Discussion
Tuesday, 4/28 at 10 a.m.

Short Stories for Long Days
Tuesday, 4/28 at 3 p.m.

Introduction to PowerPoint
Wednesday, 4/29 at 11 a.m.

Perennial Borders Plants Discussion
Thursday, 4/30 at 10 a.m.

Books ‘n Banter with Penguin Random House and Darien Library
Thursday, 4/30 at 11 a.m.

American Mah Jongg: 2020
New Card Classes on Zoom
Thursday, 5/7 at 6 p.m.
Register by 5/1

Watch What You Missed:
“American Women and the Right to Vote: Helen Keller, Connecticut Socialist”
Online Events for Kids + Teens
Poetry for Kids: Haiku for You
Tuesday, 4/28 at 3 p.m.
Ages 7 to 10

Boredom Bustin’ Book Club
Wednesday, 4/29 at 3 p.m.
Ages 8 to 12

Poetry for Kids: Free Verse Poems
Thursday, 4/30 at 3 p.m.
Ages 7 to 10
Are You a Darien Educator?

Darien Library General 10-13-17

Darien Library Is Open Online: Here’s Some of What You Can Get

Download PDF

The Darien Library building isn’t the only place the library delivers services. If you’ve got a library card (and sometimes even if you don’t), you can use the library’s resources on its own website or through its subscriptions to other online services. Here are several suggestions from the latest Darien Library newsletter:

Many of us are adjusting to working from home, with sometimes distracting new office mates! library staff, too, are working hard from home to keep patrons connected, informed, and entertained. Below are some digital goodies that delighted us this week.