Darien Library

Darien Schools to Close for Two Weeks After Early Dismissal Thursday; Separately, Darien Library Announces Closure

All Darien Library Events Canceled in Anti-Coronavirus Measure, Delivery Program Available

Library Patrons With Coronavirus Symptoms — Fever, Coughing, Short Breath — To Be Asked to Leave

Protecting Against Coronavirus: Darien Library, YMCA Each Issue Statements on What They’re Doing

Darien Library Introduces New Projects and Tech in Its TEA Room for Kids

Darien Library’s Novel Tea Fundraiser on March 25 Features Novelist Lara Prescott

Library to Show Movie About Creating a Sustainable, Organic ‘Biggest Little Farm,’ 7 PM, Wednesday

Concert and Open Lesson: Studio Showcase Series at Darien Library, 5 PM Sunday

Darien Library Director Alan Kirk Gray to Retire in Six Months

Tickets Now on Sale for Darien Library’s Novel Tea Fundraiser With Novelist Lara Prescott

‘The Party,’ a Short Play About Dating Violence at College, To Be Presented Tuesday at Darien Library

‘Roadblocks to Republic’ Four Week History Lecture Series Begins Monday at Darien Library

Meetup and Lecture on Genealogy and DNA on Saturday at Darien Library

‘The Sound of My Voice’ About Linda Ronstadt Is Darien Library’s Next Friday Night Feature

Author Sheri Koones Talks About Her Book ‘Downsize: Living Large in a Small House’ Tuesday at Library

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By DARIENITE.COM | March 9, 2020

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By DARIENITE.COM | February 19, 2020

Books & Authors

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Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | February 11, 2020

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Books & Authors

By DARIENITE.COM | February 3, 2020

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Community Organizations

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Books & Authors

By DARIENITE.COM | January 25, 2020

Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

Darien schools will close early, at 11 a.m., Thursday, and not reopen until Thursday, March 26, schools Superintendent Alan Addley announced in an email to parents Wednesday night and at a Board of Education meeting the same night. Separately, Darien Library also announced it will be closed “until further notice,” also as a step to prevent spread of COVID-19 in the community. “Today, the State Department of Health shared that the spread of the Coronavirus is not only imminent but is actively occurring across local communities,” Addley wrote. “While no Darien resident has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, in an abundance of caution, the district is being proactive in its response to close schools in order to prevent the potential spread of the virus.” No academic, athletic or extracurricular activities at all will take place in the schools during the two-week closure—except for deep cleaning Addley wrote, “and school facilities may not be used for any event during the period of closure.”

Darien Library is canceling all programs effective immediately as part of efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, Library Director Alan Kirk Gray announced in a 12:04 p.m. email. The library’s Novel Tea fundraiser, a major way the library raises money, is included in the canceled events, Gray wrote. The library remains open to visitors (unless they’re displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19). The library is suspending late fees and telling patrons about an already existing program for delivering books, videos, magazines and audiobooks to home-bound residents, Also, the library will sponsor a discussion Friday on video between Darien Health Director David Knauf and a Stamford Hospital official about the COVID-19 outbreak. “All Darien residents who are permanently or temporarily unable to visit the Library in-person are encouraged to sign up for our home-bound delivery service,” library Publicity Manager Amanda Goodman said in an email to Darienite.com.

If you’ve got either a fever, are coughing or have shortness of breath, don’t visit Darien Library — you’ll “be asked to leave the library and return when fully recovered,” the library announced Monday morning. That’s the new element in the library’s policy on dealing with COVID-19 in an “updated coronavirus action plan” announced by library Director Alan Kirk Gray in an email Monday. “Any patrons who are experiencing symptoms of the virus (fever, cough, shortness of breath) are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately,” the email said. “To protect other patrons and staff, visitors who exhibit these symptoms will be asked to leave the Library and return when fully recovered.” The library’s website homepage didn’t mention the additional policy as of 12 noon on Monday.

Coronavirus illustration CDC wide for facebook

Both the Darien YMCA and Darien Library have issued statements to the public about what they’re doing to protect people from COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus. Cleaners “are taking extra care while wiping down door handles, elevator buttons, push bars and other public services,” said the March 3 emailed statement signed by Library Director Alan Kirk Gray. The Darien YMCA statement described essentially the same policy: “Our staff has increased wiping down of door handles, ledges and counter surfaces throughout all shifts,” said the statement signed by Darien YMCA CEO Jennifer Gardner. “After closing all surfaces which include floors, counters, bathroom/shower fixtures, equipment, and gymnastics mats are cleaned with hospital grade cleaners and sanitizers.” Other Recent Darien Statements on COVID-19

School District Letter to Families: Here’s What We’re Doing to Protect Students From the COVID-19 Virus (March 2)
How to Guard Against Covid-19 Coronavirus: Here’s What Darien Health Director Advises for Town Employees (Feb.

Does your kid use the TEA Room at Darien Library? If your boy or girl in Grades 3 to 6 does use it, here’s what’s new; if they don’t use it, consider this a list of reasons why they might want to. In an email Tuesday the library announced “new, fun projects and tech to explore in the TEA Room,” the library’s mini-makerspace/learning lab/artist studio for kids in Grades 3 to 6. What the TEA Room Is
The library offers classes in the TEA Room on subjects from circuitry to printmaking (learn more about scheduled classes here — although there aren’t any for this week). You’re also welcome to reserve the room to explore all of our supplies and technologies.

Author Lara Prescott and The Secrets We Kept book cover

Darien Library presents the fifth annual Novel Tea fundraiser featuring Lara Prescott, bestselling author of “The Secrets We Kept” at a March 25 luncheon held at Wee Burn Country Club. — Darienite.com previously published articles about the upcoming visit by Lara Prescott. This announcement from Darien Library has more information about the Novel Tea fundraising luncheon. “We look forward to having Lara Prescott who is touring with her first novel, The Secrets We Kept,” said Alex Eising, development chair for the Board of Trustees. “This is a gripping novel inspired by the true story of spies, the Cold War and Doctor Zhivago.

In “The Biggest Little Farm,” a 2018 movie, a documentarian and his wife attempt to establish a farm outside LA while facing wildfires, pests and predators. The movie is being presented at 7 p.m., Wednesday at Darien Library, co-sponsored by the library, the Darien Pollinator Pathway, the Darien Land Trust, the Garden Club, the Darien Nature Center and Planet New Canaan. The movie also was shown back in August at the library as a Friday night feature. Here’s the announcement Darienite.com published then:

Starring Molly Chester, John Chester; Rated PG for mild thematic elements; 91 minutes; presented with captions for the hearing impaired. Official website | Metacritic | Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb.com | Wikipedia

Learn more about Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, California here.

Darien Library and pianist Zachary Saffa will team up to bring you a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Up-and-coming musicians will perform uninterrupted, followed by an open lesson for all to enjoy. — an announcement from Darien Library

During the Studio Showcase, you will see first-hand how music teaching can have a transformative effect on a student’s musicianship, perspective, and character. Zach will be joined by violinist Lindsey Castellano for this performance. This month Zach would like to honor longtime Darien resident Marc Thorne, who unexpectedly passed on the date of our December showcase last year.

Alan Kirk Gray wide dimensions for facebook

Alan Kirk Gray, director of Darien Library for the past six years, plans to retire on Aug. 1, he said at a recent Board of Selectmen budget meeting. “I’ve been talking to the Board of Directors for the past couple of years” about retiring, Gray, who just turned 76, said in an interview on Monday. He mentioned it at the budget meeting, he said, because there are budget implications in his leaving as director and in the search for a new director. Asked what he’s going to do in retirement, he said he doesn’t have any plans.

Single tickets are now on sale for our 5th Annual Novel Tea! We are thrilled to welcome Lara Prescott as our featured author. — an announcement from Darien Library

She’s the New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets We Kept. Now is your chance to meet her in person and hear about her thrilling tale of spies in the Cold War. The Wall Street Journal says, “Prescott crafts a cloak-and-dagger story of passion, espionage, and propaganda.”

Single tickets are $150. BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE. The Novel Tea will be at the Wee Burn Country Club of Darien on Wednesday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Novel Tea is sponsored by the Wyper Family Author Fund, David Harvey Fine Jewelers, DR Bank, New Canaan/Darien Magazine, and Darien Library.

Purple Ribbon Darien Domestic Abuse Council Domestic Violence

The Darien Domestic Abuse Council and Respectworks presents a short play exploring issues associated with relationship violence, sexual assault, consent, and bystander intervention. — an announcement from Darien Library

This unique, educational, interactive performance will take place from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the Community Room at Darien Library. The content is considered suitable for those of High School age and older. About the Play

Presented by Deana’s Educational Theater (who also brought us “The Yellow Dress”), “The Party” explores the relationship between three characters, Jordan, Kyle and Allie, who are in college and enjoying campus life: Parties, games, and “hooking up” become a regular part of college life until one night something goes horribly wrong.

Founding Documents Declaration of Independence Constitution

Darien Library is hosting a four-week series by historian Mark Albertson on the Roadblocks to Republic. It will highlight four examples in American history that deeply affected the course of America and/or threatened the viability of representative government. Each of the four lectures take place in the Community Room from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on successive Mondays, starting Feb. 3. — This article is based on announcements from Darien Library
Week One: The Newburgh Incident, March 15, 1783
Feb.

You’ve had a DNA test and now you have a list of genetic relatives. How do you find out who they are and how they are related? A professional genealogist will talk on “DNA 201 for Genealogy — Segments, Centimorgans and SNPs” from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1 in the Community Room at Darien Library. An informal social hour for those interested in genealogy will take place from 1 to 2 p.m.

— an announcement from Darien Library

Darien Library is co-sponsoring the event with the Middlesex Genealogical Society.

Linda Ronstadt by Carl Lender https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LindaRonstadtPerforming.jpg

“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” a “musical biography” documentary about the singer, will be shown from 7 to 8:45 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31 at Darien Library. — an announcement from Darien Library

The 2019 film is about of one of the most successful and versatile female singers of the 20th century — and one of the most successful recording artists of all time. At the height of unprecedented success, Ronstadt, a restless and adventurous artist, turned away from pop music to explore an astonishing variety of musical styles. Withstanding constant pressure from a risk-averse industry, Linda insisted on following her musical instincts.

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Author Sheri Koones is coming to Darien Library Tuesday night, Jan. 28 to discuss her latest book, Downsize: Living Large In a Small House. Koones will speak from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room. About the Book
Presented as case studies, the featured homes showcase a variety of styles and locations; all boast numerous green features and space-efficiency strategies that can be applied to any small home. Filled with more than 275 photos, “Downsize” will help readers discover how scaling back and simplifying where you live opens up a world where the demands of maintenance are lower, accessibility and convenience are enhanced, energy efficiency is elevated and monthly bills are greatly reduced — all without sacrificing a well-built, beautiful home.