Photo by Flickr User Photo Mojo

Moving Day is getting close.  We are almost ready to start packing up our stuff and moving over to New Darien Library 1441 Post Road. I'm sure you've noticed, we are only ONE WEEK AWAY!

The Children's Department staff are compiling your responses to our Program Evaluations and they will help inform our choices as we begin to plan our events in our new building.  We hope you will come by for a tour when we open!

There is a lot of information about what to do when we're closed and answers to your Frequently Asked Questions on our website.  We will be saying a Fond Farewell to this building on Wed. November 26th at 6pm and will reopen in our new digs January 10th, 2009. Never fear, you can still access information and materials. Just read Getting Your Hands on Library Books While We're Closed for more information.

In the meantime, we've got a lot of work to do. We're going to roll up our sleeves and get to work tagging all of our books with an RFID chip. 

Our goal is to make the new Darien Library much easier for you to use.  We've crafted a survey we'd love for you to fill out how you find what you are looking for in the Children's Room.  Would you take a moment to fill out these 8 questions?

Darien Library Children's Room User Survey

Everyone can look forward to more program offerings starting in January. Stay tuned to the website for more information as it develops. Registered storytimes will begin in February with the lottery signup the last 2 weeks of January.  We'll have plenty of other choices for you and your kids of all ages to attend programs with more drop ins and after school programs in the coming months.  Our annual Nutmeg @ Nite will be our first major event in the new building and we look forward to sharing that information when we open.

The Children's Department looks forward to giving lots of tours to our town. Teachers, if you're intersted in scheduling a visit to the library with your class, please contact me at ghams@darienlibrary.org to make arragements.

We hope you will come by and say goodbye to the old building this week. Feel free to sign the wall! We look forward to seeing you down the road after to the holidays.

We'd love to see you in your halloween costume this week!  We'll have stickers and treats (no tricks!)  Here's a little tune to march to on your trick-or-treat route...

Halloween is Here and Now!

(Sing to "farmer in the dell." March and jump as you please!)

Halloween is here and now, Halloween is here and now, We'll all have lots of fun, Oh Halloween is here and now

We'll all give a cheer, wow! We'll all give a cheer, wow! We'll all have lots of fun, Oh Halloween is here and now

Local favorite artist Dre Towey is here this Thursday (10/9) at 10:30 am to entertain your little ones! 

Come to the Children's Room early, she's sure to sell out! Tickets will be distributed 15 minutes  before the performance and the program is free and open to everyone.

Known for her original tunes from the hit CD, "Ants Wear Underpants" (performed by Wendy Gelsanliter), and her solo debut, "Chester the Dog Unleashed" Dre Towey comes to amuse children ages 2 to 6.  Joining Dre will be Kwame Henry Jones of Infinite Roots on the African Drums. Sample her sounds on the website here.

 Storytime and music concerts for free in NYC! 

Venture over to Columbia University on Sunday, October 5, 2008 for the New York Times Great Children's Read.  New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Borough Public Library  have chosen books to be read aloud by famous actors, and New Yorkers.  There will also be rockin' live music, and activities for the family.

"Bank Street College is a small, vibrant institution, passionately devoted to improving the education of children. We educate children, the educators who teach them in all settings, parents, school leaders, and those who make policy. The College is a rich source of innovative ideas and practices for all who care about children and their education."

• Looking to take an Education course and not quite ready to be a full/part time student?
• Want to learn more about education?
• Need to earn certain credits per year?

Check out the Bank Street College of Education's New Perspectives. Their two day courses usually take place on Fridays from 5 to 9 pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm!

The Darien Police Department is committed to insuring the safety of passengers who travel on our streets. The Department offers training and installation of child safety seats to the residents of Darien.

For information or to make an appointment please call (203) 662-5300.