Our February Newsletter is chock full of events for every interest and age group.  Beat the winter doldrums and come out to the library to learn, grow and have fun!  Please check our website for up-to-the-minute information on weather related cancellations and closings. 

There are a lot of fish in the sea . . . and a lot of books in the Library! Take a chance on a new literary fling this week - you won't know what it is, but if you check out one of our wrapped blind date books, you'll be entered into a raffle for a fabulous Valentine's Day themed basket. Take out a blind date book from Monday, February 10 through Friday, February 15 at the Main and Fairfield Woods Branch Libraries. Try one - who knows? You might fall in love with a new book, or not, but no heartbreak involved. Books will be offered for Teens, Adults and Children.

Dear Fairfield Public Library Patron,
    To better serve you, the Fairfield Public Library is conducting a very brief survey about your experience and satisfaction with Library services. It takes about 5 minutes to complete.
This survey will be used for a research study entitled, "Usage and Attitude Study of a Mobile App in a Public Library" that will determine awareness and perceptions of Fairfield Public Library's mobile services.  You must be over 18 to complete the survey.

    Please note that the completed survey does not ask for your name, will be completely anonymous, and no participant names will be published in the final research product. Your completion of this survey indicates your consent to have your data used in this research study. The results of this study will be used by the Fairfield Public Library, and potentially other libraries in the state, to better understand and serve the needs of mobile library users.
    If you would like to help us with this endeavor, please click on this link to get to the online survey.  Please complete the survey by February 21, 2014.  All data collected will be kept in a secure and locked place for three years. If you have any questions or concerns, please email j[email protected] or contact the project adviser, Dr. Yan Quan Liu at Southern Connecticut State University 203-392-5763.  
    Thank you for your time and interest in the Fairfield Library System!  Please only complete one survey.   

Zombie Prom

Friday, February 7,

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Main Library

In celebration of zombie mania and to have some fun mid-winter/pre-Valentine's, come to this after hours event at the Library. Even if zombies don't strike you as romantic, come for twisted games and activities. Prom-inspired zombie costumes encouraged. For teens in grades 6 - 12.  Please register.

The Fairfield Public Library has just added 6 new books to each of our two Kindles which are available to borrow for 14 days! Check one out and try a whole new reading experience. Borrowers must be Fairfield Public Library cardholders and 18 years or older. Ask us how!

The "Best Seller Kindle" has the following titles loaded on it: David and Goliath - Malcolm Gladwell, Gods of Guilt - Michael Connelly, Sycamore Row - John Grisham, King and Maxwell - David Baldacci, Valley of Amazement - Amy Tan, Dust - Patricia Cornwell.  The "Good Reads Kindle" contains the following books: Hundred Summers - Beatriz Williams, Girl You Left Behind - JoJo Moyes, Circle: A Novel - David Eggers, Orphan Train - Christina Baker Kline, Longbourn - Jo Baker,  Ocean at the end of the Lane - Neil Gaiman.

As always, we are more than happy to assist patrons in downloading from the Library's digital resources on to their own devices. 

Starbursts!

Tuesday, February 25, 4:15-5:30 pm

Children's Department, Main Library 

Are you a fan of Rainbow Loom? If you are, join us for a new after school club created by a 7th grader from Roger Ludlowe Middle School! Showcase new designs, teach new skill and hang out. Starbursts welcomes all kids who want to get inspired and have fun while looming. Middle school students are encouraged to help out younger students. Please bring your own supplies including loom and bands. Drop-in program.

Family Dance Party

Friday, February 28, 6:30 - 7:45 pm

Children's Room, Main Library

Dust off your boots, throw on your hat, and come boot-scoot and boogie the night away at our semi-annual Family Dance Party! Not a cowboy? Come as your favorite rock star, diva or even super hero. Enjoy a night of family fun with crafts, activities and a light snack. You must register as this is an after hours event. Please register each family member individually.

NEW!
Coaching For Interview Success! 

Last Two Wednesdays of Each Month,

Starting February 12, Noon-2:00 pm

Main Library 

Turn stressful into successful! It's time to take control of your job interview, and feel empowered and confident with the coaching assistance of Career Counselor Elizabeth Kaufman. She will re-frame an interview opportunity by helping you understand the gamut of questions that may be asked, & what you should ask in return! Submit resume by email for review prior to your appointment.

Mattatuck Museum 

Wednesday, February 12, 10:30-11:30 am

Rotary Room, Main Library

This month you can visit Waterbury's Mattatuck Museum. Thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Fairfield Public Library can offer a long-distance, live guided tour. The Mattatuck's docent will present the exhibit and use Skype technology to project images back to the large screen in the Library's Rotary Room. It's the next best thing to being there! Register here

Explore the music of The Beatles in this 60-minute presentation that spans the full 1960s, beginning with the band's seminal visits to Hamburg, through the Beatlemania years, and concluding with Abbey Road. An avid teacher and Beatles scholar, presenter Aaron Krerowicz will supplement his talk with audio clips of music and excerpts from interviews with the band members. 

Please register.

*Rescheduled*

Introduction to QuickBooks

Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 pm

Rotary Room, Main Library

Easy to use yet robust accounting software is essential to the success of small business owners.  This demonstration will include a basic introduction to QuickBooks and highlight valuable features and improvements in the new 2014 release. Presenter: Susan McAteer.  Register 

Join the Revolution: Cut the Cord

Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 - 8:45 pm
Rotary Room, Main Library
Frustrated paying high television bills? Want to know how nearly 20% of your friends and neighbors are accessing programming without cable or satellite? This workshop will give an overview of current choices for broadcast, live events, television series and film. Presenter Philip Bahr is a Reference Librarian at Fairfield Public Library and a voracious television and film consumer. He has lived successfully without cable TV for over six years. Register

Midday with Merry: Awesome Apps

Wednesday, February 26, Noon - 1:00 pm
Rotary Room, Main Library  
Awesome Apps for Apple and Android. Explore the world of apps available for work, time management, entertainment, travel, and just plain having fun! This event is intended to be interactive - attendees are encouraged to bring devices and share your favorite apps. Register

Rainbow Loom

Friday, February 21, 4:00-5:00 pm

downUnder, Fairfield Woods Branch Library

Bring your own loom and bands to create beautiful jewelry.  Middle school students will offer design tips to younger loomers.  This is a peer-led event. No formal instruction will be provided. For children ages 8+.  Drop-in program.

An Evening of Chi

Thursday, February 27, 7:00 pm

Rotary Room, Main Library

Feeling sluggish? Not much energy? Perhaps your chi or life-force is blocked and not flowing properly. Learn about what chi/qi is, how it flows in your body, and qi gong exercises to maximize the flow of chi with Brooke Becker. She will incorporate Tai Chi into her talk and demonstration as it is the most dynamic form of qi gong. Please register

Saturday, February 1, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Teen Room, Main Library

For teens entering grades 6 and up: Do you need community service hours for school or church or just because?  Drop in any time on Service Saturday and get to work helping the librarians all around the Library.  No registration necessary. 

This introductory workshop focuses on the basics of testing your business idea and identifying the key factors that influence start-up success. You will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form for your business, and fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources. Please register 

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) will be available to patrons again this year on Tuesdays beginning February 4 through April 15 from Noon - 5 pm in the Rotary Room at  the Main Library.   Assistance is on a first-come, first served, basis - no appointments.

The Bruce S. Kershner Gallery in the Fairfield Library will have a juried show from March 9 to April 18. The theme of the show is Speechless: Works that Explore the Use of Text. While a picture is certainly worth a thousand words, the use of text in the picture clearly embellishes the artistic intent. Whether the artist's use of letters and words are the art form itself or whether they are incorporated with images, the work creates a visual memoir. For the viewer, the technique becomes an exploration and an experience in one. Interested artists are invited to submit works using text for this exhibition. 

The fee is $25 for up to two entries in any medium and a CD-Rom or DVD must be mailed or brought to the gallery by February 14, 2014. See the Prospectus for the show for size limitations at http://fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/speechless_prospectus.pdf  or email  to [email protected] The actual work for those accepted will be delivered on March 6 and 7. The juror for the show is Fred Giampietro of Fred Giampietro Gallery in New Haven. His gallery emphasizes abstract art.

Books and Banter
Thurs, February 20, 1:30 pm

Purls of Wisdom Book Club
Enjoy great books and knit, too! Bring a lunch if you like.

The TWICE REaD Room at the Main Library is a great place to buy books in good condition at a great price.  There is a large selection of adult fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children's books.  The selection changes frequently, so stop by often to check out what is new. There is certain to be something that strikes your fancy.

Donations of books, DVDs and CDs in good condition are always welcome and can be brought to the receiving room near the Circulation desk.  Receipts are available if you would like one.

Proceeds from the TWICE REaD Room are used by the Friends of the Library to support various programs at the Library, including One Book One Town, Soundwaves concerts and Author luncheons.

Education and Enrollment in the Affordable Care Act :  One-on-One Appointments

Tuesdays, 4:30 - 8:30 pm

Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Study Room D, Main Library 

A "Certified Assister," trained by the State of CT, is available to help individuals both understand their health care options --under the Affordable Care Act-- and to enroll in the CT Health Care Marketplace.  Confidential one hour appointments may be made 48 hours in advance either by calling 203-256-3160 or in person at the Library Information Desk. Walk-ins are also accepted as schedule permits.  This service will run through the end of March 2014. Certain documents may be required to enroll. Please call the Reference desk at 203-256-3160 for a list of the documents and to reserve a space within 48 hours of the desired time slot.    

Have a Question?  Text Us!

Given the fast pace of life these days, it may be more convenient for you to text a librarian than to call or come to the Library. Now you can!   Fairfield Public Library now offers a new service, Text a Librarian, that allows patrons to text questions to the Library from their mobile phones.  The service does not display phone numbers and generates an anonymous ID for each patron.

It is easy to use!  The first time that you use our new service, text the word "START" to 203-347-2507.  You will receive a text back from us right away instructing you to text your question. We will get back to you as soon as possible, during library hours.