Library Highlights 5/15

A message from Helene Murtha, Town Librarian:

As the COVID risk declines, in-person building access will continue to expand. It is our goal to provide access to library services in an environment that is healthy and safe for our community and staff. We will continue to act on the advice of the Town of Fairfield

Health Department, while adhering to CT State directives.

The Governor’s May 19^th lifting of certain restrictions relates to businesses.

Public libraries will continue to consult state public library sector guidance regarding services. Brenda Kupchik, First Selectwoman has advised that Town of Fairfield policy

will continue to require face coverings for members of the public entering all town buildings, for the time being.

As we increase access to our library buildings, certain modifications will remain in place. Face coverings (over nose and mouth) and keeping a social distance is required at all times. Library building hours ensure sufficient time for enhanced cleaning measures. Capacity limits may be instituted at times in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. The planning and preparation to reopen our library buildings will continue to follow a phased rather than immediate approach. We will move forward efficiently managing our resources, while balancing in-person, remote, virtual and home-bound services.

We ask that patrons limit the amount of time spent visiting the library.

Children’s Department visits should be kept to 30 minutes. Study rooms, meeting rooms, play areas and toys are unavailable at this time. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and our youngest patrons must be kept in the immediate vicinity of their caregiver (preferably in a stroller or carrier). No food or drink are permitted in our buildings. Limited public seating will be offered later next month in the reference areas of the Main Library and Woods Branch. Public computer access continues to be available in the reference areas with time limits in place.

This month we will begin to offer limited in-person outdoor library programming, while continuing to host virtual programs.

Our priority is to sustain and expand library services without becoming a source of viral spread in the community.

Updates are shared via our website, newsletter and social media.

Fairfield Public Library

Board of Trustees

Seat Opening

The Fairfield Public Library Board of Trustees are seeking candidates to join the board

beginning July 2021.

Click here for the full position description.

If you are interested in joining the Fairfield Public Library Board of Trustees,

please send an email to David Gray, Board Chair.

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art,

National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.

For more information: https://asianpacificheritage.gov/

Please visit MentalHealthActionDay.org for some first steps you can take to support your mental health. The last year has been a tough one, but even a small action can help -- the key is to do something today! #MentalHealthAction

FEATURE PROGRAM

VIRTUAL EVENT

Understanding Your Senses

Monday, May 17

6:30 p.m.

Join us as we welcome back Sydney Sherman, author of

You Are Not Alone, for this popular workshop.

In Understanding Your Senses, she will discuss the many ways in which anyone can learn to use their senses to connect to their loved ones.

Ms. Sherman starts with a very detailed explanation of how each sense works, how it can be tricked, how to use it effectively, and how to encourage a spiritual interaction with your loved one. She'll provide step by step demonstrations for each sense and, with her guidance, you'll have the opportunity to feel how these techniques work.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Senior Literary Society

Wednesday, May 19

11:00 a.m.

"A poignant, charming novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined."

Please join us by Zoom for a virtual session of the Senior Literary Society book club that usually meets in-person at the Bigelow Center. We will be discussing May's selection Anxious People by

Fredrik Backman.

Please sign up with your email address and you will get the Zoom link to join the meeting.

If you have any questions please email Mary Coe at mcoe@fplct.org. Hope to 'see' you there!

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Women and Money Roundtable

How to Make Sense of Today's Financial Markets

1:00 p.m.

We’ll cover the latest market news and how that might affect your decision making. We’ll also give you background and context for understanding why market movement occurs and we’ll share strategies for keeping ahead of what might come.

Women often wish they were more informed about finances as they relate to their family and themselves. This monthly discussion group offers an opportunity to learn more in a comfortable setting with other women.

You will receive a confirmation and a link for the meeting from the New Canaan Library.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Reiki 101

Wednesday, May 19

6:30 p.m.

Come learn about Reiki, a Japanese healing practice which helps reduce stress, promote relaxation and balance your energy levels.

We will talk about the 7 major chakras that are part of everyones inner energy system.

Lisa Ficco is a Reiki Master from the Jiiva School of Reiki. Certified in attunements, hands on and distant Reiki and crystal bowl sound bath healing. She also holds degrees in Psychology, Speech Communication and Theater Arts and a Master Degree in Costume Design.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Tech Help:

Kanopy

Thursday, May 20

11:00 a.m

This week we explore Kanopy, the library's

digital resource offering thousands of films to stream no matter what your device: phone, tablet, computer, or smart television

Join us weekly as we explore another digital service offered free to Fairfield residents.

You will leave knowing how to borrow or access at least one of our digital resources.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Social Security Timing Strategies

& Your Retirement

Thursday, May 20

6:00 p.m

Electing Social Security can be one of the most important decisions as you approach retirement.

During this educational workshop you will learn how to potentially maximize your social security benefits. We will discuss spousal benefits, widow, divorced and single claiming concepts. We will then put social security into the context of planning to share with you how getting the most out of this retirement benefit can also help your retirement plan succeed.

Presenter: Michael Alimo president of U.S.A. Financial & Tax Services LLC

Coming Up!

VIRTUAL EVENT

VIRTUAL What's Cooking? Series - Hannah Kaminsky

Monday, May 24

6:30 p.m.

Join Fairfield's own

Hannah Kaminsky in celebrating the launch of her 7th cookbook, Super Vegan Scoops! Learn how to churn out cool treats without dairy or eggs in fun, unconventional flavors. Covering no-churn options for quick pops and decadent ice cream cakes, handheld novelties like you've never seen before, and even creative ideas for baking with melted ice cream, this is not your average range of frozen desserts. Put a stick in it, dig in a spoon, slice it thick, or melt it all down; there's a bolder face to plant-based ice cream waiting for you.

Together we will make Cookie Dough Pudding Pops! Be sure to register so you can get the recipe ahead of the event. To purchase a copy of the cookbook to have on hand, you can order it here: https://amzn.to/33GDzr6

Hannah grew up here in Fairfield and now resides in Austin, Texas where she is a

food stylist.

*REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: **The Zoom link will be emailed the day of the event.**

VIRTUAL EVENT

Woods Book Club

Wednesday, May 26

2:00 p.m.

The New York Times and USA Today bestseller!

In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry.

Please join us to discuss

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

by Kim Michelle Richardson. You must register in order to get the Zoom link. Look forward to "seeing" you there.

A zoom link will be provided when you register.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Tech Help:

Medici TV & Freegal

Thursday, May 27

11:00 a.m.

This week we explore music resources including Medici.tv for video concerts and Freegal for downloading and streaming music.

Join us weekly as we explore another digital service offered free to Fairfield residents.

You will leave knowing how to borrow or access one of our digital resources. Please have the device(s) you want to use to access this service with you and any log-in credentials needed.