Around Town

Q&A: New Canaan Library on ‘One Book New Canaan’ Selections 

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Since launching the town-wide reading project “One Book New Canaan” here five years ago, New Canaan Library has had scores of locals not only reading the same books but also participating in a wide variety of programs built around them. This year, aided by a committee, the library selected “Spare Parts” by Joshua Davis for its adult One Book New Canaan reading selection, and added a children’s selection, too (see below). We put some questions about this year’s books and programming to library Manager of Public Services Christle Chumney and Manager of Services to Families Cheryl Capitani. 

Here’s our exchange. New Canaanite: “Spare Parts” is a work of nonfiction that touches on some timely topics. What should locals know about this book?

News

Letter: ‘Thank You’ for Supporting Summer Reading Programs for Kids

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Editor,

The kids are back in school at last, and we in the Children’s Room of New Canaan Library would like to take a moment to thank the community for its tremendous support and participation in our summer programs.

People always say New Canaan empties out in the summer but that was definitely not our experience this year. On average, we had over 500 visitors a day in the Children’s Room.  Our summer reading program, which we revamped this year, saw a 250 percent increase in participation, and an incredibly rewarding level of engagement and excitement among our youngest members, who read more than 13,000 books this summer—more than 10,000 more books than were recorded last year. A big thank you goes to the elementary schools for supporting our summer program; inviting our librarians to speak to the students in June really generated excitement about participating. We also thank The Toy Chest and Sky Zone Norwalk for providing exciting summer reading incentives, and United Methodist Preschool for supporting our Family Mini Golf finale celebration.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday decided to postpone to next month its decision regarding the closely followed application from the Philip Johnson Glass House to expand its operations. Designed to help boost revenue in order to keep up the sprawling Ponus Ridge property and its buildings, the National Trust for Historic Preservation site’s plans had drawn some concerns from neighbors. P&Z commissioner Dick Ward said during the meeting that he intended to vote against the Glass House’s application, while chairman John Goodwin said he favored it. ***

Police at about 5:30 p.m. last Monday received a Waveny jogger’s report of a sick skunk in the park, went there, found the animal and dispatched it. ***

The Rotary Club of New Canaan says it’s seeking “three warm and caring families” to volunteer for its well-established exchange student program, involving teens between ages 15 and 19.

Around Town

New Canaan Library’s Teen Area Is Getting a Fresh New Look

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The teen services area at New Canaan Library is getting a fresh new look and feel thanks to an upgrade led by the venerable facility’s first-ever teen services librarian. Cheryl Capitani, who has been in the role since joining the library staff in December, said she’s making it a priority to create a more welcoming, teen-friendly space. “We were very fortunate to get a targeted donation from a generous donor for some new furniture for the teen area here,” Capitani told NewCanaanite.com Tuesday morning as she cleared shelves in the area, located in the southeast corner of the facility (where if you’re sitting there, you’re looking out at the bench and parking lots that come off of Maple Street). Capitani with the help of a Teen Advisory Board is selecting colors and furniture for the space now. “It’s a really fun project we are working on together,” she said and added, pointing to the wall shown at right: “Hopefully this week, that wall is going to be painted.”

Within a month or so, the furniture should be ordered and on its way.