Oliver Wolcott Library to Open Doors on Sundays

You asked. We listened! The Oliver Wolcott Library in Litchfield is happy to announce we will be opening on Sundays starting September 28, 2008. The opening is in response to many patron requests for expanded weekend hours. OWL has witnessed a dramatic increase in usage for more than five years and now averages 240 visits each day, with Saturday usage increased by 10% in the past year alone. This July was one of the busiest months ever recoreded in OWL history, with an average of 294 people visiting each day. Other libraries that are open on Sundays report it as being their busiest time of the week. Extended weekend hours will be especially beneficial to students, working families and weekenders.

You will see much of the same, excellent staff here on weekends. Some of our full-time staff find working the weekends fits their lifestyle better than typical Monday-Friday schedule. OWL has also hired additional part-time staff to work on the weekends. These staff members have been specifically selected to handle student reference and research questions. This new service is being funded by a partnership between the Town of Litchfield and the Library.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy Sundays at OWL. Use our quiet room, read a book, use our public computers or bring your laptop to access our wireless network, write a paper, research that homework assignment, find a good film, have a meeting– there’s so much to do at the Oliver Wolcott Library. Now you can enjoy all the OWL has to offer every day of the week, including Sundays starting September 28th. Please come!

OWL Gives a “Hoot” For Going Green

  Oliver Wolcott Library in Litchfield has made some significant changes to help reduce their carbon footprint. Director of the library, Ann Marie White, has always been an earth advocator but was inspired by reading Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia clothing. More than two years ago, Ann Marie set a goal for OWL to reduce its footprint on the planet while still offering great service to their patrons. The Board and Staff quickly stepped-up to the initiative. Ann Marie says their success has been a team effort. By re-imagining underused space, OWL effectively expanded the library by 10% without increasing their footprint or staff, and while reducing energy costs. With this renovation, they created a sitting area to highlight their new adult book collection, upgraded their technology area, and added seating. The result has been an increase in circulation by 7% over the prior year. OWL implemented energy savings initiatives that reduced electrical energy usage by 17% and oil usage by 12% in two years. The newly renovated area near the circulation desk has the most energy efficient lights that are on the market today (T.5 fluorescent lights). All other existing lights in the library were also changed to energy efficient bulbs. A new computer software program, called Syam, allows all the computers to shut down automatically at night to save on energy.

 Oliver Wolcott Library installed programmable thermostats and storm windows to the east side of the house area, as well as upgrading the boiler system. The programmable thermostats are self-timed and work by dropping back the temperature automatically in the house area and community room when the library is closed.

  Most people might not think that libraries would use a lot of paper—but in actuality, they do; forms attached to books going to other libraries, request slips, copies and print-outs etc. OWL adopted an aggressive recycling program setting up recycling cans throughout the staff and public areas. They coordinated with the maintenance staff to gain their support for the project. Now, they recycle an average of 8 cubic feet of material each week, which totals over 22,000 pounds each year!

  For almost a decade, OWL has purchased eco-friendly products including natural air fresheners, hand soaps, and recycled paper products. Not only is this helpful to the environment but it minimizes staff and public exposure to chemicals and fragrances that are of growing concern for many in our community. Additionally, the landscaping is maintained without the use of chemicals, pesticides or herbicides.

  Whenever possible, OWL goes “green.” One of the more surprising opportunities was the new area rugs installed in the new book area and behind the circulation desk during the renovation. Ray Anderson, founder of the company Interface that manufactured the Library’s rugs, was inspired by the book, The Ecology of Commerce, by Paul Hawkin. He dedicated his working life to make Interface “the first company that, by its deeds, shows the entire industrial world what sustainability is in all its dimensions: People, process, product, place and profits—by 2020—and in doing so, to become restorative through the power of influence.” The rug is also economically satisfying; if one square of the rug gets dirty or needs to be replaced, the one square can be easily removed without having to replace the entire rug.

  The library looks forward to upgrading the Children’s room in winter of 2008-2009 with energy efficient lighting and to continue to look for ways to reduce its footprint while offering excellence in library services.
 

 

 

 

 

OWL Acquires Three New Museum Passes

 

           

            Is Connecticut your staycation destination this year? With gas prices forcing us to slow down a bit, it’s not a bad idea to stay local this summer vacation and take advantage of all the museum passes Oliver Wolcott Library has to offer Litchfield residents!

Oliver Wolcott Library is happy to announce it has added three new day passes to their collection: Children’s Museum and Roaring Brook Nature Center combination pass, Earthplace Nature Discovery Center pass, and The Maritime Aquarium.

            The Children’s Museum and Roaring Brook Nature Center are exciting places to explore. The Museum in West Hartford is teeming with exhibits, both indoors and outdoors. Among the fascinating exhibits are the Wildlife Sanctuary, Travelers Science Dome, Excavation Station, and Turtle Town where you can visit the turtles/tortoises and even crawl under a turtle shell to get a different perspective of life underneath! There are also a variety of summer activities and programs for all ages, and one can’t visit the museum without visiting the digital planetarium—a 40 foot diameter dome that seats 149 people and features live and pre-recorded shows.  Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton offers various educational exhibits and animals to see, as well as many guided nature walks and animal demonstrations.  The Oliver Wolcott Library pass will allow one free admission with every paid admission, up to a limit of four free admissions per pass per day.

            The Earthplace Nature Discovery Center in Westport is also great for families and nature lovers. The 62-acre sanctuary, which was once an old farm, is now home to beautiful nature trails that you can explore including a bird and butterfly garden. Nature lovers will be thrilled to explore the many species of animals and insects that reside at the center. Other exciting summer adventures include family campfire, pond exploration, myths and legends day, and various hikes both during the day and at night. The Oliver Wolcott Library pass allows one family of four to visit for free.

            The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is not only an aquarium that allows for exploration of animals and other species, but for adventures in the IMAX Theater and the maritime history hall as well. Among the 125 species at the aquarium are sharks, otters and an octopus! You can even take a ride on board the R/V Oceanic. The Maritime is a wonderful place to learn and spend a day with the family.  The Oliver Wolcott Library has two passes to Maritime Aquarium. The passes offer $2.00 off a combination ticket (aquarium & daytime IMAX).

            And don’t forget the Library still has passes for Mystic Marine Life Aquarium, Wadsworth Athenaeum, Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, White Memorial, and State Park Passes. The passes go out for a 2 day loan period.  There is a five dollar a day fine for each day the pass is overdue. Passes are first-come, first-serve and cannot be reserved. Visit our website at www.owlibrary.org, and then click Programs, then on Museum Passes for additional information or stop in today to take your pass home.  We hope you’ll take the opportunity to have a “staycation” and save some money with our fabulous passes!