This Week at the Wilton Library (Oct 1-7)

Saturday, Oct. 1 First Saturday Books for Babies, 9:30 – 10 a.m. Bring your wonderful baby to this infant friendly program at the Wilton Library!  We will sing and play and enjoy gentle stories geared for babies under 12 months old on the first Saturday of each month before the library opens.  This is an excellent forum to meet other new parents in the area.  Bring dad too! Registration suggested. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Saturday, Oct. 1 AARP Driver Safety Class, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  The AARP Driver Safety Program is a classroom course for drivers age 50 and older. This single session, four hour course covers the normal changes in vision, hearing and reaction time associated with ageing and provides practical techniques on how to adjust to these changes, along with learning to operate vehicles more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment. There are no written or driving tests. The morning session is from 10 a.m. – noon, one-hour lunch break on own, followed by the afternoon session from 1- 3 p.m. Both sessions must be attended. Registration required. Program cost: $12 for AARP members; $14 for non-members. Bring check or cash only to the morning session. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Saturday, Oct. 1 Gods and Monsters: Mythic Literature of the Ancient and Medieval World - Mark Schenker, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.  A three-part series. Part I: “Greeks Bearing Gifts”: An Introduction to Greek Mythology. A brief introduction to Greek mythology, including its origins in religious ritual and nature personification, and the later development of anthropomorphic gods. Included will be a consideration of how, in all three of its phases “myths of creation, narratives of gods and mortals, and tales of human heroes” Greek mythology exerted an extensive influence on Western culture.   Mark J. Schenker, Associate Dean of Yale College, will give a series of three lectures on the myths of ancient Greece and ancient Rome and on Dante’s Inferno, with a focus on the tension between the Ideal and the Monstrous. The lectures will be held on Oct.  1, Oct.  15, and 22. Each session will consist of a one hour talk, followed by a Q&A. Reception and discussion until 5:30 p.m. No charge. The lecture series has been generously sponsored by an anonymous donor. Registration highly recommended. Please register separately for each of the three programs in the series. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Sunday, Oct. 2 Dinosaur Club, 2 – 4 p.m.  Students in grades 4-6 will participate in a Science Competition at Yale University held annually in November. The club will explore dinosaurs, fossils, paleobiology, geology and more, through presentations, discussions and demonstrations. Registration is closed.  Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Monday, Oct. 3 through Wednesday, Dec. 7 ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Twice-weekly classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages continues on Mondays and Wednesdays until December 7 at the Wilton Library by Westport Continuing Education. Testing and registration required Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Monday, Oct. 3 through Oct. 24 Literary Littles, 2:15 – 3 p.m. For independent listeners ages 4-6 years. Story time that provides children with experiences that enrich early literacy with stories, short films, songs and crafts. This program repeats on Mondays through 10/24.  Please note: there is no session on 10/10/11.  No registration; no fee. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Oct. 25 Terrific Tales for Twos and Threes, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Children ages 2 and 3 and their caregivers will sing songs, listen to stories, and enjoy playtime together while building literacy and social skills.  No registration, no fee.  Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Oct. 25 Look, Listen and Learn, 11 – 11:30 a.m. For 3 and 4 years olds with parent/caregiver. By interacting with stories, singing songs and acting out finger plays and rhymes, children in this program gain pre-reading skills and learn how to participate in a group setting. No registration; no fee. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Oct. 25 Literary Littles, 2:15 – 3 p.m. For independent listeners ages 4-6 years. Story time that provides children with experiences that enrich early literacy with stories, short films, songs and crafts. No registration; no fee. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 Journey Into Dyslexia - Film and Speaker, 7 – 9 p.m. Filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond examine the complexities of the dyslexic brain, showing how it is structured differently, and debunk myths and misperceptions about dyslexia in the HBO2 documentary JOURNEY INTO DYSLEXIA.   Dr. Margie Gillis will speak following the presentation of the film. She received her Doctorate of Education from the University of Louisville in Special Education, where she began her work training teachers of reading. She is President of Literacy How, Inc. and Director of Haskins Literacy Initiative, which promotes the science of teaching reading through professional development and classroom support for teachers. Q&A following the talk. No charge. Registration is strongly encouraged. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 through Oct. 26 Books for Babies, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.  Bring your wonderful baby to an infant-friendly program at the Wilton Library.  We will sing and play and enjoy gentle stories geared for babies under 12 months. This is a great forum to meet new parents in the area. Bring Dad too! Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 through Oct. 26 Wonderful Ones and Twos with Caregivers, 11 – 11:30 a.m. This program is a sharing time for 1 and 2 year olds and their caregivers. The emphasis is on books, with some songs and toy time. No registration; no fee. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26 Lego Club for Littles, 4 – 5 p.m.  Kids in K - 2 are invited to join this weekly Lego® Club.  Each session will be based on a new theme such as castles, vehicles, towers and more.  Children will learn about the theme through stories and non-fiction books and then create a Lego masterpiece from the library’s Lego collection.  A great time for all!   There are 20 spots available for this program on a first come first serve basis.  Tickets will be passed out at the Children's reference desk starting at 3:45 p.m. the day of the program.  This program runs for 4 weeks.  Sponsored by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Thursday, Oct. 6 through Nov. 10 Children’s Beginner Chess, 4 – 5 p.m. Children in grades 1-7 continue their Chess Club instruction by Christopher Potts. Registration filled.  Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Thursday, Oct. 6 through Nov. 10 Children’s Advanced Chess, 5 - 6 p.m. Children in grades 3-7 continue their Chess Club instruction by Christopher Potts. Registration filled.  Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.

Thursday, Oct. 6 Wilton Library’s 12th Annual Ladies’ Soirée, 7 – 9 p.m. Lots of fun and entertainment along with wonderful items to bid on in the Silent Auction and to purchase from the Giving Tree!  Tickets available for purchase at $50 each. The library will close at 6 p.m. for the event. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; (203) 762-3950.