Library news

Book sale to run July 23 to 29

There will be a book sale at Darien Library from July 23 to 29.

Shoppers will find recent bestsellers, fiction and detective mystery titles, cookbooks, travel books, and biographies, as well as children's books.

On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, books and audio books are $1 each, or three for $2. DVDs are $5. Paperback books are $.25 each, or five for $1. On Tuesday and Wednesday, all items will be half price. Thursday is dollar-a-bag day and on Friday, visitors to the library may fill a bag for free until noon.

Knitting Project keeps on going

On Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m., Darien Library hosts "Warm Up America! Knitting Project." Bring your needles and some yarn, and knit a square (patterns will be supplied). Squares will be joined together to create warm blankets for people around the world. Warm Up America! distributes afghans, caps and other items to tens of thousands of people, thanks to the generosity of knitters around the country.

`Short Stories for Long Days'

"Short Stories for Long Days," a short story discussion group, will return this summer to Darien Library. The group will meet on Tuesdays running through Aug. 16, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the library's conference room on the mezzanine.

The discussion leader is Darien resident Carroll Stenson, who has conducted several short story discussion programs at the library, and has established other similar and popular programs in the community.

Selections for discussion will feature both classic and contemporary short stories -- focusing on content and themes, on characters and how they relate to our own experiences.

`Wii Wake Up for Seniors'

Darien Library will offer "Wii Wake Up for Seniors" from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every Thursday through July 28. Nintendo's Wii is a motion-sensing video gaming system, offering programs in sports, action, and fitness.

For the program, the library will turn its air-conditioned conference Room into a playing field, and provide instruction for Wii golf, bowling, and archery. It's an opportunity to enjoy a fun, social experience, get energized, and start the day.

"Wii Wake-Up for Seniors" is part of the library's Adult Summer Reading Program, "You're Connected!," which runs to Aug. 17.

Children's summer reading

The Darien Library offers two summer reading programs for children: The Summer Reading Club for kids reading on their own, and the Read to Me Club for pre-readers up to 5.

This year's theme is "Around the World in 60 Days." All programs end on Aug. 23.

Children in the Read to Me Club will keep track of their books in the reading log they obtain upon signing up.

For every 10 books read together (up to 50 books), they can visit the children's library to pick up a book prize.

The Summer Reading Club members will keep track of books read in a passport, which also contains "Quests," reading or information-finding activities related to the Summer Reading theme. Readers who complete 15 Quests in their passport, read 15 books, or a combination of books and Quests totaling 15 by July 31, can come in to the children's library to receive a special halfway prize.

Write two reviews on the library's website by Aug. 17 to earn a pass to the Summer Reading Finale Party on Aug. 18.

Adult summer reading begins

Darien Library has launched its sixth annual adult summer reading program, "You're Connected!"

"You're Connected!" features book chats, short story discussions, an evening of live jazz, a writing seminar, a story SLAM. fitness programs, specially-selected films, boot camps, weekly prizes, a grand finale wine and cheese party, and more.

On July 19 at 7 p.m., award-winning author of short story collections, Simon van Booy will talk about his debut novel, "Everything Beautiful Began After."

On Aug. 17 at 7 p.m., the grand finale will feature Amor Towles, author of "Rules of Civility," a debut novel set in the upper echelons of New York society in 1938.

Each week throughout the summer, the library will award a prize of a summer tote bag filled with books. Some of the books are signed by the authors. Enter for the chance to win books signed by authors such as David Baldacci, Dorothea Benton Frank and Erik Larson. The grand prize is an iPad2.

There's no need to register. Participants should submit a review for every book they read. Each review counts as a prize entry. All books, audio books, and eBooks count.

World wildlife

Darien Library invites you to meet animals from around the globe on Tuesday, July 19 at 11 a.m. during its World Wildlife program.

Animal Embassy will bring animal ambassadors, like Inca the Spectacled Owl and Sully the Sulcata Tortoise, to the library for a live animal presentation. This program is for children ages 3 and older with a parent or caregiver and will be held in Darien Library's community room.

This program is part of "Around the World in 60 Days," this year's children's summer reading program.

Teen events

Teen Writers Group -- This program meets on the second Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the The Harris Writer's Room. Aspiring to be the next big author? Just want to write a better blog post? Come hone your skills and share with other young authors in our teen writers group.

Stories & Shorts: Teen Book Trailer Video Contest -- through August 5. Take your favorite book (or series) and make a short video about it like a movie preview, for Darien Library's first-ever movie contest for teens. Winners will be announced at the Stories & Shorts Award Ceremony on Monday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Designer Sneakers -- Friday, July 15 at 2 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. No designer is cooler than you, grab some Converse All-Stars, some paint, and go to town. To register for this program, contact teen librarian Erica Leone at 203-669-5225 or eleone@darienlibrary.org

Game On! -- Friday, July 22, at 4 p.m. Play the latest games on Xbox Kinect, and show everyone who's boss in competitive tournaments. A $10 gift card to Uncle's Brain Food Cafe will be awarded to weekly winners. On Aug. 12, the top two winners each get a $25 iTunes gift card.

Teen Galley Party -- Thursday, July 28, at 1 p.m. Join them for a book and pizza party for a chance to get your hands on hot titles before they even hit the shelves!

Sing Your Heart Out -- Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. Got a poem you've written or some song lyrics? Let's put them to music using GarageBand. Bring in your lyrics and mix beats to make your song flow.

T-Shirt Time -- Thursday, Aug. 4, at 3 p.m. To register for this program, email teenstaff@darienlibrary.org. Rework your wardrobe. Bring a piece of clothing or use one of our T-shirts and turn it into a one-of-a-kind creation with fabric printing.

In addition to these formal programs, the library is also offering reading incentives for teens. If you read a book or listen to an audio book and review it on our website, you will be entered in a drawing for prizes. More details are available on our website at www.darienlibrary.org/teens. Our librarians are on hand to offer great book suggestions, so please ask us any time.