Life In A Free World

On April 22nd the Ledyard Bill Library had a presentation conducted by Wendy Limauge. Wendy explained how to save money using both tried and true methods as well as new methods. She discussed the use of store and internet coupons to obtain free samples of products, how to guard your privacy on the internet, and how to be successful entering sweepstakes.
Wendy touted public libraries as a great resource for providing free things such as internet access, DVDs and CDs, downloadable audio books, and museum passes.
We had a large, lively, interested group of attendees. There were people who were curious to learn about Wendy's plan. There also were people who already regularly utilized coupons and other savings methods. They were interested in learning more and in sharing their successes. Lots of questions were asked and information shared at this warm, interesting, and informative evening.
Wendy is very knowledgeable. This is a passion she has pursued successfully for many years. She generously shared her knowledge with all attendees. Wendy has her own website and blog. She shares daily updates about ways to save. Wendy's website is: sweetiessweeps.com
Wendy also has created: sweetiesswag.com with information about receiving free "stuff".
Her website is very informative. She also offers other websites who have different specialties such as information about mystery shopping and deeply discounted travel.
It was a great presentation!

Hurray for Volunteers!

This is volunteer appreciation week. Volunteers are so important to the library. We hope we show how much we appreciate them year around, but it is nice to have a special opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation. All week, we have been offering refreshments at both library branches for our volunteers. One of our volunteers commented that food was the perfect gift. You don't have to store it or dust it!

Volunteers perform valuable services at the libraries. We have book menders who spend several hours a week bringing slightly worn books back to life. We have book coverers, who help with the processing of new books. Ledyard Library Friends spend many hours preparing and holding the annual and on going book sales at each library. The Mad Hatters are a library service group who donate knitted and crocheted items to various charitable organizations. Volunteers also maintain the historical room at the Bill Library. Behind the scene are the members of the library commission, who help in the administration of the libraries.

We treasure all of these volunteers and thank them for their many hours of dedication to the Ledyard Public Libraries.

Is This Your Library?

Are the Ledyard Public Libraries your library? We want them to be your library, whether you use the Bill Library or the Gales Ferry Library or even both. How do we make them your library?

That is the question the library commission survey is asking. Now is your chance to tell us what makes or will make Ledyard Public Libraries your library. Go on line to our website www.lioninc.org/ledyard and look for the survey. It only takes a few minutes to complete and gives you the power to tell us what you would like or let us know what we are doing right.

A library is many things to many people. Please tell us what we can be for you.

Red Sox Nation

We recently concluded our winter reading program, Spring Training@ your library. This six week program, with raffles every week and interesting programs along the way, was all about baseball. In an effort to determine team loyalty in Ledyard, we asked everyone who filled out a raffle entry to put down their favorite baseball team. After counting nearly 200 entries, I now know by a margin of more than 2 to 1, that the Boston Red Sox are Ledyard's favorite baseball team.

I probably knew that all along and was just in denial. After all, we are east of the Connecticut River, the supposed dividing line for Yankee/Red Sox loyalty. I was just hoping, however, that with all the transplants in this area, including myself, that the Yankees would come out on top.

At last the Yankees got a respectable 39 votes. The New York Mets, supposedly a quasi-local team, didn't even fare as well as the Phillies, Pirates and Tigers.