Tag Archives: Westport Library

I Voted!

Posted on November 8, 2016 | 24 comments

The signs are ready…

election-day-2016-1

The surrogates (like Mike Calise) are in place…

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The coffee is hot…

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The doors are open…

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The instructions are clear…

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Election 2016 is on…

election-day-2016-5

May the best man — or woman — win!

24 Comments

Posted in Library, Local politics, Politics

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Larry Aasen Buttons Up

Posted on September 20, 2016 | 4 comments

In 1928, Larry Aasen’s father returned home to North Dakota from the national Democratic convention. He brought his young son an Al Smith pencil.

The souvenir is long gone. But Aasen — in his 90s, and a longtime Westporter who with his fellow politcally activist wife Martha has attended “many” national and state conventions — amassed over 2,000 other buttons, posters and assorted mementos.

Aasen mounted some in wooden frames. He donates others — worth at least $15 each to collectors — to local non-profits, to sell at silent auctions. They raise $100 to $150, he says.

Though Aasen is an avid Democrat — and his collection skews that way — his collection is non-partisan. His Republican memorabilia dates back to Wendell Willkie. He trades for some of them. Others come from his many GOP friends.

jfk-posterStarting tomorrow (Wednesday, September 21), his favorites will be on view at the Westport Library’s lower-level Riverwalk display case. They include a Woodrow Wilson button, and posters for FDR and JFK. The exhibit runs through (of course) Election Day.

An opening reception is set for Thursday, September 29 (6 p.m., McManus Room).

Aasen will be there. He’ll tell stories about his buttons — and his political life.

Like this one. In the 1950s, he was in Kansas City on business. He found out where Harry Truman often parked, to walk to his office. Sure enough, early in the morning, the former president drove through heavy snow, got out and prepared to walk.

There were no Secret Service agents around. Aasen asked if he could walk too.

Martha and Larry Aasen.

Martha and Larry Aasen.

They talked about politics, including Aasen’s native North Dakota and Martha’s Mississippi.

Somehow the discussion turned to the disputed presidential election of 1876. As Truman recounted how — 80 years earlier — Rutherford B. Hayes beat out Samuel Tilden, Aasen says, “he really got worked up.”

There’s no question who Aasen is voting for this Election Day. He’s met Hillary Clinton many times, he says, going back at least 20 years.

“People don’t realize how many times she’s been in Westport for fundraising,” Aasen says.

At the opening reception next week, maybe he’ll pair his “I’m With Her” button with one that says “We Want Willkie.”

wendell-willkie-button

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Posted in Library, People, Politics

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Friday Flashback #7

Posted on September 16, 2016 | 28 comments

Earlier this week, I wrote about the exciting transformation plan for the Westport Library. If all goes well, the newest iteration of the library will be finished in 2019.

The Jesup Green building opened in 1986 (on the site of the former town landfill). A bit more than a decade later, it underwent its first renovation.

Westporters of a certain age think they remember the original library. Most of the stacks — and the famous art collection, and children’s section — were housed in the sterile Parker Harder building that now includes Starbucks, Freshii and HSBC Bank:

library-old

But the real first library — built in 1908, called the Jesup Library in honor of its benefactor Morris Jesup, and then in the 1950s incorporated as part of the “new” library — was located just east of that building. It sat on the corner of the Post Road and Main Street:

library-original

But our Friday Flashback digs even deeper than that.

Here’s what that 1908 “Jesup Library” replaced:

(Photo/Seth Schachter)

(Photo/Seth Schachter via Bill Scheffler)

This view looks west, at the corner of the Post Road (left) and Main Street (right). You can see the outlines of the buildings that are there today, lining the left side of Main Street.

If you’ve got any Westport Library memories, we’d love to hear them. Click “Comments” below.

28 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Friday Flashback, Library, Local business, Looking back

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Library Geeks Get Ready To Party

Posted on August 18, 2016 | 3 comments

As a noted family and portrait photographer, Pam Einarsen knew that a key to great shots is asking subjects to bring objects they like.

So when the Westport Library asked the longtime resident to photograph its “What do you geek?” project, she figured folks would bring their favorite things: dogs, games, sports equipment.

Pam had no idea of the incredible range of things Westporters love.

We “geek” human biology, burgundy, Harry Potter, Greek Islands, Toquet Hall, astronomy, break dancing, coffee, archery, knitting, astronomy, the Green Bay Packers, folk music, dragons, baking, and sleeping.

And that’s only the relatively normal stuff.

Geek - sleeping

Pam’s long project is over. And now — 500+ photos later — the library is ready to celebrate.

On Tuesday, August 30 (5-6:30 p.m.), there’s a free, public “Geek Party.” Everyone who posed for Pam — and everyone who has seen her photos, or wants to — is invited to the Great Hall.

In addition to the geek photos, the event includes improv artists, interactive games and puzzles, and refreshments.

The geek project — designed to highlight the breadth of our community, and showcase the library’s many services — was an eye-opener for Pam too.

Her subjects ranged from babies to 90-somethings, and included every ethnicity. Pam was impressed with their diversity of interests — and their smiles as they posed with their favorite objects.

This word cloud shows some of the many different things that Westporters geek. The size of the word indicates its relative popularity.

This word cloud shows some of the many different things that Westporters geek. The size of the word indicates its relative popularity.

The Wakeman Town Farm folks brought a chicken. Someone from Earthplace came with an owl. A girl arrived with a beautiful chameleon.

“People looked so happy and proud,” Pam reports. “They were surrounded with things that were meaningful — not just their ‘work.'”

New York Times crossword puzzle editor, for example, did not geek word games. His passion is ping pong.

Some youngsters geeked dinosaurs — no surprise. But so did a 70-year-old man.

Geek - dinosaurs

Some of the portraits were poignant. A woman in her 80s brought teddy bears — including one her husband gave her more than 40 years ago.

Geek - teddy bears

Some were funny. Library communications director Marcia Logan geeks her dog — and her dog geeks tennis balls.

Geek - tennis balls

Pam enjoyed serving as project photographer. She was also the informal host. As subjects waiting for their shots, Pam noticed something interesting.

“Kids and people who could have been their grandparents started talking,” she says. “They showed each other what they’d brought, and shared stories. The interaction was fabulous.”

Westporters geek a lot of things. On August 30, we can all geek the same thing together: a party.

Library geek photo

(For more information on the August 30 geek party, click here.)

Click here for “06880+”: The easy way to publicize upcoming events, sell items, find or advertise your service, ask questions, etc. It’s the “06880” community bulletin board!

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Library, People

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Weedles, Zubats, Ekans And More: Pokemon Go Floods Westport

Posted on July 14, 2016 | 9 comments

The tagline for “06880” is “where Westport meets the world.”

Right now, Westport — and the world — are going gaga over Pokémon Go.

I don’t know a Squirtle from a Jynx. But I do know that Pokémon Go has been downloaded more times in a week than Tinder has in 4 years. (No value judgments, mind you.) So I figured I’d capture the local angle.

Tom Bruno is my Pokémon Go go-to guy. As the Westport Library‘s new director of knowledge curation and innovation — Bill Derry’s old gig, more or less — the game is in his wheelhouse.

The library itself is not a Pokestop or Pokegym, he says. But several are nearby.

Three Pokestops are actually sculptures. There’s Carol Eisner’s “Walter the Sculpture,” outside the library’s main entrance; the big sculpture on Jesup Green, and the Post Road bridge sculpture at the Taylor parking lot entrance.

The library encourages patrons to find those sculptures by setting Lures (which of course attract rare and unusual wild Pokémon that patrons can catch).

Bruno says, “Depending on where you are in the building, you can also catch some of these Pokémon in the library as well.”

Bruno and his colleagues realized that the Levitt Pavilion stage Pokestop is on the route for the library’s annual first-ever StoryWalk along the Saugatuck River (which, happily for this publicity, kicks off Monday). Bruno took a shot of a wild Pokémon perched atop one of the signs.

Pokemon - Westport Library

The library is also placing Lures at all of those Pokestops, to help generate buzz for the giant book sale this weekend.

Though Niantic — the company responsible for Pokémon Go — is not taking requests for new Pokestops or Pokegyms, Bruno says it would be exciting to have the library community battle for control of the gym in that building.

The library is also working to add Pokémon Go to its popular “Anyone Can…” technology 101 classes. “We’d like to help people who are curious about the game get started, and join in what will almost certainly be the big summer activity,” Bruno says.

Finally — in a stroke of luck akin to finding a Charizard — the library long ago planned a partnership with Barnes & Noble on a Pokémon card game tournament. Amazingly, it’s this Saturday (July 16, 4-6 p.m.) at the Westport store.

Because — like Pokémon Go — “06880” is all about community, we’d like to hear your stories and tips. If you’ve got any game-related news, click “Comments” below. Please use your real name, not a Pokémon alias.

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Finally, if you thought the only thing local officials care about are mill rates and 8-30g applications, think again. Yesterday, they posted this on the town’s official Facebook page (courtesy of the New York Police Department):

As PokémonGo fever hits Westport, we want to remind you of some simple safety tips. As you battle, train, and capture your Pokémon just remember you’re still in the real world too! Around the country the PokémonGo craze has seen reports of accidents, injuries and even crimes where suspects have set-up fake Pokéstops.

Be careful out there!

Be careful out there!

So as you set out to capture them all:

1) Be alert at all times
2) Stay aware of your surroundings
3) Play in pairs or as a group to ensure your safety
4) Do not drive or ride your bike, skateboard, or other device while interacting with the app…you can’t do both safely
5) Do not trespass onto private property or go to areas you usually would not if you weren’t playing Pokémon Go.

Have fun AND stay safe. Good luck in your quest, and happy hatching, trapping, and training at the Pokémon Gym!

9 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Library, People, technology

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Library Book Sale Spans Seneca, Dali — And YouTube

Posted on July 11, 2016 | Comments Off on Library Book Sale Spans Seneca, Dali — And YouTube

Each year, the Westport Library’s summer book sale gets bigger — and rarer.

This year’s 24th annual event (Saturday, July 16 through Tuesday, July 19) features — among its 100,000+ hardcover and paperback fiction, non-fiction, children’s sci-fi, comics, Judaica and erotica, plus comics, vinyl and sheet music — several specials:

  • First Plantin press edition of Seneca’s “Tragedies,” from 1576 (!)
  • 1959 signed limited edition “Dali: A Study of his Art-in-Jewels”
  • Books from the estate of area resident D.M. “Mac” Marshman, Oscar-winning screenwriter for “Sunset Boulevard”
  • 2 new categories: “Fashion from head to toe” and “Connecticut, New England and New York: art to travel and all in between.”

The tent is already up on Jesup Green. Volunteers are moving, sorting and doing the thousands of tasks needed for such a huge event. (Volunteers still welcome! Email shooper@westportlibrary.org)

But — like the rest of the book sale — the tent doesn’t just happen. Here’s a time-lapse peek at last year’s set-up.

The heavy lifting has been done. Now you just need to show up.

(The 24th annual Westport Library Book Sale takes place Saturday, July 16 [9 a.m.-5 p.m.]; Sunday, July 17 [10 a.m.-5 p.m.]; Monday, July 18 [9 a.m.-5 p.m., everything half price] and Tuesday, July 19 [9 a.m.-1 p.m., everything free; contributions accepted. Click here for more details.)

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Posted in Arts, Library

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Maker Faire Makes Its Mark

Posted on April 30, 2016 | 1 comment

Geeks are cool.

Up to 10,000 science, math, music, robotics, environment, agriculture, art, drone, woodworking, etc. geeks — of all ages, genders, and from more than 100 miles away — descended on Westport today.

The 5th annual Mini Maker Faire made our town the center of the creative universe — okay, the creative region.

Demonstrations, exhibits, games, food — it was all there, at the Westport Library and Jesup Green.

It continues all afternoon (Saturday, April 30), until 4 p.m. There may still be time to get your geek on!

Outside the main tent, a "human foosball" game was played. As in many real soccer games, the goalie is bored.

Outside the main tent, a “human foosball” game was played. As in many real soccer games, the goalie is bored.

A Maker Faire luthier introduces a young boy to the wonders of music.

A Maker Faire luthier introduces a young boy to the wonders of music.

A father and son bond over physics.

A father and son bond over physics.

A self-proclaimed Kook Nerd.

A self-proclaimed Kool Nerd.

Indoors and out, the Maker Faire took over the Westport Library and Jesup Green.

Indoors and out, the Maker Faire took over the Westport Library and Jesup Green.

Among the exhibitors. Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service offered free CPR training.

Among the exhibitors. Norwalk Hospital volunteers offered free CPR training.

Some youngsters found a way to "make" their own fun.

Some youngsters found a way to “make” their own fun.

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Posted in Arts, Children, Downtown, Education, Environment, Library, technology

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Maxine Bleiweis: Life After The Library

Posted on April 8, 2016 | Comments Off on Maxine Bleiweis: Life After The Library

Last year, Maxine Bleiweis announced her retirement. After 17 years as director of the Westport Library — and for 18 years before that, doing the same job upstate — her many fans and friends wondered how she’d handle the transition to “consultant.”

It’s been nearly a year, and the answer is: pretty well.

Maxine Bleiweis

Maxine Bleiweis (Photo/Stacy Bass)

So well, in fact, that Maxine has done something very librarian-like. She’s written about her experience for Library Journal.

In a piece called “Letting Go While Hanging On,” Maxine admits that being a library director was “all I knew.”

I was used to having ideas, throwing them out to a group, seeing them put into action, and developing direction and policy for institutions that had impact on the community. I stayed for more than 15 years each at two institutions, which meant I had hired a majority of the staff and knew every mover and shaker in the area. I was accustomed to having a title and a position in the community.

She could have been lonely. She could have looked over the new director’s shoulder.

Instead, she made a new life — while letting go of the parts of her old one that she needed to.

Maxine offers 10 lessons. They describe her post-Westport Library life. But they’re a blueprint for any other boss who’s changing any career they’ve been in for a while.

For example, Maxine writes:

Don’t be tempted to go back to say hello or give advice. You’ve handed over the reins to someone else: free that person of your shadow. It’s enough that your past memos and emails and name on annual appeal letters and newsletters are in evidence. Your presence is felt without you actually being there….

After retiring, Maxine Bleiweis keeps her distance from the Westport Library.

After retiring, Maxine Bleiweis keeps her distance from the Westport Library.

Don’t keep up with anyone without permission. Start out at a distance through Facebook. You’ve been their supervisor, not their colleague. There may be some who want to develop a different relationship, but you should think about what they might report back to their coworkers and how that might translate on the job. If you have a relationship, avoid speaking about work, and don’t offer opinions.

Being untethered brings new opportunities, including spreading the library word when it is not expected. You can observe from an outside vantage point and have a better perspective about why the library isn’t on the minds of people the way you want it to be. You can write letters to the editor without worrying that you are taking sides politically. Being on the “outside” is both refreshing and jarring.

She also describes how she gets her reading fix without going into the library; learns not to apologize for leaving the non-profit world; rearranges her  schedule; creates a new work environment, and spends time doing things she never had time for.

Nowadays -- in between consulting work -- Maxine Bleiweis has time for herself. However, she does not spend it in a Westport Library reading room.

Nowadays — in between consulting work — Maxine Bleiweis has time for herself. However, she does not spend it in a Westport Library reading room.

Maxine concludes:

Was all of this easy? Not a chance. I’m fortunate that my consulting work and family took up time and energy and made up for some of the loss I felt. I still look at my email too many times a day and wonder why I’m buying “work” clothes when I have more than enough.

Check back in another year, and I may have conquered the rest of the library director habits.

(To read the entire Library Journal story, click here. To learn more about Maxine’s consulting business, click here.) 

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Posted in Library, Media, People

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There Be Dragons

Posted on April 5, 2016 | 2 comments

Everyone knows there’s an airplane hanging from the Westport Library ceiling.

But unless you’ve been there lately, you may not have seen 2 dragons lurking in the Maker Space.

(Photo/JP Vellotti)

(Photo/JP Vellotti)

Alert photographer J.P. Vellotti notes they’re not the only dragons there. A few feet away, the WPA mural — rescued from the original Saugatuck Elementary School on Bridge Street — shows another version of the creature.

You can see all those dragons — and more — this Thursday (April 7, 5-6:30 p.m.). A “Geek Party” kicks off a photo campaign showing all the things library users “geek” (are passionate) about.

If you’d like to be photographed by Pam Einarsen showing what you geek about, wear a solid black top — and bring what you geek. You’ll get free digital and print copies.

Can’t make it Thursday? Photo sessions are also scheduled for Saturday (April 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Tuesday (April 19, 3-5 p.m.).

And if you geek dragons, that would be very, very cool.

David Pogue is one of Westport's best-known geeks.

David Pogue is one of Westport’s best-known geeks.

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Posted in Library, People, technology

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Oh My 06880 — Photo Challenge #66

Posted on April 3, 2016 | 14 comments

What did “06880” give you for Easter?

The easiest photo challenge ever.

A record 28 readers knew — without looking up from their holiday dinner — that last week’s photo by Lynn U. Miller showed the original (1908) Westport Public Library, on the Post Road between Main Street and Parker Harder Plaza.

Some people called it the Freshii building. Some called it Starbucks, or a bank. But every single person was correct.

Martin Gitlin was 1st, 3 minutes after the challenge appeared. He was followed quickly by Jeff Giannone, Seth Schachter, Joyce Barnhart, Rebecca Bruno, Rebecca Wolin, Jerry MacDaid, Jody Brown, Elisabeth Rose, Barbara Sherburne, Karen Kramer, Jill Turner Odice, Michelle Saunders, Robert Mitchell, Bobbie Herman, Linda Amos, Jacques Voris, James Weisz, Paul Chapman, Vanessa Bradford, Ellen Gibson, Cindy Zuckerbrod, Michael Calise, Mary Cookman Schmerker, Susan Huppi, Bert Reisman, Brandon Malin and Daniel Souza.

Congratulations to all. Click here to see this softball of a challenge.

This week’s photo is (I hope) a lot tougher. If you know where it is — and what it is — click “Comments” below. Put on your thinking cap — the holiday’s over!

(Photo/Peter Tulupman)

(Photo/Peter Tulupman)

14 Comments

Posted in Library, Photo Challenge

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