The Woodbury Library has gone through many changes and renovations over the years, but still offers a great service to the community. The library, which was previously located in the building's attic, underwent its last renovation 20 years ago.
The library has a brick exterior and is filled with thousands of books and learning resources within. The library Director is Patricia Lunn.
In 1894, John Howard Whittemore bequeathed to the Naugatuck public a library constructed in memory of his son, John Howard Whittemore, Jr. The building was designed by renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, which also designed several other buildings in the downtown at the time.
The two-floor library, located at 243 Church Street, features a collection of more than 70,000 books, as well as 135 magazine titles and 10 newspapers. There are also several audio books, DVDs and compact discs. The Howard Whittemore Library belongs to the Bibliomation library network, which allows for inter-library loans of items that the library does not have.
Computers are available and Internet access is free, although there is a 45-minute limit. Patrons may print two pages free, after that they will be charged $1 for five more prints. Library cards are free of charge and can be obtained by going to the front desk and providing proof of residency.
The loan period for books is 28 days, with new books, inter-library loans, CDs and leased books available for 14 days. Magazines circulate for seven days, and entertainment videos are available for two days. Renewals are offered twice per item, and may be requested via phone.
Some of the Howard Whittemore Library specialities are rare and non-circulating books in the Connecticut Room and books on local Naugatuck history. Residents who walk in the building are greeted by a large rotunda that sits atop the foyer area, which is surrounded by portraits and busts of past figures associated with the library.
The Howard Whittemore Library held the distinction of being one of two Connecticut libraries recognized in the book Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love. The library is governed by a board of trustees.
Middlebury Public Library provides a wide selection of literary resources for individuals throughout the New Haven County area. This institution offers various reading materials, including special collections with career resources and large print books. There are computer stations with internet access and printing, faxing and word processing. Various library programs include story hours, book discussions and summer reading programs.
The Fairfield Woods Branch Library, like Fairfield Public Library, did not begin where it is now.
The Fairfield Woods Branch Library was originally located in the former Andrew Warde High School - now the home of Fairfield Warde High School - from 1956 to 1969. Before then, the PTA at nearby Stratfield School in 1936 opened a library in Stratfield School with 1,000 donated children's books, and a small adult collection of books was housed in a firehouse in Stratfield in the early 1950s.
The Fairfield Woods Branch Library, which opened in 1969, has about 75,000 books and is one of the busiest branch libraries in the state. The librarian at Fairfield Woods Branch Library is Nancy Coriaty.
Local librarians claim that a trip to the Cos Cob Library will remind patrons of Cheers, "where everybody knows your name." It is one of three local libraries that comprise the Greenwich Library System.
Cos Cos Library opened at its present location in 1999, after 60 years of book-lending from various Greenwich locations.
Today's collection tops 40,000 items. Patrons are free to use the library's computers (some set aside for children), and have free access to the building's WiFi network.
Among the many special programs offered at the library are weekly story hours for toddlers and preschoolers and adult book club meetings.
The library's community accommodates 60 people and is available for free usage by Greenwich non-profit clubs and organizations. Reservations are required.
Anyone who lives, works or studies in Greenwich is eligible to obtain a Greenwich Library card, free of charge. Further instructions are available on the Greenwich Library website.
