Library Board Chair Peter Coffin congratulates Patricia Tenney (left) and Barbara Dobbin (right) for winning the Paccadolmi Award for leadership for their work to get the library established in temporary quarters during construction.
Nearly 150 library supporters gathered recently at the library’s temporary location on Governor Street for the 10th annual Library Social, to celebrate the successes of the past year and share their excitement about the big changes coming in the next 12 months.
A highlight of the evening was awarding the 2013 Paccadolmi Awards. Named for long-time librarian Phyllis Paccadolmi, these awards were established following “Miss P’s” death in 2006 and honor those whose commitment to the library exemplifies her spirit and dedication.
Former library board members Barbara Dobbin and Patricia Tenney were recognized for their outstanding work in locating a temporary facility for library operations during construction and getting it ready to open to the public in record time.
The family of Evan, Kathie, Kasey, Ethan and Riley McGerald received a Paccadolmi Award for their individual and collective efforts on behalf of the library in so many ways, from initiating the Ridgefield Kids Read readathon to cooking up fabulous treats at a Table of Contents fundraising dinner to helping ensure passage of the town referendum in support of the New Ridgefield Library.
More about the awards and this year’s winners is available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.
Also on the 17th, former library board member and committee co-chair Cloris Pearson unveiled the preliminary output of the library’s recent strategic planning effort anticipating the move into a new facility next year. As part of this work, the library board recently adopted updated Vision and Mission statements, along with a strategic framework for additional planning.
The new Vision Statement for the Ridgefield Library is: “To be the centerpiece of Ridgefield, an essential partner and destination of choice for our community: the place where people go to read, discover, question, connect and thrive.”
The new Mission Statement reads, in part: “The Ridgefield Library is an intellectual and cultural gathering place, adapting to the changing needs of our community in an evolving world.”
Altogether more than 600 people participated in creating this new Strategic Plan. The work was accomplished through a town wide survey, focus groups, a staff workshop and a board retreat. The library leadership wanted to learn what people in the community value about the library and what they consider important for its future. All the information gained has been summarized and is being used as library board, staff and others plan and move forward.
Details may be found at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.