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RIDGEFIELD, Conn. The residents of Ridgefield demonstrated how much they missed their library by being on its computers the moment its new temporary space on Governor Street opened Tuesday morning.
As part of the move, the Ridgefield Library has introduced extended hours, opening at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. and staying open until 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
I got here around 9 and people were already on the computers, said Mary Rindfleisch, the assistant director of the Ridgefield Library.
Rindfleisch said she thought most people were coming Tuesday morning to return the approximately 18,000 books, movies and other items that had been taken out prior to the library closing for the two-week move.
People seem to really like the open feel of it, Rindfleisch said. Although, some were surprised to realize that they did like it.
Honestly, I was pretty surprised, but I think they did a pretty good job, said Mairine Libonati. She came to the new space with her 3 1/2-year-old son, Nicolas, who liked the new building as well, and said she thought the library had done good job with making everything user friendly.
I didnt think it would work. But I think it does, said Nancy Vilece, who in her 35 years living in Ridgefield has seen several changes to the library. I think it looks really nice.
Including having access to only half of the librarys 113,000 book collection, patrons also will have to contend with the parking authority if they want to park directly outside the library.
People will have to obey the rules of the parking lot, Rindfleisch said, although she added there are parking lots downtown that do not have time limits.
Libonati noticed the parking lot was full Tuesday morning, about the same as it had been when Balduccis was in the building.
The Ridgefield Library will occupy the space at Governor Street for the next 16-18 months while the $20 million renovation of the original location is completed.
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