Stonington Free Library

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February 12, 2023

STONINGTON FREE LIBRARY ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES DIRECTOR MARIS FREY.

A longtime presence at the Stonington Free Library (SFL), Youth Services Director Maris Frey has announced her plans to retire. Maris has worked at SFL since 2006 and has touched the lives of countless children, teens and families. She will be forever remembered as Mrs. Frey. Her commitment to bringing creative, innovative and fun library services to the youth of Stonington is exemplary.

Maris’ Summer Reading Program (SRP) is beloved and has consistently registered between 300-600+ children and seen 70-80% participation rates. Besides the SRP, she created many other successful reading programs including 50 to Grow On and several Family and Teen Reading Challenges.

During the pandemic, Maris successfully pivoted children’s programs to online platforms. Thousands of children enjoyed her weekly story times on the Library’s YouTube channel and were still able to participate in a digital version of the Summer Reading Program. She transitioned the Library’s reading programs over to the app Beanstack, which is now being used for reading programs for all ages.

Maris led the Children’s Room through its renovations in 2020. The area received new shelving, furniture, technology, paint, an accessible bathroom and elevator access. It is now a brighter, more open, accessible and flexible space for children and families.

Maris is also responsible for the introduction of many new technologies to the Children’s Room over the years. This includes Early Literacy Stations, smart devices, Kindle Fires, Playaway Views, Wii U Gaming and more.

Maris has brought a variety of friends and fun activities to the Library over the years including ducklings, the Little Blue Truck, Elephant & Piggie, Pete the Cat, Fancy Nancy tea parties, children’s operas, gingerbread houses, hula hooping, candy sushi, painting parties, magic shows, and much more! She has also led many outreach initiatives to bring the Library out into the community such as free story times and rotating collections of books for local preschools, after school read-aloud programs, visits to the mobile food pantry and bringing summer reading performers to both Stonington Human Services and the COMO.

Kevin Bowdler, President of the SFL Board of Trustees shared his thoughts on Maris’ retirement, “She took the children’s program to the next level. She always focused on community, and how the library could bring parents and children together. She also worked with the business community to help support the children’s program. Maris adapted spectacularly throughout COVID by creating bedtime book readings on YouTube and we were astounded by how many views they received. We, the Board, and the community are going to miss Maris.”

“Maris is such a treasure. My children began their library journey as little ones being read to by Maris during story time, elementary and middle school students participating in and then working for the Summer Reading Program, and now high school and college students dropping in to say hello during a trip to the Library for a book. Thank you Maris for sharing your love and caring with the community!” from Sage Williams, Stonington parent and member of the SFL Board of Trustees.

Maris shared her parting thoughts saying, “I am excited to embark on a new adventure, but also sad to say goodbye to so many children, families, friends, and coworkers who have touched my heart in so many ways. I have been privileged to have a front row seat to an entire generation of my “little friends” who are now in college and older. I loved every letter that was requested for community service hours, National Honor Society, high school admission, and college scholarships. Even though they missed having calculators, the Teen Volunteers improved their mental math skills in The Store. I was proud of my story time friends learning all the songs and practicing the hand motions at home. Stories are my life work – you have all given me stories to last forever. Thank you for sharing your children with me.”

After retiring on February 27, Maris and her husband plan to move out of state to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Please stop by the Library between 10 am and 6 pm from Monday, February 13 through Thursday, February 16 to wish Maris all the best in her next chapter!

Filed Under: Adults, Homepage, People of SFL, Youth

 

Tags

Adults book group Books & Reading children hallow-read halloween kids Library Life Mystery Dinner online Outreach social summer reading Sunday Evening Lecture Series teens Youth youth services

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Today is the last day! Did you complete your loggi
Today is the last day! Did you complete your logging?

Calling all library lovers: Support Stonington Fre
Calling all library lovers: Support Stonington Free Library this Library Giving Day! This one-day online fundraising event will occur on April 4th and will help us strengthen our community and transform lives every day. Our goal this year is $20,000. Our generous trustees are willing to match gifts up to a total of $5,000 to help us reach our goal! https://conta.cc/3FUXTrV

See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Li
See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Library at:

*** http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?in&p=5591-325 ***

There are eight new bestsellers, two new audiobooks, 30 new children's books, and 15 other new books.

 The new bestsellers this week include "Hello Beautiful," "I Will Find You," and "Countdown."

ONE WEEK LEFT: 50 To Grow On ends on March 31. Pl
ONE WEEK LEFT: 50 To Grow On  ends on March 31. Please complete all reading and logging by that date.

See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Li
See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Library at:

*** http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?in&p=5591-324 ***

There are six new bestsellers, one new audiobook, seven new children's books, and 26 other new books, including six that are available online.

 The new bestsellers this week include "Paris: The Memoir," "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life," and "The Sister Effect."

TWO WEEKS LEFT: 50 To Grow On ends on March 31. P
TWO WEEKS LEFT: 50 To Grow On  ends on March 31. Please complete all reading and logging by that date.


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Newsletter Archive

Events Calendar

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  • April 2023

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

3 events, 27

2023-01-01

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

January 1 - March 31

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

Once a week on Wednesdays from 1-3 the Knitting Group meets at the library and the attendees share expertise on knitting, crochet, and many other topics. This talented group of

2023-03-27

50 To Grow On

50 To Grow On

Event Series
March 27 Event Series

50 To Grow On

10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

March 27 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

2 events, 28

2023-01-01

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

2023-03-28

50 To Grow On

50 To Grow On

Event Series
March 28 Event Series

50 To Grow On

3 events, 29

2023-01-01

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

2023-03-29

50 To Grow On

50 To Grow On

Event Series
March 29 Event Series

50 To Grow On

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured March 29 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

2 events, 30

2023-01-01

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

2023-03-30

50 To Grow On

50 To Grow On

Event Series
March 30 Event Series

50 To Grow On

2 events, 31

2023-01-01

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

2023-03-31

50 To Grow On

50 To Grow On

Event Series
March 31 Event Series

50 To Grow On

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

3 events, 3

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Puppet Grab & Go Ages 7 and under

April 3 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Puppet Grab & Go Ages 7 and under

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

APRIL GRAB & GO ACTIVITY KIT FOR ADULTS: FELT BOOK MARKS

April 3 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

APRIL GRAB & GO ACTIVITY KIT FOR ADULTS: FELT BOOK MARKS

Celebrate National Library Week in April by making your own felt book mark! Kits include felt in a variety of colors and pictures for inspiration. Glue or needle and thread

10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

April 3 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

1 event, 4

2023-04-04

Library Giving Day

Library Giving Day

April 4

Library Giving Day

Stay tuned for ways you can support the library!

1 event, 5

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured April 5 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 6

0 events, 7

0 events, 8

0 events, 9

1 event, 10

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Unicorn Story Time ages 4 and older

April 10 @ 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Unicorn Story Time ages 4 and older

1 event, 11

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drop-In Legos

April 11 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drop-In Legos

2 events, 12

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured April 12 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drop-In Playdough

April 12 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drop-In Playdough

2 events, 13

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

April 13 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

Join us on Thursday 4/13 @ 2pm to discuss Radiant Fugitives by Nawaaz Ahmed "Despite still struggling with her father’s long-ago decision to exile her from the family after she

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Catapult Building and Competition ages 7 and up

April 13 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Catapult Building and Competition ages 7 and up

1 event, 14

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join us for some BINGO fun!

April 14 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join us for some BINGO fun!

0 events, 15

1 event, 16

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

A HENRY JAMES YOU MAY NOT KNOW: OR WHAT MAISIE KNEW, WITH PROFESSOR JULIE RIVKIN

April 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

A HENRY JAMES YOU MAY NOT KNOW: OR WHAT MAISIE KNEW, WITH PROFESSOR JULIE RIVKIN

Join Professor Julie Rivkin as she discusses her current work on a critical edition of Henry James’s What Maisie Knew for Cambridge University Press.

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

1 event, 19

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured April 19 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

2 events, 20

2023-04-20

Walker and Engelman: Sailing to Freedom

Walker and Engelman: Sailing to Freedom

April 20

Walker and Engelman: Sailing to Freedom

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

SAILING TO FREEDOM BOOK TALK

April 20 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

SAILING TO FREEDOM BOOK TALK

Join us for a discussion on the lesser known side of the Underground Railroad with Sailing to Freedom editor, Tim Walker, and contributing writer Elysa Engelman, whose chapter focuses on

0 events, 21

0 events, 22

1 event, 23

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 23 - April 29

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

Stay tuned for fun ways to participate this week!

1 event, 24

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

1 event, 25

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

2 events, 26

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured April 26 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

1 event, 27

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

1 event, 28

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

1 event, 29

2023-04-23

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

0 events, 30

January 1
All day

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

All day Event Series

50 To Grow On

March 27 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

January 1
All day

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

All day Event Series

50 To Grow On

January 1
All day

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

All day Event Series

50 To Grow On

Featured Featured March 29 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

January 1
All day

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

All day Event Series

50 To Grow On

January 1
All day

IN THE LOOP AT SFL GALLERY EXHIBIT

All day Event Series

50 To Grow On

April 3
April 3 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Puppet Grab & Go Ages 7 and under

April 3 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

APRIL GRAB & GO ACTIVITY KIT FOR ADULTS: FELT BOOK MARKS

April 3 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

April 5
Featured Featured April 5 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

April 10
April 10 @ 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Unicorn Story Time ages 4 and older

  • There are no events on this day.
April 3
April 3 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Puppet Grab & Go Ages 7 and under

April 3 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

APRIL GRAB & GO ACTIVITY KIT FOR ADULTS: FELT BOOK MARKS

April 3 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Drop in Story Time

April 4
All day

Library Giving Day

April 5
Featured Featured April 5 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
April 10
April 10 @ 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Unicorn Story Time ages 4 and older

April 11
April 11 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drop-In Legos

April 12
Featured Featured April 12 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

April 12 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drop-In Playdough

April 13
April 13 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

April 13 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Catapult Building and Competition ages 7 and up

April 14
April 14 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join us for some BINGO fun!

  • There are no events on this day.
April 16
April 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

A HENRY JAMES YOU MAY NOT KNOW: OR WHAT MAISIE KNEW, WITH PROFESSOR JULIE RIVKIN

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
April 19
Featured Featured April 19 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

April 20
All day

Walker and Engelman: Sailing to Freedom

April 20 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

SAILING TO FREEDOM BOOK TALK

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

Featured Featured April 26 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 23
All day

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

  • There are no events on this day.
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PO Box 232
Stonington, CT 06378

860 535 0658 Phone
860 535 3945 Fax
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© 2023 · Stonington Free Library · Photography by Peter Goldberg · Design & Development by // DESIGN AGENCY //

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