‘Fire and Ice’ Gala Anything But Bookish

‘Fire and Ice’ Gala Anything 
But Bookish:

Friends of the Fairfield Public Library hold second 

annual fundraiser

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 1/9)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/9/11

Fairfield, CT – They were doing everything you’re not supposed to do in a library: eating, drinking, playing music and hanging out after hours. But the staff didn’t mind. In fact, they encouraged it and joined in.

On Saturday evening, the Friends of the Fairfield Library held its 2^nd Annual fundraiser event, themed “Fire and Ice: A Library Lovers’ Gala” in the Main Library, 1080 Old Post Road. About 80 people attended, a mix of community supporters and library personnel, and enjoyed classical music, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Fairfield-based actors Chris Sarandon and Joanna Gleason hosted as honorary co-chairmen.

Khorshed Randeria, President of the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library (FFPL), explained that the event is critical to the ongoing programming efforts of the library and was pleased with the turnout. “The event mainly supports our Soundwaves Concert Series but also our One Book One Town program, which is in its fourth year.”

In the One Book One Town program, one exemplary book is chosen by a committee of librarians, Fairfield University staff and the Fairfield Arts Council and recommended to the town to read. The library buys 200 copies – 100 for the main library, 50 for the Fairfield Woods branch and 50 for Pequot Library. This year’s selection is “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Saffran Foer. Throughout the month of March, the library conducts a series of events around the book and book clubs invite librarians to talk about it. A children’s book is also selected, which, this year, is “Our Farm” by Maya Gottfried.

The fundraiser also helps fund the main library’s Bruce S. Kershner Gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibit of paintings and sculpture themed “Investigation – Imagination”. 

“This is about celebrating our donors’ community and thanking them for their support with an elegant evening,” said Catherine Burnett, a member of the Board for FFPL and a member of the art committee for the gallery. She mentioned that the event had grown from last year’s inaugural fundraiser, which was held around Valentine’s Day and themed “Romance in the Stacks.”

This year’s “Fire and Ice” theme was a juxtaposition of the wintry time of year and the lively musical entertainment. The latter included gypsy music rendered in a classical style by pianist Robert Merfeld and violinist Katie Lansdale, who is also the Soundwaves director. They delivered what was described in the evening program as everything “from sobbing laments to skirling accelerandos” and “fiddling pyrotechnics to unforgettable tunes”, entertaining all in attendance with their instrumental mastery and showmanship.

Town Librarian Karen Ronald felt the event really shows what a library can be to a community. “It provides people with another view of the library as an experiential site.” Friends member Dee Skott, attending with husband Alan, agreed. “The library’s the center of the community and this is a great way of supporting the programming.”

Silent auction items were an additional feature of the evening. These included expensive wines, vintage books, Wedgewood china, wine baskets and one-of-a-kind signed prints, displayed throughout the lower level. Reviewing some of the items, attendee Rosemary Rembetsky said, “I particularly like the vintage books, but also the Dom Perignon.”

Attendees Christy Ottaviano and Kevin Ohe had a special place in their hearts for the library. “We’re both in publishing, and anything to do with books we support,” said Ottaviano. “We spend a lot of time in the library, so it’s a very happy, comfortable place for us. Obviously, we love this library and want to do what we can to keep it thriving.”

Fairfield’s First Selectman Ken Flatto was on hand for the festivities and stressed the importance of the town’s library. “This is becoming an annual tradition. It’s so important for the community to get involved and it makes people feel like they have a stake in the enterprise. This group helps set policy. I’m very pleased about it.”