events @ the Library

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
10:00 am
McManus Room

Anne Ford will speak about her book A Special Mother: Getting through the Early Days of a Child's Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and Related Disorder, co-authored with John-Richard Thompson, who will also be present. Ford is the author of the memoir Laughing Allegra about raising her severely learning disabled daughter, and On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD. She served as Chairman of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001, and remains a committed advocate and frequent speaker on LD issues. The great-granddaughter of Henry Ford, she lives in New York City. Thompson is an award-winning playwright and novelist, who has collaborated with Anne Ford at NCLD and on her two previous books. He lives in New York City.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Items in the Library catalog on learning disabilities.
Co-sponsored with Smart Kids with LD.

Thursday, January 14, 2010
10:00 am
McManus Room

Margie Gillis, Ed.D., former Language Therapist and Director of Mastering Reading Instruction at Haskins Laboratories, founded Literacy How, Inc., which promotes the science of teaching reading through comprehensive professional development, coaching, and classroom support. She will speak on the basic strategies used to develop literacy. Gillis is also cofounder and vice-president of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities and president of the Connecticut Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Items in the Library catalog on literacy.
Co-sponsored with Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities.

Friday, October 16
9:30 to 10:30 am
Higgins Room

Learn tips and techniques for reading aloud to children. The workshop focuses on preparing SVA volunteers for its Read Aloud Day in the Bridgeport Schools and is also perfect for anyone who reads to children. Register now with the Childrens Library at 291-4810. For more information, visit the Children's Library website.

Thursday, October 15
9:30 to 11:00 am
McManus Room

Westport Library collaborates with the Westport PTA ArtSmart program to present an adult workshop. Learn about materials and resources to develop interesting presentations in this hands-on forum with art educators including Betsy Beach, art teacher, artist, and graphic designer. The program is open to anyone who presents art to children. Register now with the Childrens Library at 291-4810 or kids@westportlibrary.org.

Children's Library website.