The Ridgefield Library will present the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award to Peggy and Rudy Marconi at its 2022 Great Expectations Gala on Saturday, June 4.
Peggy Marconi has lived in Ridgefield for over 30 years. During the past 22 years, she has served the community as a top Realtor helping both sellers and buyers as they transition to new phases of their lives, receiving the Good Neighbor Award from the Board of Realtors. In addition to her professional work, Peggy has served the community on the Board of RVNAhealth, on the Board of Ann’s Place and has supported the important work of the Center for Empowerment and Education (Danbury Women’s Center) and Ability Beyond.
Rudy Marconi, a life-long Ridgefielder and current First Selectman of Ridgefield, has shown incredible leadership over the years, especially in shepherding the Ridgefield community through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Rudy was a supporter of the New Ridgefield Library Building Project that helped the Town realize the dream of the beautiful Library that Ridgefield enjoys today. In addition, his hard work and dedication on the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse, the Compassionate Ridgefield Project, WestCOG (Western CT Council of Governments), HRRA (Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority), Western CT Coalition and involvement in Ridgefield receiving the first cultural district designation in the State of Connecticut, as well as tirelessly supporting all the local nonprofits and businesses, has greatly benefited all who live in Ridgefield.
Their tireless service, dedication, and work on behalf of the Ridgefield Community and beyond epitomizes the mission and vision of the Library.
“The Great Expectations Gala is the Ridgefield Library’s biggest fundraiser each year. With the help of our incredibly deserving honorees, Peggy and Rudy Marconi, as well as the generosity of so many people in the community, we are able to raise funds to operate the Library year to year. We are so grateful that this event has been and will continue to be such a very special and successful event for the Ridgefield Library,” said Director of Development Laureen Bubniak.
It is apparent that as the pandemic evolved, the library has taken advantage of technology to ensure that our community continues to receive all levels of programming and services. The Ridgefield Library has shown a strong sense of innovation to ensure it remains relevant and positioned to serve the entire community of Ridgefield.
While in-person events went back into effect in September of 2021, the Library has continued to leverage hybrid events and online events. This has also allowed for a broader spectrum of events and speakers utilizing YouTube and Zoom.
Many of the programs and services put into effect since 2020 will remain a staple of the Library’s offerings such as Book Bundles, where staff personalize and customize a selection of books for pick up allowing patrons access without entering the Library. While this initiative started as a way of ensuring patrons could gain access without possible COVID exposure, it has proven invaluable to busy parents and adults alike.
In addition, the Library has created “Take and Make Craft Kits” not just for kids, but also for teens and adults. If you like to craft but want to do so at home, these are perfect self-contained kits.
A critical change the Library made this past year was to expand the number of individual tables and chairs available to its patrons. This provides people who continue to work from home, a place to go when needed. It is a recognition of an expanding need.
One of the most exciting events this year was the long-awaited opening of the Dean and Theresa Miller Terrace. It provides a great space with Wi-Fi for patrons to enjoy the outdoors as we move into warmer weather.
“Over the past two years, the Library has reimagined core services and developed innovative new ones to meet the changing needs of our community. The core principles of the Ridgefield Library - based on trust, accessibility, inclusiveness, and respect - inform our mission, a commitment that frames all we do now and into the future” said Andy Forsyth, Assistant Director of the Ridgefield Library.
Director of the Ridgefield Library, Brenda McKinley could not agree more with the direction the Library has taken and the awarding of the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award to the Marconi’s.
“All of us at the Ridgefield Library are passionate in our belief in the transformational role of public libraries in the communities they serve. Through exceptional service, resources, programming, support and partnerships, our staff work with individuals, non-profit organizations, arts and cultural organizations and town agencies every day to meet the evolving needs of the Ridgefield community. As we look to the future and are guided by our vision to be the model of a vibrant and vital 21st century community library, we are excited to continue being the outstanding library that Ridgefield relies on.
It is so fitting that Peggy and Rudy Marconi be awarded the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award. Through their strong support of the Library over so many years, they have been a part of this transformational community service work. More broadly they have also shown the good that can be done through a life-long commitment to our community through public service, volunteer work and philanthropy. For Ridgefield and beyond, Peggy and Rudy have and continue to make positive change.”