Oliver Wolcott Library ready to reopen on July 15

LITCHFIELD — The Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South St., Litchfield, is reopening to the public July 15.

On June 1, the Oliver Wolcott Library began offering contactless, same-day Curbside Pickup. We will continue to offer this service. On Wednesday, July 15, we will begin our next phase (Stage 2) in the progression of our re-opening plans.

The procedures that the Oliver Wolcott Library has adopted follow guidelines and requirements set forth in the Governor's Re-Opening Connecticut, Sector Rules. As noted in the requirements, the most important consideration will be the health and safety of employees and patrons.

July 15’s reopening will allow a maximum of 12 patrons inside the library at a time to browse and select materials. Patrons who visit the library are required to bring and wear their own mask or cloth face covering that completely covers the nose and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety due to a medical condition.

A limited number of unrelated patrons can use the Children's Room at one time. Access to two public computers are by appointment only.

The library will continue to offer: curbside pick-up, Personal Book Browser, Virtual Book-aLibrarian, & a host of self-directed and Virtual Events

In order to follow social distancing and cleaning requirements, we must significantly limit the number of people inside the library at one time and the length of visits. There may be times when you have to wait to enter the Library or to access the Children's Room. If you want to avoid waiting, please continue to use our Curbside Pick-Up.

For complete details, and upto-date information about OWL and Re-Opening Progression Plans go to owlibrary.org or Facebook.

Patrons may visit but cannot stay at the library to sit, read, study, work, or engage in any activity that prolongs visits or utilizes shared furniture/spaces.

Northwest Community Bank awards Team Success Scholars

WINSTED —Northwestern Connecticut Community College recently received an award of $30,000; $10,000 each year for the next three years from Northwest Community Bank to support students enrolled in Team Success Scholars, NCCC’s college success program.

TSS is primarily supported through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, whose funds are administered through the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. Eligibility requirements for the highly successful TSS program include students who are facing barriers such as poverty, homelessness, disabilities, or English language fluency, according to a statement.

"The support from Northwest Community Bank allows us to serve more students, beyond those eligible under WIOA guidelines,” said TSS Director, Susan Dichter. “This not only strengthens our TSS cohort and peer learning communities, but also demonstrates a strong partnership committed to student success. We are very grateful for Northwest Community Bank’s continuing support,” she said.

According to the statement, TSS students hold higher grade point averages, stay in college, and graduate sooner than nonTSS students. In 2017, Northwest Community Bank agreed to fund five students for three years. These students successfully graduated in May 2020, and like most TSS graduates before them, ranked higher than average academically.

“Northwest Community Bank is pleased to continue our support of the NCCC Team Success Scholars, a program which has been incredibly successful in providing an educational framework which is shaping the lives of numerous students within our community,” said Stephen Reilly, bank president and CEO. “We commend the entire staff at NCCC for their ingenuity and dedication in administering this program, and we are honored to partner with them in such an impactful community initiative.”

Northwest Community Bank has also donated an additional $2,000 to the NCCC Student Emergency Fund, which provides short-term financial support for students who have an unexpected and immediate financial need.

“We are truly grateful for the funding from Northwest Community Bank in support of our TSS candidate students who want to gain the education needed to overcome the barriers holding them back,” said NCCC President, Dr. Michael Rooke in the statement. “The continued support of both our TSS and Student Emergency Fund programs by Northwest Community Bank is a testament to their commitment to the students of Northwestern and the community as a whole. We greatly appreciate all that they have done for NCCC.”

Visit www.nwcc.edu/success for more information and the application process.

Summer food program offered

WINSTED — The Winchester Board of Education is participating in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program. Meals are provided free of charge to children 18 years and under at the following sites:

Pearson School, , 2 Wetmore St, serving breakfast and lunch, 11:30 a.m-1 p.m through Aug. 21; and Litchfield Heights, 15 MountainView Terrace, Winsted, 1111:20 a.m., through Aug. 21.

The service is sponsored by EdAdvance. For information, call 860-567-0863, 1113.