Directions

Heading North - Take I-91 North to Exit 36.  At the end of the exit take a Right onto Park Avenue (Route 178).  Continue to the end.  Take a left onto Windsor Avenue (which is also route 159 and turns into Broad Street).  At the first traffic light (approx.  ¾ mile at Batchelder Rd.) Library is on the far right corner.  The driveway is the first right after Batchelder Road.  Parking is at the rear of Library building.

Heading South - Take I-91 South to Exit 37.  At the end of the exit take a left onto Bloomfield Avenue (Route 305).  Continue until you see signs for Route 159 South, you will take a right at the traffic light and another immediate right at the next traffic light.  You are now coming into Windsor Center.  You will pass the Town Green on your left.  The library driveway is the first left after the large eagle monument on the south end of the green, before the traffic light at Batchelder Road. Parking is at the rear of Library building.

Heading West on Route 291 - Take 291 towards Windsor.  Take exit 3.  At end of exit take a Right onto Deerfield Avenue.  Continue to the end.  Take a right at light onto Route 159 North.  At second traffic light Library is on the far right corner.  The driveway is the first right after Batchelder Road.  Parking is at the rear of Library building.

 Note:  Library is a big beige colored building on Route 159 and is across the street from Geissler’s Supermarket and Dom’s Broad Street Eatery.

For a printable map, (courtesy of Yahoo Maps) click here.

Wireless Access

Looking for Wi-Fi?  It’s available at the Main library and the Wilson Branch!  All you need is a laptop computer with built-in wireless or an 802.11b or g wireless card.  We have several access points in the library:  Kidspace-G and Fiction G are available on the Main Floor and Mezzanine.  Reference-G, Non-Fiction-G and Ref Desk are available on the Lower Level.  Wireless access is also available on the Town Green!

Right Click on your “Wireless Network Connection” icon and select “View Available Networks.”  Click on the name of the library access point with the most green bars and click “Connect.”

 Any questions? Ask a staff member

Departments, Contacts & Phone Numbers

Lending:
For renewals, and information about borrowing materials, call our front desk at 860-285-1910.
Head of Lending Services, Gail Mannion: 860-285-1924

Adult Reference (Information):
For reference information, Internet sign-ups, or reserving materials, call our reference librarians at 860-285-1918.
Head of Reference, Leanne Costello: 860-285-1920.

Kidspace:
For information about children's materials, or children's programs, call Kidspace at 860-285-1914.
Head of Kidspace, Barbara Tolve-Silver: 860-285-1917.

Wilson Branch Library:
For information concerning Wilson Branch, or materials held at Wilson Branch, call 860-247-8960
Head of Wilson Branch Library, Robert Kinney: 860-285-1931

Director of Libraries:
Gaye Rizzo: 860-285-1912.

Windsor Library Association

In 1888, a group of interested Windsor citizens gathered to discuss the need for a permanent and effective library for the Town of Windsor. Seven years later, in 1895, the library was officially recognized as the Windsor Free Public Library, and its early founders were incorporated as the Windsor Library Association, in 1901.

Although currently the day to day operations of the library are financed by the Town of Windsor, the Windsor Library Association continues to support and enhance the programs and services of Windsor's libraries. Each year the Windsor Library Association coordinates a fund-raising drive that brings in thousands of dollars for the benefit of the library and its operations. We are forever thankful to our Association for their efforts.

Officers for 2010 - 2011:

President:   David Furie

Vice President: Susan Kirschner-Robinson

Secretary:  Susan Huleatt

Treasurer:  Christopher Phelan

Assistant Treasurer:  Heidi Kelsey

Windsor Library Advisory Board

The Windsor Library Advisory Board is comprised of nine adult members and two students who are appointed by the Town Council to review library policies and help with library programs. Board members are appointed for three year terms, except students, who serve for two years.  Members currently serving on the board are:

Cheryl Curtis

Nellie Holmes Mason

Mary Ann Overbaugh 

David Raney 

Michael Raphael (Chair)

LeighAnn Tyson

Frank Stewart

Betty Hellerman

Linnea Gilbert

The library director will develop policies for loaning, renewing, and reserving materials as well as policies governing late returns, lost materials, and the need to limit popular items as necessary. These policies will take into consideration the needs of the public, the amount of materials available, state and local mandates, staff recommendations, and general library practice as set forth by professional organizations and other libraries. In some cases policies at the Main Library and the Branch may differ in order to accommodate the relative sizes of their collections and staffs, differing hours of operation and other variables. Specific prices for fines and fees will be submitted to The Town Council for separate approval as part of the Town’s "Price guide to fees and services".

Most library materials are available for a 3 week loan. DVDs, videocassettes, and magazines may be checked out for 7 days. New DVDs may be checked out for 3 days.

Please note: Further borrowing, renewing or access to Internet computers is blocked when fines equal or exceed $10.00

All Windsor residents are encouraged to apply for a free library card. Applicants will be asked to present current identification with their name and address. Children under the age of 18 need to complete the application and have it signed by a parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are responsible for materials borrowed by a minor child.

Windsor Public Library Internet Use Policy

The mission of the Windsor Public Library is to make available by convenient and free access, collections of expertly selected library materials to meet the public’s informational needs, to promote the enjoyment of reading, to encourage life-long learning and to provide an opportunity for cultural enrichment.

 In addition to these traditional library resources the library offers access to the world of online information via the Internet.  The Internet is filled with information and resources that can educate, entertain, and expand horizons.   However, there is no single authority that controls the millions of contributors to the Internet and the library cannot have complete knowledge of what is on the Internet.   Some sites may carry information that a user finds controversial or inappropriate. The library cannot monitor such material and library users access the Internet at their own discretion.  

 Library staff will not knowingly tolerate children under seventeen accessing sites containing obscene material, as defined by the CT State Statutes, (53a-193).  However, as with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.  The library accepts the ALA resolution which supports constitutionally protected free speech and does not support the use of blocking or filtering software (see attached).

 All online resources at the Library are provided equally to all library users.  With any public resource, availability may not always match demand.  The Library may set use limits so that all patrons seeking Internet access will have an appropriate opportunity.  The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session when time limits are exceeded and/or to designate computer terminals for specific purposes.  If Internet searching results in disruption of library services or if patron behavior when using the Internet becomes inappropriate for a library setting, the library reserves the right to end a patron’s session.

 Patrons should be aware that electronic communications and files could become public.  The Library adheres to ALA policies and state and federal laws.  We will not share or provide any information unless required by court order or legal subpoena.  However, due to the nature of the Internet, all users who release personal information, including personal identifying information, credit card or bank account numbers etc. do so at their own risk.  The library will not be responsible for loss or damage resulting to a user from (such) a breach of privacy or confidentiality.

 To aid patrons the staff will use the Internet as a reference tool when appropriate to retrieve information for users.  The Library's Internet Home Page offers specific starting points for searching the Internet.   Internet classes are offered throughout the year at various, designated times.  Current books and videos about the Internet are available in the Library's collection.

 The Windsor Public Library and the Windsor Library Advisory Board reserve the right to modify this policy at any time.

   Internet Policy  12/02

Internet Use Policy in Kidspace
(Windsor Library's Children's Department)

The Kidspace Internet computers are provided primarily as a homework and research tool. First time Internet users must read and accept the Internet use policy.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway, jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association. A copy of this brochure is available at the Kidspace Desk. Parents and guardians of children under 18 years are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet and are strongly advised to supervise their children’s Internet sessions. Children under grade 3 must have an adult with them while using the Internet. The Windsor Public Library is not able to monitor or control the content of material available through the Internet.

All patrons accessing the Internet computers are expected to have a working knowledge of computer operations.

Users may not install or download software programs onto the Library computer’s hard drive. To download information, users may provide their own formatted discs or purchase them at the Children’s Desk. Files downloaded from the Internet can contain viruses. The library will in no way be responsible for any materials or information downloaded from the Internet.

Users may not access pornographic materials, enter chat rooms, do social networking or instant messaging.

Users shall not attempt to violate the computer security systems or attempt to access the hard drive, other files, networks, or computer systems of the Library.

The Library reserves the right to interrupt patrons if access is required due to Library business purposes, periodic maintenance, or technical difficulties.

Internet security is technically difficult to achieve, and electronic communications and files could become public. The Library will not be responsible for loss or damage resulting to a user from such a breach of privacy or confidentiality. All users who release their personal information, including personal identifying information, credit card or bank account numbers, etc. do so at their own risk.

Not all sources on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current, or legal. The Windsor Public Library staff is unable to monitor or control the content of materials on the Internet, which change rapidly and unpredictably.

Any user who is found to have violated this policy may be subject to having his or her computer and library privileges suspended or revoked. All users shall be required to compensate the Library or others for any and all damage caused by the violation of this policy.

Approved  by Library Advisory Board 9/06

Whereas, on June 26, 1997, the United States Supreme Court issued a sweeping re-affirmation of core First Amendment principles and held that communications over the Internet deserve the highest level of Constitutional protection; and

whereas, the Court’s most fundamental holding is that communications on the Internet deserve the same level of Constitutional protection as books, magazines, newspapers and speakers on a street corner soapbox. The Court found that the Internet "constitutes a vast platform from which to address and hear from a world-wide audience of millions of readers, viewers, researchers and buyers", and that "any person with a phone line can become a town crier with a voice that resonates farther than it could from any soapbox"; and

whereas, for libraries, the most critical holding of the Supreme Court is that libraries that make content available on the Internet can continue to do so with the same Constitutional protections that apply to the books on libraries’ shelves; and

whereas, the Court’s conclusion that "the vast democratic foray of the Internet" merit full constitutional protection will also serve to protect libraries that provide their patrons with access to the Internet; and

whereas, the Court recognized the importance of enabling individuals to receive speech from the entire world and to speak to the entire world. Libraries provide those opportunities to many who would not otherwise have them; and

whereas, the Supreme Court’s decision will protect that access; and

whereas, the use in libraries of software filters which block Constitutionally protected speech is inconsistent with the United States Constitution and federal law and may lead to legal exposure for the library and its governing authorities; 

now therefore be it resolved, that the American Library Association affirms that the use of filtering software by libraries to block access to constitutionally protected speech violates the Library Bill of Rights.

Adopted by the American Library Association Council July 2, 1997
Endorsed by the Windsor Library Advisory Board January 28, 1998

Test Proctoring at the Windsor Public Library

As part of Windsor Public Library’s mission and in an effort to support continuing education, lifelong learning and as a public service, the library offers proctoring services for students who need to take exams.

Exam proctoring may be scheduled Monday through Saturday during regular library hours.  Requests must be made at least 2 weeks before the required test date. 

Exam proctoring fees are $25.00 per test.  This fee will include one-time return mail, and or fax costs. (First Class US mail ~ to be sent out on the next business day following the exam)
The proctor fee must be paid at the time the appointment is scheduled.

Contact the Head of Adult Services at 860-285-1920 to find out about our specific testing guidelines and available test times.  While the library staff will do its best to meet the scheduling needs of the student, the staff will determine date and time for exams.  All exams must be completed at least one hour before the library’s scheduled closing time.  Please be aware that regular library activities take precedence over proctoring services.