aoconnell@wiltonvillager.com

WILTON — The Wilton Library is reaching out to patrons in a whole new way this year: by blogging.

The library recently introduced a blog aimed at teenagers. The blog, which was first posted in early May, will keep Wilton teens up to date on library events, materials, the summer reading list and anything else that might be pertinent to Wilton's teens.

The library began work on the blog early this spring, said Lauricella. Lauren LaTulip, an intern from Syracuse University's library program, interviewed teens about what they would like to see on a library blog and constructed the web site.

LaTulip departed earlier this month, but Lauricella is taking up the cudgels — and also hoping to recruit some teenage bloggers to write short reviews of books.

"I still think the best reviews come from kids themselves," she said.

It is the second blog to come out of the Wilton Library this year — the library launched its first blog in January for this year's Wilton Reads! discussion of this year's book, "The Sweet Hereafter."

"It goes beyond just teens," said Mary Anne Mendola Franco, head of network services at the library.

Franco says the Wilton Library wants a dialogue with its patrons; right now residents of Wilton can go to the library's site to read about what's new there, but there is no online forum for those who want to make suggestions about what they want to see at the library, those who want to share their thoughts on a book they read lately, or those who want to respond to a librarian's post about a book or event.

"We want to hear from them," said Franco.

Although hearing from the library patrons was the impetus behind both blogs, the Wilton community has been a little shy about getting into the conversation. There were no comments from the community on either blog this spring. Franco says that's not unusual.

"We've spoken to other libraries and found that's often the case; that people are not commenting, but they are reading," she said. The important thing, said Franco, is that the library is offering the opportunity for teens and adults to get into a dialogue about books, music and the library.

The Wilton Reads! blog is no longer up — it will be up once a year for the annual event — but Franco says that Wilton can expect to see at least one more blog appear on the Wilton Library's website this year, a permanent blog for adults.

"I think it's safe to say an adult blog will be coming," she said.

The Wilton Library's young adult blog is at: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/ya/blog/index.htm