May 2026 Newsletter

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Announcements

The library will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. Have a safe holiday! 


It's E-Cycling Day Again!

On May 30th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the back parking lot, the LeClair Technology Initiative—sponsored by Partners Bank—will be on-site to recycle your unwanted technology. Data destruction will be available during the event. Some items cannot be accepted. Please refer to this page for the full list of excluded items.


Wishcycling Program

Join us on May 20th at 5:30 to learn about Wishcycling with ecomaine! Are you guilty of Wishcycling? Wishcycling is the practice of tossing materials into your recycling bin without knowing whether they are truly recyclable, which has many negative impacts on the recycling process. From plastic grocery bags to Styrofoam, loose bottle caps, and more, commonly wishcycled items are easy to come by and confusing to dispose of properly. Just because a piece of plastic is labeled with chasing arrows does not always mean it’s recyclable. This presentation explores the ins and outs of recycling, the many impacts of wishcycling on the recycling process, and a behind-the-scenes look at ecomaine’s single-sort recycling facility. Attendees are encouraged to bring a mystery item they are wondering about whether it is recyclable to share!


From the Director

What a huge success, folks — because of you, our online auction raised $16,168 from 268 bids! THANK YOU for your continued support and I truly hope that you had some fun playing in the auction.


On another note, rarely do I go off campus with my newsletter updates but this cause holds a special place in my heart. When my girls were 12 and 15, they lost their father. It was hard finding a place that could support them and our family. The Center for Grieving Children has recently opened their doors in Sanford and will soon be moving to an even better facility. It’s an amazing organization that helps children and families navigate loss. They’re seeking volunteers with empathy and compassion, people ready to be deeply fulfilled by helping others while being supported by the Center. You’ll change someone’s life and be deeply fulfilled for it. If this speaks to you, reach out to me to learn more. 


All my very best, Lesley

Children's Programs


Miss Sheila is taking a much needed break, and then getting ready for the Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is Plant a Seed, Read. Get ready for a summer filled with lots of fun! Until then, here are some things that are happening this month in the Children’s Room.


Monday, May 4 & 11 | Lego Builders Club at 3:30pm in the Children’s Room. We provide the Legos and the challenge. Your creations will be on display for the whole week! 


Wednesday, May 13 | Make-It/Take-It Craft Drop-in any time between 2-5pm in the Children's Room. We will be making 3D paper flowers!


Weekly Take & Create Crafts Miss Nancy has special crafts ready to take home every week. You can find them on a shelf by the main desk. One per child, please. 

Adult Programs


Weekly Programs


Knit Lits meets on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:30pm in the Williams Reading Room. All fiber artists are welcome.


Cribbage meets on Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00pm in the Williams Reading Room. Everyone who wants to play is invited to join!


The Springvale Dulcimers meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:45pm and are currently welcoming new and beginner players and singers. They play and sing hymns and traditional folk songs on Mountain Dulcimers in a simple style.



Monthly Programs


Cook the Book meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30. The group will be meeting on May 12 to cook their way through Milk Street Backroads Italy: Finding Italy's Forgotten Recipes. (This program is currently full. Please call or visit the library to be added to the waitlist.)


Sam’s Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm in the community room. On Wednesday, May 6th we will be discussing Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See.


The Writers Group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 11am. Join us in the William’s Reading Room for an hour of creative writing. The newly formed group is welcoming new members. Bring along some of your writing to get feedback and find inspiration.

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Staff Picks


Lesley's Pick


  • The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke


Sam's Picks


  • Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg
  • Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
  • Twice by Mitch Albom


Dawn's Picks


  • Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg
  • Isola by Allegra Goodman
  • Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
  • This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman
  • The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout


Sheila's Pick


  • Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins


Kaity's Picks


  • Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
  • Thief, Liar, Lady by D.L. Soria
  • The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston


Paula's Pick


  • The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
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Spice of the Month


The May Spice of the Month is... Cumin! Cumin is a popular spice derived from the seed of a plant in the parsley family. Cumin is very popular in Indian and Mexican cuisines, lending food its smoky and earthy flavors. Cumin has long been used in traditional medicine for digestive health, improving bad cholesterol, as an iron source, and to help with weight loss. If you like chili and you like beer, you are going to love this month’s recipe! Check out this month’s recipe online or at the main desk: Beef, Bean, and Beer Chili. Enjoy!

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Spring Fun Facts


Did you know that some frogs freeze in the winter and thaw out in the spring? How do they do it? They have special antifreeze-like chemicals in their bodies!  

Did you know that Arctic Terns are world record-holding migrators? These incredible birds begin their journey at the start of spring and go from the Arctic to the Antarctic. That’s 25,000 miles—what a trip!  


Have a great spring and enjoy the outdoors!

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Save the Date


6/3 Book Club

6/6 Garden Club Plant Sale

6/9 Last Cook the Book until September

6/17 Caitlin Shetterly Author Talk

6/24 History of Bluegrass with Ramblin’ Dan

Some New Fiction Titles


  • Quantum Tempest by Clive Cussler
  • The Botanist's Assistant by Peggy Townsend
  • The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten
  • Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
  • Return of the Spider by James Patterson
  • Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs
  • From Cradle to Grave by Rhys Bowen
  • Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins
  • Executive Power by Tom Clancy
  • The Book of Luke by Lovell Holder
  • Skylark by Paula McLain
  • Is this a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin
  • Inside Man by John McMahon
  • The Devil’s Daughter by Danielle Steel
  • The Briars by Sarah Crouch
  • The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
  • Sheer by Vanessa Lawrence
  • Dead Ringer by Chris Hauty
  • The Bird Watcher by Jacquelyn Mitchard
  • Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
  • Private Rome by James Patterson
  • Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
  • The Book Binder’s Secret by A.D. Bell
  • The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick
  • Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
  • Daughter of Genoa by Kat Devereaux
  • How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley
  • No One Would Do What the Lamberts have Done by Sophie Hannah
  • A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James
  • My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
  • The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

Some New Non-Fiction Titles


  • Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat
  • 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life by Dick Van Dyke
  • Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor by Christine Kuehn
  • Home Schooled by Stefan Merrill Block
  • Placeless: Homelessness in the Gilded Age by Patrick Markee
  • Evergreen: The Trees that Shaped America by Trent Preszler
  • 99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them by Ashely Alker
  • The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo
  • Don’t Think About Dinner: Save Time and Money with 125 Easy, Nourishing, Delicious Recipes for Every Meal by Jenn Lueke
  • The Worst Day: A Plane Crash, A Train Wreck, and Remarkable Acts of Heroism in Washington D.C. by Bruce Goldfarb
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