If you're reading this newsletter, you probably already have a library card and are enjoying the many amazing resources and services the library provides at no cost.

Since September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, we invite you to join us in spreading the word to friends, neighbors, and colleagues who aren't yet making use of what the library has to offer. How can you do this? So many different ways!

Tell them about the eLibrary, which includes thousands of free online classes, eBooks and audiobooks, apps to help you learn a new language, test prep for school and career exams, family history search tools, and more.

Let them know about the kits (STEM kits for kids, book discussion kits, CPR training kits, Outdoor Explorer kits) and the board games and video games.

And assure them that we have plenty of books on our shelves with thousands more easily available by request.

We look forward to meeting new library users this September and appreciate your help with letting our community know about everything the Kent County Public Library has to offer!

If you usually receive text messages to let you know an item you requested is available for pick up, you might not currently be receiving the notifications.

This is happening because, due to changes in federal regulations designed to curb text-based spam, some cell phone service providers are blocking certain types of auto-generated texts from being delivered, including the notifications that come from the library's catalog.

While we hope to have a solution for this issue in the future, for now, if you are not receiving text notifications as expected, we recommend that you change your notification option to email. You can update your preferences by signing into your library card account or by asking library staff for assistance.

Apply to Be a Library Trustee

The Board of Trustees of the Kent County Public Library is now accepting applications! 

If you are a Kent County resident who is enthusiastic about the library and interested in helping plan for its future, please consider applying. More details can be found in the Trustee section of this newsletter and on our website.

How To Apply:

• Download an application or pick one up in person at any KCPL location
• Submit your application by October 3, 2025

School is back in session and BrainFuse, one of the many resources in KCPL's eLibrary, is at your fingertips to help this be a great academic year!

Use BrainFuse for free online tutoring, writing lab feedback, test prep, games that reinforce classroom learning, and more.

Keep Scrolling

This email is jam-packed with info about many upcoming events, including links for registration.

To see all upcoming events at a glance, you can also visit KCPL's online calendar.

Don't Miss Out

Did you know that some email services are set to not load full emails when they're long or full of images?

If you reach the bottom of this email and see text that says "Message clipped" make sure you click the "View entire message" link so you don't miss out on library news!

Holiday Closure

Monday, September 1

All KCPL branches closed

Training Closure

Thursday, September 26

All KCPL branches closed

"History is personal. Kin is personal. In searing poems and stunning art, Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, tell the deeply moving story of their family tree, a history shaped by enslavement and freedom."

• Excerpt from the synopsis of the 2025 One Maryland One Book selection Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford

To place a hold on a copy of Kin: Rooted in Hope (available in multiple formats), visit our catalog.

Free paperback copies of Kin: Rooted in Hope are available at all KCPL locations, while supplies last. Giveaway books are provided by Maryland Humanities.

One Maryland One Book, a program of Maryland Humanities, aims to bring communities together through the shared experience of reading, discussing, and exploring the themes in a single book.

A Conversation with Carole Weatherford, Author of Kin: Rooted in Hope

Sumner Hall

206 S. Queen Street, Chestertown

Thursday, September 11 | 3pm

Sumner Hall Book Club and Kent County Public Library are thrilled to welcome Carole Weatherford, author of the 2025 One Maryland One Book selection Kin: Rooted in Hope, to Kent County for a conversation about the book, which will include insights into her research and writing process. 

Light refreshments will be served. All members of the community are welcome! 

You are encouraged to read Kin: Rooted in Hope before attending this event.

Space is limited, so please register to reserve your seat. 

One Maryland One Book Discussions: Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Weatherford

North County Branch

Tuesday, September 23 | 11am

Rock Hall Branch

Friday, October 10 | 2pm

Join us for a discussion of the 2025 One Maryland One Book selection, Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Weatherford.

Blackout!

Rock Hall Branch

Wednesday, September 24  |  3pm

Get ready to erase, black out, or cut apart an existing piece of writing and create a poem from what’s left over! 

Part writing workshop, part craft activity, this hour of creativity will guide you through the basic steps of how to create a blackout poem and give you plenty of time to make poetry.

Space is limited; please register.

Ages 18+

Interested teens (ages 13-17) are also welcome.

Blackout! Teen Edition

Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, September 25  |  5pm

Get ready to erase, black out, or cut apart an existing piece of writing and create a poem from what’s left over! 

Part writing workshop, part craft activity, this hour of creativity will guide you through the basic steps of how to create a blackout poem and give you plenty of time to make poetry.

This program is for teens only.

Family Stories (But Make Them Poems)

Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, October 15  |  5:30pm

Immortalize your relatives in poetry! From your favorite aunt who has a kind word for everyone to that infamous rascal of a third-cousin, writing poetry about your relatives is a unique way to re-tell your family stories. 

Space is limited; please register.

Ages 18+

Interested teens (ages 13-17) are also welcome.

Haikubes: Playing with Poetry

North County Branch

Tuesday, October 21 | 11am

Poetry can be serious or silly, profound or absurd, but it's always an opportunity to explore language, meaning, and personal expression.



Join us to play a few rounds of Haikubes and take away the inspiration to play with words more often!

Space is limited; please register.

Ages 18+

Stop the Bleed

Chestertown Branch

Saturday, September 6 | 1-2:30pm

In an emergency situation, being able to act quickly can mean the difference between life and death. This workshop will teach you the skills you need to recognize and control life-threatening bleeding.

A certificate of completion will be given to all who successfully complete the training.

This training is presented in partnership with Kent County Health Department.

Space is limited, so please register to reserve your seat.

Each person must register separately to provide a name and contact information for you to receive your certificate of completion.

Scrabble Time

Rock Hall Branch

Monday, September 8 | 3pm

North County Branch

Friday, September 19 | 3pm

Words, strategy, and friendly competition are what you can expect at Scrabble Time!

Whether you're a seasoned Scrabble player or a beginner looking to sharpen your skills, you are welcome to enjoy the fun, challenge yourself, meet new people, and have a great time.

Registration required.

Classic Movies with the (Library) Director: Night of the Hunter

Chestertown Branch

Monday, April 14 | 2:30pm

Settle in for a cinematic afternoon at the library! 

KCPL Executive Director and classic film enthusiast Robert Bell will welcome you with an introduction to this month's film, Night of the Hunter, and host a brief post-show discussion.

"This is a woefully under-appreciated film that has what many consider to be Robert Mitchum’s signature performance, as well as an excellent performance by Shelley Winters and a rare sound performance by Lillian Gish. It is the only directorial credit for Oscar-winner Charles Laughton, and a film I always enjoy watching and sharing with other film fans."

-Robert Bell, KCPL Executive Director

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

TV-PG | 93 minutes

In the 1930s rural South, a psychotic bogus preacher plots to kill a family of three for money that was hidden on a farm by the two children's late father.

Happiness Hour: Fancy Paper Pop-Up Boxes

Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, September 24 | 6pm

Happiness Hour is a time for grown-ups to explore their powers of creativity. Join us to try your hand at something new and leave a little happier than you arrived!

Featured Project: Fancy Paper Pop-Up Boxes

Part paper-folding, part personal artistic expression, these unique pop-up boxes are perfect for enjoying as a piece of tiny art, adding a special message to a gift, or mailing to a friend.

All supplies will be provided and you are also welcome to bring unique materials to customize your creations. These boxes are especially good for displaying pictures, so a small photo (3x3" or less) can be a fun starting point for building your box!

Space is limited. Please register.

Picture Perfect: How to Photograph Your Creations

Chestertown Branch

Saturday, September 27 | 11am

Whether you paint, make jewelry, craft with paper, or crochet plushies, RiverArts' Kris Kelley can't wait to help you learn how to take photos of the things you create! During this hands-on workshop, Kris will share tips for how to stand out on Instagram, create a uniform vibe for your online store, and create stunning marketing materials.

You'll also have a chance to explore the contents of KCPL's new Creator Studio Still Photography Kit, which is now available to check out from the library!

Bring a smartphone or tablet to put your new knowledge into action immediately. If you don't have a smartphone or tablet, you are still welcome to join us to learn tips and tricks you can use with any camera.

This event is presented in partnership by Kent County Public Library and RiverArts.

Registration required. 

This event and KCPL's Creator Studio Kit collection are made possible thanks to generous grant funding from the Upper Shore Regional Council in 2025.

This initiative is also supported by a partnership between Kent County Public Library and Kent County Government.

Tech Help Basics

Need some help learning the basics of technology? Got a new device and you're not sure where to start? Free help is available at the library!

Let us help you learn how to:

• feel confident using your phone, tablet, or laptop
• navigate the internet, email, or social media
• use KCPL's computers, mobile hotspots, and Digital Library

Tech Help Drop-Ins

Stop by with your device and your questions. Drop-in help is available on a first come first served basis.

Chestertown Branch

Monday, September 8 | 11am-1pm

Monday, September 15 | 12pm-1pm

Monday, September 22 | 11am-1pm

Monday, September 29 | 11am-1pm

Tech Help Appointments

Make an appointment for one-on-one tech help at any KCPL location. Please use the appointment scheduler or call 410.778.3636 for more information.

Pizza and Make a Thing: Create a Scented Candle

Chestertown Branch

Saturday, September 13 | 12pm

Create a candle with autumn-inspired scents while you eat pizza and hang out with friends!

Space is limited. Please register!

Games & Gadgets

North County Branch

Tuesday, September 2 | 4-5pm

Drop in and explore the library's fun technology!

Go rock climbing, explore in space, or play mini-golf – all in virtual reality. Use the green screen to see if you have what it takes to create a viral video. Or just chill out and game with the Arcade Infinity Game Table or the PS4.

Snack Around the World Club

North County Branch

Tuesday, September 9 | 4:30pm

Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, September 17 | 3pm

Rock Hall Branch

Wednesday, September 17 | 3pm

Have you ever wondered what kids around the world snack on? 

Join us to find out – and to try a variety of snacks!

At this global snacking showdown we'll explore treats, share fun facts, and bring the rest of the world closer to home one tasty bite at a time.

Ages 5+

Space is limited. Please register.

Please note: Due to the nature of this program, certain foods may contain allergens. All package labels will be available during the program and you are encouraged to check them out in order to be sure the snacks are safe for children you bring to the event.

Storytime will be on break in September.

The fall storytime session will begin the week of October 1.

Join us to read stories, sing songs, dance, laugh, and have lots of fun!

Preschool • Ages 3-5

10am Tuesdays | Chestertown

10am Thursdays | North County

Baby & Toddler • Ages 0-2 

11am Tuesdays | Chestertown

11am Thursdays | North County

Book Donation Days

The Friends are currently taking donations of books and other materials in good to excellent condition that are sellable and meet the criteria below.

Upcoming Donation Days

Tuesdays, 12pm-4pm

Through November 4

Chestertown Branch

3rd Saturdays, 10am-4pm

September 20

October 18

Chestertown Branch

The Friends are happy to accept the following items:

Yes, Please!

• Books
• Audiobooks on CD
• Music CDs
• DVDs
• Complete jigsaw puzzles
• Potentially valuable & rare books

The Friends cannot accept the following items:

No, Thank You!

• Textbooks
• Encyclopedias
• Magazines
• VHS tapes
• Books with water damage
• Books smelling of smoke
• Books smelling of mildew
• Books with insect damage
• Books with pet damage

Special Donation Request

Despite a small increase in KCPL’s FY26 budget allocation, increases to operational costs means a decrease in the number of new materials that can be purchased.

To help keep the shelves full, KCPL staff are working with the Friends of the Library to add certain types of donated materials to the collection.

Donation Wish List

Currently, we are especially interested in donations of the following items in good to excellent condition:

• Books published in 2025
• Video games (PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch)
• DVDs (movies and full TV series)

Monetary Donations

Monetary donations to KCPL are also welcome and can be designated for collection development to support the purchase of  new materials and processing supplies.

For details, please talk with library staff or review KCPL’s Gift Acceptance policy.

Apply to Join the Friends' Board!

Eligibility

You must be a member of the Friends of the Kent County Public Library. If you are not currently a member of the Friends, you can join today! Membership information is available at all KCPL locations.

Applications are especially encouraged from people who are interested in:  Fundraising  |  Event Planning  |  Advocacy  | Literacy

Opportunities

• Guide the future of the Friends
• Assist with coordinating book sales
• Support the annual membership drive
• Play a part in launching and sustaining new initiatives

Expectations

• Attend monthly Board meetings, held at KCPL’s Chestertown Branch
• Be an enthusiastic advocate for Kent County Public Library

How to Apply

• Download an application at kentcountylibrary.org or pick one up at any KCPL branch
• Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled

Show Your Support

Since 1973, the Friends have helped make it possible for KCPL to meet the needs of the community.

We are grateful for their continued support and want to invite you to support the Friends!

Become a Friend

For as little as $10 a year, you can become a member of this group of library supporters.

Volunteer opportunities, including serving on the Friends' Board, are also available.



The Friends of the Kent County Public Library is a nonprofit organization that serves and promotes Kent County Public Library. Friends:

• donate hearts, hands, and more to the library they love
• help the community by encouraging literacy
• raise money for library needs not covered by the library budget
• provide enriching cultural programs
• raise awareness about the wonderful resources available at the library

Help Guide the Library's Future!

The Board of Trustees of the Kent County Public Library is now accepting applications! If you are a Kent County resident who is enthusiastic about the library and interested in helping plan for its future, please consider applying.

Eligibility Requirements

• Resident of Kent County
• Demonstrated interest in library advocacy and support
• Ability to commit to serving an initial term of 5 years

Opportunities

• Promote and advocate for the library's mission within the community
• Utilize your skills to support the Board's duties related to general administration, policy, planning, fiscal responsibility, and advocacy
• Celebrate and provide recognition for library accomplishments

Expectations

• Attend regular monthly meetings and special meetings
• Serve on Board committees, as needed
• Be an active, informed, and responsible Trustee
• Be an enthusiastic advocate for Kent County Public Library

How To Apply

• Download an application or pick up in person at any KCPL location
• Submit your application by October 3, 2025

Join a Meeting

To learn more about how decisions that shape the library's future are made, join the Board of Trustees for a meeting!

Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 16 | 4pm

Virtual

Board of Trustees Meetings

Monday, September 29 | 4:30pm

Chestertown Branch

The agenda for each meeting is posted at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Meetings of the Board of Trustees are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Kent County Public Library | kentcountylibrary.org | 410.778.3636

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