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Greetings!

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Patten Free Library and the Maine Maritime Museum have been awarded a $5000 Maine State Library Revolutionary Maine Commemoration Grant! This partnership will offer a series of community-centered programs exploring early American history, democracy, and civic identity through education, arts, and public engagement.

The events coincide with the Maine Historical Societies’ statewide tour of the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence, which will be visiting libraries, museums, and other community organizations in each of Maine's 16 counties from July through October. These visits will give all Mainers the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the Declaration and its meaning to each of us as Mainers and Americans—and to participate in the 250th in deeply local and meaningful ways. 

Events with the Patten Free Library and the Maine Maritime Museum include:

• The Watertown Treaty of 1776: A Wabanaki Perspective: July 7 at 6pm at the Maine Maritime Museum, featuring Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald of the Wolastoqey Nation speaking on the Treaty of Watertown; the first “foreign” treaty signed by the United States after the Declaration of Independence.
• Outdoor screening of National Treasure in Library Park in September (exact date TBA).
• American Girl Doll Club Celebration with Felicity Merriman, a historical character set in Revolutionary-era Williamsburg, Virginia; featuring pony rides, crafts, and games in Library Park (exact date TBA).

For more information about these events, including registration, visit our events calendar.

We hope to see you at one of these events, and that you have a very happy 4th of July!

Patten Free Library Staff

We will be closed July 3-5 for Independence Day.

Development News and Updates

Thank you to our incredible businesses that have supported PFL in the last 6 months! As we wrap up the fiscal year, we’re grateful for their generosity, helping Patten Free Library continue to foster connections, inspire growth, and enrich lives. Their support makes a real difference for our community every day. The PFL staff and patrons thank them for standing with us this year—we’re proud to partner with you.

Special Events

Friends of PFL Heritage Days Booksale

Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 from 10am-4pm

All Ages

There's something for everyone at this year’s expanded book sale. The tables will be restocked throughout the day with even more books arriving Sunday morning. So come early, come often. It's the biggest book sale yet! All proceeds benefit the Patten Free Library.

Looking Closely: Art Exhibit

July 6-August 28

Drawings by Robin A. S. Hayes on display in the Community Room during library open hours.

The Watertown Treaty of 1776: A Wabanaki Perspective

Tuesday, July 7 at 6pm

Adults

Registration Required

Off-Site at the Maine Maritime Museum and Online

On July 19, 1776, only two weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the United States signed its first international treaty. The Watertown Treaty of 1776 was a treaty of alliance and friendship between the Second Continental Congress and the Wolastoqey and Mi’kmaq Nations. Come listen to Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald, Tribal Ambassador for the Houlton Band of Maliseets, explain the treaty's significance from the Wabanaki perspective.

This free event is co-presented with Maine Maritime Museum, Atlantic Black Box and Patten Free Library and is made possible by the Maine State Library's Revolutionary Maine Commemoration Grant.

Homeschool Social

Tuesday, July 9 at 10:15am

Kids and Families

Gather together with other homeschool families and chat all things homeschool!

Grab and Go Kits

Friday, July 10 while supplies last

All Ages

Kids: Cupcake Liner Flowers

Teens: Forever Succulents

Adults: Dried Flower Candles

Read to a Dog

Greta: 1st Wednesdays at 3pm

Leila: 4th Thursdays at 3:30pm

Zorba: 4th Saturday at 12pm

All Ages

Registration Required

Dogs are non-judgmental listeners and help foster confidence in readers who may need a little extra encouragement. Four fifteen minute slots are available each month for signup. Reluctant readers of all ages are welcome!

Summer Reading Events

Wild Edibles Walking Tour with Rewild Maine

Thursday, July 9 at 5pm

Adults

Registration Recommended

Learn to identify wild edible plants on a short walk that begins at the library.

Play Me A Story

Friday, July 10 at 1pm

Kids ages 4-10

Experience the fun and magic of theater with a performance of children’s stories followed by an interactive acting workshop with Portland Stage’s Education Artists. Build literacy, encourage creativity and spark dramatic dreams!

Matchless Fire Starting with Rewild Maine

Friday, July 10 at 2pm

Teens entering grades 6-12

Registration Required

Learn how to make a complete bow-drill fire-starting kit of carved wood and string, and practice using it to make a fire without using matches or a lighter. We will cover the basics of friction fire, and practice form and technique to make coals effectively. Every participant will make a bow drill kit to take home.

Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesdays

Ages 8-11: July 1-August 5 at 3:30pm Waitlist Only

Ages 12-14: July 1-August 5 at 3:30pm

Ages 14-18: July 22-August 12 at 3pm

Adults: June 24-July 15 at 5pm Waitlist Only

Registration Required

Create characters and work together to build a rich story as you explore a fantasy world and embark on an exciting quest where chaos and hijinks will inevitably ensue. 

Nutrition and Cooking Class

Wednesdays at 2pm: July 1-August 5

Teens entering grades 6-12

Registration Recommended

Join UMaine Extension to talk about making healthy choices, added sugars, why whole grains are important, and learn cooking skills. We will prepare a dish and eat together each week!

Friends of Patten Free Library News and Events

Mark your calendars. The Friends of PFL are gearing up for our largest Heritage Days Book Sale yet! Join us under the big tent in Library Park on Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th starting at 10 am.

Need a new beach read? A mystery for the campfire? How about a children’s book or puzzle for when someone says, "I’m bored?" You’ll find something for everyone at this year’s expanded book sale. The tables will be restocked throughout the day with even more books arriving Sunday morning. So come early, come often. See you there!

All proceeds benefit the Patten Free Library.

Looking Closely

Drawings by Robin A. S. Haynes

On display in the Community Room July 6-August 28

Reception: Friday, July 17 from 5-7pm

Artist's Statement:

Sometimes I worry that we float through life without every really lookin closely at our surroundings, be it the sun making flickering shadows on the wall, the remarkable geometry found in a flower, or the forest with its multitude of unique trees. There is so much beauty to observe in t he curve of a petal, a twisted root, or a loved one's cheekbones. To me those various details and so many more are important parts of the richness of life. It sems almost criminal to miss them through inattention. You never know when you'll get to see them again, if ever. Art for me is about looking, looking closely to see that richness -- found int he fragile and fleeting details, sometimes complex and sometimes quite simple -- and then trying to capture them. Perhaps through the resulting drawings, someone else will think later to look closely at the richness in their everyday environment.

Image: Detail from "Hydrangea."

Libraries We Love

It's no secret that our staff love the Patten Free Library- but there are other libraries that are important to us too! Get to know our staff a little better and learn about some of the best libraries from all over and what makes them so special.

Patten Free Library | 33 Summer Street | 207-443-5141 | pattenfreelibrary.org

Patten Free Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We receive some municipal support and we rely heavily on the generosity of our communities to support our work.

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