Patten Free Library Weekly News and Updates

May 5, 2023
Greetings!

A hearty thank you to all who came and made our first ever Spelling Bee a spectacular success! It was a friendly and spirited competition and a true celebration of community bonhomie. (Bonus point: using it in a sentence.)

Like most of you, we at Patten Free Library are ready for spring sunshine and warmer days. At this time of year we look for ways to get outside as much as possible - story times move to the gazebo, as does the Summer Sharing table, and staff and visitors take full advantage of our idyllic setting in Library Park.

We are also pleased to share special opportunities for spring and summer outings to you through our Library Parks and Museum Pass Program. Passes to the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, the fabulous Maine Maritime Museum right here in Bath, and the Maine State Parks are all available to reserve at the Circulation Desk. This year we have added a pass to the Railway Village Museum in Boothbay, in addition to the Children's Museum in Portland, the Portland Museum of Art, and many more.

We're grateful that PFL can be a part of your spring and summer adventures!

Lesley Dolinger
Library Director
Development
With the pollen gone and the honey collected, we're all abuzz with the Spelling Bee results. With 10 teams competing, our fearless leaders led us through 3 rounds of challenging words. When the dust settled one team stood above the rest with a near perfect score of 140 out of 150 points - the Orchard Shores Murder Club are the first ever PFL Spelling Bee Champions. Second place was a tie between the APLiterati and Spellebrate! with a score of 125. Coming in third place with a score of 120 were the Movie Stars.

Congratulations to all our winners! Follow us on Facebook to see more pictures of the event.
This week's Business Sponsor is Maine Antiques Dealers Association.

Special Events

Wednesday May 10, 3:30 - 4:30 pm.
Community Room
Grades 4-5
Hands-on activities for youth to learn all about ecosystems with the University of Maine's Cooperative 4-H team . Registration is required: please email mrandall@patten.lib.me.us to register

Rescheduled! Wednesday, May 17 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Board Room
Ages 8-12
Learn the fundamentals for Tabletop Roleplaying Games. Registration is required: please email mrandall@patten.lib.me.us to register
Ongoing Events
Mondays at 10:15 a.m.
Storytime Room
Ages 0-24 months
Join Miss Mary and her guitar for stories, songs, and rhymes.
Mondays 3-5 p.m.
Community Room
All Ages
Crafts and conversation for all skill levels.
Tuesdays 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lobby
All Ages
Free local produce for all. Generously provided by the Merrymeeting Gleaners.
Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.
Storytime Room
Ages 5-12
Create, challenge, and share your Lego masterpieces with your friends.
Movie Discussion Group: Musicals | MAY 16: West Side Story
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Zoom
Adults
Watch the movie beforehand, then join a lively on-line discussion. With support from Saco Falls Management.
Fridays at 10:15 a.m.
Storytime Room
All Ages
Songs, stories, and more.
Grab and Go Kits
1st and 3rd Fridays: Kids and Teens
4th Fridays: Adults
Available while supplies last.

Free Coffee Fridays
Fridays at 10 a.m.
Next to the front desk
Coffee available to all courtesy of Solo Pane.
History Room Highlight
Bath Daily Times exhibition
To celebrate reaching our $10,000 goal for our Bath Daily Times microfilm digitization project, we have put together a small exhibit on the publication in the case outside the History Room on the second floor. Come learn about the project and see some highlighted collection items! Stay tuned for updates and the first batch of digitized issues in July!

Temporary Spring and Summer History Room Hours
(April 24 - September 5)
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 12-4
Wednesday: 12-4
Thursday: 12-4
Friday: 12-4
Saturday: 12-4 (10-1 Memorial Day to Labor Day)
What to Read Next
Meeow series by Sebastien Braun
This week I'm shouting out a series of picture books by Sebastien Braun with the character Meeow! This series is so great for kids ages 1-4 because it introduces the concept of using your imagination with ordinary household items....



New books don't tend to stay on the shelves for long. The best way to snag a new title is to browse from home, and place a hold online. Look here to find the newest books we've added for the month of May.
Friends of Patten Free Library
Thank you to everyone who made the April Gazebo Book Sale a success. Your time, talent and treasure helped the Friends of PFL raise $3675.00, which will be used to support the Patten Free Library.
Digital Resources
Patten Free Library | 33 Summer Street | 207-443-5141 | www.patten.lib.me.us