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Greetings!

It's no secret that our staff love the Patten Free Library—but there are other libraries that are important to us too! Visit our display of Libraries We Love in our lobby, read about staff favorites, and add your own.

Plus, check out the new Libraries We Love feature in the eNews, which will update biweekly with a new staff favorite library. 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 Staff

The Front Street entrance is currently closed due to construction. All other entrances remain open. The ongoing construction in and around Library Park may continue to impact our parking and entrance accessibility, but we will remain open throughout the project. This project belongs to the City of Bath, and we encourage you to contact the city for more information.

Our solar panels are operational! Over the next month, we’ll be wrapping up our energy efficiency project with EMC, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Thanks to the addition of solar power, our historic building will soon operate using little to no fossil fuels while benefiting from long-term energy savings. Visitors are now enjoying a comfortably climate-controlled environment, and an automated system coming soon will make our heating and cooling even more efficient!

Visit our website to learn more about the project. Questions? Email us!

Special Events

Repair Café at Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Saturday, November 15 from 10am-12:30pm

Adults

Off-Site at 1 Chandler Dr in Bath

Why replace when you can repair? Our expert volunteers will help repair your electronics, lamps, furniture, jewelry and small appliances; mend clothing, and sharpen tools. Presented in partnership with the Curtis Memorial Library, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and Merrymeeting Community and Adult Education. Repair Café will rotate between locations.

The Food of the Middle East Is On Your Table: A Camden Conference Luncheon

Saturday, November 15 at 12pm

Adults

Registration Full- Waitlist Only

Listen to a talk on the history of Middle Eastern cuisine with Food Historian Sandy Garson while enjoying a luncheon of food from the region. 

Book Discussion Livestream: The Women Behind the Door by Roddy Doyle (Finding Our Voices)

Tuesday, November 18 at 2pm

Adults

Registration Required

Join Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle for an in-person livestream of a virtual book discussion of The Women Behind the Door.  This book discussion is hosted and sponsored by Finding Our Voices and is a part of their book club series.

Hero Kids: An RPG One Shot

Tuesday, November 18 at 4pm

Kids ages 5-8

Registration Required

A simplified RPG (Role-Playing Game) that follows kid adventurers who need to rescue a village from danger.

Friends of Patten Free Library Meeting

Tuesday, November 18 at 4pm

Adults

Monthly meeting of the volunteer organization responsible for bringing the public into a closer relationship with the library and strengthening the library’s operating budget.

PFL Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, November 18 at 4:30pm

Adults

Monthly meeting to oversee the Library's governance, strategic direction, and financial well-being. 

Banned Book Club Friendsgiving

Thursday, November 19 at 5pm

Adults and Teens Grades 6-12

Bring a friend and a snack to share and come chat about what we should read in 2026.

American Girl Doll Social Club: Kaya

Friday, November 21 at 3:30pm

Kids Ages 5-10

Registration Required

Snacks and activities based around the Kaya series.

Read to a Dog

Greta: 1st Wednesdays at 3pm

Abby: 3rd Thursdays at 3:30pm

Leila: 4th Thursdays at 3:30pm

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!

History Room Highlight: November

Voting day may be behind us now, but November remains a wonderful month to reflect on legacies and civic engagement. In the debates that raged around statehood for Maine more than two centuries ago, Bath played a prominent role. Our Custom House on Front Street, though not the building in use at the time, is a reminder that Bath was then a major commercial center with customs jurisdiction over the whole of the state north of the Kennebec. One of our early customs officials was William King, a name likely familiar to many. King was also a merchant and a banker with a variety of business interests. The now rather iconic stone house that stands on Whiskeag Road was once his summer home and the estate featured a notable apple orchard.

Perhaps what King is most well known for though is serving as Maine's first governor. For years King had lobbied for Maine's independence from Massachusetts. His wish became reality in 1820 with the Missouri Compromise when Maine and Missouri were admitted simultaneously as states to maintain the delicate balance between free and slave-holding states in the Senate. With Maine's independence, King was elected governor though only served a little over one year before resigning to accept a position in the federal government under President Monroe.

The portrait pictured here, which hangs over the desk in the Archives, is one of two of King in the library's art collection. The portrait shows King in his later years. However, the second portrait depicts a much younger King as he appeared around age 38, shortly after moving to Bath. Can you find where this second portrait is hanging?

We are looking for volunteers for Starry Night, our annual luminary walk! Now in it's sixth year, this winter tradition transforms Library Park with lighted displays and hundreds of luminaries, a bake sale, and live music. This year also includes an indoor event, where patrons can buy a $10 ticket to a special after-hours event that includes adult beverage, delicious treats, live music, and an indoor luminary walk. Starry Night takes place Friday, December 5, from 4-7pm.

Volunteer positions include day of jobs such as setup, cleanup, and staffing tables, as well as activities earlier in the week, such as assembling luminary bags and baking treats.

Visit the link below to see more details and sign up for shifts.

Volunteers will receive discounted admission to the indoor event, as well as our eternal gratitude! If you have questions please reach out to email Hannah or call 207-443-5141 x1021.

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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