Weekly News and Updates

Patten Free Library Weekly News and Updates

March 17, 2023

Greetings!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Poetry Contest! This year we had more than 30 entries in total, and selected two winners from each category. The winners will have their poems professionally printed and displayed in the Poetry Walk in Library Park from April 1-30.

We hope you all will come out to celebrate National Poetry Month and visit our pop-up poetry installation. You can find more information about the event here.

Thank you to everyone who entered the Poetry Contest, and congratulations again to the winners.

Lesley Dolinger

Library Director

Development

Curious about our Annual Report? You can read the 2021-2022 report here. You can also click here to view the full donor list and previous years' Annual Reports.

Donate Now

Our business sponsor this week is Bath Savings Institution.

View all of our business sponsors and learn how to become one.

Special Events

Printable PDF of the March Calendar

Repair Café

Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Community Room

All Ages

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.

Pokémon Play

Saturday, March 18 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Storytime Room

Ages 6-10

Kids of all ages get together and play! Recommended for ages 6-10.

A FELT Sense: Needle Felting and Soap Water Sculpting with ArtVan

Monday, March 20 from 1p.m. - 3 p.m.

Community Room

Adults

ArtVan’s Art Therapist and Therapeutic Program Manager will guide you through a creative experience using two felting techniques; Needle Felting and Soap Water Sculpting.

Friends of Patten Free Library Meeting

Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m.

Board Room

Adults

The Friends of the Patten Free Library provide significant financial support to the PFL – a total of nearly $500,000 over the past 18 years. The public is always invited to attend Friends meetings and events.

Who Was? Club: Who was Ida B. Wells?

Wednesday, March 22 at 3:30 p.m.

Storytime Room

Ages 8-11

Featuring a different remarkable woman from history each week, join us as we read biographies, play games and make crafts. With support from a Bath Matters Grant.

Bath Climate Conversations: The Shoreline and Coastal Waters

Wednesday, March 22 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Community Room and on Zoom

Adults

Join experts from Bath and beyond to learn about the interactions between climate change and the waters that flow in and around Bath, and take part in a community discussion to share your thoughts and concerns. Registration required for Zoom only.

Ongoing Events

Babytime

Mondays at 10:15 a.m.

Storytime Room

Ages 0-24 months

Join Miss Mary and her guitar for stories, songs, and rhymes.

Knitting Circle

Mondays 3-5 p.m.

Community Room

All Ages

Crafts and conversation for all skill levels.

Winter Sharing Table

Tuesdays 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Lobby

All Ages

Free local produce for all. Generously provided by the Merrymeeting Gleaners.

Lego Club

Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.

Storytime Room

Ages 5-12

Create, challenge, and share your Lego masterpieces with your friends.

AARP Tax Aide |FEB 7 - APR 13

Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Community Room

Adults

Tax prep assistance from local volunteers. No registration required.

Movie Discussion Group

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Zoom

Adults

Watch the movie beforehand, then join a lively on-line discussion. With support from Wilson's Drug Store.

All Ages Storytime

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 Brackett's Market.

History Room Highlight

Women's History Month

Have you heard of Sarah Sampson? She was the wife of a ship figurehead carver and she followed her husband to the Civil War, but she ended up making more of a name for herself than her husband. She became an important and influential nurse and remained at the front even when Bath's 3rd Maine completed their three years and returned to Maine. Later, Sampson, among others, founded the Bath Military and Naval Orphan Asylum in 1866 and served as the first director.

The History Room has several materials related to Sarah Sampson including a Town History Series talk on DVD, a non-fiction book on women nurses in battle, and copies of archival material relating to her work in the Civil War.

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)