Week of Monday, December 22, 2025 | | Thank you, Main Street! Let's do it again next year! | | | | |
Tiny Bookshelf:
Cozy Mysteries
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THIS WEEK
We're closed Wednesday and Thursday this week
It's that time of year. Please make note of our upcoming closures:
Wednesday, December 24: CLOSED
Thursday, December 25: CLOSED
Thursday, January 1: CLOSED (No Open Mic Night)
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No Open Mic Night on Jan. 1
Our Open Mics have really been a lot of fun. We're skipping this month because of the holiday. Catch us next on Thursday, February 5, 7 p.m., at Tuttle Road Community Church.
Add Open Mic Night to your digital calendar..
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Storytime and Kids Program Updates
Storytimes are taking a short break in December. There will be no storytimes at PML or North Yarmouth Community Center from December 16-30. Keep an eye out for other things to do with littles at the library!
Regular kids' after-school programs will also be canceled from December 23-January 2. We'll have LEGOs out for free build every day during this time.
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Comin' in hot!
A thermal imaging camera is a handy item, and we now have one in our Library of Things. Inspect your home for insulation issues and leaks. Use it to see animals in the dark. Spot overheating breakers or faulty connections. Diagnose engine issues. You get the idea.
Did you know we also have a radon detector?
We're adding new Things all the time. Check out the Library of Things page on our website: https://www.princememorial.org/library-of-things/
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Stock up on holiday gifts for less
The ongoing Book Sale is a great way to supplement your holiday gift giving, for very little money. Many of the books are in like-new condition. Hardcovers are just $2(!!!).
Proceeds from the book sale benefit the Friends of PML...which, in turn, gets returned to the library in the form of museum and park passes, library events, and a whole lot more.
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Now on Exhibit: Quilts by Local Artists
PML is honored to host the stunning work of members of the Calico Quilters, many of whom live in Cumberland or North Yarmouth. Stop by and tour the exhibit, which can be seen in the Prince Room and also along the main corridor of the library. (You'll even find one in the children's play room). It's a feast for the eyes. You won't want to miss it. On exhibit through January 17.
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Hands On History
A Discussion Group for Local History Detectives
Second Fridays at 10 a.m.
Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13
Registration required.
Dig into the complex and fascinating history of our area with this new discussion group. Each month we'll meet to discuss a local historical document and do a deep-dive into the lives of the people who lived here before us. We'll explore the document's place in historical context, and the social implications of the document when viewed with a modern lens.
This is a three-month workshop/discussion series, meeting on second Fridays, January – March. Participation is not required for all classes. Attend as many as you can or would like.
Offered in partnership with No. Yarmouth Historical Society.
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Game Night, After Hours
Friday, January 9
5 to 7:30 p.m. at PML
For adults, teens, and families
A great way to connect with others and make new friends. Bring a game or play one of ours. Learn a new game or play one you know. It's a casual thing. We've got snacks!
Add Game Night to your digital calendar.
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An Introduction to Nature Journaling
Saturday, January 10
10 a.m. to Noon
Registration required.
Are you curious about the natural world? Would you like to enhance your time outside and grow your ways of seeing what’s there? Join us for an introduction to nature journaling, a flexible practice available to anyone. Together we will consider the benefits of observing the natural world around us, get tips on how to start a nature journal, and share ideas that can help guide our entries. We will slow down and take time to notice what’s around us and note our discoveries.
Sukie Curtis is a Maine Master Naturalist and nature enthusiast.
Offered in partnership with Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust.
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Tom Snow, Jazz Pianist
PML Concert Series
Saturday, January 17 at 10 a.m.
North Yarmouth Community Center
The PML Concert Series "stage" features area musicians for an upbeat morning of great music, light refreshments and delightful company. Join us!
Tom Snow defies genre or category. He has played with a long list of musical luminaries including jazz artists Harry Allen, Dave Holland, Ken Peplowski, Larry Coryell, Nick Brignola, Gray Sargent and Herb Pomeroy.
Add January's Concert to your digital calendar.
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Hidden History of Quilts
with a Show-and-Tell, too!
Saturday, January 17
1 – 3 p.m. at PML
At 1 p.m.: A vintage quilt show-and-tell: Bring a vintage quilt and tell us about it.(Register to tell us about a vintage quilt). '
At 2 p.m.: Kathy Kenny tells us about the history of quilts and quilt-making. (No registration required to attend). Learn more here.
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Nepal Travelogue
Wednesday, January 21
6:30 p.m.
At Val Halla Recreation Center
Three local women take you on a photographic journey of their trek through Nepal.
For more information.
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Listening Poetry
A Community Poetry Workshop
Saturday, January 24 at 10 a.m.
At PML
Grab your pen (or computer) and join Listener Poet Julia McDonald in an interactive workshop to practice intentional listening and custom poem-writing.
For more information.
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Creativity, AI, and the Business of Being an Artist
Saturday, January 31 at 10 a.m.
At PML
If you are an artist trying to understand the current marketplace for your work, or just someone interested in AI and the law, this is a discussion for you.
For more information.
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Youth Services
Kids, Ages 0 - 11
| | For Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers | | |
Little Makers
Evening and Morning Options (see below)
Let's get messy! Art is about the process, not the product. Let's explore different materials, experiment, and play! Join us to let loose and create. Please wear clothing for messy play.
| | Weekly offerings for littles: | | |
Tuesday Storytimes
Babies & Toddlers: 10 a.m.
Preschoolers (3-5): 11 a.m.
At PML
No storytimes: Dec. 16-30
Stories, songs, and rhymes for little people, at PML.
Add to calendar.
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Wednesday Storytime
All littles (0-5): 11 a.m.
At North Yarmouth Community Center
No storytimes: Dec. 16-30
Stories, songs, and rhymes for little people, in North Yarmouth.
Add to calendar.
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Baby & Toddler Hangout
Wed, Thurs, and Fri
10 a.m. Ages 0-3.
At PML
Time for kids and caregivers to socialize and connect.
Add to calendar.
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Legos are out all day during school vacation week
Stop by and build! It's a good time. For kids, ages 3 to 11.
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Bookopoly
A Winter Reading Challenge for Kids
We're having a fun reading challenge for kids this winter. Pick up your Bookopoly game board in the kids' area of the library. Make your way around the board and complete reading challenges. Share your favorite Bookopoly reads on our "Kids Recommend" sheet on the large display board in the kids' area. You may inspire someone else!
Have fun!
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Sign up for a new campaign. Begins January 9.
Dungeons & Dragons for kids
Fridays, January 9 - May 29
4-5 p.m. at PML
For kids, ages 10-12
Registration required
Join us for a fun, fantastical tabletop role playing game. No experience necessary!
This group runs most Fridays from January 9 - May 29, and will play an ongoing campaign. We will follow the MSAD51 school calendar, and not meet on scheduled school closings. Please sign up only if you can make most of the meets.
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Makerspace Mess Around
Wednesday, February 4, 1-2 p.m.
Ages 5-11. At PML.
No registration required.
No Makerspace in January
The best ideas happen by accident. Come play, experiment, and create. We'll have plenty of materials available for making.
Add Makerspace Mess Around to your digital calendar.
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Read to Nora
Wednesdays: 1/7, 1/21 4-5 p.m.
Saturday: 1/17, 2-3 p.m.
(See other dates on the calendar.)
Ages 5-11. At PML.
Register by appointment.
Nora is as sweet as they come, and can't wait to meet you and listen to a story! Bring a book to read or choose one from our collection. Because what is better than reading to a therapy dog?!
Fifteen-minute timeslots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Chess with Jay
Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m.
Ages 5-11
Drop-in.
New to chess, or looking to sharpen your skills? Join us for a fun and relaxed group for kids interested in chess.
No chess: Dec. 23 & 30
Add to calendar.
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Lego Free-Build
Wednesdays: 12:30-5 p.m.
Ages 3-11
Drop-in.
Legos will be out all day during school vacation week.
Our large collection of LEGOs will be out on Wednesday afternoons. What can you build?!
Add to calendar.
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Sketch, Doodle, Draw
Thursdays, 4-5 p.m.
Ages 3-11
Drop-in.
No SDD: Dec. 25 & Jan. 1
Do you like to draw? We'll provide lots of art supplies for sketching, doodling, and drawing each week.
Add to calendar.
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Book Bounty
Book Subscription Bags for Kids in Grades 4-5
Register by the 7th of the month for our next Bounty.
Book Bounty is a book subscription bag for kids in grades 4-5. Register and complete a short survey by the 7th of the month. Book Bounty bags will be available for pick up on the display shelves near the circulation desk on/after the 15th of the month.
What's in the bag, you ask?
Each Book Bounty bag will have 2 library books based upon the preferences indicated in your survey, and a couple of small goodies to keep.
Return the books and bag by the due date, and keep the goodies.
**You must fill out a registration form for each month you wish to participate in Book Bounty.**
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Call for snacks for hungry kids
Kids and teens are hungry after school. PML Youth and Teen Services likes to be able offer kids and teens a snack and a drink when they come to the library to hang out or participate in our after-school activities.
We gratefully accept individually wrapped, nut-free snacks, cans of seltzer, and mini bottles of water to help fight off the hangries. Take a look at our wish list for ideas of snacks that have been popular, purchase from your favorite store, or have them delivered right to the library. View the wish list here: https://a.co/dJjAgNQ
Thank you!
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Teen Services
Teens, Ages 11 – 19
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Magic: The Gathering for Teens
Wednesday, January 14 and 28
6 – 8 p.m. in the Teen Room
For teens in grades 6-12
No registration required.
Come play Magic: The Gathering with us! Play this strategic, world-building card game with friends, new or old! Bring your own cards, or use our decks. No experience (or cards) necessary.
Add Magic: The Gathering to your digital calendar.
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Upcycling/ReFashion for Teens
Wednesday, January 7
6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Teen Room
For teens in grades 6-12
Registration required
Let’s get creative with old clothing! Learn basic hand sewing techniques to create patches and applique designs that can be applied to older clothing to give it a new life.
We’ll start with some sewing basics then jump into how to cut patches and applique designs to sew onto existing clothing pieces brought from home. We’ll also cover 1-2 sewing techniques to attach the patches/applique designs to the clothing. These sewing techniques can be used to create unique and personalized designs on existing clothing.
No experience necessary.
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Booked!
A book group for 6th-8th graders
Third Thursdays
4-5 p.m. in the Teen Room
Next meet: Thursday, January 15
No meet on February 19
We have a new book group for 6th - 8th graders! We'll meet in the Teen Room for snacks and a laid-back chat about our latest read (and anything else you've been reading). And yes, listening to the audio version of the book definitely counts!
December's book: Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Need a copy of the book? Sign in to your library account on Minerva and put it on hold. You'll get a copy lickety-split!
Add this book group to your digital calendar.
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Loosely Bound
A (very) relaxed book group for high schoolers
Saturday, January 10
10:30 a.m. at Dara Bistro
Come hang with us at Dara Bistro (one drink or pastry is on us!) to chat about The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum (among other things). Can you come if you haven't read the whole book? Yes! Can you come if you listened to the book on audio? Yes! Can you come if you didn't read the book at all but just want to see if this group feels good to you? Yes!
January's book: The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum
Need a copy of the book? Sign in to your library account on Minerva and put it on hold. You'll get a copy lickety-split!
Add this book group to your digital calendar.
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Lit Loot
Register by the 21st of the month for the next month's loot.
Lit Loot is a book subscription bag for teens in grades 6-12.
Register and complete a short survey by the 21st of the month. Lit loot bags will be available for pickup on the display shelves across from the circulation desk on/after the first of the following month.
What's in the bag, you ask?
Each Lit Loot bag will have 2 library books based upon the preferences indicated in your survey and a selection of small goodies to keep. Return the books and bag by the due date, and keep the goodies.
**You *must* fill out a registration form for each month you wish to participate in Lit Loot.**
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Sign up for the PML Teen newsletter
PML has a monthly newsletter just for teens in grades 6-12! Find out the latest information about teen happenings and programs. Teen emails preferred. (We promise not to spam your inbox.)
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Tune in to Maine Public Television in January
Our own Carolyn Currie is hosting a new show
Thursday, January 8 at 8 p.m.
Tune in to Maine Public Television on Thursday, January 8, 8 p.m. for a brand new series hosted by our own Carolyn Currie. “Sound Waves” brings together an unforgettable mix of talent from legendary voices to rising stars. Meet the artists, hear their stories and experience the depth, diversity and soul of the Maine music scene — one performance at a time.
Sound Waves premieres on Thursday, January 8th, at 8 pm on Maine Public Television.
| | Bits and Bobs: Reminders and Such | | |
Weekly offerings for adults | |
Mah Jongg (American-Style)
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at PML
Knitting
Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at PML
Mah Jongg (Asian-Style)
Thursdays at 1 p.m. at PML
Classic Games
Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m. at PML
Mexican Train, Rummikub, Flinch, Sequence, Parcheesi & more. They are happy to teach (or learn) new games.
Bridge
Fridays at 1 p.m. at PML
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PML Community Music Workshop: Open Mic Night
In partnership with Tuttle Road Community Church
First Thursdays (No Open Mic on Jan. 1)
6:45 p.m. Open Mic Signups
7 - 8:30 p.m. Performances
Tuttle Road Community Church, 52 Tuttle Road
Enjoy an evening of music and community -- a great opportunity to hear local performers flex their skills or try out new pieces for an audience. All local performers are encouraged to come perform and all community members are invited to come listen. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available for a donation.
Add Open Mic Night to your digital calendar.
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Game Night After Hours!
Friday, January 9 (and every second Friday)
5 to 7:30 p.m.
At PML
Old-fashioned fun without all the cleanup! For adults, teens, and families. It's great fun. Join us!
Add Game Night to your digital calendar.
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Retired & Rewired
A Discussion and Connection Group for Retired Men
First Thursdays, 10 to 11 a.m. at PML
Next: November 6
For retired men.
A brand-new, informal discussion group for men about designing an enriching retirement experience. If you're a guy who is rewiring after retiring, this might be for you. Join Jonathan Hopps, recent retiree and Cumberland resident, and others to share thoughts, ideas and goals for an exciting new phase of your life.
This new discussion group meets the first Thursday of the month, October-March.
Add Retired & Rewired to your digital calendar.
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Cookbook Club
Second Mondays, 5:30 to 7 p.m., September - June
North Yarmouth Community Center
January's cookbook: Hot Sheet: Sweet and Savory Sheet Pan Recipes for Every Day and Celebrations by Olga Massov & Sonae Lemoine
Have you heard about our cookbook club? Share the joy of a new or favorite recipe with others. Every month features a different cookbook that we all cook from. Sign up for a recipe. Prepare your dish at home, then bring it to the meeting. We'll enjoy the food together. New members are welcome.
The cookbook sits on Kelly's desk at the library. Stop by to take a look and claim your recipe. Get on the email list by emailing Kelly at kgreenlee@townofcumberlandmaine.gov.
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Ebooks and audiobooks are available via CloudLibrary
Audiobooks, ebooks, digital comics, and movies are available for library cardholders to explore via cloudLibrary: https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/.
Download the app onto your device, then log into your cloudLibrary account with your library card number. If you have questions or need a hand with setup, let us know. We're happy to help.
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You can book a passport appointment online
PML is a passport acceptance facility, offering services by appointment only. To learn more about the service and to book an appointment, check out our website.
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PML offers home delivery service
The PML Home Delivery Service provides free library delivery services to individuals who are residents of Cumberland or No. Yarmouth who are generally confined to their residence, either temporarily, due to illness or accident, or permanently, due to age, disability, or other mobility problems. Contact Kelly for more information: 207-829-2215 (ext 4) or kgreenlee@townofcumberlandmaine.gov.
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Book Groups
PML offers four book groups to suit different schedules & tastes. Newcomers welcome.
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The Kids are in School!! Book Group
First Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at PML, September-June
Contact Kelly to be added to the email list: kgreenlee@townofcumberlandmaine.gov
October 7: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
November 4: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
December 2: The Wager by David Grann
January 6: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
February 3: The Names by Florence Knapp
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Social Topics in Lit Book Group
Second Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at PML, October-June
New members welcome. Contact Kelly at kgreenlee@townofcumberlandmaine.gov
November 12: Sapiens (Graphic Novel Vol. 1) by Yuval Noah Harari
December 10: Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
January 14: Cleavage by Jennifer Finney Boylan
February 11: Woodworking by Emily St. James
March 11: (S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi
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Saturday Morning Book Chat
First Saturdays at 10 a.m. at PML, All Year
Contact Stacy to be added to the email list: smazur@townofcumberlandmaine.gov
October 4: You Are Here by David Nicholls
November 1: Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
December 6: Abundance by Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
January 3: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
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Thursday Book Group
Last Thursdays at 11a.m. OR 3 p.m., September–May
Choose the time that best suits your schedule. No need to RSVP. Contact Kelly to be added to the email list: kgreenlee@townofcumberlandmaine.gov
October 30: Persuasion by Jane Austen
November 20: American Mother by Colum McCann
December 18: The History of Sound: Stories by Ben Shattuck
January 29: The Salt Stones: Seasons of a Shepherd's Life by Helen Whybrow
February 26: Amity by Nathan Harris
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We have State Park Passes and Museum Passes
(Courtesy of the Friends of PML)
Each pass is unique and offers its own set of discounts and terms of use. You can find details on all of the passes on the Museums and Park Passes page of our website. Please note that we are only able to give one pass per day per museum.
The following museum and cultural sites are included in our Museum Pass Program:
- Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (Portland)
- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay)
- Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland)
- Maine Maritime Museum (Bath)
- Maine Wildlife Park (Gray)
- Portland Museum of Art (Portland)
- Maine State Parks Vehicle Pass
Ask at the circulation desk or visit our website for more information.
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Recordings available on our website
Did you know that you can watch recordings of some of our virtual programs? We don't always record what we offer, but sometimes we do. You can find recordings of some of our most recent events on our website: https://www.princememorial.org/recordings/
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Fully tagged CLYNK bags are available in the Friends of PML book sale room. All proceeds from donated bottles benefit the Friends of PML. Thank you!
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Check out the ongoing book sale at PML
The Friends of Prince Memorial Library holds a book sale all year in the hallway to the right of the circulation desk. Great books (like new!) and puzzles for super low prices. We are always restocking the shelves, so stop by frequently. Proceeds benefit programming at Prince Memorial Library.
For more ways to support The Friends of PML, check out their website.
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The Friends of PML gladly accepts donations of gently used books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles (up to 2 small boxes or 2 shopping bags at a time), which are in good to excellent condition. Items for all ages are welcome.
The following are not accepted: Encyclopedias, magazines, textbooks, Bibles, VHS Tapes, outdated self-help or medical advice books, reference, technology or computer books, books which are written in, torn, moldy, musty, water or smoke damaged.
Please do not place donations in the Book Drop as space is limited for patrons' items. Bring donations into the library.
Thank you!
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