What's New at PML?

Week of Monday, January 17, 2022

Visit our Website

Read on to find:

On why we are no longer stamping due dates

At a Glance: This Week at PML

Program Sneak Peek: Chef's Challenge

News from Youth Services

On Supporting Young Adults Through Big Challenges

Camden Conference 2022: Three Worldview Talks

A Reading Challenge for 2022

Shelf Spotlight: Large Print for Kids & Teens

Bits & Bobs: Reminders and Such

On why we are no longer stamping due dates

If you have checked any library materials out recently, you have likely noted that we are no longer stamping due dates. The change comes at a time when we are examining the work that we do, our efficiencies, and our interest in bringing new services and programs to you. When you add it up and consider the stacks of books checked out over the course of a day or week, stamping books takes quite a bit of time.

At checkout, we are happy to send you an email with the date your materials are due. We can also provide you with a bookmark that is stamped with the due date. You should also receive an email when your materials are overdue. (Next time you're here, check with the circulation staff to be sure that your email address is current). Of particular note: We are no longer charging fines for overdue books.

We hope that, in time, our new efficiencies will lead to smoother systems and more services to enhance your library experience.

At a Glance:

This week at PML

Information about these workshops can be found in this newsletter (below). Or on our website: princememorial.org

Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Leaping In: On Supporting Teens and Young Adults Through Big Challenges

Registration required. (Virtual)

Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Brexit at 5: How's It Going?

A Camden Conference Learning Event

Registration required. (Virtual)

Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Meditation for Well-Being continues (Session 3) Registration is closed for this event. To learn more, contact Kelly.

Sneak Peek: Chef's Challenge

A friendly, fun cooking competition for individuals or teams.

A multi-generational event.

Saturday, February 5

3 p.m. via Zoom

Multigenerational

Who can make the most creative dish using a surprise food? Each registered team gets an identical, random ingredient. (Pick it up at the library before the event, but don't peek!)

Stock your pantry and get your kitchen ready for the virtual competition (via Zoom), when we'll reveal your secret ingredient, then get cooking! Using pantry items from your kitchen and the provided surprise ingredient, individuals or teams create something amazing (or not!) in just 40 minutes.

Small prizes will be awarded for presentation, creativity, and sportsmanship.

Limited to five teams. Children under 12 must have an adult present.

Questions about Chef's Challenge? Email Kelly or stop by the library for a chat.

News from Youth Services

Changes are happening in the teen room, both small and large!

We have set up a Teen Community Board inside the teen room (right above the computer workstation). This is a place for teens to see and share information about happenings within the community.

Teens, do you have any information you'd like to share with other teens?
Local businesses, are you looking to hire teen workers?
Parents, are you looking for reliable babysitters?
Teachers, is there a school event you'd like to publicize?

The Teen Community Board is here for you! Please date your posting so we can make sure information on the board stays current.

Leaping In: On Supporting Teens and Young Adults Through Big Challenges

Tuesday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. (via Zoom)

Registration is required.

Moving through the difficult periods of our lives can be transformative if we do so with self-love and compassion. How can we teach these skills to our young people and learn them ourselves? How do we help our young people embrace and celebrate all of who they are? When do we collectively learn to allow ourselves the grace to be flawed human beings?

Speaker: Susan E. Casey, MSW, MFA is the founder and host of the L.E.A.P. podcast, a platform for struggling young adults to share their painful and transformational stories with peers, educators, and parents. Susan is a licensed mental health clinician. She lives in Cumberland with her husband Steve and mini aussiedoodle Rocky.

Camden Conference 2022

Europe: Challenged at Home and Abroad

PML and Camden Conference present three timely presentations. All are virtual via Zoom. Registration is required for each.

FMI and To Register for These Presentations

Brexit at 5: How's It Going?

Wednesday, January 19 at 7 p.m.

An examination of Brexit's economic, social, and political upheaval, including disputes over fishing rights, Scottish independence, and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Speaker: Andrea Stanley Hester is vice president of the World Affairs Council of Maine and an instructor at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine.

US-China-Europe: A Case of Strained Relationships

Wednesday, January 26 at 7 p.m.

The three largest economies in the world have relationships that can be generously described as tangled. This talk will attempt to sort through these complicated relationships.

Speaker: Joseph W. McDonnell is a professor of Public Policy and Management at the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine (USM).

Europe – Russia Relations: Current Engagement on Elections, Energy, and the Environment

Wednesday, February 2 at 7 p.m.

Which factors shape the EU's relationship with Russia today?

Speaker: Laura A. Henry is a professor in the Department of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College.

Have you heard about the Reading Challenge?

View & Print the 18:12 Reading Prompts

We're calling this the PML 18:12 Reading Challenge. We've compiled a list of 18 reading prompts. We're challenging you to read from the 18 categories before the end of 2022. Print the list and keep it on your fridge, in your car, in your wallet, or wherever it's handy.

Consider this an opportunity to discover new genres, topics, and titles. Spread the word. Challenge your friends.

Stumped on a category? We've got you covered. We've compiled some reading lists on our website. Use the lists as much or as little as you'd like. Certainly, feel free to sub in your own book ideas.

Facebook users, join the PML 18:12 Facebook Group. See what others are reading, exchange ideas on what to read next, share your progress.

Once your list is done, it's time to brag. Send a picture of your completed list to Kelly at kgreenlee@cumberlandmaine.com. Or bring your list to the library.

Spotlight on Large Print for Kids and Teens

Did you know that PML has a growing collection of Large Print juvenile and young adult fiction?

There are many benefits to large print books, aside from just being easy on the eyes. This article from School Library Journal highlights some of the benefits.

Here is a catalog link to the list of our Juvenile Large Print Books and our YA Large Print Books.

Here we spotlight a few of our favorites:

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk: An all-time favorite of ours. Ellie lives on a mountain with her family during the Great Depression. When her father is seriously injured, Ellie seeks the help of a mysterious woman at the top of the mountain. Available in large and regular print. Grades 5 and up.

The Wonderling by Mira Bartok: A fantasy adventure. The Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures is run by a cunning villainess who believes her charges exist to serve and suffer. Characters are part animal and part human. This is the stuff fairy tales are made of. Grades 4 and up.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram: Darius' first trip to Iran is about to change his life. Grades 9 and up.

Bits & Bobs: Reminders and Such

In case of inclement weather

It's snowy season, and that means the library may close because of tricky conditions. Before you head to the library in inclement weather, check our website to be sure that we are open. Alternatively, Facebook users can check our Facebook page for updates.

Ah, taxes!!

While PML no longer gets tax forms mailed to us, we (librarians) can access forms and instructions online, and we are happy to print them out when needed. We do not print the entire 114-page instruction book, but we will do individual worksheets, tables, etc.

Seniors, each year AARP offers tax prep assistance for seniors (usually at a larger public library. In the past it has been Portland's main branch and Lewiston). They have not yet populated the location finder, but seniors can go to this site to learn more:

https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/

PML's Thursday Afternoon Book Group meets monthly at 3 p.m. (fourth Thursday of the month). FMI, contact Elizabeth. Next up: The Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (January 27).

The Race-in-Fiction Book Group explores ... well ... race in YA and adult fiction. Second Wednesday of the month. Next up: We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez (YA). 6:30 to 8 p.m. New members welcome. Register here. Or, FMI, contact Kelly.

Images of America: Cumberland is available at the library for $23.20 (includes tax) Cash or checks (payable to Town of Cumberland) are acceptable. All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the renovation of the Cumberland Historical Society building at its new location next to our library.

We have PML bag tags to put on your CLYNK Bags. Ask at the circulation desk. All proceeds from donated bottles benefit the Friends of PML. Thank you!

We have State Park Passes and Museum Passes, courtesy of the Friends of PML. Ask at the circulation desk or visit our website for more information.

PML is a Passport Acceptance Facility

Email us at: passports@cumberlandmaine.com or call (207) 464-4493, our designated passport appointment line, to leave contact information for an appointment or to ask a question. For more information about the passport process, visit our website.

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.

Accepting donations of books, DVDs, and puzzles

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!

Masks are required in the library.

The Town of Cumberland requires masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in accordance with U.S. and Maine CDC guidelines. Please wear a mask when visiting Town Hall, Prince Memorial Library, and Public Safety buildings.

Group meetings are temporarily prohibited at the library.