Greetings!
We're taking another big step forward in our re-opening plans. Starting Monday, May 24, we will transition from our hybrid service model (open for browsing in the mornings, curbside pick-up in the afternoons) to a "fully open" Library.
You can visit the Library during these hours:
Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We will continue to offer curbside pickup for those who do not want to enter the building. Effective immediately, patrons may enter the Library from all entrances.
To protect our staff and youngest un-vaccinated patrons, we will maintain our current masking and social distancing protocols. And we ask that you continue to limit your Library visits to thirty minutes.
Thank you for your understanding while we navigate the "new normal" each day.
Stay well.
Lesley Dolinger
Library Director
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Books, etc.: From Market to our Shelves
Did you know we have over 60,000 items in our collection? Have you ever wondered how new items get added to our shelves? Meet Shannon, our Technical Services Coordinator. Each month, librarians order books, audiobooks, and DVDs for the Children’s Room, Young Adult, and Adult collections. Sometimes, these books are ordered months before their release date. Shannon keeps track of all the invoices, and as the books arrive, she checks the books against the packing lists, sorts them, and adds a barcode to each item. Each book is added to the Patten Free Library database, as well as the searchable interlibrary loan database. During this cataloging process, she also assigns call numbers and creates labels for each book. At this point, DVDs and audiobooks are ready to be checked in, shelved, or sent out to fulfill holds. New books are covered, taped, and stamped by our staff and volunteers before they are ready for our shelves. All told, it can take a new book, DVD, or audiobook several weeks to several months to get to our patrons. A lot of thought and love goes into the process. Shannon says, “It’s such a great feeling to look at the shelves and see all the books I’ve held, cataloged, and longed to read myself since that first moment I unpacked the box they arrived in.” Thank you to Shannon and all the volunteers who help keep this process moving smoothly! When you make a gift to our annual appeal by clicking the button below, you're supporting all the "behind the scenes" magic. Thank you!
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News and Resources from Adult Services |
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Homebound Delivery Service: Bringing the Library to You! As we emerge from the pandemic, we are increasingly aware of the many patrons who are not able to come to the Library to borrow items -- due to age, illness, disability, or other limitations. If you are homebound -- temporarily or permanently -- or know of someone who is, please consider signing up for our new Homebound Delivery Service.
Thanks to a generous grant from Bowdoin College's Common Good Program, we will be delivering library resources to eligible patrons in our service area beginning in early July. For more details on the program, how to get in touch with Pam, the program coordinator, or to sign up for the service, click here.
Movie Discussion Group
ComingThis June: Let's Talk about Hitchcock!
The Movie Discussion Group decided to take a brief hiatus in May, but by next Friday, we should have a great line-up of Hitchcock films we will discuss in weekly Thursday night meetings in June. Want to join us? All you have to do is watch the movies before the discussion night. Add your name to our e-mail list by clicking here. Movie buff Al Fick is our fearless discussion leader.
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News and Resources for Young Adults |
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North Star Nominee Collection Available in Cloud Library. We've added most of this year's North Star nominees to our Cloud Library collection. They will be a great source of summer reading materials for our readers in grades seven to 12. You can browse the titles by clicking here. Learn more about how to get started with the Cloud Library app on your tablet or phone by clicking here.
Free Audiobook Downloads from Sync: 2021. Great audiobook downloads are available for free (starting now!) through AudioFile magazine's summer SYNC season. Click here to browse the titles and for instructions on how to get started listening.
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News and Resources for Youth and Families |
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News from Ms. Katy:
Join our "Level UP" Reading Group. Are you between the ages of eight and 12? Do you like to read, journal, and share? While supplies last, Ms. Katy is giving away 50 summer reading "Badge Books" with reading challenges, stickers, a calendar, and an app companion to get you started today!
The Reading Group meets via ZOOM one Monday per month, and the next meeting is Monday, June 14 at 3:30 p.m. Sign up by clicking here. Email Ms. Katy (kdodge@patten.lib.me.us) with questions, or call her at 443-5141, ext. 17.
This Week's "Grab and Go" Craft! This week's kids' craft bag is for the older set, ages 5-10. Younger kids will need help cutting the thin fringe and wrapping the paper to make these cool swirly flowers. We've included materials to make two flowers. Bags will at the curbside table by 1:30 on Friday afternoon.
Children's Room Blog. This week's blog entry features a Pete the Kitty library. Click here to enjoy.
"Spring Into Storytimes!" Join us on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in the Library Park Gazebo for a 30-minute outdoor storytime. No registration required; all ages are welcome.
Coming in June!
Home School Socials. Join area homeschoolers and Ms. Katy for casual conversation, play, and support. We'll meet monthly on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. starting June 10, gathering in the Gazebo or in the Storytime Room depending on the weather. For more information about meeting dates and topics, click here.
Page Turner Virtual Adventures Return!
If you enjoyed our first series of Page Turner Adventures this spring, you will be delighted to learn that we are offering this virtual program again this summer! There will be show days, craft days, author/illustrator days, and field trip days. Click here for more information on the eight weeks of free, non-stop virtual, creative entertainment that starts on June 1.
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News and Resources from the History Room |
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History Room Live:
The Tinney-Price Family of Bath
TODAY, May 14 at 4:00 p.m.
Marla’s talk will expand upon her February 10, 2021 contribution to the library’s Black History Month Teach-In and Read-In, a short video which focused on the life of George Tinney Sr. In the course of her research, Marla’s effort to document one of Bath’s African-American entrepreneurs grew to include the story of his ancestors and descendants in the Tinney and Price families, from Demerara (Guyana) to Maine and beyond. Marla will share what she learned of the family’s story and demonstrate how different resources can be used to diversify local history.
Registration is required. Please register here.
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The History Room is Open by Appointment
To make a 2-hour research appointment in the History Room, please email Jill at history@patten.lib.me.us or call 207-443-5141 extension 18.
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What We're Reading (and Watching) |
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This week's review is by Liz McDorr, who works a bit in almost every Library department! She just discovered Kanopy, our free movie streaming service, and was thrilled to browse the thousands of titles that are available to Library patrons. She selected and enjoyed The Bookshop, a 2017 drama written and directed by Isabel Coixet. Click here t o read her full review.
And then . . . click here to get started with Kanopy and enjoy eight free movies a month!
Prefer DVDs? Click here to request this format of The Bookshop.
Click here to access all our staff reviews.
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Patten Free Library | 33 Summer Street | 207-443-5141 | www.patten.lib.me.us |
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