Crafters! Join us on Tuesday evenings, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Bring your own craft. Work on it among friends. | |
Week of Monday, December 4, 2023 | |
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In case you missed it last week: Minerva is coming!!
We are joining Minerva, Maine’s statewide borrowing consortium! It’s an exciting time for everyone involved. Joining is a multistep process. Our goal is to be fully on board by summer 2024. Behind the scenes, we are:
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Getting our collection ready. Library patrons may note that our books and magazines have shifted slightly on the shelves. Some of our collections, like travel books, DVDs, and audiobooks, have changed locations. And we’ve integrated our short story collection into the fiction stacks. Sometime in 2024, we’ll be re-barcoding every item in our collection.
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Polishing our practices and policies, with a focus on Maine law. We are committed to supporting your right to privacy, and we will be changing some of our existing practices to better align with state law. Stay tuned in the next month to learn more about what this means for you and your family.
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Issuing new library cards to every patron. This is an exciting step! Every library cardholder will be issued a plastic library card with a new 14-digit library card number. The library cards (a new design!) will be available at the end of January.
We’re planning a celebration and raffle giveaways to launch our new cards. Stay tuned to this newsletter for all of the details or find them on our website.
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Tiny Book Shelf:
Unique & Quirky
Messages
-December closing information
-Books make great gifts
-Light the Night: Celebrate
Solstice
-Saturday afternoon drop-in chess
returns in January
-Chess kids are playing it BIG
-Local constituents offer a time to meet
-A note for parents and caregivers
-Recommend a Book
Coming Soon @ PML
-A Camden Conference Learning Event
-Ugly Sweater Singalong
-Community Cookbooks up close
-Coming up. Stay tuned!
News from Youth Services
Kids: So much(!) is going on this fall. Check it out.
Teens: Fiber arts meetups, a high school book group, chess, hangout opportunities, and more. Check it out.
In the Community
-A coat drive for asylum seekers
-Volunteers needed
Bits & Bobs
Weekly offerings for adults, a cookbook club, book a passport appointment online, PML's Home Delivery Service, one-on-one tech help, civil discourse group, museum passes, book groups, passport services, book donations, and more
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Tiny Bookshelf: Unique & Quirky | Quirky might be one of the best words in the English language. | |
Pictured here:
Sourdough by Robin Sloan
Moonglow by Michael Chabon
The Book of Difficult Fruit by Kate Lebo
The Cat Who Saved Books by Saosuke Natsukawa
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
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PML closes at noon this Thursday
December throws a few curveballs into our schedule every year. Here are the details:
Thursday, December 7: Closing at noon
Saturday, December 23: Closed
Saturday, December 30: Closed
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Books make great gifts
Stop in to the ongoing book sale at PML for great prices on books, puzzles and even a few games
Got guests? The Friends of Prince Memorial Library ongoing book sale has games and puzzles to keep guests, family, and visitors occupied. Or books for them to read before bed. There are even like-new books for so many of your gift-giving needs this holiday season. Stop by and see what's here. The stock is always changing.
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Here's another gift idea!
Make a donation to the Friends of Prince Memorial Library in honor of a friend or family member. The Friends fund all of the programming at PML, as well as the Museum Pass Program, and our beautiful garden. We love our Friends!
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Light the Night
Thursday,
December 21,
3:30-5 p.m. at PML
An All-Ages Intergenerational Celebration
Let's light the night on the shortest day of the year! Drop in and make a simple lantern to celebrate the winter solstice. All materials provided. Hot cocoa and popcorn available.
Add Light the Night to your digital calendar.
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Saturday afternoon chess for adults returns in January
Drop in Saturdays, 3 to 5 p.m.
Begins January 6
At PML
Beginning in January, we're bringing back Saturday afternoon chess. It's a casual thing. Drop in to see who up for a game. Bring a chess board if you want to guarantee you've got one to play on.
Add chess to your digital calendar.
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Speaking of chess: Check out these chess numbers from our chess kids
The kids in our weekly chess club have been working hard to sharpen their skills. Our incredible volunteer Jay has been helping the kids tally their checkmates throughout the fall. 105 checkmates in total so far. That's a lot of chess matches! Well done to all, and thank you to Jay for sharing your expertise with us!
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Local legislative constituents offer an opportunity to chat
Friday, December 8, 10 to 11 a.m.
In the PML Solarium
Drop in. No registration required.
Sen. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, and Rep. Steve Moriarty, D-Cumberland, will hold Constituent Office Hours at PML on Friday, December 8. Constituent office hours provide a chance for residents to hear updates on legislation, discuss issues affecting them and obtain help navigating government services.
Sen. Pierce is serving her first term in the Maine Senate, representing Senate District 25, which includes Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth (majority), North Yarmouth, Gray and Long Island.
Rep. Moriarty is serving his fourth non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives, representing House District 110, which includes the town of Cumberland, Chebeague Island and Long Island.
Add this to your digital calendar.
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Parents and caregivers, we need your help!
Please, please keep an extra eye on your Little People while they are at the library. While artistic expression is 100% encouraged, kids also need to respect library property. There is paper for coloring on (just ask any staff member if it happens to run out). Thank you!
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Recommend a book or audiobook
We'd love to hear from you. Tell us book or audiobook titles that you think others would like. No reviews required. Just tell us a title or two. Information like this is helpful when we make book recommendations or create a Tiny Bookshelf (above). Responses can be anonymous.
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Here are a few titles recommended by a reader:
Books:
This is Happiness by Niall Williams
Beautifully written
All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan
Very interesting in light of current events
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THIS WEEK
Climate Change Challenges of South Asia
A Camden Conference Learning Event
Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Registration is required.
What can we extrapolate from the specific case of climate change challenges in South Asia?
In this examination of how climate change manifests itself globally and regionally, we'll explore South Asia's specific climate change challenges, an exercise that can inform the global climate change narrative. We'll also discuss opportunities for cross-border cooperation and research; new equitable financial models; and the possibilities for lasting peace and security.
Dr. Raj Saha is a research manager at the New York Times and a lecturer in data science and AI at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University. He is passionate about the democratization of data and technology and how they could be thoughtfully utilized toward building sustainable solutions.
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Ugly Sweater Singalong
A PML Concert Series Holiday Event
Saturday, December 16 at 10 a.m.
At North Yarmouth Community Center
Free! A fun event for every age.
A holiday Ugly Sweater singalong with the Just-For-Fun Singing Group, a casual group of local singers from Active Living 55+ Cumberland. All the familiars, sung with heart. We'll award a prize to the ugliest sweater. Sweet treats, hot chocolate and eggnog will make the gathering even more festive. A fun event for every age. Join us! It's sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Add the Ugly Sweater Singalong to your digital calendar
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Community Cookbooks
An Inciteful Glimpse Into the Past
Saturday, January 6 at 10 a.m.
In-person at PML
No registration required. Free!
Community cookbooks tell us about a community's history and offer an inciteful glimpse into the past. We'll hear from community cookbook editors and enthusiasts Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway, editors of the Maine Bicentennial Community Cookbook.
In addition to a glimpse into the history of community cookbooks, they'll share their personal experiences with putting together a community cookbook, what it means to compile a community cookbook, and Community Plate, their latest community project. Registration is NOT required for this event.
If you're interested in this offering, you might also be interested in our Story-Sharing Supper, a Community Plate potluck dinner and story-sharing event, on Saturday, February 10, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Registration IS required for that event.
Add Community Cookbooks to your digital calendar.
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News from
Youth Services
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You can find information about all of our kids programs on the PML Kids page of our website or on the Youth & Teen Services Facebook page. |
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Light the Night
Thursday, December 21, 3:30-5 p.m. at PML
An All-Ages Intergenerational Celebration
Let's light the night on the shortest day of the year! Drop in and make a simple lantern to celebrate the winter solstice. All materials provided. Hot cocoa and popcorn available.
Add Light the Night to your digital calendar.
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Learning with Yaya: Spanish for Kids
For kids ages 1-5 with caregivers
Thursday, December 7, 11:15 a.m.
In the Community Room at North Yarmouth Community Center
Discover the magic of Spanish! Yael Herszkopf Mayer (Yaya) will be sharing a few of her wonderful books while leading a playful journey into the world of Spanish. Through games, books and music, children will learn, dance, and leave with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the Spanish language.
(Yaya runs her Learning with Yaya program through the CNY Recreation Department. Come to this event to see if you may be interested in signing up for future sessions of Yaya's learning series via the rec. program)
Add this to your digital calendar.
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Storytimes with Melissa
For all days and locations listed below:
Baby and Toddlers: 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3 to 5): 11 a.m.
No registration required.
Stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes and more with Melissa. We've added new days and locations to our storytime schedule. Wednesday and Saturday Storytimes will mirror what is offered at the library on Tuesdays.
- Tuesdays at PML
- Wednesdays at No. Yarmouth Community Center
- Third Saturdays at PML
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Baby & Toddler Hangouts
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
10 a.m. Age 0-3.
No registration required.
Kids ages 0-3 and caregivers, come hang out in our activity room and enjoy all it has to offer. We have a play kitchen, dolls, puzzles, duplos, a train table, and an art station. So much to do! This is a low-key time for both kids and caregivers to socialize and connect. No registration required. Just drop in!
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Process Art for Littles
Just added!: Thursday, November 30
December: 2nd and 4th Thursdays
10:30-11 a.m. Age 0-5.
Drop-in format. No registration required.
Let's get messy! Art is about the process, not the product. Let's explore different materials, experiment, and play! Join Melissa on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month (holidays excepted) to let loose and create. Please wear clothing appropriate for messy play.
Add Art for Littles to your digital calendar.
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Chess Club
Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m.
Drop-in format. No registration required.
New to the game of chess, or looking to sharpen your skills? Join us for a fun and relaxed group for kids interested in chess. We will play at the long tables near Luna's terrarium.
Add Chess to your digital calendar.
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Lego Club
Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m.
Drop-in format. No registration required.
Free build with friends using PML's large collection of Legos. We will meet at the long tables near Luna's terrarium. Creations will be displayed at the library for one week.
Add Legos to your digital calendar.
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Pokemon Club
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m.
No Pokemon on Thursday, December 7
Drop-in format. No registration required.
Chat with friends about all things Pokémon. This is a casual group for kids to share thoughts, trade cards (with permission), and connect with other Pokémon enthusiasts. Kids need to bring their own Pokémon cards to the group. We will meet in the Prince Room.
Add Pokemon to your digital calendar.
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Tabletop Role-Playing Games
2nd & 4th Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m.
Kids, Grades 3 to 5
Registration is limited and required.
Try out a variety of one-shot role playing games. Use your imagination and see where the game takes you! The roll of the dice can determine your fate!
Registration is limited and required. You must sign up for each day you would like to join the group. We will meet in the Prince Room.
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Read to Fergus
Select Saturdays
10 - 11 a.m.
In the Children's Activity Room
Registration required.
Have you met Fergus, the dog? Bring a book to read, or choose one from our collection. Fergus loves a good story (and a good belly rub)!
Fifteen-minute timeslots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click on the link below to schedule an appointment.
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Little Roots Family
First Thursdays, October – May
10 - 11 a.m.
At Wescustogo Hall & Community Center, N. Yarmouth
Drop-in format. No registration required.
In partnership with 317 Main Community Center
Simple songs, rhymes, and movement activities for kids ages 0 - 5 years with caregivers. Note: The location of this offering is at the community center in North Yarmouth.
Add Little Roots to your digital calendar.
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You can find information about all our teen programs on the teen page of our website. |
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Common Threads
A Fiber Circle for Teens
Grades 6-12
MSAD51 Early-Release Wednesdays: 2-3 p.m.
MSAD51 Full-Day Wednesdays: 3 to 4 p.m.
No Common Threads on Wednesday, November 22
Drop in. No registration required.
Come hang out with us and craft on half-day Wednesdays. Bring your own projects or use supplies from our stash. It's a great time to be thinking about getting a jump on making some holiday gifts! Knit, crochet, weaving, sewing — let's craft in community together!
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Loosely Bound
A Relaxed Book Group for High Schoolers
Thursday, December 7
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Pizza!)
For High Schoolers, grades 9 – 12
North Yarmouth Community Center Community Rm.
No registration required
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Our next book is Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. Jennifer has a couple of copies of the book to borrow. Or find it on Cloud Library for ebook and audio options.
| Email Jennifer at jbenham@cumberlandmaine.com to submit suggestions and/or if you have any questions. |
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Chess for Teens
2nd and 4th Thursdays
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In the PML Teen Room
Teens, grades 6 – 12
Drop-in format. No registration required.
New to the game of chess, or looking to sharpen your skills? Join us for a fun and relaxed group with our incredible volunteer Jay.
Add Chess for Teens to your digital calendar.
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Teen Leadership Council
Select Saturdays. Next meetup: December 16
2 to 3 p.m.
In the PML Teen Room
Teens, grades 6 – 12
No registration required.
Teens, let your voices be heard! Hang out with friends and help make the library work best for teens. Give your input about teen programming, and print and digital resources that are available at the library. Volunteer to help out at selected kids' programs. New faces are always welcome.
Add TLC to your digital calendar.
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Lit Loot!
Lit Loot is a book subscription box for teens in grades 6-12. Register and complete a short survey by the 21st of the month. Lit loot boxes will be available for pick up at the library on/after the first of the following month.
What's in the box?
Each Lit Loot box 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 box by the due date, and keep the goodies.
** You must fill out a registration form for each month that you wish to participate in Lit Loot.**
Sign up by December 21 for January Loot.
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Coat Drive for Asylum Seekers
Cumberland Congregation Church, UCC
Most of the 36 families who moved to Freeport recently took the harrowing route from Angola through South and Central America to arrive in Maine this summer.
More than 130 children, teens, and parents need winter coats for their first winter in Maine.
Please sign up to donate a new or gently used coat. (Sizes and specifics are listed on the signup form): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BA5AD2BAB9-46240113-winter#/
For more information: https://www.cumberlanducc.org/winter-coat-drive
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Invasive Plants Volunteers Needed
Interested in doing something about invasive plants in Cumberland? The newly created Invasives Subcommittee of the Lands and Conservation Commission is inviting interested residents to join in this new effort. Participants will actively learn to identify invasive plants, document where they are, and help with control efforts.
If interested, please complete the application linked here and return to Brenda Moore at bmoore@cumberlandmaine.com.
Questions? Please contact David Cowan at dcowan01@maine.rr.com
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Bits & Bobs:
Reminders and Such
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Print versions of this newsletter are available
If you know someone who would prefer to receive a printed version of this newsletter, ask them to call or stop by the library and ask for Kelly: 207-829-2215.
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Weekly offerings for adults | |
Crafter Work
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Mah Jongg (American-Style)
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Knitting
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Mah Jongg (Asian-Style)
Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
PML Striders Walking Group
Thursdays at 9 a.m.
Meets at Twin Brook Recreation Area, at the red shelter on the Tuttle Road side.
Classic Games
Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m.
Mexican Train, Rummikub, Flinch, Sequence, Parcheesi & more. They are happy to teach (or learn) new games.
Bridge
Fridays at 1 p.m.
Adult Chess
Saturdays at 3 p.m.
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Cookbook Club
Second Mondays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Wescustogo Hall & Community Center, No. Yarmouth
Have you heard about our cookbook club? Share the joy of a new or favorite recipe with others. Every month has a theme. Prepare your dish at home, then bring it (and the cookbook) to the meeting. We'll enjoy the food together then chat about the cookbooks we got the recipes from. New members are welcome.
December 11: SOUP & BREAD
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Video streaming is available on cloudLibrary
PML patrons now have access to a wide variety of video content, including movies, documentaries, and series. Fans of BBC will find lots of content available to enjoy.
Log into your cloudLibrary account with your library card number to access this new and exciting service! Audio and e-books, digital comics, and a newly launched Kids Mode are also ready for you to explore: https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/
Let us know what you think!
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Now 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 a delivery service for those who need it.
SPREAD THE WORD
We are thrilled to announce that we are launching a home delivery service for residents of Cumberland and North Yarmouth who are confined to their home, either temporarily, due to illness or accident, or permanently, due to age, disability, or other mobility problems.
You must enroll in the program to participate. It's easy to enroll. Simply fill out an enrollment form online (hard copies are available at the library). Or call the library to enroll by phone. Once we've received your form, we'll call you to discuss your reading preferences and get you on a delivery schedule.
Pass the word along to someone you may know who could use this service. For more information, visit our website.
This service is offered in collaboration with Aging in Place, Cumberland and Living Well in North Yarmouth.
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PML Afternoon Book Group
The group meets last Thursdays at 11a.m. or 3 p.m., September–May. Choose the time that best suits your schedule.
Sign up to receive email updates on books we're reading and upcoming meetings. FMI, contact Kelly at kgreenlee@cumberlandmaine.com.
Here's our Fall 2023 lineup:
Dates listed are the dates that we will discuss the book.
December 28: Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships by Nina Totenberg
January 25: The Fraud by Zadie Smith
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Social Topics in Lit Book Group
explores topics of social interest in adult (and some YA)) fiction and nonfiction. What does that mean? Race, equity, poverty, addiction, women's issues, etc. You get the idea.
The group meets virtually the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., October - June. New members welcome. Contact Kelly at kgreenlee@cumberlandmaine.com.
Dates listed are the book discussion dates:
December 13: The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
January 10: A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
February 14: This Other Eden by Paul Harding
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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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One-on-One Tech Help
Book a librarian for some one-on-one tech help. To make an appointment, find the button at the bottom of the page on our website or email Kelly at kgreenlee@cumberlandmaine.com.
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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/
What you'll find:
- From Africa to Maine series
- Gardening for Wildlife Habitat
- Your Fuel-Efficient Home
- Invasive Pests
- Power in Aging
- Southern Maine Trails: 10 Great Trails
- Invasive Plants with Gary Fish, Maine's state horticulturist
- Native Journey: A Conversation with Barry Dana
- Climate Courage and Mental Health with Dr. Anne Hallward
- Archaeology of Casco Bay, Parts 1 & 2
- Coyote: America's Song Dog
- A Trash & Recycling Primer from ecomaine
- The ChangeMaker Series (1 and 2)
Coffee Chats on Running for Local Office
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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.
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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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PML is a Passport Acceptance Facility
Check out our website for information or to make an appointment.
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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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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!
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Contact Us:
207-829-2215
library@cumberlandmaine.com
princememorial.org
Library Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: CLOSED
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Thomas Bennett
Director
tbennett@cumberlandmaine.com
Stacy Mazur
Assistant Director
smazur@cumberlandmaine.com
Kelly Greenlee
Community Outreach Librarian/Newsletter Editor
kgreenlee@cumberlandmaine.com
Jennifer Benham
Youth & Teen Services Librarian
jbenham@cumberlandmaine.com
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