“What’s happening at Whitefield Library?” Our Fall lineup is promising to keep the “busy” theme going. We’re very happy to announce that Suzanne Balbo will be continuing to lead us as our Library Director again this year. She also will be taking on additional duties as the Youth Services Coordinator and our Technology Coordinator. Suzanne’s energy and creative spirit opens the door to many new possibilities for our library, and we’re looking forward to an exciting and productive year. We’re sure you’ll find plenty of reading material when you stop by and our many programs will entertain and enlighten from month to month. Keep an eye on Suzanne’s postings so you don’t miss an event, and stop by during our OPEN hours just to enjoy our library space and to say hello to Suzanne and our terrific team of volunteers!
The number of attendees at our summer programs tells us that we just need to keep those going; and we will! Our Library Director and volunteers do a great job coordinating weekly Storytime, monthly Book Club, Aging Wisely, Game Night, First Friday Art Night, as well as several Author Talks. As we return to the Fall schedule, we’ll be bringing back Yoga, Knitting, Teen Book Club, and Music with Jackson for 0-6 year olds.
We owe a special thank you to the Masonic Lodge of Jefferson and the Whitefield Lions Club for donating 6 brand new bicycles and helmets to our Youth Summer Reading program. There were many happy readers, and everyone who participated in the challenge went home with a special prize after the pizza extravaganza event. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will add to this fun when they visit our library and present a Fix-a-Bike workshop on Sept. 28 (11:30) and Bicycle Safety for Kids Oct. 19 @ 10:00. We’re also gearing up for our first Instrument Petting Zoo on Sept 28 at 10:00, and October will find the Youth Program revving up for the Hinterland Woods Walk, an owl visit, Storytime Halloween events, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show for teens and up.
First Friday Art Night has showcased more of our artistic community during the past summer. We wish to thank Rachel Robbins, Sally Wattles, Carolee Withee, and Jane McMorrow for allowing us to show their beautiful work. Please stop in to see the creations of Libby Seigers, Marlene Barter, and Linda Gallion during the months of September through November. We’re honored to display their talent in our little library!
Our Author Talk Series will feature more amazing talent, and we hope you will be able to attend all of these “talks”. Our very own Whitefield author, Andrea Lani (Uphill Both Ways) will share her writing experiences on Sept.14 at 2:00. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Barbara Walsh will visit us Oct 5 at 2:00, and Maine School Librarian of the year/author, Jody Batchelder, will be on our little stage Nov. 9 at 2:00.
It may be a month away, but October 12 is a date to put on your calendar. There will be “Lights! Camera! Action!” at Whitefield Library! Beginning at 7:00pm, we will present our Fall fundraiser…a “Murder Mystery Event” (a really fun and entertaining evening with an interactive mystery for you to solve). Your ticket includes fancy hors d’oeuvres, 2 beverage tickets, and an evening you won’t soon forget. Read more on our website about this red carpet event (whitefieldlibrary.org), and pick up your ticket soon at the library. All proceeds will help support the operations of our library!
Check out our front porch Little Food Pantry, and please help yourself to whatever you need. It’s always free for everyone. The large yellow cupboard (thank you, anonymous builder, Stephen) holds non-perishables, and we welcome your contributions to maintain an on-going supply. We’re grateful to be able to make these food items available to our community, and we’re working on a means to winterize our Little Pantry!
We are happy to partner with Healthy Lincoln County on Sept. 26 at 5:00 for a very significant class about harm reduction measures that could save a life. This important NARCAN training and overdose response training is free to all participants. Please contact our Director if you would like to attend so we can ensure enough kits.
As you can see, our 1st floor space is bursting with activity, so just imagine how our library will hum (and the elbow room we’ll have) once the 2nd floor renovation is complete, and we can begin to make use of our entire building.The finish painting is planned for October, then the last of the electrical work; saving our hardwood floor refinishing and railings for the end projects. In addition, our summer has seen other maintenance attended to. With appreciation to the Town of Whitefield for ARPA funds, we installed a standby generator, and with grant funds from American Rural Small Library, we were able to place a vapor barrier and dehumidifier in our crawlspace. The Davis Family Foundation also granted us the money to replace our aging metal roof which may happen this Fall. The Renovation Committee and contractors are all anxious for that “to-do list” to get shorter, and it is! Stop in and see what we’ve done.
We’re OPEN: Wed/Thurs 1-6 and Fri/Sat 10-1. We serve (free of charge) all residents of Whitefield, Windsor, Somerville, Jefferson, Alna, and Pittston. Pick up your Library Card, borrow our books, bring the family to Storytime, come to our programs, and join our volunteers (we always need help in many areas).
Our contact is: 1 Arlington Ln, Whitefield, PO Box 5, Whitefield 04353, 207-549-0170, info@whitefieldlibrary.org, and see our informative website: https://whitefieldlibrary.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
