Bangor Public Library Newsletter—
January 2014
Business Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed
We will be closed January 1, 2014 in observance of New Year's Day
We will be closed on January 20, 2014 in observance of Martin Luther King
Jr. Day
Library News
The campaign to raise money to renovate and remodel the library rolls on.
We are doing very well so far. We have raised a total of $8.58 million
dollars since the campaign began earlier this year. We have almost met our
goal of $9 million dollars and we hope to reach that goal by March 31,
2014. Meanwhile, plans for the renovation continue. We are hoping to have
the design development phase of the remodel completed by mid- to late
March and for the plans to go to bidding in the Spring. However, we are still
a ways out on that front. For the time being, we are going to continue to
push to reach our $9 million dollar goal in the time we have left. It's not too
late to make a donation. We know that, together, we can bring the Bangor
Public Library to its full potential. Together, we can meet the needs of the
community and provide the services that our patrons want and deserve.
However, we cannot do it alone. We still need your help to raise the
necessary funds. If you have not yet made a donation or you know
someone who would like to make a great investment in the community,
donations can be made on our website. Donations of $1000.00 or more will
earn a spot on our donor wall so that your generosity will be preserved along
with the integrity of this institution. If you would like to make a donation
but are financially unable, you can pledge a donation now and pay off that
donation over an extended period of time. Any donation is greatly
appreciated and will help us to create a library that best fits your needs and
the needs of this great community. This is a very exciting time for us and
we are glad to have your support.
Children who read, and get excited about reading, at an early age show
greater learning skills as they progress into adulthood, tending to perform
better in school and excelling in social interactions. The Children's
Department of the Bangor Public Library offers many programs to help
children get excited about reading and learning. As an institution, we are
here for that specific purpose and we hope that all children in the greater
Bangor area can take advantage of the opportunities to attend these
programs. We would love to see more children taking advantage of the
tools we offer here at the library. As part of this great community, we are
here to serve you and your children and we want to know what we can do to
help you attend our many services. The library is conducting a series of
surveys to help us understand how we can serve our community better. We
value your opinions, so if you could take a few moments to complete these
brief surveys we would be grateful. The input you give to us will help us
better serve you and all the children of this community to the best of our
potential. If you are a parent with children who have never attended an
event at the library or have not attended an event in the past few years,
click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BZ9VRSY. If you
are a parent with children who regularly attend our programs, click on this
link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BZFKXCW. Thank you for
your participation. The Children's Department at the Bangor Public Library
looks forward to hearing your thoughts and values any opinions which will
help us improve our services.
Auction to Benefit Bangor Public Library
On Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at 5:00 PM in the Lecture Hall, the Bangor
Public Library will be holding an auction as part of the "Yes For the Library"
Campaign. There will be an auction and a silent auction with many items up
for bid. Among these items will be pieces of copper from the original roof.
This is your chance to own a piece of Bangor's history. the 100+ year-old
copper will be sold to the highest bidder with all proceeds benefitting the
Bangor Public Library. A live band, Sentimental Journey, will be on hand to
play music and snacks and refreshments will be served. Don't miss your
chance to own a piece of Bangor's history.
AARP And Your Taxes
For the 17th year in a row, the AARP TaxAide folks will be here assisting
taxpayers with filing their Federal and State income tax returns. Their
schedule is as follows: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in February,
Wednesdays and Thursdays in March and April They will be here from
February 4th to April 15th. Representatives of AARP will be here to help you
between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM. This is a free service and open to the
public. Meetings are on a first-come, first-served basis.
International Film Festival
Friday, January 24th at 6 p.m. The Bangor Public Library is partnering with
the River City Cinema in the Inaugural Global Lens Film Series. This foreign
film series is an annual, curated program of narrative feature films from
Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin American and the Middle East.
The first film is the 2012 Chairman’s Choice, Stolen Life. This Chinese film
(subtitles in English), follows a young girl, Yanni, who is taken to live with
her aunt and grandmother in Beijing. As an adolescent, Yanni is withdrawn
and reclusive, believing that she has been abandoned by her parents, and
that she has no control over either her life or her fate. The fact that her
”family” doesn’t have much hope for her future only compounds her
depression. Surprising everyone in her hostile household, Yanni is accepted
to college, and as she prepares to begin her new life, an encounter with a
delivery boy triggers a series of unexpected events. Director Li Shaohong
takes us on a walk of discovery through life under the city, giving viewers a
realistic perspective on the human experience. A short discussion will
immediately follow the viewing. Refreshments will be served. This program
is free and open to the public.
Downtown Book Walk
Saturday, January 25th is the kick-off of the collaborative Story Walk with
the Bangor Public Library and the Maine Children’s Discovery Museum! Two
books will be on display in Downtown Bangor businesses from January 25February 22. Start at the Library and read “The Mitten” while walking to the
Museum! Pages will be on display on downtown business windows taking you
and your family down Central and Main Streets! Then, at the Maine
Discovery Museum, start reading “Caps for Sale” while you walk up the other
side of the street back to the Library! Hot cocoa and treats will await you at
both locations. Join us on January 25th to kick-off this fun downtown
reading adventure!
Reader's Advisory Folder
The Bangor Public Library is constantly working to get our patrons the books
they really want to read. That is why you will find our new Reader's
Advisory booklist for fiction novels so helpful. In the Popular Fiction room,
you can now find a binder that has booklists of favorite titles by genre. If
you like Fantasy novels, you will find a section just for popular Fantasy
books. If you like Westerns, you can find the most popular Westerns. Other
genres include: Detective, Science Fiction, Romance, Urban Fiction, Christian
Fiction, Police Procedural and Supernatural Fiction. Check out the Reader's
Advisory Binder in the popular fiction room and introduce yourself to some of
the best books you haven't read yet.
Bangor Quilting Guild
Bangor Public Library has started its very own quilting group. The group will
meet on Monday, January 27, 2014 in the Lecture Hall of the library from
5:00-7:30 p.m. If you would like to participate with the group, please
contact Valerie Osborne at [email protected].
The group will start working on a quilt entitled Boxed In. For fabric
requirements and equipment list, please email Valerie Osborne.
Art
Visit our website to see upcoming artists for the month of January.
Computer Classes
Monday, January 6, 2014 at 3:00 PM in the Computer Lab
Tips for Online Job Applications
Denise Smith, a representative from the Eastern Maine Development
Corporation with be on hand to deliver a presentation on the ins and outs,
do’s and don’ts of applying for jobs online. If you need a little help with your
online job hunt, please stop in for the presentation. This program is free
and open to the public.
To learn more about other events in the Computer Lab this month, visit our
website.
Events
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 from
6:00-8:00 pm throughout the Library
The Bangor Public Library continues its tradition of providing a fun, safe
party for families on New Year’s Eve. The Library’s 12th Annual NYE party
will begin at 6 pm on Tuesday, December 31and end at 8 p.m.
Back by popular demand, the Library will feature Northern Stars
Planetarium. This inflatable star theater is a fund way to learn about the
night sky. Space is limited, so tickets are needed for shows. Contact the
Library’s Children’s Department to reserve space. The Library will have lots
of family-friendly activities including face painting, karaoke, book walk, arts
and crafts, and board and video games. Additionally, Maine’s funniest
magician, Dan Baker, will perform at 7 pm with some new amazing tricks!
And, as always, everyone is invited to come in costume. Prizes will be
awarded throughout the evening.
Immediately following the Library’s New Year’s Eve Party, the Gala,
sponsored by the Bangor Daily News will begin.
The Bangor Public Library New Year’s Eve Party is free and open to the
public. For more information or to secure a ticket for the planetarium show,
please contact the library at (207) 947-8336.
Monday, January 6, 2014 at 3:00 PM in the Computer Lab
Tips For Online Job Applications
Denise Smith, a representative from the Eastern Maine Development
Corporation will be heading up a workshop to help you better understand
how to fill out an online job application. This helpful presentation will guide
you through the ins and outs and do's and don'ts of applying for jobs online.
Walk-ins are welcome.
Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 3:00-4:00 PM in the Lecture Hall
Wildlife Track and Sign Presentation
Join Diane Boretos as she conducts a Wildlife Track and Sign Presentation
that will show you how to identify coyote tracks from red fox tracks, and
how to identify many other species from their tracks, trail patterns, scat and
browse sign! Fun for the whole family! For more information, contact Lisa
Frazell at 947-8336 or by email: [email protected]
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Lecture Hall-Rescheduled from Last Month
Visiting Author
Our Seas of Fear and Love by Richard Shaine Cohen
Richard Shaine Cohen of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is originally from Boston. He
retired from the University of Maine at Presque Isle after serving as Vice
President of Academic Affairs and Professor of English. He holds B.S., M.A.,
and Ph.D. degrees. He served as editor of the journal Husson Review and
was principal participant in a National Endowment for the Arts Grant for
“Images of Aroostook” that was exhibited throughout the State of Maine.
About the book: Our Seas of Fear and Love is a romance-family saga set
primarily in Maine but also in Europe, Boston, and the Southwest. Calm and
stormy seas are emblematic of the characters, their influence upon one
another, and the conflicts and love expressed among the four main
characters – Brigit, Deirdre, Gregory and Étienne Moreau, a man who
searches out art treasures to sell to museums. Étienne takes as his partner
Deirdre, a dark haired, vivacious beauty he meets during World War II when
she was an SS member and he was head of a Maquis group. Brigit, an
extremely attractive red-haired woman and nurse cares for Gregory,
wounded during the war, and who becomes a well-known medical
researcher. Gregory and Brigit have fallen in love and plan their marriage.
Deirdre then sets her sight on Gregory, ignoring her lover and partner
Étienne, and a conflict occurs between the two women. In the end, the
effects of love triumph in contrast to vainness that damages self and others
as the seas of fear and love engulf all.
Wednesay, January 22, 2014 from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Lecture Hall
Travis Baker, Playwright
Come meet local playwright, Travis Baker, as he speaks about his journey in
writing the play, One Blue Tarp. His show will receive it's world premier at
the Penobscot Theatre Company, running from February 1 - 16. Get an
inside look about the life and process of playwrighting and the journey this
play took from being an idea to being named the Best Play from Maine in the
2013 Clauder New England Playwrights Competition. For more information,
contact Lisa Frazell at 947-8336 or by email: [email protected]
Be sure to check out our events calendar for any events that might be
added to our list.
Book Groups
Lit Chicks: Our Lit Chick Book Group is the library's more traditional book
group. Led by Maggie, one of our wonderful reference librarians, the group
meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 2:00 pm. All the reads are
chosen by Maggie and lean toward contemporary and literary fiction. Please
be aware that participants are not limited to females, but the book selections
may be decidedly feminine. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 7,
2014 in the Lecture Hall and the book being discussed will be The Spare
Room by Helen Garner.
Military History Group: If you are interested in military history, you are
invited to join with others to discuss books on the topic. We gather all
history enthusiasts for some great military discussions. We read and discuss
all books, old or new, fiction or non-fiction, from the ancient world to the
present. This is a relaxed group, facilitated by Bill Cook, from the library’s
Local History Department. Members will read what interests them and then
talk about it in the group. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January
8, 2014.
Not Your Ordinary Book Group: We read popular fiction, edgy and
uncensored, and meet once a month on Thursday nights at 6:00 pm. This is
NOT your traditional literary fiction book group. All books are chosen by our
members, with an initial online vote to narrow down our choices. The final
books are decided in person at the meetings. The next meeting will be on
Thursday, January 16, 2014. The books being discussed will be The Heist
by Janet Evanovich and Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant.
Field’s Pond Book Group: Join Joyce Rumery to discuss books and topics
that deal with environmental issues. For more information, contact Joyce
Rumery by phone: 581-1655, or email: [email protected]. The group
will not meet again until February. Check back next month to see which
book will be discussed.
Donations, Endowments and Gifts
To give donations or learn how to help the library raise funds, visit our
website.
Children’s and Teens
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
ABC Kids: Saturdays from 11:00-11:30 AM
Chapter Chums: Alternate Tuesdays from 4:00-4:45 PM
(Beginning January 14)
Creative Crafts: Third Thursday of each month from 4:00- 4:45 PM
Crochet Club: Fridays from 4:00-4:45 PM
Goody Gang: Mondays from 4:00-4:45 PM
Legomania: Alternate Wednesdays from 4:00-4:45 PM
(Beginning January 15)
Maryann's Night Story Time: Thursdays from 6:00-6:30 PM
Mother Goose: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:15-10:35 AM
Tiny Tots: Wednesdays and Thursdays from
11:00-11:30 am
Transformers: Alternate Wednesdays from 4:00
(Beginning January 22)
Special Events:
Open to children ages 3-12
Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 2:30-4:00 PM in the Children's
Room
Game Day: Come to the library to meet other game lovers and play some
really fun games. There will be an assortment of board and electronic
games. Come have fun. You can play all afternoon.
Teen Programs
Book Bunch (6th through 8th Graders): This Club meets every other
Tuesday (Beginning January 21, 2014)
Teen Advisory Board: 1st Wednesday of the month from 4:00-4:45 pm
Teen Chef: Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month from 4:00-4:45
Teen Improv: Every Other Monday from 4:00-4:45 (Beginning February 3,
2014)
Teen Reads: Every other Monday from 4:00-4:45 pm (Beginning January 14,
2014)
Teen Zone: Every Second and Fourth Wednesday of the month from 4:004:45 pm (Beginning January 22, 2014)
Special Events
(Grades 6-12)
Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 2:30-4:30 PM in the Children's
Room
Teen Game Day: This is your opportunity to prove yourself Gamer
Extraordinaire. Come to the Bangor Public Library and plays games with and
against those who loves games as much as you do. Get in out of the cold
and play all afternoon.