Week of Monday, April 29, 2024 | |
Kelly, Melissa and Stacy (left to right) visited the Windham Library as part of a staff training exercise. They participated in a storytime (featuring the letter S) and took a self-guided tour. Many of the PML staff also visited and toured three midcoast libraries last week. Stealing Sharing ideas is an important collaborative initiative that libraries in Maine engage in regularly | |
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Sneak peek at what's in this newsletter:
Tiny Bookshelf: Cover Design 2024 (so far)
Messages: PPH Photos of the Year exhibit; State Park Passes are back; Lost/Found; Artificial Intelligence recording is available; Games; PML's cookbook club
Adult Programs: Mission Working Dogs; Hunger Hill Author Talk; PML Concert Series; Upcoming events
Youth Services: Read to Fergus; Kids Chess, Storytimes; Pokemon, and more
Teen Services: A PML teen newsletter; OUTSpoken is back!; a book group for teens; Lit Loot; Chess for Teens, and more
Community News
Bits and Bobs and Reminders from your friendly neighorhood library.
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Tiny Bookshelf: Cover Design | |
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We love a good book cover. Let's be honest: Cover design is what makes you pull a book off the shelf to examine it further.
"Book cover design is interesting because it’s got to play to some trends, got to play to some conventions of genre and age category, and because it’s got to play to consumer tastes. We need book covers to sell a book — it’s the number one marketing opportunity for any title. But we need those covers to also give insight into the story and to be nice to look at and to be easy to render on mobile," says Kelly Jensen of Book Riot in her recent post about the best book covers so far in 2024.
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Pictured here are a few from the recent Book Riot list. Click the link to view the whole list and to find out why the cover designs were chosen:
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Invisible Woman by Katia Lief
Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver
The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie
Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson
Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaas
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Photo by Derek Davis, Staff Photographer, Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram |
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PPH 2023 Photos of the Year exhibit is back
Stop by to take a look at this moving exhibit, on display through until May 10
Joy, sadness, melancholy, beauty. All are on display in our Prince Room, with the annual traveling Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram 2023 Photos of the Year exhibit. Do make sure to read the descriptions that accompany each photo. They give a bit of a back story to the photographers' experiences taking each photo. The exhibit is on display until May 10.
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State Park Passes are back!
Thanks to the amazing Friends of Prince Memorial Library, we have 5 State Park Passes available for checkout. To get all the details on how to use the pass and on all of the park and museum passes available with your library card, visit our website at https://www.princememorial.org/museumandparkpasses/
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Five lonely jackets, sitting on their pegs
Last chance before we donate them ...
We have a small collection of lost/found jackets and coats hanging in the kids' area. Please come by the library before the end of April to pick up what's been left behind. (Pig stuffie not included).
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Thursday Games resumes this week
Our weekly Games Group resumes play in May. Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m. They play games like Sequence, Mexican Train, Rummikub, whist, and more. They welcome new players, and they enjoy teaching games to new players, as well.
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Artificial Intelligence recording is now available
A thought-provoking, enlightening, marginally terrifying glimpse at where AI was, is, and is going. Speaker Raj Saha, a lecturer in data research and AI from the Roux Institute at Northeastern University puts AI in context we can understand.
Did you know that you can access all sorts of recordings on the PML website, at https://www.princememorial.org/recordings.
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Cookbook Club
Second Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
North Yarmouth Community Center (Community Room)
Sign up by claiming a recipe (details below)
Have you heard about our cookbook club? Discover new recipes and share them with others.
For our May 13 meetup, we're cooking from two books from the Ina Garten collection (Make It Ahead and Cooking for Jeffrey). Kelly's got the cookbooks on her desk. If you'd like to join us, stop by to take a look and claim a recipe.
Prepare your dish at home, then bring it to the meeting. We'll enjoy the food together then chat about what worked or didn't work. New members are welcome.
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Coming Soon: Adult Programs | |
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Natural Solutions to Stabilizing Our Coastlines
Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom. Registration is required.
Learn about the role of nature-based coastal resilience solutions in combatting the effects of climate change in our communities.
A representative of the Climate Ready Casco Bay project will talk about the process for developing a collaborative regional resilience plan to mitigate flood risks and manage erosion. This joint project, facilitated by the Greater Portland Council of Governments and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, is focusing on 11 Casco Bay communities, including Chebeague Island and Cumberland. We'll also hear from an expert in ecological restoration and coastal stabilization projects about his extensive on-the-ground experience helping land trusts, conservation commissions, and private landowners.
Sara Mills-Knapp works to position Greater Portland Council of Governments as a regional and statewide leader in climate-change mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
Seth Wilkinson is a certified ecological restoration practitioner and president of Wilkinson Ecological Design.
Offered in partnership with Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust and Sustainable Cumberland, ME.
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THIS WEEK
Mission Working Dogs
Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m.
In-person at PML
No registration required.
Mission Working Dogs serves to train service dogs and therapy dogs for the local community.
Join us for this special afternoon presentation as we welcome Christy Gardner, founder of Mission Working Dogs, and some of MWD’s dogs to learn about the organization’s history and goals and the experience of training purpose-bred dogs to aid individuals with disabilities
in living a more independent life.
Add Mission Working Dogs to your digital calendar.
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Hunger Hill
An Author Talk with Philip C. Baker
Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m.
In-person at PML
No registration required.
In this exciting crime thriller set in Portland, Maine, Detective Basil Keene must solve the murder of the unlikeable butcher of Hunger Hill. The cast of characters ranges from the sinister Russian, Silk Rhenko, to the charming Eileen Mack, an underaged bartender to oligarch Fyodor Umarov, the mastermind behind an underground scheme of money laundering and human trafficking.
Philip C. Baker has traveled on five continents and driven over a million miles. He managed a drill rig in Nevada, prospecting for gold. He searched for precious metals in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. He has sold sporting goods and wheels and snow and ice removal equipment in New England. Hunger Hill is his first novel.
Add this Author Talk to your digital calendar.
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Shannon Heaton: Irish Flute
A PML Concert Series Performance
Saturday, may 18 at 10 a.m.
North Yarmouth Community Center
No registration required. Free!
Boston-based Irish flute player/singer Shannon Heaton has performed and taught on four continents. In her duo with guitarist Matt Heaton and with her Irish Music Stories podcast, Shannon has made Irish traditional music accessible and welcoming for many. She received a 2016 Artist Fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and was twice named Live Ireland’s Female Artist of the Year. She is s a wildly creative teacher, prolific composer, and a warm and inviting performer.
Add this concert to your digital calendar.
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News from Youth Services
Kids, through age 11
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Read to Fergus!
Registration is 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.:
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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
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.
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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Little Roots Family
First Thursdays, October – May 2
10 - 11 a.m.
At Wescustogo Hall & Community Center, N. Yarmouth
Drop-in format. No registration required.
Thursday, May 2 is the last Little Roots until the fall.
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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Help us fend off the hangries!
Thank you to everyone who has sent in snack donations. It makes a big difference!
We are still (and always) gratefully accepting donations of snacks/drinks for kids' and teens' afterschool programs and hangouts. Perhaps you might consider making a recurring, monthly donation? We would be so appreciative! Take a look at our Amazon wish list for ideas here: https://a.co/dJjAgNQ
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News from Teen Services
Teens, Ages 12 – 19
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Find information about our teen programs on the teen page of our website. |
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Sign up for a PML teen newsletter
Did you know PML now has a monthly e-newsletter just for teens in grades 6-12? Find out the latest information about teen happenings, programs, and volunteer opportunities.
Teen emails preferred. I promise not to spam your teen's inbox!
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OUTSpoken
Spoken Word for LGBTQIA* Teens and Allies
Grades 6-12
Workshops: Wednesdays May 8, 15, & 29
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Slam: Wednesday, June 5. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Registration is required.
Welcome Telling Room Teaching Artist and Poet Jack Gendron (he/they/she) for a series of writing and performance workshops. Develop, practice, and perform one or more spoken word pieces. Teens can perform original or non-original works solo, in pairs, or in groups.
OUTSpoken culminates with a poetry slam on Wednesday, June 5. Help us kick off Pride month and celebrate these talented poets. All are welcome!
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Teen Leadership Council
Select Saturdays. Next meetup: April 26
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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Loosely Bound
A Relaxed Book Group for High Schoolers
Next meetup: Saturday, April 27
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (Mini potluck!)
For High Schoolers, grades 9 – 12
In the Teen Room at PML
No registration required
April's book is The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan. We're having a mini potluck. Bring a small something to nibble and share, if you would like. No nut products, please. Questions? Reach out to Jennifer at jbenham@cumberlandmaine.com
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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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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 May 21 for June Loot. (We take a break for the summer after June Loot).
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Cumberland Community Orchard
Fruit Tree Planting Day!
Sunday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cumberland's Community Orchard (Stiles Way, Cumberland)
Free. Open to all.
All are welcome to come and spend the day planting, mulching, having fun, and building community. Come for the morning, afternoon, the entire day, or just pop in to say hi. We'll have a potluck lunch at noon to make sure we've got the energy to get the job done!
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Strategies for dealing with
Invasive Species in Your Garden
Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m.
North Yarmouth Community Center
Free. Open to all.
An overview of gardening and landscaping with an eye toward how to deal with invasive species that might already exist in your space. Learn to create a plan to eradicate or skillfully manage those species.
Speaker: Pamela Hargest, a horticultural professional with University of Maine's Cooperative Extension
Sponsored by the North Yarmouth Parks Committee and the local volunteer group IPA (Invasive Plant Annihilation).
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Bits and 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.
| Weekly offerings for adults | |
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.
Meetup location is Town Forest until further notice. Email Kelly for details: kgreenlee@cumberlandmaine.com
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.
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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 features a different cookbook that we all cook from. Prepare your dish at home, then bring it to the meeting. We'll enjoy the food together. New members are welcome.
The cookbook sits on Kelly's desk at the library. Stop by to take a look and claim your recipe.
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Movies are 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 early 2024 lineup:
Dates listed are the dates that we will discuss the book.
April 25: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson
May 30: Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
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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, gender, sexuality, 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:
April 10: Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
May 8: Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H.
June 12: Ghost::Seeds (Poems) by Sebastian Merrill
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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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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:
- What Is Artificial Intelligence
- Maine's Changing Bird Populations
- Understanding & Preparing for Coastal Maine's Extreme Weather
- Food Waste Reduction
- Food Forest Design
- 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)
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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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