Important Library & Community Resources
Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – noon & 3 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9 a.m. - noon & 2 – 5 p.m.
Closed mid-day for cleaning
Easton: 410-822-1626 | St. Michaels: 410-745-5877
Talbot County Free Library | www.tcfl.org
The library will be closed Wednesday morning, May 26, for staff training.
Both branches will be open from 2 - 5 p.m.
EXPANDED ACCESS COMING SOON!
New Extended Hours & Capacity Beginning June 1
On June 1, both library locations will be extending their walk-in building hours as follows:
Monday and Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday:  9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Both branches will remain closed on Saturday.
The library will no longer be closed mid-day for cleaning.
 
  • Building capacity limits will also be increased to 60 at the Easton library and 30 at the St. Michaels branch.

  • Computer limits will be extended to 4 hours.

  • As of May 24, the one-hour limitation on library use will be lifted.

  • Quarantining of library materials will end May 24.

  • Newspapers will be put out for circulation.

  • Reservations for the meeting room can now be made for the months of July, August, and September. Meeting room capacity will be 25 for Easton and 15 for St. Michaels.

  • Please continue to return materials to the book drop in both locations. Materials at the St. Michaels branch can be returned to the external drive-up book drop or to the blue tote inside at the greeter's station.

  • PATRONS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO WEAR AN APPROPRIATE MASK OVER THEIR NOSE AND MOUTH AND TO MAINTAIN A SOCIAL DISTANCE OF 6 FEET FROM OTHERS AND TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN DO THE SAME.
Update on St. Michaels Library Expansion

We are pleased to report that thanks to your outpouring of support for the expansion of the St. Michaels Library, the Talbot County Council has voted in favor of sending a letter of support indicating their intent to fund matching dollars for the project. This letter is required as part of the grant application process for capital funding from the Maryland Library Capital Grant Program. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who took the time to send a letter to the County Council or sign a petition expressing support for expansion of the St. Michaels Library.
Register Now for Summer Reading!

Tails and Tales is the theme of the Talbot County Free Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, which runs June 1 – July 31. Children ages birth – 18 are encouraged to pre-register at tcfl.beanstack.org, or by downloading the app on a device.

Get started today by creating an account on Beanstack. Log the days you read. The more days you read and log, the more chances you have to win fun prizes and gift certificates. Winners will be notified after July 31, 2021. Children and teens who register for the Summer Reading Challenge will receive a voucher valued at $20 for a free book redeemable at Flying Cloud Books, while supplies last. For questions about the library’s Summer Reading Challenge, visit tcfl.beanstack.org, call 410-822-1626, or email askus@tcfl.org.
Spring Art Sale

Come check out the library's spring art sale! Affordable art for your home or as a gift available for $5, $10, and $15.
On display in the lobby at the Easton branch.
ADULT PROGRAMMING
Sharing Our Memories
2nd & 4th Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – noon (ongoing)

If you have been thinking about writing your memoirs but don't know how or where to get started, this Zoom class is for you! During sessions, each participant will share their 500-word essay assigned during the prior session. Writing takes place at home, and stories will be read and discussed during class time. This ongoing course meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, 10:30 a.m. - noon. To register, call the library at 410-822-1626. Upon registration you will receive a Zoom invitation and a writing assignment which will be read and discussed during the next session.
Friends of Library at Easton Farmer's Market
Saturday, May 22, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Friends of the Talbot County Free Library will be at the Farmer's Market on the 4th Saturdays, April - June, handing out free books! Stop by and say hello and pick up a book. If you miss them in May, they'll be back June 26.

The Friends are our #1 ambassadors and an important source of funding for the library. They help provide funding for materials and programming such as the Chesapeake Children's Book Festival, books, and so much more through their annual book sale and other fundraisers. For more information about the Friends of the Talbot County Free Library and how to join or support their efforts, click here.
Easton Sounds of Summer Music Series
Saturdays, May 22 – June 26, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
In front of the Tidewater Inn
Presented by Easton Economic Development Corporation
 
This week’s artist, Sam Pugh, is a fixture in both Easton’s music scene and in the community itself. Sam Pugh is a name that often comes up in any conversation about local music, and that’s in no small part due to his immense talent as a guitar player, a natural born singer, and a gifted songwriter. His band, Heartside, has been playing and recording for years and, between their shows and Sam’s solo gigs, they’ve made quite a name for themselves locally as a great live act who are always in high demand. Sam will be playing in front of the Tidewater Inn on Saturday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
UPCOMING ACTS:
Saturday, May 29: James Byrne
Saturday, June 5: Jonathan Marvel
Saturday, June 12: EHS Jazz band
Saturday, June 19:  Alison Thomas
Saturday, June 26:  Brent Schraffenberger
Dr. Erika Lee: The Making of Asian America
Wednesday, May 26, 7 p.m.
 
Dr. Erika Lee discusses her acclaimed book The Making of Asian-America. An epic history of global journeys and new beginnings, this book shows how generations of Asian immigrants and their American-born descendants have made and remade Asian American life in the United States: sailors who came on the first trans-Pacific ships in the 1500s; indentured “coolies” who worked alongside African slaves in the Caribbean; and Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, and South Asian immigrants who were recruited to work in the United States only to face massive racial discrimination, Asian exclusion laws, and for Japanese Americans, incarceration during World War II. Over the past fifty years, a new Asian America has emerged out of community activism and the arrival of new immigrants and refugees. No longer a “despised minority,” Asian Americans are now held up as America’s “model minorities” in ways that reveal the complicated role that race still plays in the United States. Copies of The Making of Asian America are available to borrow here.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING
Preschool Story Time via Zoom
Tuesday, May 25 - 10 a.m.
Register here.

Stories, songs, and rhymes for families with young children.
Outdoor Preschool Story Time
Wednesday, May 26, 10:30 a.m. (St Michaels Branch Garden)

Stories, songs and rhymes recommended for children birth – 5 years (with parent or caregiver). Bring your own blanket. In case of inclement weather, event will be cancelled. Registration is limited and required: http://www.tcfl.org/child/programreg/
Teen Journaling
June 2 & 16, 1 p.m.
Meets via Zoom every 1st & 3rd Wednesday - 1 p.m.

Join Ms. Laura for talking and writing fun! Inspired by the book, Journal Sparks by Emily Neuburger. Register here.
Mindful Start Kids Yoga
Monday, June 7, 10 a.m.

Mindful movement for young children on Facebook. Recommended for families with children ages birth -7 years. Past programs can be found here!
TCFL Chess Academy: The Fastest Checkmate

Many of Mr. Labala's students are familiar with the 3 move checkmate, however is there a quicker way to get checkmate? Is it possible to get checkmate in 2 moves? Click here to find the next instructional chess video, a chess riddle, and the next chess puzzle.
 
The next chess video will be shared in May.  For prior lessons, click here.
SAVE THE DATE!
TWO-FOR-ONE VACCINATION OPPORTUNITY!

It's not just humans who need to be protected from serious illness with vaccines. Vaccinate your cat, dog, or ferret against rabies! Only $6.00 per animal.
Moderna and J&J COVID vaccines will be available for humans 18+ at this clinic as well!
Make an appointment here, OR simply walk-up.
Grant Opportunity for Service Businesses
 
The Maryland Department of Commerce has extended the application deadline for the Small Business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 24. Only businesses primarily engaged in activities that do not require the collection of sales and use tax are eligible for this grant.
 
The grant provides working capital for qualifying businesses that are facing continued financial impacts caused by COVID-19. Maryland law states that a charge for the following services is not part of taxable price and thus, is not subject to sales and use tax. Some examples of businesses that offer nontaxable services may include:  
  • A personal, professional, or insurance service, that is not a defined taxable service and involves a sale as an inconsequential element for which no separate charge is made.
  • Custom computer services.
  • A labor or service for application or installation.
  • Any service for the operation of equipment used for the production of audio, video, or film recording. 
  • The charge for labor to repair or alter existing tangible personal property belonging to another for the purpose of restoring the property to its original condition or usefulness is not subject to sales and use tax.

Read more about the requirements here. Access the application portal here.
American Association of University Women
Easton Branch
 2021 Mature Woman’s Grant
 
The Easton Branch of the American Association of University Women has announced the opportunity for a Mature Woman’s Grant to females age 25 and over who are residents of one of the following Maryland counties: Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, or Dorchester. The intention of this grant is to assist women who are returning to complete their college education, who are pursuing further graduate studies, or who are applying for a certificate program to enter a new career path and would benefit from some extra financial assistance in accomplishing their goal. Applications for the AAUW 2021 Mature Woman’s Grant can be found at local libraries in the five county region, Chesapeake College, Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Wicomico Community College, Washington College, or electronically by request at aauwgrant@goeaston.net. The deadline for submission, postmarked or emailed, is June 7. Applicants will be notified during July and August. The grants will be awarded officially at the September Easton Branch meeting of the AAUW.
Federal Communications Commission Announces Start Date of
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the Program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on Tribal lands. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households with kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast; Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year.

For more information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, please visit