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 on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 in observance of Veteran’s Day
We will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2014 in observance of Thanksgiving
Bangor Public Library News
November 2014
Annual Appeal
The Bangor Public Library is proud to be part of such
a well-read, well-informed community. We are also
proud of the part we play. We are a community
gathering place with access to modern technology,
programs for children and adults, and we house an
extensive collection of books, media and special
collections. Your gift to the Annual Campaign will
ensure that the Bangor Public Library remains an
important institution for this great community for
years to come. We have had an exciting year.
Renewal, positive change and progress are possible
because of your dedicated support. This summer,
we successfully wrapped up our campaign to fund the restoration and
renovation of our historic building. The roof work is complete and the
interior renovations have begun. However, we still need your help. The
money raised throughout the Yes For the Library campaign is designated
specifically for the roof repair and the interior renovation. Your gift to the
Annual Campaign will ensure that, once the renovations are complete, we
can provide this community with the same, if not better, high-quality
programs and services that you've come to expect from this library. If you
have not yet made a donation or would like to contribute more, or if you
know someone who would like to make an investment in this community,
please go to our website to see how you can help. This library would not
be here if not for the support of the people in this great community and with
your continued support, we will remain a cornerstone of Bangor for many
years to come. We at the Bangor Public Library thank you for your support,
your commitment and your dedication to the Library and the greater Bangor
community.
Adult Fall Reading Challenge
The fall adult reading challenge has been announced. The
rules for this challenge are that participants must read a
non-fiction book about a country, a biography about a
person from that country and a fiction book by an author
from that country or nearby country if authors from your
chosen country are hard to come by. Participants only
have to read three books by December 15, 2014 to be
eligible for the $25.00 prize drawing on the 15th. Good luck and have fun.
New Computer Classes To Begin
The Reference Department will be offering two new
computer classes this month to help you safely
navigate online purchases. With the holiday season
fast approaching it's important for consumers to know
that they are buying quality products from reliable
sellers and how to protect your personal and financial
privacy when making online purchases.
Finding reliable product reviews online Wednesday, November 12th:
Holiday shopping season is here. Want to find the products worth buying
and avoid the lemons? This workshop will show you how to use the
Consumer Reports database online, how to find it on our website, and how
to carry out your product search. CNet and a few other websites will also be
introduced. There will be an afternoon session from 2-4:30pm and an
evening session from 6pm-7:30pm. Both sessions will cover the same
information.
Online Shopping and Protecting Your Privacy Thursday, November
13th: Are you unfamiliar with using Amazon.com? Are you concerned about
your privacy when shopping online? This workshop will introduce you to
shopping online as well as tips and suggestions for protecting your privacy
online. This is a great opportunity to prepare as we head into the holiday
season so you can safely and knowledgably take advantage of all the online
shopping options. There will be an afternoon session from 2-4:30pm and an
evening session from 6pm-7:30pm. Both sessions will cover the same
information.
Both of these great programs will be free and open to the public. No
registration is required.
Book Donations
We always know that we can count on our great patrons to donate some
wonderful books to add to our collection. Year after year, we accept
hundreds of books from members of our
community to share with other members of our
community and we are very thankful for all of
those donations. Due to the renovation and
remodel process, space is a commodity and loss
or damage to these donations is a high
possibility. Due to our concern for the
preservation of these books, the Bangor Public
Library will not be able to accept donations to
add to our collection until after the renovation
and remodel is complete. However, we will still
be accepting donations of books for the library's
annual book sale. The Creative Arts Center at 54 Wilson Street in Brewer
has generously allowed us to use their facility to accept donated books for
our sale. The Creative Arts Center is the brick building on the left just after
you get off the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge going from Bangor to Brewer.
Donations will be accepted from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. We are unable to
accept text books, encyclopedias, Reader's Digest condensed novels or
Time/Life sets. All other books we will be gratefully accepted and used for
our Book Sale next year. Also, due to the renovations, the book sale will not
be held at the Bangor Public Library, it will be held at the Bangor Elks Club.
A date and time have not yet been determined.
Book Of Honor
The Bangor Book of Honor was created shortly after World
War II ended to honor the members of the military, from
Bangor, who had died in the War. Mr. L. Felix Ranlett, then
Librarian of the Bangor Public Library, and a veteran of World
War I, put this book together to honor Bangor's fallen. There
are 113 veterans who gave their lives in almost every
campaign and major battle of the Second World War. Each
entry lists the servicemen with a picture, his dates, and a 52word summary of his service. The Bangor Book of Honor is
now available for viewing in our Digital Commons.
The Met Speaker Series
The Bangor Public Library will be holding a
speaker series preceding the Collins Center
for the Arts Broadcast Series of the
Metropolitan Opera (The Met). Join area
Opera Enthusiasts as we discuss the opera
series, dispel any myths (does it really end
when the fat lady sings?), and have a
general conversation about Opera. Coffee
and light refreshments will be served. The
next speaker series will be in December
and will focus on the December 6th broadcast of Il Barviere di Siviglia (also
know as the Barber of Seville.) If you have any questions regarding this
series, contact Lisa Frazell at pr@bangorpubliclibrary.org.
Avoid the Hassle of Black Friday
The Bangor Public Library will be open on Friday, November 28, 2014 (Black
Friday) and Saturday, November 29, 2014. If the thought of dealing with
holiday shopping traffic and hordes of exhausted shoppers sparks thoughts
of fear and dread in your heart, come spend the day in the quiet solitude of
the Bangor Public Library. If you love the mayhem of Black Friday and just
need a respite, a quiet place to recharge, or a warm place that doesn't
require hours of standing in line first, consider the library as a comfortable
place to relax before going to the next store on your list. We will be open
during our usual hours, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both Friday and Saturday.
Enjoy some peace and quiet and avoid the chaos.
ART
We are sorry to inform that, due to the renovation and reconstruction here
at the library over the next several months, we will be unable to display any
new artwork through this time period. We wish to maintain the integrity and
security of the artists work and feel these might be compromised in an
environment subject to demolition and reconstruction. However, those
artists who are still slated to display their artwork here at the library through
the month of December have been given the opportunity to display their
work at Arthaus, a showroom connected to Nocturnem in Downtown
Bangor. Also, those artists who have been displaced will have first chance to
display their artwork in our newly designed show areas when they are
completed. We are also unable to accept any applications for artists to
display their work for the entirety of 2015. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause.
Computer Classes
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm in the Computer Lab
Smart Shopper Series: Finding Reliable Product Reviews
Online
Holiday shopping season is here. Want to find the products worth buying
and avoid the lemons? This workshop will show you how to use the
Consumer Reports database online, how to find it on our website, and how
to carry out your product search. CNet and a few other websites will also be
introduced. There will be an afternoon session from 2-4:30pm and an
evening session from 6pm-7:30pm. Both sessions will cover the same
information.
Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm in the Computer Lab
Smart Shopper Series: Online Shopping and Protecting Your Privacy
Are you unfamiliar with using Amazon.com? Are you concerned about your
privacy when shopping online? This workshop will introduce you to shopping
online as well as tips and suggestions for protecting your privacy online. This
is a great opportunity to prepare as we head into the holiday season so you
can safely and knowledgably take advantage of all the online shopping
options. There will be an afternoon session from 2-4:30pm and an evening
session from 6pm-7:30pm. Both sessions will cover the same information.
Events
Every Thursday night at 6:00 pm
Knit Night
Area knitters will, once again, join forces and share
the joys of knitting and their favorite patterns, while informally passing
along knitting advice and skills. Newcomers are always welcome. Stop at
the front desk and ask where the knitters are gathering to join the fun. For
more information, call the library at 947-8336.
Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 2:00-3:00 pm in the Story Room
Author Visit: Gail VanWart
Meet author Gail VanWart and her illustrator
Debbie Alexander! Launching their new book,
"Who is a Chimpanzee?" based on a real-life
chimp! Learn how to draw a chimp and how this
book came to be! Books will be available for
purchase and signing!
About the Authors: BettyLynn Egan and Gail J.
VanWart can say they have, indeed, walked a
wallaby, and also acted as surrogate mothers,
nurses, trainers, and educators for many animal
species ranging from wolves and bears to
numerous varieties of exotic and endangered cats and a chimpanzee. That’s
right, they’ve cuddled the lions, tigers, and bears and have lived to tell
about it. The two women share a long history dating back to 1973 and some
very unique experiences because of School Jungle Safari, a wildlife
preservation and education program, Betty and her husband, Lou, owned
and operated in the beautiful hills of LaHonda, California where many of the
animal residents acted as wildlife ambassadors to promote environmental
awareness for endangered species.
About the Illustrator: Maine artist, Debbie Story Alexander of Winterport,
took on the challenge of illustrating the first School Jungle Safari Real Safari
Tales book, Who is a Chimpanzee?, as her premiere book illustration
project—even though she had never seen a chimpanzee in person. Her
artwork has been featured at the Bangor Public Library and around the
Bangor area frequently. As she also enters her golden years, Debbie, is
planning her own gallery. Gail and Debbie have worked together in the past
on special archiving projects for EMHS and fate seems to enter into the
equation again, as it turns out Debbie had a pet raccoon as a child.
Monday, November 10, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Lecture
Hall
Veteran's For Peace Film
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm in the
Computer Lab
Smart Shopper Series: Finding Reliable Product Reviews Online
Holiday shopping season is here. Want to find the products worth buying
and avoid the lemons? This workshop will show you how to use the
Consumer Reports database online, how to find it on our website, and how
to carry out your product search. CNet and a few other websites will also be
introduced. There will be an afternoon session from 2-4:30pm and an
evening session from 6pm-7:30pm. Both sessions will cover the same
information.
Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm in the Computer
Lab
Smart Shopper Series: Online Shopping and Protecting Your Privacy
Are you unfamiliar with using Amazon.com? Are you concerned about your
privacy when shopping online? This workshop will introduce you to shopping
online as well as tips and suggestions for protecting your privacy online. This
is a great opportunity to prepare as we head into the holiday season so you
can safely and knowledgably take advantage of all the online shopping
options. There will be an afternoon session from 2-4:30pm and an evening
session from 6pm-7:30pm. Both sessions will cover the same information.
Saturday, November 15, 2014 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the
Lecture Hall
Pine State Amateur Radio Club
Join other ham radio enthusiasts to learn how to operate and manage the
ham radio! Testing to receive the ham radio "ticket" will be Saturday,
November 15th.
Saturday, November 15, 2014 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in the Lecture Hall
Bangor Play Reading Group
Do you love to go to the theater? This group, open to the public, delves into
the written word: the script for the play. Join area play lovers to read
through plays - everything from the classics to modern to everything in
between! This year's theme is focused on American Plays. This month's
reading will be Morning's at Seven by Paul Osborn.
Wednesday, November 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 to
7:30 pm in the Lecture Hall
Tech Petting Zoo
Do you plan to buy an electronic device as a holiday gift this year? Are you
worried you might buy the wrong device or are unsure which device best fits
your needs? Worry not. Best Buy is coming to the Bangor Public Library for
a “Tech Petting Zoo” to help you answer all of your tech questions. Ask the
Geek Squad and Sales staff about electronic devices. You will be able to see
a range of devices to fit every budget. The Tech Petting Zoo will have iPads,
Kindle Fire and Android tablets, cell phones, ereaders, an Apple TV,
chromecast and Go Pro cameras. Do you know how to hook your cell phone
up to speakers? See how to enjoy online music and videos from your tablet,
computer or cell phone on your TV with chromecast. GoPro cameras are hot
this year. Come learn more about them at the library. This free event does
not require registration. If you need more information about the Tech
Petting Zoo, call the reference desk at 947-8336.
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 on Tuesday, November
4, 2014. The book being discussed will be Breath by Tim Winton.
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. This group does not meet this month. Check
back next month for future meetings.
Field’s Pond Book Group: While the Bangor Public Library is
undergoing renovations, the Field's Pond Reading Group will meet in
the Community Room of the Orono Public Library at 6:30 PM on the
2nd Thursday of the month. 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: rumery@maine.edu. The next
meeting will be Thursday, November 13, 2014. The book being discussed
will be Olives: The Life and Lore of a Noble Fruit by Mort Rosenblum.
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
Thursday, November 13, 2014. The books being discussed will be World
War Z by Max Brooks and Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts.
The Usual Suspects: This book group is dedicated to mystery readers.
Registration is not required. Just come to our next scheduled meeting. The
next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 6:00 pm in the
Story Room and the book being discussed will be Heat Wave by Richard
Castle.
Teen Reads: Book group for High-School aged teens who love to read and
talk about books. Help develop our teen collection and chat with other book
lovers about your favorite new and old books. For more information, check
out our website.
Amicus and Friends Book Group: The Bangor Public Library is working
together with Amicus and has formed a book group focused on sharing the
love of reading with friends and learning about library skills and etiquette.
The reading pace will be slow with lots of opportunity for discussions. There
will be two groups meeting on the third Tuesday of each month. The next
meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. The first group will meet
from 9:15-10:15 and the book being discussed will be The Book Thief by
Markus Zusak. The second group will meet from 2:15-3:15 and the book
being discussed will be Wonder by R.J. Polacio. For more information,
contact our Reference Department at kalley@bpl.lib.me.us.
Donations, Endowments and Gifts
To give donations or learn how to help the library raise funds, visit our
website.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
ABC Kids: Saturdays from 11:00-11:30 AM
Chapter Chums: Alternate Tuesdays from 4:00-4:45 PM
(Beginning September 23)
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 September 17)
Maryann's Pajama 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 at 4:00 PM
(Beginning September 24)
For complete details of all of our Story Times and After School Programs,
check out our website.
Saturday, November 15 at 2:30 pm in the Story Room
50 Years of Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory turns 50!! We're having a CHOC-TACULAR
birthday party to celebrate Willy Wonka himself! Chocolate will flow from
fountains The wallpaper is edible! Candy, fun, games and more!
All events are FREE and open to the public!!
Teen Programs
Book Bunch (6th through 8th Graders): This Club meets every other
Tuesday from 4:00-4:45 pm (Beginning September 16)
Teen Advisory Board: 1st Wednesday of the month from 3:00-3:45 pm
Teen Book Club: Every other Monday from 3:00-3:45 pm (Beginning
September 22)
Teen Chef: Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month from 3:00-3:45
Teen Game Night: Every Second and Fourth Wednesday of the month from
5:00-7:00 pm (Beginning September24)
Teen Improv: Every Other Monday from 3:00-3:45 (Beginning September
15)
Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm in the Story
Room
Batman75
This year, Batman turns 75. Help us celebrate with an all-day Batman-fest.
We will be showing three different Batman movies on our big screen
television. We will also be unveiling a new batch of Batman graphic novels.
Bring in your own Batman comic books, graphic novels or memorabilia to
show off and talk about with other Batman Fans. Snacks will be served and
pizza and drinks will be available at lunch time.
All events are free and open to the public.