Library Closed Friday, January 1st

The Library will be CLOSED

Friday, January 1st, 2010

in celebration of New Years Day

Happy New Year!

Friday Night Film Series - NO FILM for Dec. 25th or Jan. 1st

In observance of the Christmas Holiday and of New Years Day, the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library will not be showing a film on Friday, December 25th or on Friday, January 1st. Film showings will resume on January 8th.

Library Closing: December 25th and 26th

The Thomaston Public Library will be CLOSED

Friday, December 25th

and

Saturday, December 26th

In observance of the Christmas holiday. Regular hours will resume on Monday, December 28th and no items will be due while the library is closed. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:

It's a Wonderful Life

Friday, Dec. 18th at 6:30 PM
Thomaston Academy Building
Room 208

Frank Capra's wonderful film stars Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a good man who has spent a lifetime giving up his dreams in order to save his father's firm, the Bailey Savings and Loan. When a guardian angel named Clarence finds a despondent George poised to jump off a bridge, he shows George what life would've been like if he had never been born. Its a Wonderful Life was nominated for five Oscars, and the film was placed number one on the list of the most inspirational American films of all time.

Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Doors and Hallway Bookstore open at 6:00. For more information call the library at 354-2453.

Library CLOSED Weds. Dec 9th

The Library is CLOSED

Wednesday, December 9th

Due to inclement weather. Regular hours of operation are expected to resume on Thursday, December 10th, and no items will be due while the library is closed.

The library staff and board apologizes for any inconvenience.

Children's Library: Grand Opening

The Thomaston Public Library cordially invites the adults and children of Thomaston and the surrounding communities to the grand opening of our new Children's Library.

RESCHEDULED

Saturday, December 12th

12:00 to 2:00 PM

Thomaston Public Library, 60 Main Street, Thomaston, ME 04861

Join us for refreshments at the Thomaston Academy Building on Saturday, December 12th from noon to 2 PM to see the newly renovated space and all the other wonderful changes we've made to the library. The renovations to the library space were made possible by generous grants from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Maine Community Foundation and the hard work of our library staff, board of trustees, and volunteers.

We'd like to extend special thanks to David Hynd, our general contractor, Bob Reed, our painter, Scott Arsenault, our electrician, Daryll Townsend, our plumber, and to William Dashiell, our project manager, for their hard work and dedication.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library Present:

Miracle on 34th Street

Friday, December 4th

6:30 P.M.

Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208

When Santa falls down drunk in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, reluctant Macy's supervisor Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) offers the job to a bearded Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn, who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar) purporting to be the real Santa! During the Christmas season, he shares a flat with Doris's neighbor (John Payne), who has eyes for Doris. Kris hopes to unite the two while winning over Doris's skeptical 6-year-old daughter (Natalie Wood). Enjoy this Christmas classic in original black and white

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET was produced in 1947 and runs 96 minutes. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

The Academy Building is handicap accessible by the elevator in the parking lot. Doors and Hallway Books open at 6:00 PM. Call the library at 354- 2453 for further information.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library Present:

The Snake Pit
Friday, November 27th
6:30 PM
Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

Olivia de Havilland earned an Oscar nomination for her work in this stark drama as Virginia Cunningham, a married young woman whose idyllic life falls apart when she sinks into a world of psychosis and is eventually placed in an institution. Adapted from Mary Jane Ward's gripping autobiography, Anatole Litvak's portrait of mental illness examines the treatement of mentally unstable patients in the late 1940s and '50s.

Doors open at 6:00 but the Bookstore is closed for renovations. Refreshments will be served and admission, as always, is free. For more information call the library at 354-2453.

Library closed for Thanksgiving Day Weekend

The Thomaston Public Library will be closed from Thursday, November 26th through Saturday, November 28th, in observance of Thanksgiving weekend.

No materials will be due on these days and regular hours will resume on Monday, November 30th.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Welcome new staff: Lisa Baker

The Thomaston Public Library is pleased to announce that we have successfully concluded our search for an assistant to the Head Librarian and have hired Lisa Baker in the position.

Lisa is a graphic artist by training and has lived with her family in Thomaston for many years. She has raised two children here and formerly served as a volunteer with the library and the school system. We're all very excited to be working with her.

Lisa will staff the new children's library when it opens next month. We hope you'll all come in to meet her and welcome her to the library.

Authors Among Us

The Friends of the Library present:

Nancy Griffin
author of "Maine 101"

Wednesday, November 11th (Veteran's Day)
Thomaston Academy Building, room 208
6:30 PM.

Admission is free and book sales and signings are available. For more information contact the Friends of the Thomaston Library at cdfahy@gmail.com

The Authors Among Us lecture series will conclude with Christopher Fahy, author of "Red Tape", on Wednesday, November 18th.

Library closed for Veteran's Day

The Thomaston Public Library will be closed on

Wednesday
November 11th

In observance of Veteran's Day. Normal operating hours will resume on Thursday, November 12th.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library present:

Casablanca

Friday, November 6

6:30 p.m.

Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. Set during WWII, it focuses on a man torn between, in the words of one character, "love and virtue." He must choose between his love for a woman and helping her and her Resistance leader husband ecape from the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.

CASABLANCA was produced in 1942 and runs 102 minutes. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. The Academy Building is handicap accessible by the elevator in the parking lot. Call the library at 354- 2453 for further information

Pumpkin Carving Contest Winners!

The Winners of the Thomaston Public Library Pumpkin Carving and Painting Contest have been announced! Each winner will receive a gift basket from the Thomaston Public Library.

Scariest Pumpkin Winner

This long toothed candidate was designed by Conrad Burke of Thomaston, and carved with a little help from his mom. Conrad won a gift basket with a coin operated gumball machine, a whoopee cushion, and other small toys.

Funniest Pumpkin Winner

Carved by Frances Burke, again with a little help from her parents, this cute little guy easily walked away with the funniest pumpkin prize. Frances wins a gift pack with two giant coloring books and a desk top basketball game.

Most Artistic Pumpkin

This ambitious pumpkin was entered in the name of Bluto the Library Bear. Bluto's carving endeared us because he wrote our name on it. Bluto wins a gift basket of toys and stuffed animals, which he is generously donating to the Children's Library play area.


For all her help with the pumpkin carving, the Grand Mystery Prize was awarded to Louise Burke. She wins two coupons for free books at the Thomaston Library used book store, which will re-0pen later this winter, and five free tickets for the raffle at the Midcoast Community Holiday Fair. Congratulations to all our winners!

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library present:

Phantom of the Opera
Friday, October 23rd
6:30 PM
Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

A grotesquely disfigured composer known as the "Phantom" (Lon Chaney) haunts the Paris opera house, where he's secretly grooming Christine Daae (Mary Philbin) to be an opera diva. Luring her to his underground lair, the Phantom declares his love. But Christine loves Raoul de Chagny and plans to elope with him after her next performance. When the Phantom finds out, he abducts Christine, incurring the wrath of Raoul - and a horde of angry Parisians.

Doors open at 6 and admission, as always, is free. Light refreshments will be served and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call the library at 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library Present:

Night of the Hunter

Friday, October 16th

6:30 p.m.

Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208

Bogus "preacher" Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) learns that cellmate Ben Harper (Peter Graves) has stashed a passel of stolen loot on his property. After the demented Powell is released, he charms Ben's widow (Shelly Winters) into getting hitched, and in time, only Ben's kids stand between Powell and the money. As he stalks them relentlessly, they seek refuge with the indomitable Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish), setting the stage for an inexorable battle of wills.

The Night of the Hunter was produced in 1955 and runs 93 minutes. Light refreshments will be served and admission, as always, is free. For more information, call the library at (207) 354-2453.

Authors Among Us Lecture Series Announced

Authors Among Us

Wednesdays at 6:30

Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208

October 21st through November 18th

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library will hold a series of readings entitled "Authors Among Us” on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 208 of the Thomaston Public Library; there will be time & opportunity for buying and signing books with a simple reception as well.

The first presentation will feature Ellen Goldsmith and Carol Willette Bachofner on October 21. The scheduled lectures for the rest of the series will be Kate Braestrup, author of 'Here If you Need Me' on October 28, Nancy Griffin, author of 'Maine 101' on November 11 and Christopher Fahy, author of 'Red Tape' on November 18.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated. The Library in the Academy Building is handicap accessible by the elevator in the parking lot. Call the library at 354- 2453 for further information.

Pumpkin Carving Contest!

Announcing the Thomaston Public Library

Pumpkin Carving and Painting Contest

Bring your carved or painted pumpkins to the library any time between Tuesday, October 13th and Saturday, October 24th and enter it into our Pumpkin Carving and Painting Contest. Winners will receive PRIZES in the following categories: Scariest Pumpkin, Funniest Pumpkin, Most Artistic Pumpkin and Judges Favorite. Our esteemed panel of judges will take a photo of your pumpkin when you bring it in and enter your name for the Grand Mystery Prize.

Winners will be announced on Monday, October 26th, as part of our week-long celebration of Halloween and Autumn. Join us at 6:00 p.m. for refreshments and to see photos of the winning pumpkins!

Entry is open to people of all ages. Entrants must bring their own pumpkin to the library (no emailed photos please). The Library will not store or display pumpkins. Only library members are eligible to participate in this contest. For more information and for a complete list of the contest rules, call the Thomaston Library at 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library Present:

Diabolique

Friday, October 9th

6:30 p.m.

Thomaston Academy, Room 208

Henri-Georges Clouzot helmed this icy masterwork of homicide and Grand Guignol suspense. Clouzot's real-life wife, Véra, portrays Christina Delasalle, ailing spouse of the sadistic headmaster (Paul Meurisse) of a moldering private boarding school, and sexy Simone Signoret plays his manhandled mistress. Together, the women mastermind and execute his murder, but their plan goes haywire when the corpse vanishes.

DIABOLIQUE was produced in 1955 and runs 116 minutes.

The other films in the series will be October 16, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, October 23, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and October 30, NOSFERATU.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated. The Academy Building is handicap accessible by the elevator in the parking lot.

Call the library at 354- 2453 for further information. Doors open at 6:15 but the book store is now closed for renovations.

Mark your Calendars: November Craft Fair

Midcoast Community Holiday Fair at the Samoset Resort

presented by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library

Saturday November 7

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 PM

The Midcoast Community Holiday Fair will feature 63 tables of unique work by artisans and crafts people, a silent auction with gift certificates and signed books (including NEEDFUL THINGS by Stephen King) and art work. Enter raffles for baskets with great gifts and visit the book signing with prize winning children's author Melissa Sweet

FREE ADMISSION
FREE COFFEE

All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the Thomaston Library. If you have questions about the Midcoast Community Craft Fair, please contact Friends of the Library president Davene Fahy at cdfahy@gmail.com. The Friends of the Library are no longer accepting applications from crafters to participate at the fair - all tables are filled.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:

Gaslight

Friday, October 2nd

6:30 p.m.

Thomaston Academy, Room 208

In this atmospheric murder myster, beautiful, naive socialite Paula (Ingrid Bergman) disintegrates into a raving lunatic in the home in which her aunt was murdered. The suspect? Her devoted husband (Charles Boyer). Remade from the 1940 version, director George Cukor's dramatic mystery garnered two Oscars and remains a classic.

Doors open at 6:00 and admission, as always, is free. All films are presented by Erika Pfander. October is 'Thrills and Chills' month, featuring five classic horror and mystery films. For more information call the library at 354-2453.

Help Wanted: Assistant to the Head Librarian

There is an opening for a permanent part-time librarian (32 hours, five days per week, including some Saturdays, no benefits) to staff the circulation desk in the Youth Center (toddlers through teens). Must be organized, conscientious, energetic, and love young people.

Job Summary:

The Assistant to the Head Librarian manages the day to day operation of the youth center circulation desk and serves the needs of patrons using the library. Periodically, this person will also work in the technical services department, processing new acquisitions or repairing damaged materials.

Salary: $8 to 10$/hr commensurate with experience

For a more complete job description call the library at 354-2453 or visit the Maine State Library Job Jar

To apply, e-mail your resume to Head Librarian Brian Sylvester at headlibrarian@thomaston.lib.me.us or send your resume via mail to:

Thomaston Public Library
c/o Brian Sylvester, Head Librarian
60 Main Street
Thomaston, ME 04861

Childrens Library Renovation: Update

We're Renovating!

The Thomaston Library has acquired new space in the Thomaston Academy Building and is renovating it to house a new Youth Center. The Center will hold the majority of the children's and young adult books, will house its own computer lab and play area, and will be the site for the majority of our children's and young adult programs.

The rooms before we moved in were briefly used for storage

Local contractor David Hynd and painter Bob Reed have been working round to clock to refinish the interior of the new space.

Several interior walls were knocked down to open the space

As renovations near their close, the Library is seeking volunteers to help us move into the new Youth Center and to help us manage our larger space. If you are interested in volunteering with us either short term or long term, please contact the head librarian, Brian Sylvester, at 354-2453 or contact the library board of Trustees chairwoman, Janet Bosworth.

Painter Bob Reed has nearly completed the finishing touches

To see more photos of the ongoing renovation, visit our photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomastonpubliclibrary/. Check back often for more updates and look for an announcement of the grand opening later this fall!

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:

The Petrified Forest
starring Humphrey Bogart, Leslie Howard, and Bette Davis

Noted for Humphrey Bogart's breakout performance, this classic nail biter teems with desperate characters in dangerous situations. When down and out brit Alan (Howard) wanders into a remote diner, he charms the owner's daughter (Davis) who dreams of living in Paris. Too unstable for love, Alan departs, but soon finds himself back at the diner, held prisoner - along with several others - by a desperado (Bogart).

Doors open at 6:15 and admission, as always, is free. Donations are accepted and light refreshments will be served. For more information contact the library at 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:

The Letter

Friday, September 11th

6:30 p.m.

Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208

Based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel and directed by William Wyler, this drama stars Bette Davis in one of her nastiest film roles. After shooting Geoffrey (David Newell), Leslie (Davis) tells husband Robert (Herbert Marshall) and their lawyer (James Stephenson) that it was self-defense. But Leslie's case begins to fall apart when a letter reveals that she may have planned the murder, and Geoffrey's widow (Gale Sondergaard) attempts blackmail.

The Friday Night Film Series is presented by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library and is hosted by Erika Pfander. September's films are a salute to Bette Davis. Doors open at 6:00 and admission, as always, is free. Donations are gratefully accepted and light refreshments will be served. For more information call the Library at 354-2453.

Library closed Thursday, August 27th

The Thomaston Public Library will be closed on Thursday, August 27th, and may be closed on Friday, August 28th, for building repair. A water main in the building will be repaired, and during this time the water in the sprinkler system and domestic water lines will be deactivated. We hope to reopen on Saturday, August 29th.

The Thomaston Public Library apologizes for any inconvenience.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library presents:

The Lavender Hill Mob

Friday, August 28th

6:30 p.m.

Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

Mr. Holland (Alec Guinness) has supervised his bank's bullion run for years. He's fussy and unnecessarily overprotective, but everyone knows he's absolutely trustworthy. And so, on the day the bullion truck is robbed, he's the last person to be suspected. But there's another side to Mr. Holland -- he's also "Dutch," the leader of the titular mob. Ealing Studios writer T.E.B. Clarke won an Oscar for Best Screenplay. Stanley Holloway co-stars. The Lavender Hill Mob was produced in 1961 and runs 81 minutes.

Admission as always is free and refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 6:15, but the bookstore is currently closed. For more information, please call the library at 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:
Murder at the Gallop
Friday, August 22nd
6:30 p.m.
Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

One of literature's most popular sleuths returns in this faithful adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic mystery. When an antisocial villager unexpectedly drops dead, most assume he suffered a heart attack -- everyone, that is, except Miss Marple (Margaret Rutherford). By scrutinizing each of the people who could have benefited from the victim's passing, she follows her instincts to reopen what seemed to be an open-and-shut case.

MURDER AT THE GALLUP was produced in 1983 and runs 81 minutes. The film, with refreshments provided, is free to the public but donations to the Friends of the Library will be appreciated.

The Academy Building is handicap accessible by the elevator in the parking lot. Call the library at 354- 2453 for further information.

Artists Among Us: Robert Hamilton

Nancy Hamilton
presenting on the late Robert Hamilton
Wednesday, July 19th
6:30 p.m.
Thomaston Academy Building, room 208

Nancy Hamilton, the wife of the artist Robert Hamilton, will be presenting a program about her late husband at the Thomaston Public Library on Wednesday July 19 at 6:30 PM. The presentation will take place in Room 208 of the Academy building at 60 Main Street. The program is part of the third Friends of the Library series, Artists Among Us.

Robert Hamilton was born in Seneca, New York in 1916 and attended the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating with a bachelor of fine arts degree. He also studied at the Art Students League in New York in 1940. After the war, Hamilton taught painting and drawing at RISD for 34 years, moving to Maine permanently on his retirement. In 1974 he was painter in residence at the American Academy in Rome. His work has been exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions and is included in many private and public collections throughout the country.

Following the presentation there will be a catered reception by the Thomaston Cafe for all in attendance.

The Series, Artists Among Us, is free to the public but donations to the library will be greatly appreciated. For further information, please contact the library
at 354-2453.

Children's Library Renovations

Thomaston Public Library Phase II Renovations, Children’s Library, to Begin

The Thomaston Public Library is delighted to announce that Phase II of their planned renovations, the Children’s Library, will begin the week of August 16^th. Phase II includes creating a children’s library in the Office Suite on the first floor of the Thomaston Academy Building. The expansion and renovation will not only allow the children to have their own space but will also enable the library to move more of the permanent adult collection to the main floor of the library.

The new area will provide a needed space for story hours and children’s programming that is within view of parents but in a separate space. Windows and an additional door will open the space up, visually and physically. Built in shelving will house the children’s collection.

The books from Room 211, the used book shop run by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library, will be relocated to the first floor, on shelving that will line the main corridor.

Funding for this project is courtesy of a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The Children’s Library is slated to be open by the end of October.

For further information or to get involved in this exciting new project, please contact the Thomaston Public Library at 354-2453 or Library Board of Trustees ChairwomanJanet Bosworth at 354-0392.

Library Open

The Library has re-opened ahead of schedule. We will be open today, Thursday, August 13th, for the duration of our normal operating hours.

Library Closed for Building Maintenance

The Thomaston Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, August 12th and Thursday, August 13th for building maintenance. We hope to re-open on Friday, August 14th. Please call 354-2453 or visit www.thomaston.lib.me.us for more information.

The Thomaston Library apologizes for any inconvenience.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:
The Horses Mouth
Friday, August 14th
Thomaston Academy Building room 208
6:30 p.m.

One of Alec Guinness's strangest British comedies, this Oscar-nominated film is well worth your time. An eccentric artist, just released from jail, somehow convinces rich "clients" to pay him for artwork they didn't order. A curious mixture of the usual British brand of subtle comedy with a pinch of black comedy thrown in, the Horse's Mouth will tickle your funny bone with its clever writing.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and admission, as always, is free. For more information call the library at (207) 354-2453.

Yard Sale and Book Giveaway

Yard Sale and Book Giveaway

Saturday, August 8th

Thomaston Academy Building Lawn

On Saturday, August 8th, the MidCoast Christian Academy, which rents space with the library in the Thomaston Academy Building, will be holding a massive yard sale fundraiser. The Library will have a presence at the sale with tables full of FREE used and donated books. These are books that were generously given to the library but which we unfortunately do not have the space to keep. So we are giving back to the community that has given so much to us.

All proceeds from purchases from the Yard Sale will go toward the MidCoast Christian Academy, a bible-based high school for grades 9 - 12. Donations will be accepted by the Library for the free books, and will go to the Friends of the Library.

Summer Reading Program Awards Ceremony and Book Sale

Thomaston Reads Together!

Awards Ceremony and Book Sale

Saturday, August 15th

1:00 p.m. Awards ceremony for Thomaston Reads Together! summer reading program

11:30 to 2:30 - Book sale

Join us at the Thomaston Public Library on August 15th to celebrate the end of our summer reading program. More than 100 people have signed up to compete for the prizes being offered to those who read to each other most.

Bookmarks listing points for reading must be received by the Library by 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12th, to be considered for prize eligability.

The Friends of the Library will also be sponsoring a book sale, and at one p.m. we'll announce the winners and distribute the prizes. We hope to see you there!

Volunteering Opportunity

Looking for a good way to meet your neighbors and serve the community? The Thomaston Public Library, located in the Academy Building in Thomaston on Route One, is looking for volunteers. We need helpers in all the following areas:

     circulation     *     shelving     *     book processing

     displays     *     shelf reading     *     cataloging

     straightening     *     programming     *     children's area

     teen area     *     computer tech     *     Inter Library Loan

We need people willing to make a commitment to the library, of at least one day a week. With more helpers we can expand our space and our services, build our collection up, and stay open more hours. And it isn't all work, either. There's no better place to run into all your friends and family, meet new friends or get to know the neighborhood better. Plus, you'll get to see the newest book and movie releases as soon as they hit the shelves!

Looking for work? These days everybody is trying to find a way to supplement their income, and the right job skills and resume can make all the difference. Through volunteering you can learn countless new skills, earn valuable experience and get personalized letters of recommendation from library staff.

If you are interested in giving back to the community, give us a call at 354-2453, or stop by the Library and pick up an application form. We look forward to hearing from you!

Artists Among Us: Charles DuBack

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library Present:

Artist Charles DuBack

August 5th, 6:30 p.m.

Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

Artist Charles DuBack of Tenants Harbor will give a slide talk about his work at the Thomaston Public Library on Wednesday August 5  at 6:30 PM. The talk will take place in Room 208 of the Academy building at 60 Main Street. The talk is part of the third Friends of the Library series, Artists Among Us. 

Throughout his career, DuBack has moved from representational work to an abstract form, though he does not identify his work as abstract.  Holland Cotter, art critic for the New York Times, wrote "Charles DuBack's intention is to produce an effect of work unfinished and open-ended-the effect of a painting always in the process of painting itself."

DuBack will have a solo exhibition this fall at the Portland Museum of Art.

Following the August 5th presentation there will be a catered reception by Konscious Kitchen.

The Series, Artist Among Us,  is free to the public but donations to the library will be greatly appreciated. For further information, please contact the library 

at 354-2453.

No Longer Accepting Donations

The Thomaston Public Library is undergoing a period of evaluation of our current space and storage needs. 

During this time, we will no longer be able to accept donations of books or movies for the 211 Bookstore or for the Library itself.  We do not have the storage space to process these donations at this time.

We encourage persons wishing to donate items to give them to charity or to another area library.

Thank you all very much for your generosity.  The 211 Bookshop will remain open during this time and will continue to put out donated materials from those we have already received and processed.

Artists Among Us: Steve Lindsay

Artists Among Us Lecture Series: Steve Lindsay

Wednesday, July 22nd

6:30 p.m.

Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208

Sculptor Steve Lindsay of Tenants Harbor will give a slide talk about his work at the Thomaston Public Library on Wednesday July 22  at 6:30 PM. The talk will take place in Room 208 of the Academy building at 60 Main Street. The talk is part of the third Friends of the Library series, Artists Among Us.

Lindsay is best known for his direct carving in wood and stone and for his woodblock prints.  His work ranges from portraits to abstractions and from small delicate pieces to over-life size figures hewn from massive logs.  He has to his credit, a number of large commissioned works both public and private. He presently has work on display at  June LaCombe Sculpture in Pownal Maine and at the Gallery on Chase Hill in Kennebunkport. Lindsay has had many Maine Percent-For-Art Commissions in Maine Schools and in the Secretary of State's Office Building in Augusta.  Locally, his work "The Lions Of Thomaston" can be seen at the Lura Libby School and his relief, "Roots of Rockland," comissioned by the First National Bank of Damariscotta, can be seen at the bank's Rockland Branch on Park St.

Following the presentation there will be a catered reception by Scott Yakovenko for all in attendance.

The Series, Artists Among Us,  is free to the public but donations to the library will be greatly appreciated. For further information, please contact the library at (207) 354-2453.

Celestial Celebration

Friday, July 17th

Join us for a 

Celestial Celebration

Come see the stars shine at the Thomaston Public Library as we celebrate the mid-point of our Thomaston Reads Together! summer reading program.  The Northern Stars Planetarium will bring their giant inflatable planetarium to the Academy Building, room 208 for two showings.

At 1:30 p.m., we will feature "Our Family in the Sky", a program for K-2nd graders.  The planets are personified as Mr. Sun guides the children through a tour of the Solar System. Includes planets, comets, the moon, and constellations.

At 3:30 p.m., we will feature "Exploring Our Solar System", a program for 3rd - 6th graders. Is Pluto a planet? Explore planets and dwarf planets both as seen in the night sky and as visited by space probes.  This program ends with a dramatic scale model demonstration of the Solar System.

This program is made possible by a generous donation from the Lyman Morse Boatbuilding Col, and is free to the public. Space is limited.  For more details, contact the children's librarian at (207) 354-2453.

Library closed for July 4th Weekend

Library Closed

Friday, July 3rd
- and -
Saturday, July 4th

The Thomaston Library will be closed Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th in observation of Independence Day. We hope to see you at Thomaston's Fourth of July Parade and at our free book give-away in the Academy Building parking lot.

Any items listed as due on either of those dates will be due Monday, July 6th. Regular hours will resume on Monday, July 6th. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Summer Reading Program: Thomaston Reads Together!

Thomaston Public Library's Summer Reading Program
"Thomaston Reads Together!"
is officially underway!

Rules:

1) Readers of all ages should sign up - this program isn't just for kids
2) Readers under the age of 18 will recieve a FREE library card for participating in the Summer Reading Program. Under 18 readers will also get a FREE voucher to see the Portland Sea Dogs play this summer.
3) Read! Read! Read! You can gain points in one of three ways: by reading to yourself (1 point) by reading aloud to someone else (5 points) or by reading aloud to a group of people (10 points!). Need someone to read to? Come to the library and read to Bluto, the Library Bear.
4) Keep track of your reading on blue bookmarks - when you read to someone else, have them sign it, and when someone reads to you, sign theirs.
5) Turn in your filled out bookmarks and pick up blanks - when you attend a library Summer Reading Event, Story Time or Read Aloud event, you can earn bonus points. And of course, the people with the most points win
6) PRIZES! Join us Saturday, August 15th for the distribution of prizes to our winners. Our generous co-sponsors have donated dozens of prizes to be handed out, including:

-Gift Baskets of adult and children's books from Down East Magazine
- Free books from the 211 Book Shop
- Gift Certificates to Athen's Mediterranean Pizza, Dorman's Dairy Dream, and Wasses Hotdogs
- Free day passes to the Farnsworth, General Henry Knox and Maine Lighthouse Museums
- A one year-subscription to either Down East Magazine, Fly Rod & Reel, or Shooting Sportsman
- A family season pass to the Owls Head Transportation Museum
- Puffin Cruise for the whole family, courtesy of the Monhegan Boat Line


And lets not forget our biggest prize - the Library Lobster.

This literary lobster measures in at 36 inches from tail to antenna, and he is looking for a good home. Will you be the one to take him home?

There is no charge for participating in the Thomaston Reads Together! program, and it is open to all persons, regardless of age or location. For more information, contact Children's Librarian Rosemary Herbert at (207) 354-2453

Film Series Announcement

Announcement
Friday Night Film Series - On Hold for July 2009

The Friends of the Thomaston Library's Friday Night Film Series, featuring classic films each Friday evening in the Thomaston Academy Building, will take a break during the month of July, 2009. There will be no film showings during July. Regular film showings will resume in August. We hope to see you then!

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library Present:

A Star Is Born
Friday, June 26th
6:30 p.m.
Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208

In "A Star is Born", Judy Garland plays Esther Blodgett, a small town girl with talent coming out her ears. Discovered by famous actor Norman Maine (James Mason), Blodgett rises to the top while he drinks himself to the bottom. The songs in this version (A Star Is Born was filmed before in 1937 and again in 1976) leap off the screen, especially "The Man That Got Away."

Doors and Bookshop open at 6. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Thomaston Public Library at (207) 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:

Easter Parade
Friday, June 19th
6:30 p.m.
Thomaston Academy Building, room 208

Judy Garland and Fred Astaire sing and trip the light fantastic to 17 Irving Berlin tunes in this romantic holiday classic. Berlin's songs add sparkle to the simple plot of a hoofer (Astaire) who teams with an inexperienced chorus girl (Garland) in order to show up his former dance partner, Nadine (Ann Miller). Peter Lawford also stars. Extras include commentary by Astaire's daughter and Judy Garland biographer John Fricke, and a trailer gallery.

Doors and Bookstore open at 6:00 p.m. Donations gratefully accepted but admission is free. For more information call the Thomaston Library at (207) 354-2453.

Thomaston Annual Reports are In

The 2008 - 2009 Annual Report for the Town of Thomaston is in and available at the Library! Pick up your copy at Town Office on Main Street in downtown Thomaston or at the Library at 60 Main Street in the old Academy Building. For more information about the town reports, call Thomaston Town Office at (207) 354-6107.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library Present:

Babes on Broadway

Friday, June 12th

6:30 p.m.

Thomaston Academy Building room 208

Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland reunite in this vibrant musical directed by Busby Berkeley.  Thwarted in their attempts to break into the big time, showbiz wannabes Tommy Williams (Rooney) and Penny Morris (Garland) decide to stage their own Broadway production.  Songs include "(I Like New York in June) How About You: and a selection of send-ups of performances by musical sensations -- including Rooney's hilarious Carmen Miranda imitation.

Doors and bookstore open at 6:00.  Admission as always is free and donations are gratefully accepted.  For more information call the Thomaston Library at 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library present:

The Wizard of Oz
Friday, June 5th
Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208
6:30 pm

There's no place like home for young Dorothy (Judy Garland), who's been swept away from her farm in Kansas to a wonderland of munchkins, flying monkeys and different-colored horses. She must follow the Yellow Brick Road to the all-knowing Wizard of Oz to find her way home. Along the way, she meets the Scarcrow (Ray Bolger), the Tin Man (Jack Haley) and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), who help her fend off the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton).

Doors and Bookstore open at 6:00. Admission is free and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call the library at (207) 354-2453.

New Titles at the Thomaston Public Library: A New Blog

Do you want to keep up to date on all the latest additions to the Thomaston Library? We regularly add nearly 100 new books and movies to the library every month. But now, staying informed on what we've been putting on the shelves is easier than ever: just subscribe to our new blog, "New Titles at the Thomaston Library"!

Visit the new blog at

http://thomastonlibrarynewtitles.blogspot.com/

and follow it on your RSS reader from your home computer, or simply bookmark it and check back often - we'll be updating each week with librarian's picks, featured titles, book reviews and more!

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:
Bread and Tulips
Friday, May 29th
6:30 p.m.
Thomaston Academy Building, room 208

An unhappy housewife (Licia Maglietta) taken for granted by her philandering, self-centered husband (Antonio Catania) finds bella fortuna when she hitchhikes to Venice and starts to construct a new life for herself. Blossoming with her newfound independence, the woman begins a tentative relationship with a lonely, suicidal waiter (Bruno Ganz) that bodes well for both of them.

Doors and Bookstore open at 6:00. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or directions, contact the Thomaston Public Library at (207) 354-2453

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library Present:

Roman Holiday
Friday, May 22nd
6:30 p.m.
Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

Audrey Hepburn (in an Oscar-winning performance) stars as European princess who goes AWOL in Rome and is soon taken under the wing of tabloid journalist Gregory Peck and his photographer sidekick Eddie Albert. She thinks the boys don't suspect who she really is . . . but they're clued in and sense a sensational story if they can just keep Audrey's handlers from retrieving her too soon. The essence of 1950s chic.

Doors and Bookstore open at 6:00, and light refreshments will be served. Admission is free to all Friday Night Film Series movies, and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information call the Thomaston Public Library at (207) 354-2453.

Bee Workshop

Bee-Keeping Workshop
with Peter Lammert

Wednesday, May 27th
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Did you know that bees are the only insect which provide food for human beings? Or that bees buzz because their wings stroke 11,400 times per minute? How about the fact that honey bees can fly for up to six miles, and can go as fast as 15 miles per hour!

Join us Wednesday, May 27th at the Thomaston Library for a presentation from local bee-keeper Pete Lammert on bees and beekeeping. He'll share introductory tips on raising these fascinating insects as well as more of the lore of bees. The workshop will 'bee'gin at 6:00 p.m.

This workshop is free of charge and open to all community members. For more information, call the Thomaston Library at (207) 354-2453.

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library present:

The Motorcycle Diaries
Friday, May 15th
6:30 p.m.
Room 208, Thomaston Academy Building

This film tells the incredible true story of a 23-year-old medical student from Argentina, Che Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal), who motorcycled across South America with his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) in 1951-52. The trek became a personal odyssey that ultimately crystallized the young man's budding revolutionary beliefs. Walter Salles' films is based on Che's own diaries of the trip.

Doors and Bookshop open at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served and donations gratefully accepted. For more information call the library at (207) 354-2453.

Open House

Open House Membership Drive

Saturday, May 9th
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

One Day Only - Free Library Membership for Out of Town Patrons! (regular cost $15.00)

Hot Dogs in the Parking Lot!

One Day Only - Everything in the Bookstore 1/2 off!

For more information, call the library at (207) 354-2453 or e-mail us at TPL@thomaston.lib.me.us

For directions, visit:
www.thomaston.lib.me.us/open_house.html

Garden Group Meeting

Garden Group Meeting
Wednesday, May 6th
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thomaston Public Library

The Thomaston Public Library will host a garden club meeting on Wednesday, May 6th, at 6 p.m. Maryann Blaisdell will be leading a discussion on flower and vegetable gardens for all interested persons. The meeting will take place in the community living room inside the library. We hope to see you there!

Friday Night Film Series

The Friends of the Thomaston Library present:

Mr. Holland's Opus
Friday, May 8th
Thomaston Academy Building, Room 208
6:30 p.m.

In 1965 passionate musician Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced its just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As t he decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose. Dreyfuss earned an Oscar nomination for his outstanding work in this emotional drama.

Doors and bookstore open at 6:00. Light refreshments will be served and admission, as always, is free. Donations gratefully accepted. For more information call the library at (207) 354-2453