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 The Friends have put up our first auction items. If you wish to view and/or bid on any of the items you will find the link below. There should be a few more auctions going up in the coming weeks.
We are now accepting donations of items to auction. We will be initially limiting donations by size for simplicity of handling. Nothing larger than will fit in the largest USPS flat rate box please. Also we are trying only to list items that will have a reasonable chance to sell for 9.99 or up (if you have small items that could make a sensible lot that would also be ok). Other than that the sky's the limit: collectibles, unwanted wedding gifts, good condition small tools, orphan china pieces, pottery, camera equipment, antiques, kitsch chotskies, old advertising pieces, etc. You name it, we'll sell it. All for a good cause.
Regarding donations or to volunteer contact John Belliveau at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 384-4080. Link to Friends of South Berwick Library Ebay page. |
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Window Murals on the Future Library |
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By Molly Colman It’s a good time to take a walk by the Young Street building that is slated to become the new South Berwick Public Library to see the first signs of the new life the building will soon enjoy. Creative townspeople have stepped forward to spiff up the building, formerly St. Michael’s Catholic Church, as it awaits the transformation from a building in need of tender loving care to an energy efficient, modern library. South Berwick resident John Klossner, with support from the Friends of the Library, has organized a project to cover up the boarded up windows with murals, collages and sculptures created by local artists. |
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South Berwick Artists to Fill the Windows of Future Library |
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South Berwick artists to fill the windows of future library Donations of paint and cash sought Twenty South Berwick artists are creating paintings, collages and sculptures to fill the window spaces of a building in downtown South Berwick that will become the town’s library. The artists’ work, which will be installed this summer, will serve as temporary windows during the renovations of the former St. Michael's building on Young Street. The outdoor art exhibit will last throughout renovation, and artists have been invited to donate their work to the library for use in future possible exhibitions. |
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June 2009- Books for the Beach |
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The Library is priming its collection for summer readers. There are lots of new mysteries from favorite authors such as Janet Evanovich, Lee Child and John Sanford and new fiction works by John Updike, Elmore Leonard and Lisa See. New non-fiction books address economic and health issues. |
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June 2009- Children's Program Signup |
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Registration for the children's summer reading program, "Be Creative @ Your Library," opens on Monday, June 15, 2009. All children aged 2-16 are invited to participate. In addition to lots of fun and interesting reading, special activities will include a visit from the Boston Museum of Science, a picnic in the Sarah Orne Jewett garden, and a campfire sing-along. Please sign up in person at the Library. |
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June 2009- Summer Reading Galore! |
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The Library will be a busy place for readers of all ages this summer. The Library’s two book clubs for adults will continue to meet. Knit-erature will meet this Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. Knitters, stitchers and crafters of all interests are invited to come and work on their projects and discuss their current reads. The regular book group will meet Wednesday, July 8, at 7 p.m. to discuss Thornton Wilder’s classic, “Our Town.” |
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May 2009- Wireless Internet Access |
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The Library now has wireless Internet access, free to anyone who brings their own laptop. Since electrical outlets in the building are limited, it is recommended that users fully charge their computer battery prior to coming to the Library. Library Director Mamie Anthoine Ney notes that wireless access expands the Internet use already provided by the Library's desktop computers, which sometimes have a waiting list, and allows the Library to serve an additional group of patrons. |
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April 2009- Personal Fitness and Home Decorating Collection |
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The Library has updated the personal fitness and home remodeling/decorating collections. The Library has updated its personal fitness and home remodeling/decorating collections. A six-book series of 15-minute exercises with DVD’s is available just in time to help people look their best for summer. On the home front, nearly two dozen current home repair and home decorating manuals... |
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April 2009- New Book Group "Knit-erature" |
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Folks who enjoy reading and knitting or crafting are invited to join the new book discussion group, "Knit-erature," that will hold its first session on Patriot’s Day, Monday, April 20, at 7pm at the Library. Bring a craft project and your favorite fact or fiction craft book. Refreshments will be provided. This will be a light-hearted group offering encouragement to read and finish knitting or crafting projects. There will be time to discuss a particular book or author, consult with others about project problems, and socialize. The group will meet the third Monday of each month at 7pm. Knitters, crocheters, needleworkers, quilters, and readers of all interests and abilities are welcome. |
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April 2009- The Friends honor SBPL Volunteers |
April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week, and the Friends of the Library salute the wonderful volunteers who contribute a combined 20 hours every week to cheerfully staff the circulation desk, shelve books, and assist with many other tasks that help the library run smoothly. Please take a moment to thank them the next time you visit.
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Susanne Dunn assists Library patron Madeline Anderson
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April 2009- Large Print Books |
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Library Director Mamie Ney continues to partner with the Maine State Library to supplement SBPL’s large-print collection at no additional cost to the Library. Some of the titles in the latest shipment are Madam Secretary by Madeleine Albright, The Education of a Coach by David Halberstam, Inside the Kingdom by Carmen Bin Ladin, Living History by Hillary Clinton, Sue Grafton’s P is for Peril, and Face the Fire by Nora Roberts. |
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April 2009- Strawberry Festival Grant for Mr. Ocean |
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We are pleased to announce that Mr. Ocean will be coming back to the 4th grade again this year, thanks to a generous grant from the Strawberry Festival Committee. We are planning to add an evening program for adults. More details later. |
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April 2009- 2009 Annual Fund Drive |
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Take the $5 Challenge! In recognition that these are tough times for families, and that in tough times libraries are more important than ever, the Friends are asking every household in South Berwick to donate $5 to the Annual Fund Drive and show support for our Library. |
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September 22, 2008 letter to Friends |
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Dear Friends,
It seems to have taken most of September to get back on track - but now it is Fall and there are no excuses! For information about a new library and the St. Michael's property, look under: New Library Coming up: |
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April 2009- Farewell to Kim, Welcome to Jane |
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Library patrons gathered July 25th to say farewell to Library Assistant, Kim Myers, who left to become Assistant Director of York Public Library. Though we will miss her, we are glad to welcome Jane Cowen Fletcher as her replacement. l. to r.: Kathy Landers, Cynthia Gagnon, Annmarie Townsend, Kim Myers, Nora Irvine, Mamie Ney. |
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October 2008- 2008 Town Council Candidates Forum |
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Monday, October 20, 2008, 6:30-9:00 pm, at the Town Hall Auditorium, a forum for candidates for both Town Council and School Board is being held by Friends of the South Berwick Library. All the candidates have accepted our invitation. The format will be that of an interview, one candidate at a time. If time permits, there will be questions from the audience. |
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July 10, 2008 letter to Friends |
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Dear Friends, I hope you are all deep into summer. We had a lot going on this spring and I want to catch you up on it. For reports on progress toward a new library, go to New Library on the home page. We will resume regular meetings in September. Patti Mitchem
Here is the news: |
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May 2008- Guest Speaker at 2008 Annual Meeting |
Join the Friends at our Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 21st ,2008, 7 PM in the Town Hall auditorium. Refreshments will be served.
7:10 pm: Business meeting
7:30 pm: Speaker
8:30 pm: Report /discussion re: May 19th workshop with Town Council
There will be a brief business meeting, then we are fortunate to have as speaker William Bushnell, professional book reviewer. Mr. Bushnell will give his insights about reviewing books. He will have a question and answer session and will include examples of books that he has reviewed.
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May 2008- Friends Annual Book Sale 2008 |
The 'two Saturday' Book Sale raised over $600! Thank you to the many volunteers who worked on the book sale. As in previous years, the Book Sale continues through the summer on the library porch. Stop by, browse for a good read, leave your donation in the drop box. |
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August 2008- Annual Fund Drive |
Thank you to all who contributed to our 2008 Annual Fund Drive to purchase audio books for the Library.
We have over $2500 earmarked for new audio books, which will be purchased gradually over the coming year. Library Director Mamie Ney estimates that she will be able to buy 30-35 library editions with those funds. The advantage of the more expensive library editions is that disc replacements are free. Keep an eye out for the new titles!
This Fund Drive has gained us over 50 new members of the Friends - Welcome!
It's not too late, ever, to contribute to the Friends. By donating to this drive, at whatever level, you not only help increase the library's collection but you demonstrate support for our library. |
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May 4, 2008 Letter to Friends: St. Michael's ideas |
I’m sure you all would like to know what is happening with the St. Michael’s Church property! This is what we know:
• The closing is being rescheduled to sometime this week.
• The Council has scheduled a workshop with members of various committees, and the librarian, for May 19th.
• A group of 20 some citizens with long standing interest in building a new library met last week to do some brainstorming. Attending were past and present members of Town committees, the librarians, a few Friends of the Library. Lots of ideas were floated and questions were raised.
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March 2008- Mamie Ney, new Library Director |
 Meet Mary Margaret Anthoine Ney, who goes by Mamie, the new Director of South Berwick Library. A Kennebunk resident, Mamie comes to us after working for the last year and a half as the Assistant Director of the Kennebunk Library. Mamie’s path to becoming a librarian is not the usual one, and as a result she brings a unique blend of skills and perspectives to the library. She will graduate from the University of Southern Carolina with a Master of Library Information Studies in May. Prior to pursuing her career as a librarian, she was a tax attorney and holds both a law degree and an MBA.
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February 2008- Library Director Charline Parsons Retires |
A group of longtime library devotees gathered at the South Berwick Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 21, to honor and say goodbye to longtime Library Director, Charline Parsons. Ms. Parsons has served as the library director for 20 years.
Among the parting gifts Charline received were an overnight at the Regency Hotel in Portland with spending money and a long list of activities and restaurants where she might enjoy spending it. Many friends, both new and old, sent cards and written anecdotes of Charline’s many years at the library. These were compiled for her into an album.
The Library Advisory Board voted to name a library room in Ms. Parsons’s honor. This plaque reading, ‘The Charline Parsons Room’ will remain in the present building until a new library is ready. |
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