Click on the Calendar button in the button bank on the left,
for the most up to date information on all Library events.
Click on the Children’s Room button
for information about what is happening there.
January 23 through February 22, 2010
This month, an estimated 1,200 readers in the MDI region are reading Jack London’s classic, “The Call of the Wild” as part of The Big Read, a literacy program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and, locally, Island Readers and Writers.
SCRIMSHAW TALK
"Touch & Learn"
with Chris Cambridge of the Scrimshaw Workshop
Saturday, February 6 at 2:00
Holmes Room of the library
NATURE AWARENESS GAMES
with Michelle Finn
Sunday, February 7 from 9:30-10:30
In honor of The Big Read "Call of the Wild", Chris Cambridge of the Scrimshaw Workshop in Bar Harbor has an extensive display of scrimshaw on exhibit at the Southwest Harbor Public Library until the end of February. The pieces are hand-engraved by Mr. Cambridge and other top scrimshanders from around the country. The term scrimshaw refers to the art form not the material used. The medium used at the Scrimshaw Workshop is called Fossil Ivory, which includes Fossil Walrus Ivory and Woolly Mammoth Ivory and can date back 10,000 years.
Mr. Cambridge will be giving a talk about scrimshaw in the Holmes Room of the Southwest Harbor Public Library on Saturday, February 6, 2:00p.m. He will discuss the art and importance of scrimshaw as well as the history of ancient fossil ivory, which is found in the ground and perma-frost of Alaska and Siberia. This talk, "Scrimshaw - Touch and Learn" is free and appropriate for all ages.
Michelle Finn will lead the Nature Awareness Games program which will direct attention to games for kids that will help them become more aware of the natural world. Kids will enjoy learning about wide angle vision from Owl Eyes and acquiring listening skills by playing Smaug's Jewels. The workshop will run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the library. Contact Michelle Finn at 334-2944 or 546-1026 for more information.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. This project was also made possible by grants from Island Readers and Writers,The Maine Charity Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, The Maine Humanities Council and other donations.
Artwork by Rebekah Raye
February Wall Artist
Mary Ellen Martel, Photography
My love affair with photography began with my first SLR film camera, purchased second-hand in the early 1970's. An old Yashica, it awakened a previously unknown passion in me, and I began to look at the world in a whole new way. Thirty years later my first digital SLR gave me the freedom to really explore my abilities as a photographer. No longer restrained by the cost of film and developing, I could shoot all afternoon in the quest for the perfect image and delete anything that didn't measure up. I am fascinated by the world around me, so I am never at a loss for subjects. From wide ocean vistas to closeups of butterflies, my goal is to create a photograph that speaks to me and others.
My love affair with photography began with my first SLR film camera, purchased second-hand in the early 1970's. An old Yashica, it awakened a previously unknown passion in me, and I began to look at the world in a whole new way. Thirty years later my first digital SLR gave me the freedom to really explore my abilities as a photographer. No longer restrained by the cost of film and developing, I could shoot all afternoon in the quest for the perfect image and delete anything that didn't measure up. I am fascinated by the world around me, so I am never at a loss for subjects. From wide ocean vistas to closeups of butterflies, my goal is to create a photograph that speaks to me and others.
I am Director of Harbor House Children's Center and photographer for Kisma Preserve, both of which provide me with a wealth of models for my passion.
Display Case Artist
Chris Cambridge, Scrimshaw
The pieces are hand-engraved by Mr. Cambridge and other top scrimshanders from around the country. The term scrimshaw refers to the art form not the material used. The medium used at the Scrimshaw Workshop is called Fossil Ivory, which includes Fossil Walrus Ivory and Woolly Mammoth Ivory and can date back 10,000 years. Mr. Cambridge will be giving a talk about scrimshaw in the Holmes Room of the Southwest Harbor Public Library on Saturday, February 6, 2:00p.m. He will discuss the art and importance of scrimshaw as well as the history of ancient fossil ivory, which is found in the ground and perma-frost of Alaska and Siberia. This talk, "Scrimshaw - Touch and Learn" is free and appropriate for all ages.
Upcoming Events
February 2010
Big Read Event: Scrimshaw Talk "Touch & Learn" - 2/6. 2:00
Big Read Event: Nature Awareness Games w/ Michelle Finn - 2/7, 9:30-10:30
Game Night - 2/10, 6:30-8:00
LIBRARY CLOSED - Presidents' Day - 2/15
Friends of the Library Tea - 2/18, 1:30-3:30
Reflexology Talk & Demo - Postponed until Spring
Readings & Recitations - 2/24, 6:30-8:30
Family Sing Along with Fred Benson - 2/25, 6:30
"Just One Day" in Maine Libraries
A record of what happens on a typical day at a Maine Library!
(Recorded September 2009)
Welcomed 37,582 people.
Loaned 35,849 books, movies and more.
Helped 9,257 people to access the Web.
Helped 85 job seekers.
Offered 158 programs.
Taught 1003 people computer skills.
Maine State Libraries Snapshot
Did you know that...
the Office of the Public Advocate in Maine offers a newsletter updated with specific information that consumers need to choose the best telephone, mobile, and Internet services in Maine?
The new Ratewatcher provides up-to-date information about everything from plain old telephone service to the latest free and low-cost services available from high-tech providers like Google. "Even if you're not planning to change your telephone, mobile, or Internet service right now, the new Ratewatcher Telecom Guide will show you how to use new free services and save money on the ones you already use" said Dick Davies, Maine's Public Advocate.
And ..don't forget
you can request the N. Y. TIMES TOP TEN Hardcover Fiction & Non-Fiction through Minerva? Give it a try!
Downloadable Audiobooks!!
On Tuesday, June 16, OverDrive released the new version of OverDrive® Media Console. All new users will automatically download the latest version, and existing users will be prompted to upgrade to the latest version.
Nearly all OverDrive WMA Audiobooks in your download collection are now compatible with the iPod®, iPhone™, iPod touch®, and iPod nano®, as well as Zune® and thousands of other portable devices, with a simple upgrade of OverDrive Media Console to version 3.2 on Windows® PCs.
You and your family can enjoy a free trip to the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor with our library memberships. All you need is your Southwest Harbor Public Library card and a special reservation sheet available at the library.
Check out the following web site made by
the Maine State Library.
This page is intended to direct Maine citizens to resources that offer help in the current economic climate.