Catch Up with the Jesup!

Catch up with the Jesup

April 11th, 2025

News

Letter from Hancock County’s Libraries

Libraries nationwide are facing serious threats due to a March 14 executive order that cuts funding to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federally mandated agency that supports libraries and museums in every U.S. state. Yesterday, the Maine State Library announced that it would be laying off 30% of its staff due to federal funding cuts.

While the impacts of these cuts on the Jesup and our patrons are not yet known, services that depend on federal funding include interlibrary loan, CloudLibrary, and our library catalog, Minerva, which facilitates shared collections with dozens of other libraries. Please take a moment to read a joint letter co-authored by several library directors of Hancock County, and consider these resources published by the American Library Association about contacting our Congressional representatives: “Show Up For Our Libraries.”

This week, sheathing was installed on the new addition!

Upcoming Programs

Readings from North Woods at Night and Rivers of Ink

Thursday, April 17th

6:30 - 7:30pm

North Woods at Night is a lyrical anthology exploring Maine's iconic forest under the cover of darkness. Rivers of Ink: Literary Reflections On the Penobscot invites readers on a journey through Maine's storied Penobscot River. During this program, contributors from both anthologies will read their selections. Copies will be available to purchase, courtesy of Sherman’s Books.

Bar Harbor Scrabble Club

Saturday, April 19th

10:00am

Calling all Scrabble lovers! Connect with fellow word-lovers at our first Saturday Scrabble session. We hope to make this a regular event. All skill levels are welcome. Players are encouraged to bring their own boards, and some boards will also be provided.

Know Your Rights: Community Informational Session on Immigration Policy and Local Businesses

Wednesday, April 23rd

6:30pm - 7:30pm

The MDI Red Cards are a community group on MDI offering support to local businesses that rely on international workers. This session will provide local businesses with information concerning employer and employee rights, and to discuss ways international workers can be protected in light of current changes to immigration policy.

The Camino Frances: 500 Miles with 12 COA Students

Thursday, April 24th

6:30pm - 7:30pm

The Camino offered a chance for twelve students to be with themselves and others as they walked the roughly 500-miles from St. Jean Pied-du-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain along the medieval pilgrimage route of the Camino Frances. Join professors and students as they talk about the course and their pilgrimage.

Recurring Programs

Jesup Knitters' Guild

Fiber artists of all skill levels are welcome to drop in and enjoy crafting and conversation with the Jesup Knitters' Guild, Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.!

Write On! Writing Group

Join the Write On! Writing Group for support in your craft. The Write On! writers meet Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom. For more information, please contact the library at info@jesuplibrary.org.

View events calendar

Upcoming Youth Programs

Intro to Chess with Ezra Sassaman

Friday, April 18th
1:00pm - 4:00pm

Join us on Friday, April 18 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. to learn chess and practice your skills. Open to ages 4-104. We ask that children ages under age 8 are accompanied by an adult. Please contact Abby if you have any questions: amorrow@jesuplibrary.org

Learn more

Movie Magic at Reel Pizza

Tuesday, April 22nd

1:30pm - 3:30pm

Join us for a FREE April Vacation movie! It's a classic fantasy movie from the 80s featuring a rock icon, amazing songs, and puppets! Brought to you in partnership with Conners Emerson Elementary Middle School, Reel Pizza, and Jesup Memorial Library. The CES Showstoppers will sing a couple of songs from their musical after the movie.

Learn more

Speed Puzzles for ages 8 - 12

Wednesday, April 23rd

3:00pm - 4:30pm

How long does it take you to solve a jigsaw puzzle? How about a Rubik's Cube? Puzzlers ages 8-12 are welcome to join us at the library on Wednesday, April 23 to find out! We'll have a young speed cuber as a special guest to teach people who want to learn the basics.

Learn more

April Vacation Chess Tournament

Thursday, April 24th
1:15pm - 5:30pm

Great first beginner tournament - if you know how the pieces move, this tournament is for you! Questions may be directed to Tournament Director Dan Monahan at mdichess1@gmail.com or 207-200-4681.

Learn more

Recurring Youth Programs

Girls Who Code
Join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world! Wednesday’s from 3:15-4:30, build coding skills and community while you complete coding projects.
Grades 6-12. Email girlswhocodebarharbor@gmail.com to sign up.

Fun Friday at the Library

TGIF! Get ready for the weekend by joining us for some Friday fun! We’ll have games, puzzles, and other activities. Snacks will be served.

Story and Play
Children ages 5 and under and their caregivers are invited to join Abby on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 - 11:15 am for stories, songs, and playtime afterward to connect with other kids and parents.

Chronicles of Yarnia: Youth Fiber Arts Group
Enter the world of Yarnia! On Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, youth ages 10 - 17 are invited to bring a fiber arts project or start a new project at the library.

Middle School Afternoons
Every afternoon, Tuesday through Friday, tweens ages 9-13 are welcome to join us after school for games, books, and snacks.

Questions? Contact Youth Services Librarian Abby Morrow