Catch up with the Jesup!

April 17th, 2026

News

From Our Director

Dear Jesup community,

We know you’re chomping at the bit to get into the new expansion, and so are we. The final pieces of the project are falling into place. If you've ever lived through a construction project, you know that these last few weeks are among the longest. We are getting down to finishing touches and inspections, and then we can begin moving into the space. Expect to hear from me in the next newsletter announcing dates for the soft opening and the grand opening.

The list of things to finish before both of those events is equally daunting and exciting! In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek:

This view of the accessibility ramp between the 1911 and 2026 wings of the building shows off the transition between old and new: the clean and bright brickwork, warmed by the timber beams and ceiling.

Recent reads: A few weeks ago I read The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne by Chris Sweeney. This captivating biography of the world’s first forensic ornithologist follows Laybourne as she develops a brand-new field of inquiry, changes aviation practices, and solves crimes using the smallest of feathers. On the We Rate Dogs scale, this book gets a 13/10.

Read on!

Megan

Epicurus on Political Anxiety: The 9th Annual Paul Hammond Lecture with Dr. Emily Austin

The Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus thought that humans fundamentally desire tranquility (ataraxia), a stable state characterized by the absence of anxiety and the presence of pleasure. Anyone reflecting on the state of the world would be hard-pressed not to respond, ‘Good luck with that, man.’

On Friday, May 8th at 5:30pm, Dr. Emily Austin will present the 2026 Paul Hammond Memorial Lecture at the Jesup Library. Dr. Austin’s talk, “Epicurus on Managing Political Anxiety,” will begin with a brief account of Epicurus’ enigmatic advice for managing political anxiety, which strikes many critics as selfish, cowardly, or defeatist. Our aim will be to collectively assess whether the critics are right and what that would mean for our own relationship to politics.

Emily A. Austin is a Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Her scholarly work focuses on Ancient Greek theories of complex emotions, including the fear of death, grief, patriotism, and comedic malice.

56th Annual Booksale Planning is Underway!

Spring is finally here, and the 56th Annual Booksale of the Jesup Library is already in the planning stages. The Booksale is a long-standing community event which provides significant support for the library. It will begin on Saturday, August 15th, and we hope to extend it for a few days to accommodate those who can’t take the time off on a Saturday in August.

We will be back in the library this year! We won’t have to have a frantic, exhausting push on Saturday morning to get the books moved and set up! We are accepting donations on a regular basis now. We will be at our sorting location on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30pm and Saturdays from 1 to 3pm, or by appointment. Contact Ruth Eveland for directions. Space at the Jesup is very limited, so unless it’s just a book or two, please don’t drop them off there.

Our Booksale is popular not just because people love the Jesup, but because we make an extra effort to have a quality sale. We are careful about the condition of the books, so please don’t give us anything that smells funny or has wavy, stuck-together pages. We cannot accept magazine, dictionaries, atlases, textbooks (unless they are unusual) and non-fiction that is past its prime (e.g. medical or financial guidance from the 1980’s.) CD’s and DVD’s are good, as are audiobooks, but we can no longer use VHS or cassettes.

We’ll be looking for volunteers soon. We’ll need fewer people to help move, but more people to work during the sale. Under consideration is bringing back the Prologue, the party/pre-sale on Friday evening. This would depend on having volunteers who would like to make it happen. If you are that person, please talk to Ruth. Reach her at reveland@jesuplibrary.org or call or text to 207-610-2355. Put August 15th on your calendars now so you can join us! We have had several very successful sales in the last few years; let’s make this one our best yet to support our community and its special library. Thank you!

Digital Magazines

With the addition of Libby to the Jesup’s digital offerings, you now have unlimited access to thousands of magazines. Borrow a single issue and read it on the app or in the browser. When you close the issue, you’ll be prompted to subscribe and get notified each time a new issue is published. Popular titles include the New York Review of Books, Us!, Cook’s Illustrated, Rolling Stone, New Yorker, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Outside Magazine, Vogue, Prevention, Better Homes and Gardens, WIRED, National Geographic, Highlights, and many, many more.

Upcoming Programs

World of Wonders: A Multigenre Workshop with Carl Little

Saturday, April 18th

2:00 - 4:00pm

Join Carl Little and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance for a free multigenre workshop based on World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, who will be this year’s keynote speaker at the Camden Festival of Poetry (May 12 - 16). Carl Little received a Rabkin Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 for his art criticism. His poems have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and his most recent collection, Blanket of the Night, was published by Deerbrook Editions in 2024.

Connectors Club: Spring Seeding and Garden Planning

Wednesday, April 22nd

5:30 to 7:30pm

Next Wednesday, April 22nd, we are excited to launch the first gathering of the Connectors Club for recurring donors with special guests from the Bar Harbor Garden Club, Native Gardens of Blue Hill, and COA Community Seed Project. Join us from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the Periodicals Room for an evening of resource sharing, garden planning, and social connection.

Learn more

Cultivating Civic Engagement: Sowing Civil Servants with Sabrina Calas

Thursday, April 23rd

6:30 to 7:30pm

What does the future of democracy look like on Mount Desert Island? Join us on Zoom or in-person for a presentation and community discussion led by MDI Historical Society intern, Chebacco author, and lifelong MDI resident, Sabrina Calas. While national trends show a decline in youth civic participation, Sabrina’s research, conducted during her internship with the MDI Historical Society, uncovers a different story.

Recurring Programs

Bar Harbor Scrabble Club

Connect with fellow word-lovers: all skill levels are welcome! Players are encouraged to bring their own boards, and some boards will also be provided. Scrabble Club meets on second and fourth Saturdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

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.

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 5:00pm!

Contradance with Big Moose Band

On the fourth Saturdays of the month, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, dance the night away with a guest caller and music from the Big Moose Band. Anyone can attend with or without a partner. The next dance is on Saturday, April 25th.

View events calendar

Upcoming Youth Programs

April Vacation at the Jesup

Tuesday, April 21st - Friday, April 24th

Variable Times

Want to compete in the Jelly Bean Day Chess Tournament, make your own May Baskets, or get to know the stories of Mac Barnett? Make the Jesup your April Vacation destination! Check out our calendar for more offerings throughout the week.

Learn more

Recurring Youth Programs

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.

Girls Who Code
Join supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world! On Wednesdays 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.

Questions? Contact Youth Services Librarian Abby Morrow