Catch up with the Jesup!

September 4th, 2026

News

From Our Director

We’re excited to offer new learning opportunities on digital skills for Jesup patrons of all ages. Through a partnership with the National Digital Equity Center, you can register for free online courses on a range of technology topics. Courses include:

Basic Internet Safety
Identifying Frauds and Scams
Using Facebook Securely
Cutting the Cord
iPhone Basics or Android Basics
and 11 more!

We plan to offer some of these courses as in-person workshops in the coming months. Keep an eye on our events page.

Recent Reads: The genre of books-about-libraries-and-librarians has a wonderful new addition. Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin is a tender story about a librarian dealing with grief, mental illness, an ex-boyfriend, a current wife, and book challenges in the library, all while finding her own path to happiness. I give this book a 13/10.

Speaking of book challenges, please block Tuesday Oct 6 from 6-8pm for a special screening and discussion of The Librarians, presented in partnership with The Criterion Theater. More details to follow.

Read on!

Megan

The Librarians Screening & Panel Discussion

Celebrate Banned Books Week with the Jesup Memorial Library and the Criterion Theatre, who present a screening of The Librarians on Tuesday, October 6th, at 6:00pm at the Criterion (35 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor). The screening will be followed by a short panel discussion with local librarians Davonne Pappas, Siobhan Ryan, and Janet Clifford.

Registration is encouraged.

Makerspace Open Hours

The Makerspace is currently open as a staff-facilitated service. Each month, our Makerspace Assistant Sam will offer at least one adult and one youth program. On first Saturdays, the Makerspace will be open for all those aged 10+ to work independently. Bring in your crafts, ideas, and/or curiosity and create with us. The time and space is yours!

Strengthening Community: Forging Connections Through Art

We’re excited to announce an interactive afternoon of creative expression, music, and refreshments on Sunday, October 4th from 4:00 - 6:00pm. The event is organized by State Representative Gary Friedmann in hopes of strengthening community bonds and nourishing stressed minds at a time of political chaos and national divisiveness. Space will be limited to 120 participants. Learn more and register here.

Booksale Report: Thank you, Thank you!

Dear Folks,

Once again we have provided our community with thousands of books in new hands, substantial money for the Jesup to buy new books, and so many terrific conversations. This only happens because so many people decide to help and to attend. A used booksale is the ultimate sharing experience and you were clear on the assignment. Thank you one and all.

Whether you put in an hour or days, you made this happen. There were about seventy-five people who lugged heavy boxes, who made our display tables appealing, who helped others find what they are looking for and also took the time to chat about books or what is going on in their lives, and then the packers came, and more movers. We also value our BHCC Bakesale compatriots as part of what makes Saturday such fun. And it goes almost without saying that so very many people, local and visitors, came to browse and find treasures.

For the first time in our spectacular new Lord Wing, it went pretty smoothly, although we know there are things we can do to make it even better next year. If you have any thoughts about something that was problematic or an idea for next year, please let me know. We'll be talking with the Jesup staff in October to review this iteration and set up a framework for next year. I urge you to put the days around August 21, 2027 on your calendar now.

I’m waiting for the final number after a couple of late donations arrive, but it looks as though we received about $18,000 in donations, almost a twenty percent improvement over last year. We also had so many raves from attendees, with many saying this is their favorite booksale and the best organized one they've seen. And you know, that there are people who actually schedule their visit to our island around the date of this event!

I do need to give a special thanks to Barbara Sassaman, Louise Lopez, and Belinda Yalin for their year-round dedication, and especially to Sass and Louise for the efficiency of the moving process.

Thank you if you helped, thank you if you attended and found a few items (or an armload) for winter reading. Take some time to sit and read for a bit. See you for #57 next year!

Many, many thanks,

Ruth Eveland

Booksale Coordinator

Upcoming Programs

One Nation, Under Fraud: The Penobscot Remonstrance and the Fight for Sovereignty

Thursday, September 10th

5:00pm - 6:30pm

Join the MDI Historical Society and the Abbe Museum for a panel discussion of how law and policy were deliberately shaped to control, diminish, and deny Wabanaki sovereignty. Following the panel, participants are invited to continue the conversation next door at the Abbe Museum, where the exhibit In the Shadow of the Eagle offers a powerful visual and cultural companion to the issues discussed.

A Community Conversation About School District Reorganization & Unification

Wednesday, September 16th

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Want to learn more about the recommendations for school district reorganization and unification? Do you have strong opinions about the schools in our community? Join representatives from our community school district and a distinguished panel for a learning session and community conversation about the November 3 vote to transition our school district (AOS 91) to a Regional School Unit (RSU).

Amphibians of Acadia National Park

Thursday, September 17th

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Do you love amphibians? Come learn about the amphibians that call Acadia National Park home and the work that's being done to help protect them! Learn how to identify amphibians in Acadia National Park and about how volunteers are contributing to amphibian conservation efforts through the Acadia Amphibian Project. Join Sheridan Todd for an evening all about frogs, salamanders, and the research being conducted to understand amphibian migration across roadways.

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 9:00am on Zoom. For more information, please contact the library at info@jesuplibrary.org.

Makerspace Open Hours

Bring your crafts, ideas, and/or curiosity and create with us! The Makerspace is open to ages 10+ on first Saturdays from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Questions? Reach out to Makerspace Assistant Sam Yanevskyy at syanevskyy@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, September 26th.

View events calendar

Upcoming Youth Programs

Cat Crafts (Grades K - 4)

Saturday, September 12th

10:30am - 11:30am

The Makerspace is super excited to hold an art program for K-4 this month! It's all about cats (of course) and we'll be making masks and maybe whatever else the kiddos are interested in. It's going to be purr-ty fun! Please note that the Makerspace is not a large room, so we are doing registration for this program.

Wings of Fire Workshop (Grades 4 - 8)

Saturday, September 26th

10:30am - 11:30am

The Makerspace is turning into a dragon nest this September! Kids in grades 4-8 are welcome to this "Wings of Fire" themed art program where we'll be making various dragon crafts and claw-some bookmarks. Whatever you make doesn't have to be an official dragonet or winglet. Original dragons are welcome! We can't wait to see who flies in!

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 - 11:15am for stories, songs, and playtime afterward to connect with other kids and parents.

Questions? Contact Youth Services Librarian Abby Morrow