Catch up with the Jesup!

August 1st, 2025

News

8th Annual Paul Hammond Lecture: Dr. Jules Lobel on the Judicial Philosophy of Originalism

Save the date! On Friday, August 29th at 7:00pm, this year’s Paul Hammond Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Jules Lobel, a professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Lobel is the author of Success Without Victory, Lost Legal Battles and the Long Road to Justice in America (NYU 2003), and the co-author of Less Safe, Less Free, Why America is Losing the War on Terror (New Press 2007). His talk will focus on the philosophical principles of the originalist jurisprudence that now dominates the Supreme Court.

The Paul Hammond Memorial Lecture, named in honor of the late Paul Hammond, invites a speaker to the Jesup to explore philosophy for a lay audience. Hammond, the son of Debby and Scott Hammond, grew up on MDI and was a professor of philosophy who passed away in 2015. He was passionate about discussing ideas and current events, as well as promoting well-reasoned and logical arguments and debate.

55th Annual Booksale

The Jesup’s Booksale is almost here! This major fundraiser for the Jesup and community event (remember: it is our 55th year!) will be here on August 16th. Find us in the parking lot of the Bar Harbor Congregational Church from 10am to 4pm. We think you should be able to find something to appeal to almost everyone: think ahead for holiday giving, perhaps? The church will again be running the Bakesale. We are grateful for their support over these three years being off-site.

The last day for donations will be Tuesday, August 5th from 4 to 5:30pm Call or text Ruth for directions to the storage location.

We can still use some more help with moving, unpacking, selling, and cleaning up, so if you have a bit of time, please get in touch with Ruth Eveland [reveland@jesuplibrary.org or 207-610-2355].

Yes, it takes a lot of work to make this happen — but it is actually fun work! Being with others who love to read and love our library is inspiring. Your participation, whether working to make it happen or just by coming and shopping, will strengthen our library and our community. Many thanks from your volunteer crew!

Sponsor A Story in August!

For a donation of just $15, choose a title from our curated list of books to add to the library’s youth collection. Each sponsored book will feature a custom bookplate dedicated to you, a loved one, or a young reader who loves seeing their name in a library book. It’s a thoughtful and personal gift for anyone who cherishes reading and supports local libraries!

Here are some of the August titles available for sponsorship:

Goat Magic by Kate Wheeler
Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Sugar Shack by Lucy Knisley
Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch
Rez Ball by Byron Graves
Dream by Barbara O’Connor
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Chicka Chicka Tricks Treat by Julien Chung

See more titles

Upcoming Programs

Author Talk with Mac Smith: The Great Fire of 1947 and the End of Bar Harbor’s Golden Era

Thursday, August 7th

6:30 - 7:30pm

The Great Fire of 1947 and the End of Bar Harbor’s Golden Era tells the riveting story of the desperate evacuation of residents through the heart of an uncontrolled forest fire burning all across Mount Desert Island. Through extensive and meticulous research, Maine author and historian Mac Smith brings this important part of the state’s history to life.

Great Libraries for Great Communities with David Lankes

Tuesday, August 12th

5:30 - 6:30pm

How does a “barefoot library” in South Korea connect to a library built into the industrial shell of a train factory in the Netherlands to one of the most innovative libraries in the US serving a population of 2,000 in Texas? How can these experiences inform the libraries of Maine moving into an uncertain future? Professor of librarianship David Lankes will share what ties together great libraries around the globe and how these lessons can serve Bar Harbor and coastal Maine.

Concert for Climate: Sydney Patten and David Kunhardt

Thursday, August 14th

6:30 - 7:30pm

Join Sydney Patten and David Kunhardt at the Jesup Library in Bar Harbor to be inspired on impactful ways to reduce carbon pollution. This hour-long concert will take you to magical underwater paradises and it will enliven ways to make real change to protect our beautiful home NOW! Leave with the knowledge of 60 things you can do to minimize carbon and plastic pollution!

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 6:30 pm!

View events calendar

Upcoming Youth Programs

Summer Reading Program: Tidepool Touch Tank with Chewonki

Saturday, August 9th

10:30am

The tide pool is home to a variety of species whose unique adaptations allow them to maintain stability in a world that is in a constant state of change. Join us to learn about underwater life with Chewonki!

Learn more

Summer Reading Program: Happy Birthday to the Jesup!

Saturday, August 16th

10:30 to 11:30am

Did you know the library will be 114 years old in August? Join us to celebrate on Saturday, August 16. We’ll have games, crafts, and refreshments. All ages are welcome to attend. We ask that kids under 8 bring an adult with them.

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.

Chronicles of Yarnia: Youth Fiber Arts Group
Enter the world of Yarnia! On Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00pm, youth ages 10 - 17 are invited to bring a fiber arts project or start a new project at the library.

Questions? Contact Youth Services Librarian Abby Morrow