General

The Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) seeks an engaging and community-minded individual to provide digital literacy services to the region’s diverse array of library users. This new part-time position requires a creative individual who has an interest in or passion for learning and teaching in the digital world.

Responsibilities: The Community Technology Coordinator’s (CTC) overall responsibilities include but are not limited to designing and executing the library’s free public programs that promote digital literacy. The CTC will work independently and collaboratively with the executive director to provide youth and adult programming, and to manage the IT infrastructure of BHML.

Requirements: A 20 hour per week position – schedule to be determined.  Evening and/or weekend hours may be required.  High school diploma or equivalent required; a Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable.  One to three years’ experience in a related field, or with teaching experience and/or customer service, is strongly preferred.  Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse public in a friendly and professional manner are required.

BHML is a small but mighty non-profit library that operates in a highly collaborative environment. The right candidate will be hardworking, tech-savvy, creative, and open minded.

Compensation: $17-19.50/hour commensurate with experience.

Job Description: PT Community Technology Coordinator {click!}

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Joanna Breen, Executive Director, via email at director@bbhlibrary.org Position is open until filled.

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Money Talk$
Join BHML and the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce for two free financial programs facilitated by Financial Advisor, Marta Haydym.

Registration is required, you can register at any time.

Students & Parents
Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 PM
Do you have questions about what to do now that you have graduated in the midst of a pandemic? Are you thinking about taking a GAP year and have no clue how to start thinking about money? Please join us for this zoom call with Financial Advisor Marta Haydym to ask questions, learn about basic finances, and talk about next steps! To join us, register for Zoom the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUod-GvrDsqHNYyHPhvtQomSDxj8N-NUc__ 

Small Businesses & Investors
Thursday, September 24, 6:00 PM
Many small businesses in our state have been affected by COVID-19 AND it’s an election year. What does the impact look like? Join Financial Advisor Marta Haydym on a presentation about the state of the market, strategies to help your business weather future storms, and ask questions that have been on your mind. To join us, register for Zoom the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsf-usrjIpHtbhOk0P5U8PyBZaSkwITKaJ

In advance of the programs, please also feel free to reach out to Marta at Marta.Haydym@EdwardJones.com to ask her to touch on anything specific during the programs.

The library has been closed to the public for some time now due to COVID-19.

We miss welcoming folks into the building, and it’s got us wondering….what do you miss most?

Please follow the link to take a survey! Your answers will help us focus our priorities for the future. All responses will remain anonymous!

Take the survey, it won’t hurt a bit!

On August 26, 1920, three quarters of the state legislatures ratified the Nineteenth Amendment and American Women won full voting rights. Join BHML online on Wednesday August 12, 2020 to celebrate the suffrage movement 100 years later.

For the last two summers BHML has been thrilled to welcome Judith Kalaora from History At Play to perform her historical reenactments on the library lawn. This year, we’re hopping on the virtual bandwagon and are excited to offer a live-stream performance of:  I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone™

Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 PM, Join us on Zoom

Step in to the immersive world of History At Play!  After the show, there will be time for questions and answers.

About Lucy Stone:

Challenging discrimination is not easy, but Lucy Stone is never one to take the easy road. The first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree, Lucy defies every obstacle and is an ardent supporter of human rights. Always fierce, her belief that women and men be equal is evident in both her political and personal endeavors. Her message inspired thousands of women to join the suffrage movement; Susan B. Anthony credits Lucy’s impassioned speeches for her involvement.

As a scholar, Lucy intensely studied Greek and Hebrew and vehemently insists that the Holy Bible has been mistranslated to oppress and objectify women. There is no way Lucy will settle for second best, even in her marriage! She created a marriage protest to be read in place of her wedding vows and refused to take her husband’s surname, leading to the moniker of a “Lucy Stoner” to describe a woman who does just that!

In this fiery presentation, Lucy describes the tension of Antebellum Boston. Her discussion touches on the gender caste system and also encompasses the fierce abolitionist movement. Women were evolving from successful abolitionists to struggling suffragists! Their fight was ferocious, so come along for the ride! Suitable for all ages. Running Time: Approx. 60 minutes.

About Judith Kalaora:

Judith is a professional educator, actress, and living historian. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Syracuse University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Culture. She attended the Globe Education Program of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, England. Judith founded History At Play™ in 2010 to provide educational entertainment, chronicling the lives of influential and often forgotten women. Judith researches, writes, produces, and performs.

Check out: Kalaora talks to the Boston Globe about going virtual.

Join Zoom Meeting

Topic: History At Play, LLC Presents “I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone”
Time: Aug 12, 2020 06:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83018944061?pwd=blVCY094cGpuQ3FINmlsK0oya3F3dz09
Meeting ID: 830 1894 4061
Passcode: 205950

Author Talk: Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020, 10:00 AM

Join us for a “Coffee Talk” with Len Mattano author of “Celtic Crossing.”  BYO coffee to an internet-enabled device near you, and Zoom in for a chat with a local novelist.  Q & A will follow a short presentation. We hope to see you there!

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsd-2vqD8oGNWKBd-RHZMpz6SO0Kkdpa7k  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting!

Len Mattano is an author and physician whose experiences caring for children with cancer underlie the heart of this story. When not at their home in Mystic, Connecticut, Len and his wife work from their strictly seasonal cabin in East Boothbay, Maine.

ABOUT CELTIC CROSSING

For generations Aideen Callaghan’s ancestors were miraculously cured of cancer through the power of a holy relic—the very relic that inspired the Celtic cross—until it vanished from history in 1866 and became Irish lore. Raised on faith but with an inheritance of death, Aideen has been at odds with religion since losing her daughter to a brain tumor. Now it is her orphaned grandson who lies dying. In desperation Aideen turns to a priest-scholar, Fr. Kevin Schaeffer, for help. Armed with a priceless family Bible and a sacred pendant worn by Aideen’s great-grandmother—the last to be cured—Fr. Kevin abandons his research in Dublin and sets his sights on finding the relic in time to save the child.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

“Mattano makes a moving debut with this story set in contemporary Ireland that…will be of interest to faith readers who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code but prefer lower stakes.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Wistfully beautiful.”

     —John Jude Palencar, master American fantasy artist for Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Inheritance Cycle, and others

“To read this novel is to embark on a pilgrimage that takes us to an unexpected and holy place.”

—Suzanne M. Wolfe, award-winning novelist, author of A Murder by Any Name, The Confessions of X, and Unveiling

“While humanity struggles to understand why a loving God allows such things [as childhood cancer], Mattano’s messengers offer God’s miraculous gifts of faith, hope, and love.”

—Kathleen Ruddy, CEO, St. Baldrick’s Foundation

“This is a story that will cause sleepless nights as readers turn just one more page—over and over—being drawn with the characters into their own spiritual journeys.”

—Rev. Thomas F. X. Hoar, SSE, PhD, President & CEO, St. Edmund’s Retreat, Enders Island, Mystic CT

“For a refreshing touch of spiritual reawakening, reward yourself with Celtic Crossing.”

—Raymond J. Hutchinson, MS, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Dean, University of Michigan

“Move over Andrew Greeley! Here is a novelist with your talents and multi-layer plotting, the sort of which you would be proud.”

—Paul L. Maier, PhD, Professor of Ancient History (Em.), Western Michigan University; best-selling novelist, author of The Skeleton in God’s Closet and others

There are several major bummers about closing the library building to the public.  Top of the list for us staff is not working in the bustling and dynamic company of our patrons.  We’re hearing that top of the list for patrons is the inability to browse the collection.  We feel you. Browsing in a library is where the magic happens, the heart of intellectual serendipity and discovery. There’s nothing more exciting (in our humble opinion) then walking into a library to look for one thing and discover another.

In an attempt to simulate sweet serendipitous browsing, we’ve pulled together some digital shelves for you. We know it’s not the same, but hey, nothing is these days…except for the solace and escape provided by a good book.

Follow the links, all lists are sorted newest to oldest. Click here for a quick and dirty “How to Request in the Online Catalog” tutorial.

“Browse” Fiction

“Browse” Mysteries

“Browse” Biographies

“Browse” Cookbooks (yumyum)

“Browse” DVDs

“Browse” Audiobooks

“Browse” the non fiction stacks:

100s (Philosophy & psychology)

200s (Religion and Spirituality)

300s (Social Science)

400s (Languages)

500s (Sciences: Math, Earth Sciences, Biology, etc.)

600s (Applied Sciences: Health, cooking, gardening, DIY, etc.)

700s (Art and recreation)

800s (Literature: Essays, writing, etc.)

900s (History and Geography)

This past winter BHML hosted another Maine Humanities Council’s “Let’s Talk About It” reading group on the theme: Re-Imagining the American Family.  The skilled facilitator and lively group missed just one meeting due to COVID-19 cancellations, and resumed to finish out the meetings online using Zoom.

“We’ve all enjoyed each others’ company, observations and comments.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to draw from our individual experiences with books that we love?” ~ 2020 Let’s Talk About It Participant

Below find some of the titles the group recommended. We’re excited to share their recommendations to the wider BHML Community!  Maybe you’ll find a new favorite.

BHML owns the titles in green…place a hold for curbside pickup today! Learn more about Curbside Pickup here. 

Curbside. All Summer. By Appointment.

1) Request your items. *Items must be available at BHML. (Learn more about how to request BHML owned items here).

• Request items in online catalog at https://minerva.maine.edu/search~S8
• Request items by phone at 207-633-3112, or
• Send email requests to curbside@bbhlibrary.org
• BHML doesn’t own what you’re looking for? Suggest a purchase.

2) Wait for a BHML staff member to call you to schedule your pickup (we will call within 2 business days).

3) Arrive at BHML at your appointed time to pick up your items. We ask that patrons please note signage and follow all instructions. Social distancing and masks required.

4) Participate in summer reading June 23 – August 15!  Adults, Kids, and Teens, sign up for Summer Reading 2020 for chances to win prizes!  BIKES! MUGS! LEGOS! PUSHEEN! Learn more: bbhlibrary.org/summerreading2020.

Special thanks to the Maine State Library for hooking us up with Beanstack for online summer reading fun!

CURBSIDE FAQ:

Q: How will I know my items are ready to be picked up?

A: BHML staff will call you to schedule a pickup time. Unfortunately, no walk-up or unscheduled contact is allowed at this time. All items must be pre-requested. Pickup times will be offered on the following days and hours:

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – Noon AND 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: Noon – 2:00 PM AND 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – Noon AND 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – Noon AND 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – Noon

Q: How long will it take to get my items?

A: BHML staff run a pull list every morning. We will contact you within 2 business days of your request for items to schedule a pickup time.

Q: How do I know if BHML owns the item(s) I want?

A: Start your search in the Minerva Catalog using this link https://minerva.maine.edu/search~S8 to pre-limit the search to BHML materials. Or, use these instructions to limit your online search to BHML materials: https://bbhlibrary.org/how-to-request-items-using-the-minerva-catalog/. If you have trouble, feel free to reach out!

Q: Can I order books from other libraries?

A: Not at this time. Currently, requests can be made on BHML owned materials only. BHML always wants to hear your suggestions for future purchases: https://bbhlibrary.org/services/suggest-a-purchase/

Q: How many items can I request?

A: For now, 10 items total (including max of 7 DVDs and 7 audiobooks)

Q: What if I can’t pick up my items at my scheduled time?

A: Let us know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule your pickup time. Please do not just drop by. If you have not made contact in the 1 week following your missed appointment, we will re-shelve your items. We are not allowing unscheduled pickups.

Q: I don’t have a library card, how do I get one?

A: We are happy to mail you a library card. Please fill out the form at: https://bbhlibrary.org/library-card-registration-form/ or call 207-633-3112.

Q: Is curbside service going to be available all summer?

A: Yes, unless federal, state, or local guidelines change or there is a surge in Covid-19 cases in the State of Maine. If necessary to keep everyone safe, closing the library at any time is at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Q: What safety measures are in place?

A: For curbside service the BHML staff will be following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks and gloves while preparing your items for pick-up. All items will be packed into clean bags and marked with the name of the person picking up, with social distance procedures and signage directing pickup. Cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be strictly adhered to. All returned items will be quarantined for a minimum 5 days. We ask that you help us too, by wearing masks, staying in your car until you are waived on to get your bag of items, and maintaining 6 feet of social distancing at all times between other people.

On June 23, after updated findings from the Battelle Study on library materials, BHML decreased our quarantine period for books from 7 days to 5 days.

Special thanks to the following organizations and businesses for helping us with the supplies necessary to lend library materials as safely as possible!

What a long strange trip it’s been…and will continue to be!

Since the statewide closures, BHML has connected patrons to digital books and content, collected dozens of poems by local poets through the POETRY NOW project, shared virtual storytimes and remote reference; now, BHML is excited to reconnect patrons with the library’s *physical* collection.

Beginning June 2, we will offer curbside pickup service. Library members will be able to request Boothbay Harbor Library-owned materials using the online catalog (or by phone/email) and we will pack them up for you and arrange a pick up time.

Providing this service in the safest possible way while adhering to state and CDC guidelines is our number one priority. Your cooperation and understanding are essential as we navigate this new lending model! Patrons are welcome to start browsing the online catalog and placing requests now, however we won’t begin scheduling pickup times until June arrives.

From everyone at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library: we hope all is well with you and yours. We can’t wait to see (the top of) people’s faces again!

Happy Spring,

Joanna M. Breen, Executive Director

Curbside Pickup Service By Appointment, Beginning June 2

Here’s How…It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1) Request your items. *Items must be available at BHML. Help us preserve PPE and bagging materials: please request multiple items at a time and limit trips.

• Search and request online at https://minerva.maine.edu/search~S8
• Request items by phone at 207-633-3112, or
• Send email requests to curbside@bbhlibrary.org

2) BHML staff will call you to schedule your pickup within two business days of your requests (beginning June 2).

3) Arrive at BHML at your appointed time to pick up your items. We ask that patrons please note signage and follow all instructions. Social distancing and masks required.

Learn more about how to request BHML owned items.

CURBSIDE FAQ:

Please note, appointments and pickups will not begin to be scheduled until June 2.

Q: When can I pick up my items?

A: BHML staff will call you to schedule a pickup time. Unfortunately, no walk-up or unscheduled contact is allowed at this time. All items must be pre-requested. Pickup times will be offered on the following days and hours:

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – Noon AND 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: Noon – 2:00 PM AND 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – Noon AND 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – Noon AND 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – Noon

Q: How long will it take to get my items?

A: BHML staff run a pull list every morning. We will contact you within 2 business days of your request for items to schedule a pickup time.

Q: How do I know if BHML owns the item(s) I want?

A: Start your search in the Minerva Catalog using this link https://minerva.maine.edu/search~S8 to pre-limit the search to BHML materials. Or, use these instructions to limit your online search to BHML materials: https://bbhlibrary.org/how-to-request-items-using-the-minerva-catalog/. If you have trouble, feel free to reach out!

Q: Can I order books from other libraries?

A: Not at this time. Currently, requests can be made on BHML owned materials only. BHML always wants to hear your suggestions for future purchases: https://bbhlibrary.org/services/suggest-a-purchase/

Q: How many items can I request?

A: For now, 10 items total (including max of 7 DVDs and 7 audiobooks)

Q: What if I can’t pick up my items at my scheduled time?

A: Let us know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule your pickup time. Please do not just drop by. If you have not made contact in the 1 week following your missed appointment, we will re-shelve your items. We are not allowing unscheduled pickups.

Q: I don’t have a library card, how do I get one?

A: We are happy to mail you a library card. Please fill out the form at: https://bbhlibrary.org/library-card-registration-form/ or call 207-633-3112.

Q: Is curbside service going to be available all summer?

A: Yes, unless federal, state, or local guidelines change or there is a surge in Covid-19 cases in the State of Maine. If necessary to keep everyone safe, closing the library at any time is at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Q: What safety measures are in place?

A: For curbside service the BHML staff will be following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks and gloves while preparing your items for pick-up. All items will be packed into clean bags and marked with the name of the person picking up, with social distance procedures and signage directing pickup. Cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be strictly adhered to. All returned items will be quarantined for a minimum 7 days. We ask that you help us too, by wearing masks, staying in your car until you are waived on to get your bag of items, and maintaining 6 feet of social distancing at all times between other people.

Special thanks to the following organizations and businesses for helping us with the supplies necessary to lend library materials as safely as possible!