November is Picture Book Month!

The month of November is intentional picture book month! It began in 2011 after an article was printed in the New York Times questioning the future of picture books. The month was founded by author Dianne de Las Casas, whose website says, “She believes in the transformational power of the arts in education and feels that imagination is the elixir that turns the ordinary into extraordinary.”

So to celebrate the importance of picture books The Stonington Public Library is going to feature a new picture that will be added to our collection. Everyday from now until the end of November. 10 days of Picture Books!

 

 

 

Essential Oils 101

Join us Wednesday November 20th at 6:00 p.m. for an Essential Oils Class. Learn the basics of oils and the possible uses with Lydia MacDonald!

Genealogy for Beginners

Learn the basics of exploring your family history with local ancestry researcher Kristy Hutchinson. Kristy is from the Deer Isle Adult Education Center. We will be looking at free online resources, useful research tools, and paper templates, as well as how to avoid common research pitfalls.

Thursday, November 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Call the Library at 367-5926 or Kristy at Adult Ed 348-6443 with any questions.

Tech Tuesday at the Library

Basic help with your tech needs!

November 5th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. 

Our volunteers can help with iPhone issues, social media trouble, and general computer programs!

“Perspectives on Mars” with Mimi Gerstell

On August 15 at 5 p.m., Dr. Mimi Gerstell will present “Perspectives on Mars” at the Stonington Public Library.  She will share stories about her Caltech research on the geology and atmosphere of the red planet, and about the sociology of academic science.  The anecdotes are selected from her recent book, Fish Stories by a Scientific Nobody, and updated with the latest responses to her various publications in refereed scientific journals.

In childhood Dr. Gerstell was a long-time camper at Les Chalets Francais, just south of Sunshine Road in Deer Isle, and she believes that was an essential prerequisite to her getting into Harvard.  After some years as Department Head of Engineering Sciences at the Jensen Beach branch of the Florida Institute of Technology, she finished her career as a staff scientist at Caltech in Pasadena, CA.  In later life, she has summered in Stonington since 1995.

 

Raffle of Limited Edition Print

The Stonington Public Library is taking part in a collaborative raffle to benefit local libraries. The item being raffled is a beautifully framed, limited edition print of the poem “The Song of the Unsung” by Wesley McNair, former poet laureate of Maine. This poem was written for and read at Governor Janet Mills inauguration.

All money raised will be used to purchase books that will help local community members struggling with addiction or in recovery. “We hope by offering an updated collection of reading materials for all ages affected by addiction we will help break down any shame or stigma our patrons may feel,” said Jill Larrabee, Stonington librarian. The framed broadside was displayed at Chase Emerson Library in Deer Isle and will be on display at the Stonington Public Library until the 23rd of August with tickets available for purchase. Tickets cost $5.00 each.

Join Community Discussion on August 9

The Island Health & Wellness Foundation, together with the Stonington Public Library and Chase Memorial Library in Deer Isle, invite the public to attend an evening of casual conversation on Friday, August 9th at 5:00 p.m. at The Reach Performing Arts Center in Deer Isle. The event will feature three local experts in the fields of literature and medicine and serve as a culmination of the Island wide read of Katherine Hall Page’s new book  The Body in the Wake.

 The Body in the Wake, released in May, is set on a fictional island modeled after Deer Isle-Stonington and its plot directly addresses opiate use.  Dr. Charles Zelnick, local primary care provider, David Harlan, LCSW, Behavioral Health Therapist at Bucksport Regional Health Center specializing in substance use disorders, and Katherine Hall Page will talk about everything from addressing the current opioid issues on Deer Isle-Stonington to researching and writing a fictional novel. She will also sign copies of her book at this event.

Anne West,Executive Director of the Island Health and Wellness Foundation, and Jill Larrabee, Stonington librarian, will facilitate the discussion. Anne says, “We want this to be an informal event that celebrates the success of the Island-wide read while also acknowledging some of the deeper issues discussed in the book around opiate use, treatment and recovery.” Jill adds, “This evening is meant to be attended by anyone who is interested in learning more about the work that these three fascinating people do. It is not just for those who participated in the organized book discussions held throughout the summer. We want to keep it entertaining, educational and audience driven.”

No RSVP is necessary. The event should last about one hour and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. If you would like more information, please email Anne West at ihwf1966@gmail.com or Jill Larrabee at librarian@stoningtonlibrary.org.

It is not too late to participate in the Island-wide read. Discussions will be held on August 8th at 5:00 p.m. at the Stonington Library and at Chase Emerson Memorial Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 6:00 p.m.  Anyone interested in participating can visit either the Deer Isle or Stonington libraries to sign up and check out a copy of The Body in the Wake. Extra copies of this book have been generously donated by Harper Collins Publishers.