News

2023.09.07 Library Card Sign-Up Month

Hello friends,

A couple of FYIs this week.

First, Skidompha will be closed on Thursday, September 14th for staff training. We will reopen on Friday, September 15th at 9am. Moving on…

Did you know it is Library Card Sign-up month? If you’re reading this you probably already have a library card, but Skidompha and the American Library Association would like to know how YOU library! In conjunction with Library Card Sign-up month, Skidompha is supporting the ALA’s #HowILibrary program.

Participating is easy:

Snap a pic or shoot a video showcasing how you use your library or choose a library element https://ilovelibraries.org/whats-your-library-element/ that best applies to you.
Post to Instagram, X (nee Twitter), or on the I Love Libraries Facebook page with the hashtag #HowILibrary.
Tag your library, #Skidompha, and your friends to help spread the word!

The ALA is also offering a chance to win prizes!

Grand Prize (1 winner): A Disney gift card ($150.00 USD value) and a one-year subscription to Disney+ Premium ($109.99 USD value).
First Prize (1 winner): A VISA gift card ($150.00 USD value) and choice of one ALA Graphics poster.
Second Prize (3 winners): Choice of one ALA Graphics poster.

See https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card for details.

Did you know it’s Migaloo’s birthday on the 11th–well our Migaloo at least. Time flies (swims?)! A year ago on the 11th a number of wonderful and passionate volunteers and artists joined together in Skidompha’s atrium to raise Migaloo into the air. I am so proud of this beautiful sculpture and its impact on people as they walk in. It is my hope that Skidompha is more than a place to check out items and meet for programming. I want it to inspire your curiosity and imagination and make at least a part of you go, Wow! I want the library to bring people together, push back against loneliness, and foster community and connection.

Finally, did you know Skidompha has a Nintendo Switch? This is not a lendable item, but we do offer Switch programming on certain days. Our Switch is a relatively new item at Skidompha and we are slowly building up our game collection. So if you are moving to a different console or looking to downsize your Switch game inventory, please consider donating yours to the Library. See our Children’s Librarian, Kristi, or our Teen Librarian, Frazier, for details.

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

8.31.2023 A Book Recommendation

Hello friends,

Because I’m a glutton for punishment and the news isn’t scary enough, I’ve been reading
White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan by Mick Ryan. White Sun War is a fictional portrayal of China invading the island of Taiwan, and the ensuing war between China, the United States, and its allies.

White Sun War offers ample opportunity to suspend your belief, and some scenes are predictable, but Ryan’s characters have dimension and the novel’s pace never drags. And like many successful horror stories, the fear–and the novel’s success–comes from its prescience and realism–that this war could occur, and unfold in a manner similar to Ryan’s portrayal.

Set close enough in the future to feel real, yet far enough to utilize extraordinary yet believable technology as a key plot theme, Ryan explores the strategy and tactics of such a war and how technology forces the military to change how they think about and conduct war.

I’m usually not one for military books, I’ve read one or two Clancy novels, but I enjoyed White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan.

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

PS Welcome back to school all those heading back. A quick reminder that we have space here for those looking for undisturbed after school study time, as well as crafts and activities for those who wish to unwind with something less academic.

8.24.2023 Reading in the Summertime

Hello, friends!

I’m briefly taking over for Matthew this week.

Of the many joys of summer as a kid, spreading out on my front lawn in the shade with a pile of books had to be one of the keenest. It was an activity my future self would look back on with envy, as high school and college brought assigned reading to be done over the summer months. While I grudgingly came to love a lot of the books I was asked to read, the idea of imposing a schedule on the late-summer weeks felt like a bit of an affront. Weren’t these supposed to be days of giddy freedom, devoid of anything as tyrannical as a schedule?

From a time of unbridled leisurely reading to obligatory books, summer has happily come back around to a season for indulging in the unfairly mislabeled “guilty pleasures.” Summer days at the beach, on the back deck, or using the rain as an excuse to not leave the house are perfect opportunities to pick up a book we might feel is a little goofy or self-indulgent. I greatly enjoy revisiting nostalgic favorites, be they pulpy comics or titles from my personal Best of Stephen King list. Diversifying your reading choices, even in a direction which seems frivolous, is a great way to refresh and reset your literary brain and rebel just a bit against the demands of a schedule.

We’ve been having a lot of fun in recommending what we’ve been reading on our social media every week- feel free to give us a follow and check out some picks! Skidompha is home to eclectic reads and readers; if you’re in the mood for something different, quirky, or just plain fun (we’ll avoid the use of “guilty” as a descriptor!), we’d love to steer you toward some fresh titles.

We hope you’re enjoying August, and as always, we look forward to seeing you at the library!
 

Be well,
Chloe Deblois
Development Director
Skidompha Public Library

8.17.2023 Hoopla

Hello friends,

August 9th, and another bee swarm. Can you believe it? We had all noticed how crowded the hive was recently, but were hoping we wouldn’t see a swarm so late in the season. 

I believe there’s a proverb that says, “swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly.” I can’t think of anything that rhymes with August right now, but I sense a swarm so late in the season is worth less than a fly. Especially with the crazy amount of rain we have been having. Fortunately, some kind beekeepers were able to stop by, grab the swarm, and re-hive them in a cozy hive already filled with drawn comb. Good luck, ladies! 

I mentioned Hoopla last week and I thought I would focus on it again this week, and remind people about this fabulous free service available through Skidompha. 

Hoopla, https://www.hoopladigital.com/, is a digital media streaming and lending service that is accessible to you for free with your Skidompha card (another perk!). There is a Hoopla app available for both iOS and android as well. Signup is pretty easy and straightforward. Hoopla grants you access to a library of hundreds of thousands of items in streaming digital video (movies and TV shows), music, audiobooks, Ebooks and comic formats. And we’re always here to help you if you have a problem signing up or with your account.

I confess I do love a physical book to hold in my hand, digital and audio books cannot be beat for travel or while going for a walk. You might find yourself getting caught up in a chapter and literally going the extra mile!
 

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

8.10.2023 Some Stats from the Library

Hello friends,

The end of our fiscal year offers a chance for us to look back at some of what we have accomplished over the prior twelve months, and puts into perspective just how busy Skidompha librarians are.

Looking back on some FY 2022 Skidompha stats:

  • We had over 28,000 library visits to the Library. 
  • We circulated roughly 71,000 items.
  • Our park and museum passes were checked out over 400 times. 
  • So many interlibrary loans; We loaned out over 6,000 items to other libraries, and our patrons borrowed over 11,000 items from other libraries. 
  • Our collection encompassed over 36,000 items, including books, DVDs, graphic novels, books on CD, museum and park passes, polaroid cameras, a telescope, ukuleles, wifi hotspots…
  • Our emailed newsletter reached over 3,400 subscribers each week.
  • Skidompha Summer Reading 2022 had nearly 1000 participants.
  • 470 Hoopla users borrowed 11,460 items from the downloadable digital media Hoopla service.
  • Our meeting rooms were used 774 times.

Not included in the above numbers are all the uses of our public computers and public Wifi, the reference questions our librarians fielded that year, the one-on-one technology support they freely provided, the book searches and holds they completed, or the smiles and kindness they offered.

And people say we just read books all day. 😉

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

8.3.2023 Skidompha Book Shop

Hello friends,

I am so proud to share that Yankee Magazine has recognized our very own Skidompha Book Shop as The Best Used Bookstore in the Best of New England section of the magazine’s May/June 2023 issue. 

Yankee wrote, “Step inside, and you’ll instantly sense the love and pride that have powered this volunteer effort for 55 years. Hand-built shelves gleam. Maps guide you to reasonably priced books for every interest. And all purchases… buoy the Skidompha Public Library. Look up from your browsing, and you’ll see the Damariscotta River meandering by…” I couldn’t agree more.

The Skidompha Book Shop offers so much. Used book prices, set on the shores of the beautiful Damariscotta River, plenty of comfy seats to sit and read and look out over the water, staffed by some of the kindest readers I know, it is easily the best. I am thrilled to see it and its lovely volunteers get their due recognition. I gently urge you to come down and visit the Book Shop when you get a chance.

The Skidompha Book Shop is located at 17 Backstreet Landing in downtown Damariscotta. All Book Shop staff members are volunteers, all sale items are donated, and all proceeds support the library’s programs and collections. 
 
The shop is open every day from 9 to 4. Donations are accepted during those hours.
 
For more information, please visit the book shop’s website at skidomphabookshop.org, or phone the shop during open hours at 563-7807.

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

7.27.2023 Reciprocal Borrowing

Hello friends,

 

I think I may have mentioned the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program before, but it was quite a while ago. So let’s do a refresher!

 

The Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program allows anyone with a valid library card from one of the participating libraries to visit any of the other participating libraries and check out materials in person. https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/reciprocal_borrowing/index.shtml Pretty convenient! 

 

So you probably have some questions. The Maine State Library’s website has a useful FAQs page https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/reciprocal_borrowing/patron_faqs.shtml that I can, in brief, reproduce here:

 

Can I “walk in” to any of the participating libraries and borrow any item I’d like? 
In most cases, yes. Think of this as similar to an in-person inter-library lending program where the lending library’s rules control.

 

Does my “home” library card need to be in good standing? 
Yes! Please make sure your local card is up-to-date, hasn’t expired, and has no fees or fines.

 

If I borrow an item from another library, where should I return it? 
Preferably, return the item to the library you borrowed it from or return it to your “home” local library. However, you can return the item to any of the participating libraries, should the need arise. The goal of this program is convenience and customer service! 

 

What if an item I borrow from a participating library gets lost or damaged? 
As is currently the practice with interlibrary lending, the borrower assumes the responsibility for the replacement costs of any lost or damaged materials.  

 

It appears as if there are different types of libraries that are participating? 
Yes, that’s correct! There are public libraries, college and university libraries, some school libraries, and health and specialty libraries. … You have access to all of them through this program. 

 

What if I encounter a problem with the reciprocal borrowing program? 
Talk to your local librarians about any issues and to share your thoughts! Receiving feedback about this program is very important, and we want to make improvements where we can. 

 

Please do not hesitate to check with one of our librarians if you have any further questions. I hope this great perk is helpful to you and you have an opportunity to try it.

 

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

7.20.2023 It’s Too Hot

Hello friends,

Just before writing this my phone lit up with texts from my brother and nephew describing just how hot this summer is for people. Per the Washington post, 

El Paso has logged a record 27 days in a row at or above 100 degrees. Phoenix is destined for a 15th consecutive day at or above 110, closing in on the record of 18 days. And Miami has tallied a record 33 days in a row with heat indexes — a measure of how hot it feels factoring in humidity — of at least 100. Nearly 115 million people in our country are under heat alerts–this figure is likely to grow over the weekend.1

Heat is affecting our waters as well. SST [sea surface temperatures] conditions in the Gulf of Maine for 2022 retain the region’s distinction as being one of the fastest-warming ocean regions on the planet; with the 2022 data showing that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 97% of the world’s ocean surface.2 And the Washington Post again, Florida’s coastal waters are experiencing,” … temperatures of 92 to 96 degrees in the Florida Keys, meteorologist and journalist Bob Henson said Sunday in a tweet.”3 

A less myopic take shows severe heat affecting much of Europe as well with the frighteningly named Cerberus Heat Wave.4 And the “China Energy Investment Corporation, one of the world’s largest generators of coal-fired power, says the volume of electricity it produced on Monday had hit a daily record.”5 Mongolia, Pakistan, India, and Canada are also cooking.

At Skidompha we are looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint. At this moment you may notice it is a little brighter in certain areas of the library as we change our lights over to LED bulbs. We are also reviewing a number of projects that would add efficiency and help reduce our usage of fossil fuels. These include solar panels, installing high-efficiency condenser units, retrofitting our current boiler to a high efficiency unit, and adding variable speed drives and humidity control to our air handling units. With luck, I hope to report further on this initiative in the future. 

In the meantime, we are lucky that at this moment we are not going through such weather, but please remember that Skidompha is a lovely place to be when the weather gets too hot or too cold. We are climate controlled here, and are happy to have you stay the whole day or as long as you like.

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

7.13.2023 Clue

Hello friends,

Last week I stopped off at Molly’s desk to ask a question and saw that she was shopping for 20-inch inflatable dice. Not something you usually expect a library to need, but then again, Skidompha is not your typical library. Molly, recognizing my mute confusion, replied “Clue”. It took me a moment but then I was able to put it together: “Oh yeah, Giant Clue!! 

On July 28th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm we will be hosting a game of Clue (yep, the board game) but life size! This program is open to all ages and I can guarantee there will be lots of fun and laughter. Embrace the spirit and come in costume as your favorite character: Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Ms. Scarlet, Dr. Orchid, or Mr. Boddy. You can also accessorize with one of our free tiny moustaches, or even one of our fancy bowler hats! Hint: in 2008, Hasbro modernized the characters’ backstory, and there is more than one way to dress as and interpret each character.

We’ll provide drinks and snacks, and I hope you come down and enjoy our fun!

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library

7.6.2023 Summer at Skidompha

Hello friends,

A short note this week. I do love the summer, not just because of the sun and warmth, but also because of how busy the library is, and for all the new and fascinating people I meet at Skidompha. We’re rockin’-and-rollin’ these days with lots of great, free Summer Read programming, a cool, air-conditioned building, and of course our great collection of books and lendable “things”, including museum passes, microscopes, binoculars, a ukuleles and a guitar, wifi hotspots and laptops, complete book clubs in a bag, and specially curated collections for children. 

With so many great things happening at Skidompha, I hope you stop by and say hello.

I hope you are taking some time for yourself and staying cool,

Be well,
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library