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Director Updates:
May 2026
The Library Lookout
Official Newsletter of the Skowhegan Free Public Library
Upcoming Events:
April is a month dedicated to celebrating libraries, and we had a busy one doing what we do best—serving our community and sharing library joy. From Cabin Fever Crafts, to Fly Tying with Skowhegan Outdoors, to Storytime to a Spaghetti themed Book Club to an absolutely incredible Literary Costume Contest, the month was filled with opportunities for connection, creativity, and learning.
During National Library Week (April 20–25), we gave out some library swag (congratulations to Sandy Small for winning a library mug and Patty Van Horne for winning a library sweatshirt!). We also offered a special, limited-time opportunity to help remove barriers to library access. Any Maine resident who could provide proof of a permanent address was eligible to receive a FREE library card. The response was incredible—we welcomed 26 new members from communities across the state in just four days. We believe everyone should have a library card, as it opens the door to a world of opportunity.
In addition to borrowing books and materials, library cards also provide
access to a variety of local attractions. Cardholders can check out passes to Lake George Regional Park, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine State Aquarium, Portland Museum of Art, Maine State Parks, Children’s Discovery Museum of Central Maine, and the Maine Maritime Museum. Each destination has its own guidelines, so we encourage you to visit our website or contact us for more information.
We hope you will take advantage of this valuable benefit and explore all that your library card has to offer this summer.
Recurring:
Every Wednesday- Storytime @ 10:30AM
Every Friday- Sit & Knit @ 1 - 3PM
5/4 - Mindful May- Intuitive scribbles/ Reverse Coloring @ 3PM
5/5- Rock Painting w/ Skowhegan Outdoors @ 4PM
5/6 - BooOOooks in the Basement @ 6:15PM
5/11 - Mindful May- Affirmation Rocks/ Sensory Bottles @ 3PM
5/14 - Cardboard Dinos @ 3PM
5/15 -Bake Sale & PLant Swap @ 10AM
5/21 - Books & Brews at Flat Iron Joe’s @ 4PM
5/26 - Cardboard Dinos @ 3PM
5/28 - LEGO Club @ 3:30PM
6/1 - Cardboard Dinos @ 3PM
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Click the link for our May and June calendars of events here.
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Closures:
5/18-5/20- Staff attending MLA confernce
5/25- Memorial Day
4/20- All day, in observance of Patriots' Day
Our beautiful new sign courtesy of York Signs
Our BooOOooks in the Basement book club having a spaghetti themed book club. It was a scary good time!
Library Updates
Library Updates
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News from Emily Ecker, Youth Services Librarian
The World Book Day costume contest was SO much fun! Between the staff and the contestants, we had representation from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Magic School Bus, Mother Bruce, Pokémon, Dog Man, Click Clack Moo, Unicorn Academy, Tangled, and Spongebob! Everyone worked hard to get their costumes just right, which both impressed and stressed our judges in determining the winners. In the end, they awarded Wren (as Duck) and Harvee (as Misty) each with a $25 gift card to Oliver & Friends Bookshop! LEGO Club also had a book theme, as our builders brought one of their favorite book characters to life.
In May, we're getting into Summer Reading prep (I know). I had likely an over-ambitious idea to make a GIANT cardboard dinosaur to display in the library all summer to go along with the theme, and because our patrons and our friends at IT4ME are AMAZING, we were able to purchase TWO ChompSaws to bring my crazy vision to life! We'll have three sessions (May 14th, May 26th, and June 1st) to collaboratively construct a pteranodon model using our new cardboard cutting tools. All three sessions will be from 3-5pm. Space and tools are limited, so please call to sign up! May's LEGO Club date is the 28th from 3:30-4:30pm.
News from Bree Bussell-Fitzgerald, Adult Services
Books & Brews is breaking for summer! There won't be any sessions in June, July or August but we will meet back up in September! I've had a blast chatting with everyone about all the books we've read so far. I have some cool ideas for this fall so I hope to see everyone at Joe's!
We had a blast promoting the Summer Reading Program at Skowpendous! We had three pesky dinosaurs show up and Miss Angie was the handler who had to keep everyone on their best behavior. We hope to see some of the friends we met at Skowpendous at the fun programs we have going on this summer!
News from Nikki Hathaway, Tech Services Librarian
In May we’re practicing mindfulness with our Mindful May series. On our two open Mondays in May, we’ll be featuring crafts that help you be present in the current moment. We’ll be making affirmation rocks, sensory bottles, intuitive scribbling and reverse coloring. We hope you can join us for a few or all of these sessions!
For our June BooOOooks in the Basement, we’ll be discussing ‘Sleepers’ by Lorenzo Carcaterra.
Fundraising Updates
Spring has sprung and so have new fundraising opportunties at the library!
We’re thankful for Bigelow Brewing for hosting a raffle event to benefit the library on 5/9. They’ll have live music featuring ‘The Fossils’ from 5pm- 9pm and great food as usual. Come dance, enjoy some delicious pizza and music while supporting a great cause!
Our bookish candles will be back in May as well, keep an eye out for them in the library or the Friends of the Library shop!
We’re hosting a plant swap and bake sale on Friday May 15th from 10AM-3PM or until we run out! We’re still looking for bakers. If you’re interested in donating baked goods, please reach out to the library Facebook or give us a call and let us know what you’re able to bring!
Lastly, it’s spring cleaning time! As you’re picking up your yard we would like to remind you of our partnership with Skowhegan Redemption Center! If you bring your returnables there, you can let them know you’d like to donate them to the library!
Staff Book Picks for May 2026
Angie-
The River is Waiting
by Wally Lamb
Nikki-
The Thirty Names for Night
by Zeyn Joukhadar
Emily-
Scarlet Morning Book 1
by N.D. Stevenson
Bree-
American Rambler
by Isaac Fitzgerald
Our mission
At the Skowhegan Free Public Library, our mission is to foster a community where the freedom to read and access information is paramount. We are dedicated to providing a well-rounded and diverse collection of resources that cater to the educational, recreational, and cultural needs of all our patrons. Our library serves as a welcoming space for every community member, promoting inclusivity and accessibility. We are committed to sustainable practices, ensuring that our operations and services contribute positively to the environment and the well-being of future generations. Together, we empower minds, inspire lifelong learning, and build a brighter, more informed world.
The Library Lookout
9 Elm Street
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Library Staff
Director: Angie Herrick
Adult Circ: Breanna Bussell-Fitzgerald
Youth Services: Emily Ecker
Technology Librarian: Nikki Hathaway
Volunteer: Janet Mayhew
President: Lynda Quinn
Devin MacMichael
Debra Sterling
Lynn Perry
Maureen Provencal
Noella DesPres
Robert Washburn
Kristina Canon
Patricia Horine
Bloomfield Academy Trustees