One of our greatest challenges during the Library closure is helping people connect with books. Many readers are shelf-browsers who want to scan covers, browse book flaps, and even read a few pages to find the right book. But fear not, here are some tools that you can use from the comfort of your own home to discover fresh ideas about what to read, listen to, and watch next.
BookMatch Bundles
Try our personalized book selection service for all ages! Simply answer a few questions about your reading preferences to get started.
“New Titles” Shelves
These digital displays are refreshed at the end of every month, allowing you to browse the latest new titles added to our Adult, Young Adult, and Children’s shelves from home.
Staff Picks
Browse the archive of our weekly Staff Picks.
BookPage
For reviews and recommendations about new releases, grab a print copy of the monthly magazine BookPage from our curbside kiosk or read a digital copy of this month’s issue from home. You can also sign up for BookPage’s newsletters about your favorite genres and have recommendations delivered right to your email inbox.
Staff Favorites 2020: For links to all our favorite titles of the year!
Do you have your own recommendation for a great read that Patten doesn’t already own? We’re all ears!
Suggest a purchase with this form</strong.
Since last March, the Library has been purchasing much more digital content to provide our patrons with at-home options for book browsing, video streaming, reading, and listening.
Here are some options in our eLibrary:
Click here to learn more and get started.
Just because we are not able to accommodate patrons in the building at this time, we still plan to continue much of our regular programming virtually or through our curbside pick-up service. Subscribe to our weekly eNews or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get the particulars on any of these regular offerings. And don’t forget to check our events calendar on the Library home page for additional programs, classes, and pop-up events.
The Sagadahoc History and Genealogy Room has several ongoing programs for your enjoyment, plus an incredible archive of past program recordings. These include the annual Town History Series, History Room Live, and “How’s Your Week Going?”: The Covid-19 Story Archive. Click here for additional information and links to the archives.
Online Reading Challenges through Beanstack. We offer online reading programs for all ages. And you can always use the “Stack Em Up” challenge to record and/or review all the books you read. For more information and to register for an account, click here.
“Grab and Go” Craft Kits for Adults. Our craft expert, Amanda, will prepare these kits once a month, and they will be available through the curbside table while supplies last. Subscribe to our eNews or follow us on social media to get the advance details.
Monthly Trivia Nights. We had a great inaugural trivia night for adults in November. Beginning in January, we’re planning a monthly virtual trivia night, usually on Fridays.
Teen Trivia Nights.The Teen Library Council has been offering Teen Trivia nights once a month through the fall. Fun, informal, and entertaining.
Amanda’s “Grab and Go” Craft Bags. These weekly craft kits are typically for children in the four- to eight-year old age range. Occasionally, the craft bags will be geared towards middle-schoolers. They are available while supplies last via the curbside pick-up table; the table is stocked by 2 p.m. on Friday afternoons. Follow us on Facebook for descriptions and pictures of each upcoming craft.
Sarah’s STEM Activity Bags. These kits are also geared for elementary-aged children, with some activities appropriate for middle school as well. They are also available while supplies last via the curbside pick-up table, but these bags generally are available starting on Monday afternoons at 2 p.m. The weekly eNews will have a description of the kits just before they become available.
On-Line Book Challenges Through Beanstack. We offer a number of online reading programs for children, including:
For more information, or to register for a Beanstack account, click here.
Library PenPal Club. We’d love to hear from you! Write a letter to the Library, and we’ll write one back! Staff will be wearing proper protective gear while handling mail. Don’t forget to include a return address! Send your letter c/o Library PenPal, Patten Free Library, 33 Summer Street, Bath, ME 04530.
Dial-A-Story. Call our number and listen to Ms. Katy read a story! Dial 443-5141, ext. 17.
There’s a lot you can do with your library card from the comfort of your home. The list below tells you all you need to know about using the library’s digital resources, how to contact us, and provides recommended links for your education, entertainment, or amusement.
Essentials
Need WiFi? You can access ours from your car in our parking lot, or from the Library’s back terrace.
Worried about overdue books? Don’t be! Our book drops are open 24/7, and we are accepting materials from other libraries. All returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours.
Need a library card? If you live in our service area, click here and fill out a request form. We will mail you a card.
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Who to Contact
General inquiries? Email Lesley Dolinger at pflweb@patten.lib.me.us.
Questions about your account? Email circ@patten.lib.me.us.
General reference questions? Email pflreference@patten.lib.me.us.
Ideas and resources to support distance learning for your Pre-K through 5 children? Email Katy Dodge at kdodge@patten.lib.me.us. She’s compiled a huge list of links and on-line resources. Click here to access her recommendations.
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Links and Resources
Every day, people of all ages and backgrounds turn to the Patten Free Library to find jobs or go online, to get help with homework or complex research projects, to start on a business plan, connect with their kids or simply find a space to relax. For every person who visits our library, there is a story. We want to collect and share those stories. Is the library important to you? Do you have a story to tell? Share it here.
Thanks to the support of the City of Bath, Patten Free Library is open on Mondays from 12pm to 8pm. Now every week you have more opportunities to take advantage of all we have to offer.
In May, the Teen Library Council partnered with the Brunswick-based organization Manomet to launch an environmental poster contest centered on the theme “Earth Day, Everyday.” RSU 1 students in grades seven through twelve were given the opportunity to create and submit posters with a message focusing on practices and innovations that promote sustainability. Manomet awarded cash prizes for the winning entries, which were announced in June on the last day of school.
From over thirty entries, judges at Manomet recognized the following posters and artists:
Finalists (Grades 7-9)
1st place: Isabel Strelneck, Bath (“Skip the Turnpike, Take Your Bike”)
2nd place: Iris Hennin, Woolwich (“Stop Food Waste”)
3rd place (tie): Delaney Pascuzzo, West Bath (“Buy Local”)
3rd place (tie): Nola Vallade and Zoe Brush, Georgetown (“Join the Fight Against Plastic Waste”)
4th place: Emily Tetzlaff, Bath (“Earth Day Everyday”)
Finalists (Grades 10-12)
1st place: Emily Adams, Bath (“Protect Your Skin”)
Honorable mention for content and message:
Kerlin De Jesus, Bath
Miranda Burpee, Phippsburg
Aiden Shields, Bath
Honorable mention for artistic quality:
Wren Tetreault, Bath
Audrey Crews, West Bath
Isabel Strelneck, Bath
To see images of the finalists’ posters, click here.
On Saturday, January 25, the Teen Library Council is sponsoring a night of library laser tag. This is your chance to shake off the post holiday blues! Up to 20 people can play during each 20-minute slot, between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. The cost is $6 per person, or $10 for two people.
The event is open to students in grades six through twelve, faculty and staff members of R.S.U. 1 schools, and MHS alums (up to age 20) who live in the library service area.
On-line sign up will open on Friday, January 10. Sign up alone or in groups.
