2024 APL Annual Newsletter

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2024 Annual Newsletter

In May 2024 APL launched the first episodes of its two new podcasts, Ticket

to Everywhere, and Beyond Books with APL.

Haley Warden, APL’s Director of Development and Communications, has

taken the lead on implementing the new venture. “It was an idea several

staff members had been thinking about since the pandemic but we hadn’t

come together to execute on it. After our wonderful experience being

guests on Absolutely Auburn we realized it was time to make this happen.”

Each month, Ticket to Everywhere, co-hosted by Haley Warden and

Brandon Dyer, APL’s Children’s Librarian, highlights two children’s books

that have recently been added to the collection. While the conversation is

about children’s books these are geared towards parents, rather than

being made for kids.

Beyond Books with APL features an interview each month with a staff

member from different departments of the library. Host Haley Warden sits

down with staff to learn more about their background, relationship with the

library, and what services their department provides that customers may

not be aware of.

Episodes are available on APL’s website, Facebook page, Spotify,

Amazon Music, and iHeart Radio.

APL Joins The World of Podcasting

From the Board President

Michael Malloy

President

Lisa Cesare

Vice President

Pat Gautier

Secretary

Sharon Bergeron

Treasurer

Heidi McCurdy

Superintendent of

Schools Appointee

Rick Whiting

City of Auburn

Mayor's Appointee

Nicole Rancourt

Minot Selectboard's

Appointee

John Cleveland

Liza Dimitri

Christopher Foster

Ralph Harder

APL's Board

of Trustees

Books on the Board: What the APL Board is Reading

Services Librarian for many years, and has done a wonderful job stepping into her

new role. The Board of Trustees has been working closely with Donna and the staff to

update our policies, procedures, and programming. These are exciting times for the

team, and I am confident that our work will continue to strengthen our foundation

for many years to come.

I also want to thank the City of Auburn for their continued support. The City Council

has approved the Board of Trustees funding request this year for our operational

matters. Coming in at over 80% of our overall budget as a separate nonprofit

corporation, our relationship with the City remains a vital one. We are here to serve

the public of our community, and appreciate so much the support that the current

Mayor, Council, and City Manager have shown us. In particular, the bonding of major

capital updates such as upgrades to our boiler system, will allow us to keep

operations focused on the community resources we provide.

One of the reasons I am proud to serve the Library is the vital role that public

libraries play in maintaining a free society. Our democracy requires an active,

engaged, and educated citizenry if it is to endure. Whether you are a boardgame

player, a pizza lover, a newspaper reader, a parent to young children, the Auburn

Public Library has something for you. Talk to your library staff about all the exciting

programming they are leading. Enjoy some quiet time with a newspaper in our

beautiful reading room. Check out our new podcast when you are on the go. Check

out a tote bag full of books on your way to the beach - it’s free!

Whatever your summer adventures entail, I hope you will stop by frequently to

connect with your fellow citizens, and that you will be enlightened and enriched by

your encounters.

Thank you for your support of our organization, and I hope you have an engaging

summer.

Sincerely,

Michael Malloy

President

Dear Friends of The Auburn Public Library:

I hope that this newsletter finds you eager to dive into some

summer reading after a long winter and, if you are like me, a

lot of spring clean-up. The past several months

have been busy ones at our beloved library.

First and foremost, please join me in welcoming Donna

Wallace into the position of Library Director. Donna has

served the library capably as the Reference and Adult

Many of our programs for adults, teens, and children would not be possible without our community

partners. Partnerships with Lewiston-Auburn Senior College bring us a fall and spring speaker series and a

winter film festival; Healthy Androscoggin joins us several times a year for programs like “Cooking Healthy

on a Budget”; and for children and teens, we work with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, the Auburn

Lewiston YMCA, and the Community Little Theatre. Our community partners use the spaces here at APL as

a meeting place, whether it’s Safe Voices meeting in the Androscoggin Community Room or Literacy

Volunteers meeting their students in our private Study Rooms. We host monthly meetings for the Stanton

Bird Club; Lewiston Auburn Senior College and the Androscoggin Valley Education Collaborative hold

classes here, and a consultant from the Maine Career Center and Community Credit Union’s Financial &

Life Navigator have scheduled hours at the library each week. Staff members serve on committees and

boards, such as the Auburn PAL Center, Auburn’s Age-Friendly Community Committee, the Androscoggin

Prevention Council (through Community Concepts), and Auburn’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our wonderful partnership with the Greater Androscoggin

Humane Society, for whom we have fostered over 50 cats during the past four years! While we don’t have

the space to mention ALL the amazing organizations we partner with, the above certainly gives you an

idea of the importance of all of our community partners. So much of who we are and what we can offer is

-- in large part -- due to the amazing relationships we have formed with these organizations. We look

forward to continuing these partnerships and building new ones in the future!

With appreciation,

Donna Wallace

Library Director

Director's Note

To Our Newest Employees

Suzanne

Reference

Associate

Paula

Lending

Services

Associate

Stephanie

Technical Lending

Services/Collections

Michelle

Lending

Services

Associate

Jenna

Teen

Librarian

Janine

Lending

Services

Associate

As I think back on my 12 years at the Auburn Public Library in various

capacities, the Media Lab Coordinator, Teen/Collaboration Librarian, Adult

Services Manager, and now Library Director, one constant is the

partnerships the Library and its staff members have forged within the

community. As a key organization within Auburn, Minot, Lewiston, and

beyond, those connections are essential!

STAFF

READS!

Kim’s Pick

Jenna’s Pick

Leah’s Pick

Brandon’s Pick

Nancy’s Pick

Jae’s Pick

Trisha’s Pick

Haley’s Pick

Director's Pick

Heather’s Pick

Corinna’s Pick

Bethany’s Pick

APL

reading kickoff

SUMMER

Monday, June 24th - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Come to the Auburn Public Library for the start of our Summer Reading Program, "Adventure

Begins at Your Library!" While you're here, grab a copy of the kids, teens, or adult summer reading

challenge pamphlet.

You can also meet a princess or superhero and take photos with them, visit our community

partner organizations, and enjoy a frozen treat from the Top-It Mobile Ice Cream Cart.

July &

August

adult Programs

Read ME is a statewide summer reading program offered by the Maine Humanities

Council and Maine State Library that gets Maine’s adults all reading the same

books. Each year a well-known Maine author recommends two titles by lesser-

known Maine authors with libraries and their patrons participating in a summer of

reading and discussing the featured books. The 2024 featured books—

recommended by Jaed Coffin -- are "Moon in Full: A modern-day coming-of-age

story" by Marpheen Chann and "The Road to Dalton" by Shannon Bowring. The

Maine Humanities Council is a statewide non-profit that uses books, poetry, and big

ideas to bring people together to discuss issues of importance. MHC programs and

grants encourage critical thinking and conversations across social, economic, and

cultural boundaries.

Aug. 12

5:00

Adventures in

Nature: Foraging

for Edible

Mushrooms

Collecting and eating wild mushrooms is an intimidating prospect for the beginner.

There are so many different mushrooms and some of them are devilishly difficult to

tell apart. And some of them are poisonous, a few dangerously toxic. But there are

several common mushrooms that are great edibles, easily identified and without

toxic look-alikes. These foolproof mushrooms may provide you with all the

mushrooms you ever want!

Join mushrooming author and teacher Greg Marley for a talk devoted to some

common “foolproof” mushrooms found in the Northeastern US. This talk will be

especially valuable for someone who is just starting out or wants to learn

mushrooming.

Aug. 13

4:00

Adventures in

Nature: Edible

Flowers, From

Garden to Table

Although many of us consume flowers without recognizing it (think artichokes,

herbal teas, and broccoli), flowers have been used in food preparation throughout

history. We will learn the dos and don’ts of using flowers to keep our family and

friends safe and explore a dozen familiar garden flowers and how to use them in

our meals. Recipes and tips will be shared. This will be an opportunity to plan next

year’s garden with a focus on edible flowers.

July 16

4:00

The caring, compassionate individuals at Misfits Rehab take care of injured,

orphaned, and sick native wildlife with the intent of returning a healthy and

viable animal to its natural habitat where it can thrive. In this program, we

will be talking about what it is to be a rehabilitator, what animals we take in

-- as well as animals you may encounter in your neighborhood, and what

you can do to help wildlife in need in the best and safest way possible.

July 18

2:00 PM

Teen Programs

June 28

3:00 PM

This session of Let’s Make Comics marks the start of the Summer of Comics!

The goal? Spend the entire summer working on a comic. The guidelines? Work by

yourself, with a partner, or a group, and bring your own ideas to the drawing board. Be

ready to think creatively and work hard to bring your idea to life.

to commit? Stop by and see what it’s about today!

If you love video games or want to learn more about how they’re made, game artist

Kane Meinck will be joining us in the Teen Space to share with us the process of game

development and the ins-and-outs of game art. Stop in and take a step into the

incredible world of game design!

Kane is a character designer and game artist who works within the sci-fi and fantasy

genre. Their work is full of whimsy and humor; with bright colors, bubbly shapes, and

out-of-the-box combinations. They love the interactivity and immersion of video

games, which allows them to bring a whole new world to their art.

July 29

11:00 AM

August 14

3:00 PM

Boba tea is a great treat in the hot days of summer. APL Teen’s Take & Make kits will be

available in the Teen Space on July 29th. Stop by and grab your kit while supplies last!

Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, is a Taiwanese drink made with milk, tea, fruit,

water, sugar, and tapioca pearls, also known as "boba" or "pearls". The drink is shaken

and served in a see-through cup with a fat straw, with the tapioca balls sitting at the

bottom. Boba tea can be served hot or iced cold and comes in many flavors.

Whether you’re new to sewing or a

seasoned expert, our friends at

Wicked Illustrations will be stopping

by the Teen Space to teach us how to

make a pencil case. All materials will

be provided.

Wicked Illustrations Studio & Gallery is

located in the historic Downtown

Lewiston Art District at 140 Canal

Street. They offer classes, art parties,

art camps, and art supplies.

JULY 8

5:00 PM

August 1

4:30 PM

children’s Programs

The Poop Museum is the place to come for those who are curious and have

questions about poop, and also, if, like Susie Maguire, they LOVE poop, and

think it’s fascinating!

Susie is a poop expert who thinks poop is THE most interesting subject in the

world. She has studied poop for years and loves nothing more than sharing

her expansive knowledge of poop with the people of the world.

At The Poop Museum, everyone learns many fantastic, fabulous, and fun facts

about human, animal, and insect poop, many of which truly amaze and

surprise.

JULY 15

4:00 PM

Children in grades 2–6 are invited to participate in Kids

Can Cook with APL children's staff. This month, we will be

making pizza, hosted by Cibo Pizza! Kids will have the

chance to measure, mix, pour, cook, and enjoy eating

their own custom pizza. Please be advised that there are

limited supplies, so kindly register in advance.

Sparks' Ark Animal Services is different from the rest! Expertise in the care and

feeding of wild animals. Locally based, with over 30 years of reputation. Full

services, from animal removal to outreach programs.

People of all ages are welcome to join us for a live animal presentation with

Sparks' Ark. Sparks' Ark will be bringing their wildlife education program and an

assortment of live animals. No registration is required.

In the book, The Rag Doll Gift, Kimberly can’t wait

for her sixth birthday! On their sixth birthday, all

the cousins in her family receive a rag doll

homemade with love from Gran. Soon it would be

Kimberly’s turn!

Come listen to the book, read by author Karen

Richards Toothaker, then join the workshop and

make your very own rag doll.

All materials are supplied; however, if you have

some “rags’ with special meaning, bring them to

use for your doll. This program has been well

received and enjoyed by all ages!

AUG. 6

4:00 PM

2024 Summer Reading Challenge

Kids! Teens! adults!

Possibilities for adventure are endless

when you travel through a good book.

Join APL this summer for our Adventure

Begins at Your Library Reading

Challenge.

The Sumer Reading Challenge runs from

June 17th through August 30th.

Completed reading challenges must be

redeemed by September 13th.

Kids and teens go on a choose-your-

own-adventure journey with prizes for

completing each book with prizes for

completing prompt.

Adults, finish a category and receive a

raffle ticket to our Summer Swag

Giveaway, one ticket per category. Finish

all five categories and receive a

personalized bookmark.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

January - December 2023

Financial giving is a vital part of APL’s ability to offer free services to our community. Your

generous donations allowed APL to continue to offer our patrons innovative services. Thank you.

BUSINESSES

Agren Appliances

Amazon Smile Foundation

American Library Association

Androscoggin Bank

Auburn Art Club

Baxter Brewing Company

Brunswick Steel

Central Maine Conditioning Clinic

Center Street Auto Service, Inc.

Community Credit Union

Cornerstone Wealth Planning

Craft Brew Underground

Dead River Company

DeBlois Electric, Inc.

Dionne Law, P.A.

Dirigo Federal Credit Union

Downeast Food Distributors, Inc..

ElleAnna Gift Shop

Emerson Toyota

Five County Credit Union

Flagship Cinemas

Forage Market

Fox Ridge Golf Club, LLC

George's Pizza

Goin’ Postal

Grant's Bakery

Gritty McDuff’s

Hannaford Charitable Foundation

Hilton Garden Inn

Ingersoll Arena Turf Facility

JM Dulac Contracting, LLC

John Marchesseault LLC

Kay Jewelers

KP's Place

L/A Arts

Lamey Wellehan

Lost Valley Brewing

Mac's Grill

Maine Community Bank

Maple Way Dental Care

Moonstone Pottery

Mount Auburn Dental

Murphy Industries, LLC

Norway Savings Bank

Pat’s Pizza of Auburn

PayPal Charitable Giving Fund

Pinette Dillingham and Lynch

Platz Associates

Play It Again Sports

Pow'r Point Generator Power Systems

Republic Jewelry & Coin Company

Rise Private Wealth Management

Rolly’s Diner

Roopers, Inc.

Shaws

She Doesn't Like Guthrie's

Side by Each Brewing Co.

Slattery Farm & Maple Syrup Co

Stanton Bird Club

Staples Connect

Tabers, Inc.

The Camden Conference, Inc

The Vault

Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers

Wei-Li Restaurant

INDIVIDUALS

Dorothy R. Aalto

Judith Abromson

Marcia Akers

James Alden

Donna Alexander

Kat Alexander

Lori Aliberti

Liz Allen

Jamie Allie

Linda Andrews

Jennifer Arel

Valerie Austin

Shirley Babb

Rhonda Baillargeon

Kim Banning

Cathy and Bruce Beaulieu

Constance and Raymond Bedette

Richard Belaire

Sharon Benoit

Claudeen Bergeron

Dolores Bergeron

Sharon P. Bergeron

Jackie Bernier

Cathryn Bickmore

Michael Bigos and Rachel Lowe

Cody Blanchard

Jerry Blanchard

Michael Blanchard

Morgan Blanchard

Kelsey Bogart

Doris and John Bonneau

Dorothy A. Bowyer

Mary Brennan

Claire Breton and Roland Metayer

Susan Brickson

Kathy Brooks

Amanda Burgess

Tina Burlock

Richard Byard and Luci Merin

Lisa Cesare

Mary Chaffee

Lisa Clark

Ned and Marian Claxton

Debora and John Cleveland

Marjorie Clifford

Linda Cook

Susan Cooper and Fred Gleeson

Kathleen and Ed Cormier

Jane Costlow and David Das

Tim Cowan

Majorie Creaser

Savannah Creasy

Stephanie Creasy

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