Pittsfield Public Library

Mysteries in the Morning
2021-03-31 09:00 - 10:00 UTC
An online mystery book discussion through Zoom. We have a wonderful time discussing the whys and wheres and whodunnits of novels each month. If you’d like the library to order a copy for you, please let us know.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society--Conversations about Community through Literature
2021-03-18 19:00 - 20:00
Our year-long book group continues with “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Join us for a lively discussion on how to make our community a better place. To register, click here.

Intro to the Museum of Bad Art
2021-03-03 19:00 - 20:00
Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director, Louise Reilly Sacco of The Museum of Bad Art, presents MOBA 101.
The world’s leading cultural institution dedicated to art in which something has gone wrong describes how and why it was established. MOBA presents pieces from their collection, each with an insightful, pithy, and often humorous commentary.
The Museum Of Bad Art collects, exhibits, and celebrates art that will be seen in no other venue. Since 1993, they have collected art from thrift stores, yard sales, sidewalk trash, and even the artists who create it. They analyze, compare to classic art, and share with thousands of fans around the world.
To register, click here.

Mysteries in the Morning
2021-02-24 09:00 - 10:00
An online mystery book discussion through Zoom. We have a wonderful time discussing the whys and wheres and whodunnits of novels each month. If you’d like the library to order a copy for you, please let us know. In February we’ll be exploring “Confessions on the 7:45″ by Lisa Unger. “Everyone has a secret… Now she knows yours.”

Imagine a Wolf!
2021-02-19 10:30 - 11:00
Not only do we have local author and illustrator, Lucky Platt, chatting with us, but we’ll also be joined by visitors from a wolf refuge in Fryeburg!
Nine-year-old Calden will take us through the refuge and explain the lives of these animals that don’t seem to belong anywhere.
Please join us for this very exciting event where you’ll be able to ask questions about the book or about these amazing wolves.

You're Not Listening--Conversing About Community through Literature
2021-02-18 19:00 - 20:00
Our year-long book group continues with “You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why it Matters” by Kate Murphy. Join us for a lively discussion on how to make our community a better place. To register, click here.

Mysteries in the Morning
2021-01-27 09:00 - 10:00
An online mystery book discussion through Zoom. This month we’re exploring “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton.

Conversing about Community through Literature
2021-01-21 19:00 - 20:00
Our January book discussion will be “Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows” by Balli Kaur Jaswal. This is a “thought-proving East-meets-West story about community, friendship and women’s lives at all ages.” To order your copy for our Zoom discussion, call the library at 487-5880 or email at bat@pittsfield.lib.me.us.

Involuntary Americans: Scottish Prisoners in early Colonial Maine
2020-11-19 19:00 - 20:00
Not all of Maine’s earliest Europeans came voluntarily.
Carol Gardner will deliver a talk (via Zoom) entitled “Involuntary Americans: Scottish Prisoners in Early Colonial Maine” discussing the more than 400 prisoners of war who were brought here to New England against their wills in 1650-51.
Dr. Gardner is the author a recently published narrative history, “The Involuntary American: A Scottish Prisoner’s Journey to the New World.”
Click here for the program: https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86578764603

African American Soldiers in World War II
2020-11-18 18:00 - 19:00
As part of the Persis Smith Community Read’s discussion of “Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from WWII to Peace” by Ashley Bryan, Dr. Leroy Rowe from the University of Southern Maine, will be discussing African Americans during WWII and the segregated army.

Make Funny Faces with Russ Cox!
2020-11-13 19:00 - 19:30
Join us via Zoom as illustrator Russ Cox reads “The Boy Whose Face Froze Like That” by Lynn Plourde and illustrated by himself. We’re hoping to have a good crowd so we can have a screen full of funny faces!
Here’s the link to join the fun: https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/82226261955

Boast, Roast & Toast!
2020-10-05 19:00 - 20:00
Ready to talk about your latest favorite book and learn more about the foods and services in our local area? Come to Boast, Roast & Toast! (via Zoom)
Our first event will feature Heather from The Little Cheese Shop and Balfour Farm. She’ll talk a bit about the shop and their products. She has also been generous enough to donate a $25 gift card to The Little Cheese Shop for one of our participants!
Email the library for the Zoom link and we’ll see you soon!

Maine at 200: What Should Life Be?
2020-08-20 16:00 - 17:30, 2020-07-30 16:00 - 17:30
Join Pittsfield Public Library, along with writer and retired professor Elizabeth Cooke, for three rich discussions grounded in readings that foreground the opportunities and challenges of life in Maine. What better time than now – the summer of Maine’s bicentennial year – to grapple with big questions, like who are we? where are we? how did we get here? and where might we be going?
Themes we’ll explore include Many Maines, Wabanaki Voices, and Race & Ethnicity. Readings will invite participants to discuss and reflect on key issues and important but lesser known chapters in the history of Maine, addressing issues of power, inequality, childhood and aging, health and resilience, home, work, and loss.
All of the readings and videos are downloadable and the discussions will be via Zoom. Please contact the library for more information on how to access the readings and join the discussions.
This program is part of the Maine Humanities Council‘s Discussion Project, a flexible opportunity for Maine communities to host text-based discussions that meet their own needs, whether working independently or as part of an organization.

Death & Donuts
2020-08-14 10:30 - 11:30
What are advance health directives? Who needs one? How do you get one? Why is it important? Is a living will different?
Jena Jones from Northern Light Health Care & Hospice will be here via Zoom to answer your questions!
Contact the library for the Zoom link.

Cats, Coffee & Conversation
2020-05-06 09:00 - 10:30, 2020-04-29 09:00 - 10:30
Want to hang out and talk about your favorite book? Or maybe you just want to relax with a cup of coffee with a cat on your lap but still be social and “see” people? Then come chat with us on Wednesday mornings via Zoom! Just message us or email bat@pittsfield.lib.me.us for the link.
(All are welcome, even those without cats.)

PPL's Monthly Book Discussion--Poetry Edition!
2020-04-09 16:00 - 17:00
This month we were supposed to read Wes McNair’s “My Brother Running”, but since we needed to close the library before the books arrived, then I encourage you to find a poem or poet or book of poetry and we’ll talk about all of those. Or check out some of Wes’ work here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wesley-mcnair
If you’d like to “attend” our Zoom poetry discussion, please email me at hollywil@pittsfield.lib.me.us to get the link. Happy reading!

Double the Fun Book Celebration!
2020-03-21 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of fun as Maine author Lynn Plourde reads from her new books followed by Russ Cox and Mark Ricketts doing a drawing demo. And there might be cake!
Books will also be available for sale and autographing.

St. Patrick's Day Concert
2020-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
Bilodeau Family Music presents a St. Patrick’s Day concert chock full of foot-tapping traditional Celtic jigs and reels, as well as classic beautiful slow airs, all played on fiddles, dulcimer, mandolin, Scottish smallpipes, and other instruments. You’ll not only enjoy the music, but you’ll also learn the fascinating story of Patrick and his adventures in the land o’ the Irish!

Family Movie Showing
2020-02-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-02-18 12:00 - 16:30
We’ll be showing movies during February vacation! Films like Addams Family, The Incredibles 2, Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse.
Let us know if you have any specific requests and we’ll check our movie license to see if we can show them. Popcorn will be provided!

Death & Donuts
2020-02-07 10:30 - 11:30
Dr. Bill Johnson, a University and Seminary professor as well as local pastor, is back with Part 2 of his talk on death from the perspectives of philosophy, ethics, and theology.

Magic the Gathering Club
2020-02-05 15:30 - 17:00
The library is starting a Magic the Gathering Club! This is for newcomers and veteran players alike. The first 20 attendees will get a free deck. You can play 1 on 1, 1 on 2, 2 vs 2 or however you’d like.
Snacks will always be provided.
Call the library at 487-5880 for more information.
