Pittsfield Public Library

Adult Seminar Series: Come Help Found a Walking Club!
2024-06-12 11:00 - 12:30 UTC | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Join your librarians and other interested parties to help plan a community walking club. Pittsfield is full of beautiful places to walk – let’s get out and enjoy them! We’ll talk about timing and routes, as well as discuss appropriate footwear, clothing, and balance aids.

Adult Contemporary Board Game Night (18+)
2024-06-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come join a fun group of people to play contemporary (European style) board games! Adults 18+ only tonight. Recent games have included Sagrada, Wingspan, Sushi Go Party and Wingspan. Bring a game to share or come prepared to learn a new one!

An Evening with Maine Writer Tim O'Brien
2024-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The Ann B. McGowan Maine Writers Series and the Pittsfield Public Library are proud to present an evening presentation by Tim O’Brien, author of The Maine Roadshow, a “lavishly illustrated [book] with nearly 450 photos, all taken by the author, during a five-year, thousands-of-mile journey exploring and documenting all corners of the state.”
A captivating speaker, Tim will regale the audience with a photo tour of some of his favorite Maine places, especially those local to our area! Come enjoy an evening exploring some of the little known and fascinating facets of our state. Tim’s books will be available for sale and signing during the event.

In his own words, “Tim O’Brien has worked in the communications side of the entertainment industry chronicling the latest and greatest that theme parks, amusement parks and attractions, roadside attractions, circuses, carnivals and sideshows have to offer. An industry specialist and award winning photojournalist, Tim has had more than 5,000 articles and more than 3,000 photos published. He has visited more than 500 amusement parks and attractions in 29 countries and has ridden nearly 600 different roller coasters…
For 10 years, Tim served as the national corporate spokesperson for Ripley Entertainment Inc. and had the privilege of showing off the company’s 90-plus attractions throughout the world. During that time, he served as editor of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! cartoon, and was producer and co-host of the Ripley Radio weekly broadcast creating more than 200 episodes over a five year period. Today he proudly holds the emeritus title of “Ambassador of Odd” with Ripley’s Believe It or Not!…
​When not traveling, he splits his time between Nashville, Tennessee and Belgrade, Maine with his wife, Kathleen and their two cats, Simon and Garfunkel.”

Fix-a-Bike Bicycle Repair Class with Bicycle Coalition of ME
2024-06-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Are you ready to learn how to keep your bike in top condition? Register to take this free, two hour course sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Children 8+ are welcome with an adult. Bring your bicycle and a helmet! Spaces are limited, so send us an email to circulation@pittsfieldpubliclibrary.org to reserve your spot! Please include your name, a contact phone number, and the number of individuals registering in the body of the email.

LEGO Play Time with Mr. Wes
2024-06-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come check out the library’s LEGO collection and build a masterpiece!

Summer Reading Program Kickoff!
2024-06-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come sign up, pick up your reading logs and a schedule of events, and take home a free book! How many books do you plan on reading this summer? Our theme is “Read, Renew, Repeat,” and this summer’s events will celebrate conservation in all its forms!

Learn a Magic Trick with Mr. Wes!
2024-06-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Knowing a few magic tricks is a great way to break the ice or start a conversation! Come learn from our resident magician, Mr. Wes! All ages welcome.

LIBRARY CLOSED - Independence Day
2024-07-04 - 2024-07-05 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The library will be CLOSED on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day. The library will reopen at 10AM on Monday, July 8.
The library is closed on Saturdays in July and August. The library will reopen Saturdays on September 7.

Come Learn About Backyard Birds and Birdwatching from Maine Audubon
2024-07-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Please join us for an evening learning all about Maine’s backyard birds – how to identify them, attract them, and enjoy them! Audubon staff will cover visual and auditory identification of the birds that call Maine backyards home, as well as discuss how to make your yard a welcoming haven for our feathered friends. They’ll discuss feeders, landscaping and avoiding bird strikes, as well as answer any questions you may have. Families are welcome – this program is free and open to the public.

An Evening with Maine Writer and Photographer Arend Thibodeau
2024-07-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The Ann B. McGowan Maine Writers Series and the Pittsfield Public Library are proud to present an evening with local Maine writer and photographer Arend Thibodeau. Arend is the author and photographer of Residential Ruins: Stories of Abandonment in Rural Maine and Forgotten Industry and Institutions of Maine: Tales of Milkmen, Axe Murderers, and Ghost Trains. Both volumes explore hidden and forgotten corners of the state with stunning photography. Arend’s photography has been featured in numerous publications and gallery shows.
Arend will present a fascinating slide show of his photographic work, as well as discuss his books, copies of which will be available for sale or signing at the talk. Come prepared to see a hidden side of Maine few have been privileged to discover!

In his own words, “Arend resides in Harmony, Maine with his wife and has been a professional photographer since 1996. His award-winning photography has been featured in galleries as far away as Greece and he has been published in multiple genres ranging from wildlife to portraiture. As a writer, Arend has published poetry, non-fiction, and academic works. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Literature and he holds a membership in multiple honor societies, including Sigma Tau Delta, The International English Honor Society. When not working in the field, or writing, Arend enjoys teaching photography and playing bass with local rock bands.”

NARCAN Training
2024-07-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Narcan is an over the counter medicine intended to reverse an opioid overdose. The training will provide information on the basics of overdoses, how Narcan works, how to administer Narcan, and safety following overdose and Narcan administration. Following the training, participants will receive a free box of Narcan to take home. The training is open to all interested individuals. For more information, please call HealthySV at 487-6411

Library Family Fun Day!
2024-07-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come join us for outdoor fun and activities on the library grounds! Darling’s Ice Cream for a Cause will be here serving ice cream for donations to benefit the library, and KVCAP is bringing their popcorn machine. KVCAP, HealthySV and the Girl Scouts are bringing craft activities. We’ve got giant Yardzee, Sorry and Candyland, bubble wands, and more. Everybody is welcome. If the weather is lousy, we’ll still have a good time inside.

An Evening with Maine Writer Margaret Jones
2024-08-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The Ann B. McGowan Maine Writers Series and the Pittsfield Public Library are proud to present at evening with storyteller extraordinaire Margaret Jones. Margaret will be sharing stories from her book Walking Sacred Sites, and transporting “us to places she has visited, from her search for ancestral sites in Wales and Scotland to sacred sites in England, Ireland and Jordan. She walks the land, listens deeply and hears the story…With compelling detail, Margaret narrates a lesser- known history of these sacred places by touching stones, kneeling before holy wells and sensing the more invisible forces around her. She hears the whispers of the ancestors who once lived there and weaves magic into their deeper stories.”
Join us for an evening of traveling in Margaret’s footsteps as she walks sacred spaces around the world and shares what she has learned by listening deeply to their wisdom. Copies of her book will be available for sale and signing at the event.

In her own words, “Margaret Jones, M.Ed has a background in social work and education with a certificate in therapeutic storytelling. For over thirty years she worked in nonprofits as a counselor, public speaker and grant writer.
With funding from the State of Maine, she developed Storytelling with Heart, a curriculum for professionals to create and use stories in their work with clients and/or communities. She traveled nationally with her curriculum, developed a CD and published several articles on storytelling.
In 2003, she received an award from the National Storytelling Association for her contribution to the field of therapeutic storytelling…
At the age of nineteen, Margaret began her travels abroad in search of her Welsh grandmother’s birthplace. That journey ignited her desire to visit sacred sites and encouraged her to search for stories that lay in the landscape. She now leads small groups on guided tours to sacred sites and shares the stories of the region.
In her spare time, Margaret performs, writes travel essays, and continues her research on mythic stories.”

Telescope Star Party with Northern Stars Planetarium
2024-08-13 20:30 - 22:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
It’s a go for the Star Party! The weather is cooperating, so we’ll meet on the library front steps at 8:30 then walk down into Manson Park together and meet Northern Stars Planetarium there. Dress for cool weather and consider bug spray!
Join Northern Stars in using its telescopes to share the wonders of deep space! They have a 8” Celestron telescope that they will keep on interesting objects such as visible planets, galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. There will also be smaller telescopes for participants to try out. You will be instructed in their use and then allowed to try your hand at finding some interesting night sky wonders. What a great way to spend some time under the night sky!

An Evening with Maine Writer Monica Wood
2024-08-20 18:00 - 20:00 | ME
The Ann B. McGowan Maine Writers Series and the Pittsfield Public Library are proud to present an evening presentation by nationally known Maine author Monica Wood. She will share excerpts from her writing, talk about her writing process, and answer questions from the audience. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Monica Wood is a novelist, memoirist, and playwright, the recipient of the Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities in Maine, and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to the literary arts.

Her new novel, How to Read a Book, has already secured translation rights in five countries. Her new play, Saint Dad, debuted in October 2023 at Portland Stage. Her previous novel, The One-in-a-Million Boy, was translated into 20 languages in over 30 countries.

She is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a New England bestseller, Oprah magazine summer-reading pick, and winner of the May Sarton Memoir Award. Her other fiction, Any Bitter Thing, Ernie’s Ark, and My Only Story have also won awards and made bestseller lists. Her short stories have been widely anthologized and featured on Public Radio International. Her nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times, Literary Hub, Oprah Magazine, Down East, the San Francisco Chronicle, Martha Stewart Living, Parade, and many other publications.

Her play Papermaker, which broke attendance records for its debut at Portland Stage, has enjoyed many subsequent productions, and The Half-Light, which also broke attendance records, had its second production in October 2023 at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. She lives in Portland, Maine.

Create a Collage with Michael Albert!
2024-08-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Collage artist Michael Albert brings his popular collage program back to the library – if you missed him last time, be sure to sign up early for this event! Participants are limited to 40 so be sure to register and reserve your spot(s).

American Pop Artist Michael Albert is nationally known for making collage artworks from Cereal boxes & other printed cardboard consumer brand packages. His work has been described as a cross between Pop Art, Cubism & Recycling with a wide range of subjects he explores including many text-based works. He just calls it “Art”.

Albert’s Pop is often referred to as “Modern” since he’s been creating it for the past 25 years and still creates new works on a regular basis. Albert’s “Portrait of An American Classic”, Frosted Flakes Box Collage was his official beginning as a Modern Pop Artist back in 1996. He calls that collage, ’The Birth of Cerealism’! Since that breakthrough creation, he has created over 700 collages from Cereal boxes like this, and thousands more with different themes, all artworks using the same everyday materials.

He will be bringing his nationally renowned “Modern Pop Art Experience” Art programs to over 75 cities in 12 states this summer. He has been running this art enrichment program for nearly two decades & has brought it to over 1,000 libraries, museums, arts events & schools in 43 states so far – it will be 48 after this summer!

This summer he will be returning to Maine for a few special pop art programs including a return visit to the Pittsfield Public Library on Wednesday August 21st from 3-5pm.
The “Modern Pop Art Experience” includes an ARTIST APPEARANCE (Meet the Artist!), SHORT ARTIST TALK & PRESENTATION – where Mr. Albert Introduces himself, shows examples of his works and tells the group about the project they are about to do – a HANDS-ON COLLAGE WORKSHOP where the participants get to create their own collages using the same materials he uses to create his works of art, and the program finishes with a FREE POSTER GIVEAWAY & SIGNING – Mr. Albert brings about 21 different prints (which he has self-published in limited quantities) for the each participant to choose from as a special gift for coming to the event.

LIBRARY CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY
2024-09-02 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The Library will be closed Monday, September 2 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

LEGO Club with Mr. Wes
2024-09-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come play with the library’s LEGOs! All are welcome.

An Evening with Maine Writer Anne Britting Oleson
2024-09-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The Ann B. McGowan Maine Writers Series and the Pittsfield Public Library are proud to present at evening with local Newport author Anne Britting Oleson. Anne has written novels, poetry and much more. Her most recent works include the Aventurine Morrow thrillers, Aventurine on the Bailgate and Aventurine and the Reckoning. You can find most of her works here at the library.
Come listen to Anne share readings from her works, including the third title in her Aventurine series!
In her own words, “I read. I write. I listen and I usually sing along. I teach. I travel. I ride my bike. I hike. I climb mountains. I play trumpet reasonably well, piano less well, and ukulele the worst of all. I keep scorebooks at baseball games, softball games, basketball games, whatever. I dig weeds out of my garden. I fix my house. I cook. My kids find me amusing and annoying by turn, but they always know where to find me. I laugh a lot, because a lot of things are funny…

I’ve published poems, short stories, book reviews, essays and photographs, as well as two poetry chapbooks, The Church of Saint Materiana and The Beauty of It (which is all about the things I’m in love with–which is damned near everything). I’m a member of Simply Not Done, a women’s reading, writing and teaching collaborative. With them and by myself, I’ve done a bunch of public readings in New England and in New York City.”

Come build with LEGO Club!
2024-10-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Join Mr. Wes for LEGO Club! What can you make? You’re only limited by your imagination!

Library is CLOSED in Observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day
2024-10-14 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The library is closed today in observance of Indigenous People’s Day.
The library acknowledges that it was built on lands traditionally belonging to the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy).

Energy Healing Class with Melissa Sinclair
2024-10-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
This class will be an energy healing class with Melissa Sinclair of Purple Lotus Health and Healing. Participants will learn what energy healing is, how they can use their energy to heal themselves and family, and how to support themselves energetically to improve their lives. Melissa will do a guided meditation, talk about the importance of grounding yourself, and teach some ways of grounding.
Melissa is a Reiki Master Teacher who has been practicing Reiki for 4 years. Melissa lives in Clinton and Reiki has changed her life in such a positive way, she loves to share what she’s learned knowing the energy will find the right people! Please contact Melissa with any questions at 877-1091.
This class is free and open to the public. It is being held in the Warren Community Room.

Tech Tuesdays at the Library
2024-11-05 13:30 - 15:30 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Bring your tech problems to the library and let our National Digital Equity Center liaison help! Scarlett will work one on one with you to help you better understand the web, your device, or help you source internet or a computer for home use. She can also help get you started with digital literacy courses.

Scarlett will be here on the first Tuesday of every month. Come take advantage of her expertise!

The Connections Between the Fiddling Traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Appalachia
2024-11-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The traditional dance music of the Southern U.S. is inextricably linked with the music of Scotland and Ireland. Andrew Finn Magill was born in the Appalachian mountains into an Irish-American family that plays Irish music. Since his earliest memories, the fiddling traditions from both sides of the Atlantic have been ever present in his life and musical career.

In this interactive presentation, we will explore how the history of Scottish and Irish immigration has influenced the evolution of traditional Southern fiddling. Andrew will demonstrate various fiddle styles, bowing techniques and repertoires and the audience can ask questions. The performance is meant to be participatory and inspire larger conversations about immigration, identity, and Irish & Scottish music’s place in the larger tapestry of Southern culture.

North Carolina-native violinist/fiddler Andrew Finn Magill grew up studying traditional Irish music, oldtime, bluegrass and swing every summer with the best fiddlers in the world at the Swannanoa Gathering. He is a Fulbright Fellow, South Arts Emerging Traditional Artist, North Carolina Arts Council Fellow, All-Ireland fiddle finalist, and signed to Ropeadope Records.

He has been featured on MTV-U, PBS, and multiple times on NPR. His 2016 album, “Roots” debuted at number #46 on the folk DJ charts, and he has performed with artists including Rising Appalachia and Grammy nominees John Doyle and Trio Brasileiro. Fascinated by the connections between the fiddling traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and Appalachia, in 2016 Finn began giving a lecture series “The connections between the fiddling traditions of Ireland, Scotland and the U.S: An Immigration Story,” which he has given at museums and universities throughout the Southeastern U.S.

Says legendary Americana artist & Grammy-winner Tim O’Brien: “I’m gonna keep listening for Finn Magill.”

This event is free and open to the public.

Miss Cassidy's Craft Corner: Thanksgiving and Autumn Crafts
2024-11-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Join Miss Cassidy in making some great Thanksgiving and Autumn themed crafts! Fall into fun! Suitable for kids of all ages.

LEGO Club at the Library
2024-11-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come join Mr. Wes in exploring the library’s collection of LEGOs! What will you make? All ages welcome.

Tech Tuesday with Scarlett
2024-12-03 13:30 - 15:30 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come ask our Digital Equity expert Scarlett all your tech related questions – need help with your Android or iPad? The internet have you overwhelmed? Are you looking to add an inexpensive computer to your home? Scarlett can help with all of the above!

Identifying Online Frauds and Scams
2024-12-04 12:30 - 13:30 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Join us at the library for an online, interactive class on identifying frauds and scams. Internet fraud is increasingly common and sophisticated – make sure you know how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. And if you’ve already been scammed, learn about next steps to take as you recover. Registration is required – fill out the online form or let one of the librarians know you plan on coming!
Identifying Frauds & Scams

Friends of the Library Annual Christmas Open House
2024-12-12 14:00 - 17:00 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
Come join the Friends of the Pittsfield Library for their annual Christmas Open House. Local harpist Isleen Halvorsen will serenade the upper floor with Christmas music, while the kids can make crafts with Mr. Wes downstairs. Light refreshments including home baked cookies will be served, and good cheer will abound! We’ll be selling raffle tickets until the end of the event, and the winners will be drawn on Friday, December 13.

LIBRARY CLOSED for Christmas Holiday
2024-12-25 | Pittsfield Public Library, 110 Library St, Pittsfield, ME, 04967, United States
The library will be closed Wednesday, December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.
