Community Conversation Event

Celebrating National Library Week at the South Berwick Public Library Every April, National Library Week gives communities a chance to pause and appreciate something many of us rely on every day…our local library! Here in South Berwick, that means celebrating the South Berwick Public Library: a place that has long been a cornerstone of our community, and one that is actively growing and evolving to serve us even better. Library Strategic Planning: A New Chapter Is Being Written & We Need Your Voice The library is in the midst of an exciting strategic planning process, imagining what its next chapter looks like. What programs do you want to see? What would make the library an even more essential part of your life? Your input matters and there are multiple ways to get involved:Library Survey: Take a few minutes to fill out the community survey and help shape the future of your library.  Attend a Community Conversation Event: Join us for one of our community conversations to help us understand what matters most to you and envision together what our community and our library can become.  Your perspective will help us create a plan that truly reflects our community's needs and dreams. Let's shape the future of South Berwick's library together!  Light refreshments will be served at our in-person conversation. In-Person Event: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the South Berwick Public Library Virtual Event: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Zoom)  To sign up for the virtual event, please go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tvdKx65JSXKYT5qmYJqkDA Author Talks, Right From Your Living Room Love books but can't always make it out? The library now offers Virtual Author Talks through Library Speakers Consortium, bringing conversations with authors directly to you with no commute required.  It's a wonderful way to connect with the literary world from wherever you are. Check out the calendar to see what's coming up and add a few to your calendar. The Little Seed Shelf Is Blooming! Spring is here, and so is one of the library's newest and most delightful offerings: the Little Seed Shelf. Part of the library's Community Seed Swap, this sweet little corner of the library is stocked with seeds (free for the taking) to help get South Berwick gardening in 2026. Right now you'll find tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, peas, lettuce, zinnias, marigolds, and more, with new seeds being added every day. The seeds have been generously donated by community members and by the Moose Mountain Seed Savers, who have provided supplies, guidance, and an abundance of growing spirit. A huge thank you to them for helping make this possible! Stop by, grab some seeds, and let's see what this community can grow. More Than Books: Services You Might Not Know About The South Berwick Public Library offers a remarkable range of services that go well beyond the shelves: Museum Passes — Thanks to a grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank, cardholders can borrow passes for discounted or free admission to some incredible regional destinations, including the Portland Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, the Seacoast Science Center, Historic New England properties, and more. A family outing to a museum has never been more affordable. Digital Books & Audio — Through the Maine Download Library (Cloud Library), you can borrow e-books and audiobooks anytime, right on your phone or tablet. The library also offers access to Comics Plus for graphic novel lovers. Ukuleles, Cake Pans & More — Yes, really! The library lends a collection of 40 themed cake pans, ukuleles, and even a birding backpack generously donated by the South Berwick Conservation Commission. The birding backpack has everything you need to get you started birding: binoculars, a field guide to birds, a backyard bird guide and a map to the Great Works Regional Land Trust.  There's truly something for everyone. Tech & Workspace — With public computers, Wi-Fi available both inside and on the grounds, and laptops for in-library use, the library provides reliable access to technology, along with printing and faxing services, to support the needs of the community. Meeting & Study Rooms — Need a quiet space to work or a room for a small group? The library has you covered. Exciting Events Coming Up: Birds of Prey, Book Clubs & More Birds of Prey with the Center for Wildlife Mark your calendars as the Center for Wildlife brings its live “Birds of Prey” event to the library on Wednesday, April 22 at 5:30 PM. This hour-long program will connect the audience with the beautiful ambassadors of their species as well as provide their natural and personal histories and empower audience members to help steward the environment that we all share. This is an all-ages event that does not require registration. Something for Everyone, Every Week Special events are just the beginning. The library hosts a wonderful lineup of regular programs that bring our community together week after week. Whether you're looking for something for your little ones or yourself, there's a place for you here: Pre-K Story Time and Littles Story Time — nurturing a love of reading from the very start Lego Club — imaginative building fun for kids Crafternoon — drop in, get creative, and connect with your neighbors Tea and Book Club — cozy conversation for book lovers Queer Collective Book Club — a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ readers and allies Check the full events calendar to see what's coming up and find the programs that are right for you and your family. Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale — Save the Dates! Book lovers, this one's for you. The Friends of the South Berwick Public Library are holding their Annual Book Sale from May 7, 2026 –May 10, 2026 with all books just $1.00 each. Thursday, May 7: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday, May 8: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, May 9: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Can't make it those days? Don't worry! The Buck-a-Bag Sale runs May 12–16, so you'll have even more chances to stock up. The Friends are also accepting book donations now through April 30 (books for all ages in good condition are welcome). Help your well-loved books find their next reader! Volunteering at the sale is a great opportunity and students can earn double community service hours for helping with setup on May 2nd and cleanup on May 16th.  Visit the Annual Book Sale Sign-Up to see all available volunteer dates. Get Involved: Volunteer & Support the Friends The library is powered not just by its dedicated staff, but by the generosity of community volunteers. Whether you'd like to volunteer at the library directly or get involved with the Friends of the South Berwick Public Library, there are so many meaningful ways to give back and help this treasured institution thrive. Learn more about volunteering, and other ways you can support the library here. Your Library Card Is a Key - Come See What it Unlocks If you don't have a library card yet, now is the perfect time to get one. It's free, it unlocks all of the above, and it connects you to a community that believes in the power of knowledge, creativity, and togetherness. Happy National Library Week, South Berwick! Visit the South Berwick Public Library this week to celebrate, say hello to our incredible team, and see everything your library has waiting for you at 27 Young Street — or explore online anytime at www.southberwickmaine.org/library.