7928-R5_NewGloucester_2020-2021_AnnualReport_Web

• Baker & Taylor leasing service has ensured that we have access to new & popular titles very quickly. This has been a popular service and the library will be able to keep one out of every five books for our collection. The library has many regular activities each year and have expanded offerings this year. These include, twice weekly story hours, special story hours in collaboration with the Rec Dept. After School Program, one adult book group, one young adult book group. The summer reading program had record numbers of participation and weekly prizes for meeting reading goals. Thursdays brought a summer Crafty Kids activity, and Tuesdays had reading with Mocha the therapy dog. The library continues to offer many different types of materials to borrow. In addition to the books, the library has audiobooks, videos, DVDs, and cake pans. The library is also a member of the Maine CloudLibrary, which allows our patrons to download Audio and E- Books at no cost. This service gives our patrons access to over 9,500 additional titles. If you cannot find something you are looking for on our shelves, staff can often obtain it through the Inter-Library Loan program. The Library’s social media presence has been enhanced with an updated website: www.newgloucesterlibrary.org, including regular updates of events and photos; a Facebook page: The Town of New Gloucester Public Library; and town website www.newgloucester.com updates. The library partnered with the recreation department this past year to administer the kayaks and canoes program, as well as purchase a community pass to the Maine Wildlife Park. These benefits allow patrons to “check out” kayaks and canoes at the fairgrounds and explore the Royal River, and to learn more about Maine’s native wildlife in the park’s splendid setting in neighboring Gray. This continued partnership brings our patrons into the outdoors and has also brought in new patrons. The library also offered passes to Outlet Beach at Sabbathday Lake, the new Children’s Museum and all of the Maine State Parks. All passes may be reserved in advance; some passes provide free access, while others are provided at a reduced fee. Book donations were put on hold this year secondary to storage and the inability of the book sales to take place. Financial gifts to the library have allowed us to incorporate some of improvements and changes listed above.

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