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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Turn and face the change with Thompson Free Library January 27, 2026 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library Change wears many faces. I’m reminded of the Buddhism class I took back in college where we learned about impermanence being one of the universal truths—that everything is in a constant state of flux, arising and ceasing (thinking of you, Eastern Gazette). At the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft we’ve let go of our familiar library system and jumped into a new, fully-featured platform called Koha, which at first sounded to me like some sort of Klingon battle cry. Thankfully we are adjusting and becoming more familiar with it—hands-on is the best way to learn. TFL director Jon Knepp is working out the bugs and believes the switch will be well worth it, “We hope the new Koha system is more reliable, flexible, and easier for our staff and patrons and we look forward to big things, like integrating with MaineCat, the statewide library catalog, in the near future.” A really cool feature is automatic renewals as Jon explains, “Now, as long as no one else is waiting for an item, it will be automatically renewed on its due date. We hope this relieves some stress for you and some headaches for us! YouContinue Reading A Nourishing November at Thompson Free Library October 28, 2025 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library As November drops, you may ask yourself “Well, how did I get here?” Incredulous that once again we’re rushing around prepping for winter—with the holidays anxiously waiting in the wings. This month at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft we focus on ways to feed your mind, body, and soul. Many of us don’t give eating breakfast a second thought, it’s just a routine way to start the day and fuel ourselves. For lots of individuals and families, though, food insecurity is a big problem, but there’s an easy way to help: TFL’s Cereal Drive. Drop off new, unopened boxes of cereal at the library through November 25. All cereal we collect will go to Piscataquis Regional Food Center to be distributed locally & in surrounding communities. Kids with special needs and their caregivers can find nurturing support and connection with the Sensory Play Group on Tuesday, November 4 at 5:30 p.m. downstairs at the library. (Geared towards kids with disabilities or who are neurodiverse, but all are welcome.) TFL’s Michelle Fagan is coordinating a Read & Feed vegetable distribution on Friday, November 7 starting at 9 a.m. “People can stop in the libraryContinue Reading Read Our October Newsletter Now! October 14, 2025 - Our October newsletter is out now! Click Here or on the image below to read it. Continue Reading Swing into Autumn with Thompson Free Library September 23, 2025 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library October swings back and forth like a pendulum. Underneath the vibrant landscape, a sense of urgency. Preparing for what’s to come while soaking up the moment. Foliage peaks as the air chills. Make the most of this seasonal shift with the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Award-winning poet Claire Hersom visits TFL on Thursday, October 2 at 6 p.m. to discuss her debut novel Smithville Junction. Claire, a native Mainer, sets her book in small town Maine in the 1940s. It tells the story of a man who gave away his five-day-old baby, causing an uproar across the whole community. He faces the worst of circumstances on his rocky journey towards forgiveness—but an innocent young girl unexpectedly helps him find it. Swinging from authors to cats, as director Jon Knepp’s fabulous felines, Freya and Andy Jr., grace the library on two Caturdays this month (Saturday, October 4 & Saturday, October 25). Watch them explore, nap, and groom—and maybe get in a pet or two! Sensory Play Group meets on Tuesday, October 7 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The downstairs space has therapy balls, play mats, and sensory bins and is geared towards children with disabilities orContinue Reading Making connections with Thompson Free Library August 26, 2025 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library Wow—summer raced by and gave us whiplash. If you had a jam-packed schedule like we did here at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft, you could probably use a break, however brief, to recharge, catch your breath and refocus as autumn sits at the front door like an impatient dog. After a very busy summer bursting with programs, TFL will be closed on Tuesday, September 2 for the Labor Day holiday. Have a fun and safe long weekend! Switching into fall mode, Ms. Michelle (youth services librarian Michelle Fagan) is back with Sensory Play Group on Tuesday, September 9 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The group meets downstairs at the library where there are sensory bins, therapy balls, and more. It’s geared towards kids who may be neurodivergent and their caregivers, but all abilities are welcome—a wonderful way to find community support. Garlic is not for everyone, but fans can rhapsodize non-stop about its incredible taste and health benefits. I mean come on—garlic bread, shrimp scampi, Ina Garten’s 40 clove garlic chicken! Wouldn’t it be great to grow your own and have it available year-round for a variety of delicious dishes? Join us on Thursday, SeptemberContinue Reading August 2025: Leave the Planning to Us at Thompson Free Library July 29, 2025 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library I was trying to nail down the details of a post-work visit at a friend’s camp on the lake. My rambling texts, filled with scenarios about a possible late lunch ended with, “Let’s decide tomorrow” but a new day did not make me any more decisive. Then this text arrived, “I could make us sandwiches and/or salad—I really don’t mind!” A weight was lifted. I replied, “That sounds great!” Weird how seemingly simply tasks can overwhelm, but my mood genuinely lightened. That’s how it can feel—you want to do something fun, interesting, or different, but it sounds like too much effort. Wouldn’t it be nice to take a break from planning, coordinating, and all the mental gymnastics? August at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft offers an amazing array of great programs for adults, kids, and families. As summer winds down, let us do the organizing for you, we’ll be your activities director and your concierge—all you have to do is show up! Frolicking felines, Freya and Andy, Jr., will headline two Caturday’s in August (Saturday, August 2 and August 30.) Don’t miss the chance to hang out with director Jon Knepp’s adorable andContinue Reading Fast-paced July at Thompson Free Library June 27, 2025 - By Kim Brawn July at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft is the equivalent of an amazing movie montage! Hope you’ve had your eight hours of sleep AND a caffeinated beverage because you’re going to need it. Lights, camera, action! We zoom in on audience reactions at “Mad Science of Maine: Fire and Ice,” Thursday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. This spectacular show thrills with impressive science experiments like foggy dry ice storms and safe and fun fire demonstrations! What’s a montage without music? The Sebasticook Valley Community Band plays a free concert on Sunday, July 6 at 4:30 p.m. at TFL. Musicians from different walks of life come together to share their love of great tunes. Even more “oohs, aahs, and woahs!” as the always popular Sparks’ Ark Animal Services is back with another live animal program on Thursday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. Oh no, all this running around has tweaked your back, no worries come to “Muscle Pain 101” on July 10 at 1:30 p.m. and learn ways you can help your muscles feel better faster. Physical therapist Susan Garrettson will show us how some fairly simple positioning of your arm, leg, rib cage, or neck canContinue Reading Read Our Spring Newsletter Now! June 17, 2025 - Our Spring Newsletter is out now! Click on the picture or link below to read it! June 2025 [pdf] The Right Stuff | Lighting the Way | You Can’t Choose Your Family | Sometimes You Can Choose Your Family | Made in Maine | When the Gale-Force Is With You | Too Good to Pass Up | Picking Up the Pieces | Screen ShotsContinue Reading Summer fun for everyone at Thompson Free Library June 3, 2025 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library When you walk into a new place it can feel a bit strange. But visit often enough and that feeling falls away—you won’t be a stranger for long at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Now, it’s not quite like Cheers—we won’t remember everybody’s name and neither will you—but a nice feeling of familiarity builds over time. June is when the snowbirds arrive home, and the summer people come to town. New faces and old friends will see each often thanks to the great programs we have on tap. Be sure to tip off your friends and neighbors: TFL’s Ten Cent Basement Book Sale is back June 5-7. (Sale hours: Thurs 10-6, Fri 9-5, Sat 9-12:30.) Bring your change and dollar bills and scope out tons of books, DVDs, and puzzles. These mega-deals will make for cool gifts or beach reads, and even spice up those rainy weekends. Saturday, June 7 is a terrific twofer: the book sale is on and it’s Caturday! That’s right, director Jon Knepp’s two cute and curious cats, Freya and Andy Jr., will be on hand to investigate TFL’s nooks & crannies while enjoying ample attention from doting humansContinue Reading Make the Shift with Thompson Free Library May 9, 2025 - By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library Shift happens. And it happens in May. The landscape blooms, the colors pop. As green as an Irish hillside. It’s summer’s opening act. In pre-Netflix days, Memorial Day weekend was the start of Hollywood’s blockbuster season with theater lines twisting down sidewalks and around parking lots. It’s when we shift into high gear at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft: preparing for our busiest stretch filled with scores of visitors and a profusion of programs. As summer approaches, parents can feel pressure from all angles. New parents especially face a host of different issues, that’s why “Baby and Me” from Northern Light Mayo Hospital is such an incredible resource every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at TFL. If you are a new or expecting parent, you can get advice, support, and connection from this growing and thriving program. TFL’s Reading Group discusses Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m. A review from Elle calls it “Infused with heartfelt humor, Van Pelt’s elegant portrait of a widowed woman who finds understanding and connection with a clever octopus is refreshingly, if surprisingly, relatable. Despite the unorthodox relationship at its core,Continue Reading2021-12-03