#curtismemoriallibrary — Public Fediverse posts

RE: https://kolektiva.social/@DoomsdaysCW/117378341636067652

Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday ! Next Saturday (October 17) -- one of the FEW #RepairCafes in #Maine (hoping that changes). At #CurtisMemorialLibrary in #BrunswickME !

#Midcoast #Maine - #MerrymeetingGleaners #SharingTables

"The Sharing Tables are unstaffed tables of free produce available for anyone to take from anonymously.

Tuesdays:
- #CurtisMemorialLibrary , #BrunswickME (12-2pm) (year-round)
- #PattenFreeLibrary , #BathME (12-2:30pm) (year-round)
- Landing YMCA, Brunswick (12-2pm) (ends in October)
- Parkview Hospital, Brunswick (12-2pm) (ends in October)

Wednesdays:
- #TopshamPublicLibrary (12:30-2:30pm) (year-round)

Thursdays:
- Bath Area Family YMCA (9-11:45am) (year-round)

Fridays:
- Welcome Center, #BrunswickLanding (1-3pm) (ends in October)
- Tedford Housing, Brunswick (1:15-3:15pm) (ends in October)

Source:
https://www.mchpp.org/gleaning

#SolarPunkSunday #SharingFood
#MainersHelpingMainers #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #BuildingComunity #GrowYourOwnFood
#FeedingNeighbors #GYO #FarmToTable #LocalFarms #ZeroWaste #ReduceFoodWaste #FoodSecurity #FoodInsecurity #Gleaners #SharingTables

#BrunswickME - #RepairCafe

Sat, 17 Oct 2026
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

#CurtisMemorialLibrary
23 Pleasant Street
Brunswick, Maine 04011

"Connecting members of the community familiar with repairs and those that aren't, but are excited to learn! Join experts able to repair #electronics, #lamps, mend #clothing, #Smallappliances, sharpen #tools, wooden #furniture, #jewelry & more. Including Joelle Webber of #MermaidBindery who will help with #BookRepairs."

FMI:
https://www.mainepublic.org/community-calendar/event/repair-cafe-20-09-2026-19-34-42

#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #RepairCafesMaine #RightToRepair #FixIt #LampRepair #ToolSharpening #MaineLibraries #LibrariesRule !

At this library in #BrunswickME, books aren't the only thing you can borrow

News Center #Maine, Nov 8, 2025

"There's a library in Brunswick that offers all kinds of things that you can borrow to help you get started on that new craft project or fix that broken gadget."

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hEjdyYoqoo

#SolarPunkSunday #BorrowDontBuy #CurtisMemorialLibrary #LibraryOfThings #MaineLibraries #LibrariesRule !

Today's #LibraryOfThings virtual meeting was very informative! It was so cool to listen to #LisaLoranc of #BrazoriaCounty Libraries and #HazelOnsrud of the #CurtisMemorialLibrary talk about the issues they've encountered when providing a Library Of Things... Stolen items, items that aren't cleaned after use, crucial items for #EmergencyResponse , liability issues (something I had been wondering about), how to provide manuals, etc. The YT video should be available soon. I'll post the link once it's available.

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesOfThings #DisasterPreparedness #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Resiliency #LOTMutualAid #BuildingCommunity #BuildingResilience #LibrariesRule !

I'm checking with #MerrymeetingGleaners to see how long they will be providing seasonal #SharingTables (I know they run June - September).

Here is the Summer schedule:

"The Sharing Tables are unstaffed tables of free produce available for anyone to take from anonymously.

Tuesdays:
- #CurtisMemorialLibrary , #BrunswickME (12-2pm)
- #PattenFreeLibrary , #BathME (12-2:30pm)
- Landing YMCA, Brunswick (12-2pm)
- Parkview Hospital, Brunswick (12-2pm)

Wednesdays:
- #TopshamPublicLibrary (12:30-2:30pm)

Thursdays:
- Bath Area Family YMCA (9-11:45am)

Fridays:
- Welcome Center, #BrunswickLanding (1-3pm)
- Tedford Housing, Brunswick (1:15-3:15pm)

Source:
https://www.mchpp.org/gleaning

#SolarPunkSunday #SharingFood
#MainersHelpingMainers #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #BuildingComunity #GrowYourOwnFood
#FeedingNeighbors #GYO #FarmToTable #LocalFarms #ZeroWaste #ReduceFoodWaste #FoodSecurity #FoodInsecurity #Gleaners #SharingTables

Brunswick library lets patrons borrow more than 1,500 gadgets and tools

The #LibraryOfThings in #BrunswickME offers tools, toys, appliances, and more for residents to use for their occasional needs.

Author: Christian Harsa
Published: 7:23 PM EST November 8, 2025

BRUNSWICK, Maine — "There are plenty of things people buy, use once, then never find a need for again. It may be a pasta maker gathering dust or a steel drum long forgotten, but those tools and others can be found at the #CurtisMemorialLibrary in Brunswick all for free.

"The idea comes in part from the library's dedication to #sustainability.

"Kelly McElligott, a librarian and manager at the library, explained more about the Library of Things while indexing a shelf full of tools, safety equipment, and other #DIY gadgets.

" 'You may just need to use it only one time, and you can borrow it from us without having to purchase it,' she said.

"McElligott has borrowed from the Library of Things occasionally, too. In fact, she said she once checked out the popover tins for some baking and likes to peruse the conversation starter cards.

"The collection of goods also came in handy when her basement flooded.

" 'I got one of the industrial fans and let it blow for days and hope that fixed it,' she said with a chuckle.

"Built up over a few years, the Library of Things offers the residents of Brunswick and #HarpswellME access to items they may not want to buy but still need. Plus, for a fee, residents from other communities can check out things, too.

"From those who need a KitchenAid mixer or are hoping to become a #DIYFixer, the Curtis Memorial Library has more than 1,500 items, plus some informational classes too.

" 'We did a #DIYPlumbing class, and then we bought the equipment you would need that were talked about in the program so you then you could go home and say, 'I can fix that myself,' McElligott said."

Read more:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/community/library-of-things-curtis-memorial-library-brunswick-gadgets-tools/97-5ab12d12-9333-4a43-bacb-0717ebb1046e

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/p7lL5

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesOfThings #LibraryOfThingsMaine #BorrowDontBuy #SharingEconomy #LibrariesRule !

I came across this YT video from a past #LibraryOfThings #EmergencyResponsePlan discussion from 2024, with #LisaLoranc of #BrazoriaCounty Libraries and #HazelOnsrud of the #CurtisMemorialLibrary !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLqnWPFFoMw

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesOfThings #DisasterPreparedness #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Resiliency #LOTMutualAid #BuildingCommunity #BuildingResilience #LibrariesRule !

The #MaineGearLibraryNetwork.

"The Maine Gear Library Network exists to share resources and knowledge in order to grow equitable and low-barrier access to outdoor gear for communities across the state.

Gear libraries statewide:
Adaptive Outdoor Education Center – #BrunswickME
Katahdin Gear Library – #MillinocketME
#KindlingCollective – #PortlandME
Maine Bound Adventure Center – #OronoME
#MaineGearShare – #BrunswickME
Skowhegan Outdoors – #SkowheganME
#OldTownME / #OronoME Gear Library – In Development

Partners:
#CurtisMemorialLibrary of Things – #BrunswickME
#Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness – #BangorME
Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation – Statewide

The Maine Gear Library Network is a growing coalition of community organizations working together to make outdoor adventures more #accessible, #affordable, and #sustainable.

From #tents and #backpacks to #snowshoes and #kayaks, gear libraries around the state are helping more people get outside, regardless of income, experience, or zip code. By sharing resources and knowledge, the Maine Gear Library Network is building a culture of collaboration and sharing, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to explore and enjoy Maine’s incredible natural places.


What is a Gear Library?

A gear library is a community-powered lending program that provides low-cost access to outdoor equipment, such as kayaks, #bikes, backpacks, snowshoes, and more. Their models may differ, but these gear libraries share a common goal of supporting equitable access to the outdoors by removing the barrier of gear ownership, inviting more #Mainers to connect with nature."

FMI:
https://www.mainegearshare.org/maine-gear-library-network

#SolarPunkSunday #BorrowDontBuy #SharingEconomy #SpendTimeInNature #Kayaks #Hiking #Maine #GearHub #GearLibraries #SpendTimeOutdoors #BikeTooter #Biking #Kayaking #Camping

#BathME - Last #RepairCafé of the year!

August 8, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

#PattenFreeLibrary
33 Summer St, Bath, ME 04530

"Why replace when you can repair? Our expert volunteers will help repair your electronics, lamps, furniture, jewelry and small appliances; mend clothing, and sharpen tools.

If we are unable to repair your item we will make suggestions on where you can find the parts and learn how to do the repair or have it professionally repaired. This is a first come, first served program and depending on the turnout we can’t guarantee we will be able to help everyone or repair every item. Please bring your items with you to the library.

Presented in partnership with the #CurtisMemorialLibrary, #HabitatForHumanity #ReStore, and #Merrymeeting Community and Adult Education. Repair Café will rotate between locations."

Source:
https://patten-lib.libcal.com/event/16548095?hs=a

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineEvents #RightToRepair #RepairCafesMaine #FixIt #ReuseRestoreRepair #MaineLibraries #LibrariesRule!

@hugh #CurtisMemorialLibrary in #BrunswickME has quite a #LibraryOfThings which is proving to be a shining example to libraries here in #Maine and beyond...

https://curtislibrary.aspendiscovery.org/?browseCategory=curtislibrary_library_of_things

One of the most #SolarPunk events to happen in Southern #Maine! This Saturday!!!

#BrunswickME - 2nd Annual #DIYFestival

Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:00am - 1:00pm

#CurtisMemorialLibrary
23 Pleasant Street
Brunswick, ME 04011

"Roll up your sleeves and bring your curiosity— our 2nd annual #DIY Festival is packed with #inspiration, #creativity, and #PracticalSkills! From #repairing the things you love to #preserving the #harvest, we're bringing together #makers, #growers, and #doers of all kinds to celebrate #SelfReliance, #community, and #craft. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone.

DEMONSTRATIONS BY:

#UMaineCooperativeExtension (Strawberry Jam #canning preservation) | #MerrymeetingBayTrout Unlimited (#Flyfishing and #FlyTying) | #ArtVan (#ButtonMaking & #Crafts) | #RepairCafe | Design Your Own #Puzzle in the Children's Library | #BlockPrinting & more!

LECTURE SERIES in the MORRELL MEETING ROOM:

10:00 - Explore #NativeGardens with members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church's Earth Care Team

10:45 - Join the #MARIAProject from #BigelowLaboratory for #OceanSciences to learn what you can do with #MaineAlgae

11:30 - Enjoy a performance from Curtis' own Friday morning #Ukulele Friends

Noon - Try out a free #Pilates lesson with Routine. Bring your own mat if you can. 20 person limit.

Source:
https://curtislibrary.libcal.com/event/16450234

#SolarPunkSunday #LibariesRule #MaineLibraries #MaineEvents #RepairCafesMaine #PuzzleDesign #FoodPreservation #BuildingCommunity #Gardening #SelfCare

View Online: #LibraryOfThings – A Critical Component of #Libraries as Access Points to a #Local, #Resilient, and #SustainableFuture

16 March 2026

"The recording of #20 in #IFLA’s #Environment, #Sustainability and Libraries Section’s webinar series is now available below via YouTube and the slides are available on SlideShare.

Libraries lending beyond books exist all over the world but beyond that, libraries can be a disaster resource center, they can lend tools and items to try out before making an investment, they can offer events on how to #repair items—along with the tools required to do so. They serve as places where intergenerational groups connect over yard games and art activities. #LibrariesOfThings provide access to a wide range of items from gear for adventures to essential wellbeing tools. This webinar will share how to plug into this rapidly growing and increasingly connected system of Libraries of Things, both inside and outside the traditional library world, and discover how they can help you meet your goals.

About the Speaker:
#HazelOnsrud is a public librarian at #CurtisMemorialLibrary, who works on community programming and collection development, including an extensive library of things focused on the Sustainable Development Goals. She serves on the international Library of Things Mutual Aid Group, the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and the Steering Team of MECollab. She enjoys collaborating with good humans around the globe and was named a 2024 Library Journal Mover and Shaker and a 2025 New York Times Changemaker. Prior to her work as public librarian, Hazel co-founded the #MaineToolLibrary and spent a bunch of time learning from graceful teachers. In her free time, she likes to create things, eat molés and design #Gardens. "

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whdD0YRaKdU&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ifla.org%2F

Learn more:
https://www.ifla.org/news/view-online-library-of-things-a-critical-component-of-libraries-as-access-points-to-a-local-resilient-and-sustainable-future/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineLibraries #ReduceReuseRepair #LibrariesRule #ClimateAdaptation #BuildingCommunity #CircularEconomy #SolarPunk #Libraries #SharingEconomy #SharingResources

#BrunswickME - Science for #SelfReliance: #Gardening with Responsible #PestManagement + #BeneficialHabitat

May 20, 2026
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

#CurtisMemorialLibrary
23 Pleasant St
Brunswick, #Maine 04011

Free

"This event was originally scheduled for April 16. The date has been updated to May 20.

Join #MOFGA’s Crop Specialist, Caleb Goossen, for a discussion on #organic management of common pests in the #VegetableGarden. Caleb will start by sharing strategies used to minimize the presence of pests from the outset using cultural practices such as promoting the presence of '#beneficials'. But sometimes pests show up anyway, despite our best efforts or during particularly challenging growing seasons. So, Caleb will also discuss what can be done when pests emerge."

Source:
https://www.mofga.org/event-calendar/science-for-self-reliance-gardening-with-responsible-pest-management-beneficial-habitat/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineLibraries #LibrariesRule #GrowYourOwnFood #OrganicPestManagement #MaineEvents

#Maine & #NewHampshire - Map of Certified Pollinator-Friendly Gardens

Bagley Pond Perennials
Open to the public.

Bedford, New Hampshire (Farm)
Farm

#BelfastME #SoupKitchen
Public

#BridgesHouse (#NHGovernor’s House)
Open to the public. New Hampshire
Governor’s House.

#BrownfieldME Public Library (Municipal)
Public.

Canterbury, NH (Farm)
Petals in the Pines Farm.

Center for Northern Woodlands Education
Open to the public.

Children’s Garden at #FortWilliams Park (Municipal)
Public.

#CurtisMemorialLibrary Children’s Garden (Public)
Open to the public.

Dedham, ME (Farm)
Open to the public.

#Elkins Public Library (Municipal)
Public.

Frisbee Field
Public.

Georges River Land Trust, Cushing, ME
Open to the public.

Grace Episcopal Church, Concord, NH
Public. Church garden.

Hancock Town Library (Library/Municipal)
Public

Haney Hillside Garden, Coastal Maine Botanic Gardens-Organization
Public.

Law Farm Nature Trails
Open to the Public. Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Libra Sun Flower Farm
Farm.

Lincoln, Maine (Historical)
Open to the public for viewing.

McLaughlin Garden and Homestead
Open to the public.

Merrimack, New Hampshire (Business)
Business.

New Gloucester Fairgrounds, ME
Open to the public.

New Gloucester Public Library (Library)
Public library

Nottingham, New Hampshire (Farm)
Farm.

#PollinateNewEngland Garden at Wells Reserve at #Laudholm, #WellsME
Public.

#PollinatorGarden at NH #Audubon Center Massabesic, Auburn NH
Public.

#TheSustainabilityInstitute- James Hall Pollinator Garden
Public.

Thornton Oaks Retirement Community
Public.

Tom Settlemire #CommunityGarden- Brunswick
Community Garden

#TrentonButterflyGarden (Municipal)
Public.

#UMaine Gardens at #TidewaterFarm, #FalmouthME
Open to the public.

#UniversityOfMaineCooperativeExtension, Oxford County
Organization.

#WalesPark Pollinator Garden
Open to the Public. Belfast, Maine.

FMI:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/map-points-category/all/

#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForPollinators #MaineGardens #NHGardens #ButterflyGardens #PollinatorGardens

#BrunswickME - Science for #SelfReliance: Integrating #MedicinalMushrooms into your Life

In-Person
Thursday, April 9, 2026
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Morrell Meeting Room, Curtis Memorial Library

For Adults and Seniors

"Join #MOFGA and #CurtisMemorialLibrary for a special talk on mushrooms. In an age of increasing stress and increasing health care costs, people seek healthy self-care practices in order to achieve and maintain optimum health. complement mainstream medicine for improved health maintenance or during those times when our health is compromised by illness, stress or disease. We benefit from generations of traditional healers around the world who have walked before us and utilized mushrooms and plants for their healing potential. Now western science is confirming the value of mushrooms as healing agents. Integrating medicinal mushrooms into our normal diet or as dietary supplements can help us all maintain good health. Join mycologist and author Greg Marley for a medicinal mushroom talk focused on the common Northeastern wild and cultivated mushrooms providing health benefits in our lives and available in the woods or foraged in a good market.

#GregMarley has been studying, growing, collecting and cooking #WildMushrooms for more than 45 years. He teaches #MushroomIdentification and ecology to hundreds of new #foragers as well as consulting in cases of mushroom poisoning. Greg is the author of Mushrooms for Health; Medicinal Secrets of Northeastern Fungi (2009) and Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares, The Love Lore and Mystique of Mushrooms (2010). Marley lives and mushrooms along the coast of Maine. When not #mushrooming he works as a mental health trainer and consultant in suicide prevention and response after a loss."

Source:
https://curtislibrary.libcal.com/event/15947333

#SolarPunkSunday #MushroomForaging #MushroomIdentification #Mushrooms #SpendTimeInNature #HealingWithNature #LibrariesRule #MaineEvents

Why Shop? In #Maine, the #LibraryOfThings Has It All (Almost).

One town’s effort to make pricey items accessible and encourage people to buy less stuff seems to be catching on.

By Cara Buckley, Aug. 20, 2025

"Here’s a short but by no means comprehensive list of items that patrons of Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, can check out for free: A dumpling steamer. Cannoli-making tubes. A ukulele. A heated leg massager. A Happy Birthday sign. Easels. A foam ax throwing game. A KitchenAid mixer, in chrome or red.

"Mary Gerber, a retired schoolteacher, borrowed hula hoops and a cornhole game for her son’s 2022 backyard wedding, and, more recently, a spiralizer for her homegrown zucchini. Betty McNally, a retired bookkeeper, routinely borrows a loom and a drop spindle to hand-spin yarn. In late July, she checked out a root slayer to tackle the overly abundant hostas in her yard. She’d had it on hold, because there was a waiting list.
'It feels revolutionary,' Ms. McNally said. 'I’m not buying it and storing it and the great thing is it’s really useful but I’m probably only going to use it once or twice. This way, other people can use it. It’s perfection.'

"The Library of Things at Curtis Memorial Library was founded in 2018 to make pricey items accessible and encourage people to buy less stuff. It now has more than 1,500 items, all tailored to meet the needs of the roughly 22,600 people who live in Brunswick, as well as nearby #HarpswellME, which has a population of just over 5,000.

"There’s a driving kit with miniature street signs, a lesson book and a sample test to familiarize new drivers and migrants with the rules of the road. #FoodCanners, fruit tree pickers, molds for homemade Popsicles, a #FoodDehydrator and tomato strainers are offered to help people make their own food.

"Items in high demand can be checked out for only a week, and include a #GrainMill for grinding fresh flour, a nut wizard to gather acorns and other nuts, and, this being Maine, a #BlueberryRake."

Read more:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/climate/maine-library-of-things.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/yoxBx

#SolarPunkSunday #CurtisMemorialLibrary #BrunswickME #LibraryOfThingsMaine #BorrowDontBuy #PreservingTheHarvest

The next #RepairCafe in #BrunswickMe will be on December 6, 2025

10am-12:30pm at the #CurtisMemorialLibrary, Brunswick

"Curtis Memorial Library has partnered with a few other organizations to bring a repair cafe to your community! Come to an upcoming Repair Cafe, where our expert volunteers can fix your everyday items and keep them out of the landfill. They’ll even show you how to do it yourself!

We can help with:

Electronics & computers
Clothing and leather goods
Small appliances & lamps
Wooden furniture
Knife Sharpening
3D-printed repairs"

FMI - https://curtislibrary.com/adults/repair/

#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafesMaine #FixIt #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #Repair #RepairCafe #RightToRepair #MaineEvents