Sewing Makerspace – March 25th & 26th, 2023

On Saturday evening and Sunday morning the library was home to community sewers who put their skills to use working hard on burp cloths, bibs, and receiving blankets for the Healthy Peninsula New Baby Bags.

If you missed the event but still want to participate in the sewing, there are still templates and fabric available at the library! We are so excited to be a part of this program, and can’t wait to see how many receiving blankets, burp cloths, and bibs made my community sewers will be given to new babies on the peninsula.

Healthy Peninsula


Student Art Opening – March 11th, 2023

Parents, children, and community members at the student art opening at the library

Every month the library showcases a different local artist. In March Hilary Tobin’s talented students at Island Meadow Arts have filled our back room with colorful artwork. During the event students and children from the community alike were encouraged to participate in crafting and listen to the musical stylings of Chris Pirsos. The student artwork will be on display until the end of the month, so even if you missed the event there’s still time to see the wonderful display of talent being exhibited in the back room.

To keep up to date on who is being showcased in the gallery, check out of exhibits page.


Climate Response – February 4th, 2023

Not even the subzero temperatures could keep the Brooklin Climate Response committee from hosting their talk at the library. Equipped with coffee and tea, the committee sat down to talk with Brooklin Residents about programs and services in place to bring energy efficiency to Brooklin. Besides the talk itself, the library now has (thanks to the committee) pamphlets on home energy loans, heat pumps, and even a quick guide to home heating. If you didn’t make it to the event, don’t worry, this was not the only opportunity to talk efficient energy with members of the committee. More talks will be scheduled soon, and the Saturday morning slot from 10AM to 12PM will see many more insightful discussions about what you can do to save money and make your home more energy efficient. The dates for these Saturday morning talks will be posted on the website.


Lantern Making with Hilary Tobin – December 13th, 2022

Hilary Tobin reading a story during the program

December 13th was the day of Santa Lucia, a Scandinavian holiday celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and Swedish speaking areas of Finland. At the library, we celebrated by making paper lanterns with help from Hilary Tobin of Island Meadow Arts. Hilary provided crafters (of all ages) with templates and decorations for their lanterns, carefully showing how to put their lanterns together. The activity had many takers, and filled the library with light. Before the program ended. Hilary gathered many of the remaining participants around and read the book Dark on Light, a story about the beauty of nighttime. A brand new publication from Dianne White, Dark on Light is available for checkout at the Friend Memorial Library.

The library space, full of adults and children all participating in the activity

A big thank you to Hilary for bringing this wonderful activity to the library. We would not be able to put on as many programs as we do without the generosity and work of the community. For more information about Hilary and Island Meadow arts, visit her at:

Island Meadow Arts – Facebook

Island Meadow Arts – Instagram

Island Meadow Arts – Website


Author event with Kim Ridley – December 10th, 2022

Caddisfly Larvae Ornament making with Kim Ridley on December 10th, 2022
Caddisfly Larvae Ornament making

The Library was full of crafters and caddisflies on Saturday morning when local author Kim Ridley read from her new book, The Secret Stream. The event brought a lively group of all ages, eager to learn about the magic held in the streams of Brooklin. After a preview of the new book, Kim led everyone in making caddisfly larvae ornaments. Kim’s new book is in the same vein as a previous publication, The Secret Pool, which was published in 2013. Both books are available from the library, and copies for sale are available across the street at Leaf & Anna.

For more information about Kim Ridley, she can be found at her website, kimbrelyridley.org


Author talk with Alan Ioffredo – November 9th, 2022

Cover of the book The Artist and the Innkeeper by Alan Ioffredo
Copies of the book The Artist and the Innkeeper by Alan Ioffredo.

If you drove through Brooklin on the night of November 9th, it would have been hard to miss the lights coming from the Library well past closing. An author event with Alan Ioffredo, who provided Disaronno Amoretto for a tasting, kept the lights on until almost 6PM. There were hors d’oeuvres to be had and books to be signed. The book in question, The Artist and the Innkeeper, about the Renaissance painter Bernardino Luini and his early life.

The event involved a discussion of the book, a cheesecake made by one of the librarians, and music throughout the evening. Three copies of the book were raffled off for patrons, who had the opportunity to have their books signed by Alan.

Alan Ioffredo – Website

The Artist and the Innkeeper – Goodreads


Invasive Plant Talk with Cathy Rees – October 12th, 2022

Cathy Rees points out invasive plants to attendents of the talk
Cathy Rees, showing off some invasive plants to attendants of the talk.

October is the perfect time for events that combine indoor and outdoor learning. We had perfect weather for the invasive plant talk that Cathy Rees gave, using both a presentation within the library, and an interactive element, taking attendants outside and showing the invasive plants in their no so natural habitat. The phrase that’s an invasive plant? I had no idea! could be heard during the first few moments of the talk as the group gathered and Cathy answered initial questions. If you missed out on the program, it’s not too late. Cathy provided us with resources that can be used wherever you are:

USDA Forest Service

Maine Natural Areas Program

For more information on what to plant instead:

Native Gardens of Blue Hill

Native Plant Trust


Brooklin Fall Fest – October 1st, 2022

Nature Printing with Yvonne Brice and Story time at the library featuring the books Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and If you find a Leaf by Aimee Sicuro!

There were so many things going on in Brooklin on October 1st! The library took part in activities including free books, nature printing, and story time throughout the day. No matter where you looked, something was happening in town.

We are always thrilled to participate in town wide activities like this. The Fall Festival is an event that makes Brooklin special. Can’t wait to see what kind of events are planned for next year.


Summer Booksale Series – September 2nd, 2022

Ania Carter, picking up books from one shelf in order to love them to another.
Ania Carter, the youngest volunteer at the library helps shelve books during the event.

This summer the library put on a series of book sales. With the help of volunteers from the community, we were able to host one in June, July, August, and September. The fundraiser, and others like it would not be possible without the never-ending support from the community, and book donations from local literary enthusiasts.

We are so happy that this summer so many books were able to find new homes! Next year, we plan on putting on book sales throughout the summer so stay tuned for updates as the Spring rolls around.


Cake and Author Party – July 7th, 2022

Photo of authors Ellen Booraem, Kim Riddley, Catherine Rees under a white tent at a table with their books
Photo of authors Ellen Booraem, Kim Riddley, and Catherine Rees with their books River Magic, Wild Design, and Winterland respectively.

In July we had our annual Cake and Author Party to celebrate our wonderful patrons. Local authors gathered on the front lawn to sign books, answer questions, and eat delicious cakes. Among the authors were those pictured, as well as Spencer Smith, David Taylor, Peter Behrens, Ed Kenney, Cynthia Graubart, Basha Burwell, and Rob McCall.

The event also featured the music of Christopher Pirsos, who lent his talent on the saxophone, drums, keyboard and other instruments.

We can’t wait to put on the event next year and hope to see all of you there!