By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library
Library vibes can change faster than Maine’s weather. One minute a frenzied gaggle of kids planning projects, laughing and playing—their moms eagerly chatting nearby. Ten minutes later, a patron walks in, looks around at the empty space and takes in the silence, “Wow it’s so quiet today.” We shake our heads and laugh, “Not really!” After one supremely hectic summer, we are ready for a change of pace. But there’s still plenty to do this October at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft—as old favorites commingle with intriguing new ones.
Youth services librarian Michelle Fagan’s much-anticipated “Hygge Nook” premieres Wednesday, October 2. Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish word that refers to a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable. Each Wednesday from 3:30-5 p.m. through March, TFL will have a cozy, quiet space for you to read, knit, write, or quietly gather. While all ages are welcome, please understand that this is a quiet space designed for whispers and quiet activities.
TFL’s books sales may run the gamut vibe-wise but they sure do generate a lot of excitement, while raising money for children’s programming. Get ready for some super deals as our Ten Cent Basement Book Sale returns October 10-12 (Thurs. 10-6, Fri. 9-5, & Sat. 9-12:30).
On Thursday, October 10 at 6 p.m. TFL’s Reading Group meets to discuss Mexican Gothic, a book that gives big gothic horror vibes. The Chicago Review of Books says that author Silvia Moreno-Garcia puts equal weight on both words of the title “. . . [it is] both unmistakably Gothic—full of suspicion, paranoia, literal and figurative darkness—and proudly Mexican, rooted in a specific culture and time in a way that expands and enhances the story.” (Copies available at the library.)
The Family Book Club starts up again on Tuesday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. and runs monthly through May. During the initial meeting, you’ll get the first book (The Rescuers) and talk about the book club season ahead. Each month families will get a book and read it together. Then on book club day, Michelle and the families get together and talk about the book over pizza. A great way to foster a love of reading and enjoy family time! (Registration required. Please contact the library.)
Homeschooled families looking for fun activities and a place to connect can take advantage of TFL’s new Home School Drop-in time starting on Wednesday, October 16 from 1-2:30 p.m. This monthly program runs through May and allows homeschooled kids a chance to play games, craft, color, and more.
Ok, now the gloves come off, it’s time to get serious, especially as we head towards the Witching Hour. Our director, aspiring paranormal expert Jon Knepp, is hard at work creating a Ghost Hunting Kit that patrons can check out! It will include: an infrared camera that attaches to your phone to detect cold spots and other phenomena that we can’t normally see, an electromotive force (EMF) detector to detect electrical abnormalities in the environment, dowsing rods to detect energy variances, a voice recorder for capturing electronic voice phenomena (EVPs) from the realm beyond, and a beginners’ guide to ghost hunting. The kit will appear out of nowhere soon!
Of course all those instrument readings would be off the charts on Halloween when we greet ghosts, goblins, zombies, aliens disguised as humans, and everyone else as we swing open TFL’s original front doors and hand out free books to trick or treaters (kids ages birth to teen) from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Costumes not required.)
As fall emerges, come savor the seasonal shift at TFL where you’ll pick up good vibrations, find your happy place and your quiet space, buy some early stocking stuffers, and become a paranormal investigator. (Who ya goin’ call?!)
Please note: Due to scheduling issues, the library will be closed Tuesday, October 22 and will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 31. (We will open the original front doors at 4:30 to trick or treaters.) We apologize for any inconvenience.
TFL hours: Tues & Thurs 9-7, Weds & Fri 9-5, & Sat 9-1. Visit our website: thompsonfreelibrary.org, our Facebook page, Instagram @tf_library, or contact us at thompsonfreelibrary@gmail.com or 207/564-3350. All programs are free & open to the public.