Scarborough Public Library
Footnotes: November 2025
Keep scrolling for the director's note, three vignettes, save the date, and one cool library resource! 
Closed Tuesday, November 11
Closing at 5pm on Wednesday, November 26
Closed Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28

Fundraising season is upon us and many of you will be receiving our Annual Appeal mailings this month. The trustees, staff and I would like to thank each of you, once again, for contributing last year. Last year we raised over $84,000 with donations ranging from $5 to $10,000 and every penny means the world to us. We will continue to bring value-added services like e-Books, programming, and software enhancements to all library users. I am proud to boast that we have one of the most innovative teams in the library field to bring you these resources and to help navigate them.
 
You will also notice a few parking spaces will be closed while our generator is being installed; Nancy Crowell’s career long dream will be a reality. As you may have heard me say, the act of setting foot inside the library makes you a library supporter, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
 
Thank you for your support!

Share Your "O-penny-on" Library Fundraiser
In the spirit of November's election season, Scarborough Public Library invites you to vote for your preferred program enhancement, and raise funds while you're at it! Two donation boxes represent competing options:
 
Charlie Cart for enhanced programming: A Charlie Cart is a mobile miniature kitchen designed for hands-on food education through a nationally recognized program. The library seeks to purchase a Charlie Cart to expand nutrition education and food literacy programming for all ages.
 
eBook Collection improvements: eBook circulation is very popular; however, unlike physical books, eBooks operate on expensive licensing models that expire after a set number of checkouts or a time period. Robust digital collections reduce barriers to reading and learning. With more funds, we will improve our digital collection for all ages.
 
Rules:
  • Voting takers place at the library donation boxes (sorry, no absentee options)
  • Pennies and paper money ADD points to your choice
  • Silver coins (nickels, dimes, quarters) SUBTRACT points from your choice (strategic voting!)
  • Vote as many times as you like (early and often encouraged)
  • Voting runs through November 30th.
This all-ages fundraiser combines civic engagement with community decision-making. Come cast your vote and support library programming!
 
 
Kerstin Gilg
Development Coordinator

Looking for Another Good Book?
Are you looking for something good to read? Yes, obviously, if you're reading this. Here are a few tips on how to find your next book, brought to you by the people who love reading the most: librarians!
 
In no particular order:
  • Re-read an old favorite. It's relatively stress-free since you already know the ending, plus you are sure to pick up on details you missed the first time.
  • Look at the New Books shelves at the library and your favorite bookstore. Staff picks in both places can be a goldmine, especially if you find a staff person with similar taste.
  • Read whatever the book group tells you to read!
  • Find an audiobook by browsing "what's available" rather than everything available on CloudLibrary. This same idea works for ebooks on Libby too!
  • Follow book related social media, like bookstores, authors, and genres you like, and places that create book lists, like "the best of 2025" or "the top books to take on vacation." You can also sign up for SPL book lists here: Newsletters/Booklists Sign-up
  • Follow a subject-- if there is a nonfiction subject in the news or something that you are currently interested in, follow the subject headings in the catalog to find more. This can also work for fiction, following tags like "humorous fiction" or "fantasy fiction," for example.
  • Talk to your friends about books, or come to a library program and ask people what they're reading as a conversation starter. The staff here loves to talk about books they enjoyed and to help you find your next read.
  • Use a database for "read alikes" such as Novelist Plus. You can also search online if you're willing to dig around a bit, using terms like read alike Richard Osman or cozy mystery list.
 
The image above is a sample of what the staff has been reading recently.
 
Elsa Rowe
Community Engagement Manager

Supply Chain Woes Continue, Slowing Arrival of New Books
Since the pandemic, the timely acquisition of new books has been a challenge for libraries as book distributors which provide the steepest discounts, struggle with hiring and high shipping costs. The latest snag is the collapse of Baker & Taylor, one or the largest book distributors to libraries. Although it had no longer been our main source for books, the loss of B&T has reverberated through the industry, placing greater demands on the remaining suppliers and slowing down some of our orders. Thank you for your patience as we work to obtain your next read in a timely, cost-efficient manner. 
 
Catherine Morrison
Adult Services Manager

Save the Date!
Adult Events
Youth Events
New Books!

One Cool Library Resource: Room Rentals & Study Spaces
Have you ever seen a flyer for a program at the library but it wasn't on the library's events calendar? It was a room rental! We rent our Meeting Room to local non-profits and businesses when it is not being used for a library program. Organizations only, so no birthday parties, as fun as that would be!
 
What are some of the things that room rentals can and can't do? It's all in our Meeting Room Policy. Are you part of an organization that would like to occasionally use the space? Email Elsa at erowe@scarboroughlibrary.org for availability.
 
Are you looking for a smaller space to borrow? Our Conference Room is available on a first come, first served basis for any library users. We also have two small study rooms available for reservations-- they are good spots for taking an online class or meeting someone on Zoom. Are the rooms all booked up when you need them? Tell us about it! We wish we had more space too. Luckily, our WiFi works great in our parking lot, so a "Car Zoom" is possible. 

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Scarborough Public Library
48 Gorham Rd Scarborough, ME 04074
Phone: 207-883-4723
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