What's New at BML

Hours Survey 2009

Due to recent budget cuts, Baxter Memorial Library will be shortening our hours starting September 14, 2009. Deciding when to close during the week is a difficult decision to make and we want to keep everyone's needs in mind. We would very much appreciate your input in this process. Please take a moment to fill out our Baxter Memorial Library Hours Survey 2009 by clicking here. The survey ends at 11:45 pm on Wednesday July 22, 2009.

If you prefer, there are paper versions available at the library as well.

Thank You!

Summer Reading Programs Have Begun

This year, we have wonderful programs for both adults and kids!

In Youth Services, each child with their parent or caregiver may set their own goal for summer reading. This goal may be a certain number of books read or a number of minutes being read to by their parent or caregiver.

To make this activity even more fun, every child who signs up will receive a Sea Dog ticket voucher and TD Banknorth will deposit $10.00 in a savings account for every child reading at least ten books. Those who reach their goal will be eligible for a free book and entry into the grand prize drawing on August 26th at our "Make Your Own Ice Cream" culminating party.


In Adult Services, participants receive a Frequent Reader Card with space for eight titles. For each title read (or listened to... audiobooks count as well,) participants get their card punched and entry into that week's drawing for a $15 gift card to Gorham House of Pizza, Gorham Grind, Beal's Ice Cream or Sebago Brewery. So even if you don't make the eight title goal there are still chances for great prizes!

Once the card is full, it can be turned in for entry into the grand prize drawing for a $100 gift card to The Book Worm. Read as much as you can; multiple entries are welcomed! There is no age requirement for this program but entrants may not participate in both the Youth Services and Adult programs at the same time. Happy reading!

Downloadable Audio Books Now Available

Baxter Memorial Library is pleased to announce that downloadable audio books will now be available through the Maine InfoNet Download Library!

Simply click the image above to visit http://download.maineinfonet.org and get started today.

A PDF version of the instructional brochure is available by clicking here and the official FAQ is located at http://download.maineinfonet.org/help.htm.

This service is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Friends of Baxter Memorial Library.

2009 Writing and Bookmark Contest Winners

The winning entries in the 2009 Friends of Baxter Memorial Library Writing and Bookmark Contests have been announced and may be viewed here.

Maine Answers Tough Times

Whether it is called a recession or a depression, all of us are now facing an economic downturn that can be simply described as tough times. How we respond and what we need to make it through these tough times will differ from person to person; family to family.

With that in mind, the Maine State Library has created a list of links and resources to help us all get through these hard times; whatever form they may take. For more information, please visit Maine Answers Tough Times.

What is Your Library Worth?

Have you ever stopped to consider the dollar value of the services you enjoy at Baxter? We did. Based on our last fiscal year's circulation figures entered into the Library Use Value Calculator, Baxter Memorial Library delivered $2,862,908 in services to our patrons on a budget of $442,645. Which is to say that for every $1.00 in funding the library received it returned nearly $6.50 in value.

Why not try out the Library Use Value Calculator yourself. It will help you put a price on the materials, programs, passes and functions of the library that you use most. You may be surprised just how much that little library card is really worth!

Portland Public Library Cards

Did you know that all residents of Cumberland and York counties are eligible for a free Portland Public Library card and, with the 14-digit number it provides, access to their amazing online resources? It's true. Many of the most valuable resources Portland Public Library has to offer can be accessed for free without ever leaving your home. All you need is a library card.

Furthermore, you will now be able to obtain a free Portland Public Library card at the circulation desk here at Baxter Memorial Library.

Highlights of what PPL has to offer include:

- Genealogy information from HeritageQuest and Ancestry Plus
- Learn-a-Language audiobooks from the Pimsleur Language series
- Thousands of audiobooks you can download to your MP3 player
- Auto Repair manuals
- Learn-a-Test programs you can use from home
- Business Research from Mergent and other references
- Kids' e-books from Tumblebooks Library

FMI, please ask the helpful staff at the front desk or call 839-5031.

Literary Map of Maine

The Portland Press Herald / Sunday Telegram has posted their Literary Map of Maine online. It can be viewed by clicking here.

We have a mailing list!

Curious about Library closings and other special bulletins? Wondering what our Friends group is up to? Want to stay fully abreast of all that we offer in upcoming programs and events but not interested in checking our online calendar of events? Why not subscribe to our mailing list? We'll send all the news you need to know directly to your email!

The Baxter Memorial Library and the Friends of Baxter Memorial Library have just added a free, subscription-based email service for news and other announcements. Simply follow this link: BML Email Subscription. It will take you to the Town of Gorham's website, where you can subscribe (or unsubscribe) to any of a number of lists the Town offers, including ours!

Audio on the Go!

Check out the newest addition to our audio collection...PLAYAWAYS! PLAYAWAY is the brand name for the first-ever, self-playing digital audio book! It is the newest and easiest way to listen to audio books because PLAYAWAY comes already loaded with the audio book inside. All you do is press the start button. Enjoy digital sound from the lightweight player with eight simple buttons that can be worn around your neck or placed in a pocket.

All you need is a set of headphones and a AAA battery and you can take your book with you, wherever you go. Playaways are located in our Youth Services area, but ask for fun titles for all ages.

Recent Acquisitions

New Adult Fiction	New Non-Fiction
New DVDs	New Books on CD
New YA Fiction

Baxter Movie Collection

Baxter Library owns a wide variety of films on video and DVD! Our movies can be checked out for two weeks at a time, just like our books. If we don't own the title that interests you, request it online from another Minerva library using your library bar code, and we'll call you when it arrives.

View our DVD Holdings

View our VHS Holdings