Summer Reading 2023

Spring into Summer Reading Kick Off – Wednesday, June 21 from 2-6pm – Join us for our Spring into Summer Reading kick-off event from 2-6pm. Our summer reading theme is POWER UP. We invite you to DRESS LIKE A SUPERHERO! During the event you can: sign up for summer reading, take superhero photo ops, enjoy live music, grab food and drink, play in the bubble machine, and have a picture drawn for you by some talented GHS students! (all ages)

Links for resources and content geared for birth-6th grade
**Click here for information about our Storytimes**

Pride-Themed Craft Day, Wednesday, June 7 – Let’s celebrate PRIDE! Join us in the Youth Services department to make two crafts: rainbow flyers and friendship pins. Drop-in anytime! You can use the crafts to celebrate at Gorham’s First Annual Pride Celebration on Saturday, June 24. (all ages)
Summer Family Discovery Story Time
(ages 2-5)
Monday, June 26 from 10:00 to 10:45AM – Join us on the library lawn for Family Story Time! This multi-age program (ages 2-5) will feature books, music, movement and a hands-on activity! Please bring your own chair or blanket. In the event of inclement weather, the story time will be held in the Youth Services program room.
Call the library at 222-1190 or visit our Facebook page for up-to-date information.
Crafty Quest Gaming Workshop

Tuesday, June 27 from 3:30-5:00pm – Join master storyteller and gamer Michael Best as he walks young players through the basics of role playing games (RPGs). Using his game-master skills along with crafts, participants will learn to create a character and a back story and will play a short RPG adventure. For fans of table-top games or those who would like to learn more about them. Registration is required. (ages 6-12)
Big Blue Block Building Day

Wednesday, June 28 from 10:00-11:00am – Join us for some creative construction on the Library green. (All ages)
Art in the Park
Thursday, June 29 from 10:00-11:30am – Bring your snacks and a blanket as we enjoy art in the park together. We supply that paints and paper, and you supply the creativity. This is one of our most popular summer events. (All ages)
Let’s Move in Libraries Packs

Youth Services has added two fitness kits to our Let’s Move in Libraries collection. The fitness kits include: a speed and agility ladder, a beaded jump rope, a skip ball, a stopwatch, and a fitness log. Patrons can check out the new fitness kits in addition to the ones we currently circulate that contain everything you’d need to do yoga at home, bird watching, and dog training.
Certified Fresh

Virtual Programming
Beginning Ukulele with Mr. Jeff
Learn how to play the ukulele on YouTube with Mr. Jeff. Check out a ukulele at Baxter Memorial Library or just dust off the one you have hiding in your closet! We have added 8 ukuleles in a plethora of colors for you to borrow for up to 3 weeks.

Maine Trail Finder wants to help you get out and moving on local trails! Learn about hundreds of people-powered trails from Kittery to Fort Kent. Check out their calendar to discover events and activities happening around the state. Create a free account to keep track of your activity, tag your favorite trails, and bookmark the ones you want to do next. Your next adventure is waiting to be discovered!

The Maine Birthday Book StoryWalk is now open! This StoryWalk celebrates the Maine Bicentennial and is a collaboration between Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham Parks and Recreation, Gorham Schools, and Shaw Brothers Construction. Join the fun as you walk, read, and follow the StoryWalk signs* at beautiful Cherry Hill Farm Trail in Gorham, Maine. Please maintain social distancing between family groups and masks are recommended when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
*Partially funded by a grant from the Maine Bicentennial Committee.
The Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine is open again! Newly located on Thompson’s Point in Portland, the museum invites you to explore Science, Culture, Visual Arts, and Community exhibits, view a production in Maddy’s Theatre, or check out their programs. There is no shortage of fun to be had! Visit their website to reserve a ticket and view their Covid-19 guidelines.
Raising Readers is a blog for both local and national resources for families created in response to COVID-19. Find content from performer Rick Charette, Maine author Lynn Plourde, the Maine State Library, and much more!

Storyline Online: streaming videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
