Beflast Free Library

"If you can keep it"...democracy in America with Seth Singleton
2024-12-09 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Abbott Room
This year’s Camden Conference is focusing on the worldwide retreat from democracy. In this talk Seth Singleton will consider the United States.
When the Constitution was written, Benjamin Franklin was reportedly asked, “are we a monarchy or a republic?” He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Will the United States remain a democracy? We will consider what democracy requires, how 21st century autocrats take over democratic governments, our present situation, and what will be necessary to preserve democracy during and after the second Trump Presidency.

Register for the Zoom link here.
More information about the 38th annual Camden Conference, “Democracy Under Threat: A Global Perspective”

Computer class: Identifying Frauds & Scams
2024-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Third Floor Conference Room
*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
Learn about the different types of internet fraud and scams, the dos and don’ts of protecting yourself online, and what to do if you have experienced online fraud or abuse.
No devices are required for this class; just bring yourself.
This class is offered in partnership with the National Digital Equity Center, meaning an instructor from this organization will be teaching the class. Attendees must enroll and register at https://digitalequitycenter.org/classes/class/identifying-fraud-scams/?instance_id=5185 For more information, contact 338-3884 ext. 25 or spietryka@belfastlibrary.org

Knit2Together
2024-12-11 16:00, 2024-12-18 16:00, 2024-12-25 16:00, 2025-01-01 16:00, 2025-01-08 16:00, 2025-01-15 16:00 | Abbott Room
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room.
This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn from each other while working on their own projects. Library staff will have computers available to demonstrate how to use Ravelry.com and other websites to help find patterns and organize your work. Registration is not required. For more information please call 338-3884 ext.10
Contact bharrington@belfastlibrary.org to sign up to to join the knitting group.

Computer class: Cloud-based Backup Solutions
2024-12-13 15:00 - 16:00 | Third Floor Conference Room
*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
In this class, we will explore the most popular, free, cloud-based platforms to safely back-up the information that is important to you.
No devices are required for this class; just bring yourself.
This class is offered in partnership with the National Digital Equity Center, meaning an instructor from this organization will be teaching the class. Attendees must enroll and register at https://digitalequitycenter.org/classes/class/identifying-fraud-scams/?instance_id=5185 For more information, contact 338-3884 ext. 25 or spietryka@belfastlibrary.org

Come Boating Winter Adventure Series
2024-12-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Abbott Room
ART PAINE – REGATTA IN PARADISE
Every year Art Paine and his wife Carey escape the winter blahs by helping organize the famous Family Islands Regatta in the Bahamas. These unique, roughly built wooden boats, traditionally used for fishing and commerce gather each spring to race each other for cash prizes and has grown into an event with a hundred beautiful sailboats. Art will present his incredible photos and videos of this very colorful and exciting gathering.
Register for the Zoom Link Here
This program is co-sponsored by the Belfast Free Library. Stay tuned for the 2025 Winter Adventure Series to begin on January 21st.

Library Offers New Year’s Eve Lineup as part of Last Night Belfast Events
2024-12-31 05:00 - 21:30 | Abbott Room
Belfast Free Library Offers New Year’s Eve Lineup as part of Last Night Belfast Events:
The Belfast Free Library is delighted to offer something for everyone during this year’s “Last Night Belfast” celebration on New Year’s Eve 2024: resolutions to release, a magic show, a slice of Belfast history and the fantastic Bill Barnes Jazz Trio to top off the evening’s festivities.
From 5 to 9:30 in the lobby, Parks & Rec Director Pamela J. Salokangas will offer “Resolutions Ablaze.” Come write anything from 2024 you’d like to release on a flame-shaped colored piece of paper: an event, a thought, a tragedy, something angering, a bad habit . . .add a yarn hanger, and Pamela will collect them and take them to the bonfire area prior to the fire. They will be placed on the bonfire as decoration, and burned when the bonfire is lit.
At 5:15, families are welcomed to BFL’s Abbott Room for a longtime favorite magic show. “Conjuring” Carroll Chapman is a traveling performing artist specializing in family audiences as an education specialist. With over 30 years of performing in New England and Internationally, Carroll provides world-class family entertainment for resorts, community events, fairs, and festivals. Come experience laughter, comedy, magic, and a bit of nonsense at his award-winning magic presentation.
At 6:15, we’ll explore “Belfast Winters of Yesteryear” with Megan Pinette, historical society president. Her fascinating program will take a look back at how Belfastians fared during the 19th and early 20th century during the long winter months. The harbor froze over, runaway horses and sleighs were regularly reported in the newspaper, and falling snow drifts were a constant hazard. And yet, fun was had! Selected New Year’s greeting cards from the Belfast Museum collection will also be featured.
At 8 pm we welcome back the legendary Bill Barnes Trio. A Maine favorite with decades of musical experience and virtuosic guitar skills, these marvelous musicians will provide an unforgettable performance, interpreting jazz standards uniquely and delivering heart-warming original compositions.

Computer class: iPhone Basics (3-session class)
2025-01-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Third Floor Conference Room
*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
January 6 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
January 7 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
January 8 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
This class is three sessions long—attendees should plan on attending all three sessions.
This course covers the basics of how to use Apple’s popular iPhone. This class starts with the basics of how to log on using multiple methods from passcode to touch id to face recognition technology. Apple’s iCloud service will be discussed, including how it will help secure your data and allow your data to be used across multiple Apple devices. The App Store will be covered to find additional applications that may meet your varied interest and needs.
Requirements for this class: An iPhone connected to the internet.
This class is offered in partnership with the National Digital Equity Center, meaning an instructor from this organization will be teaching the class. Attendees must enroll and register at https://digitalequitycenter.org/classes/class/iphone-basics/?instance_id=5301 For more information, contact 338-3884 ext. 25 or spietryka@belfastlibrary.org

Public Meeting: Harbor Vulnerability Assessment
2025-01-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Abbott Room

Genealogy group meeting: An American Story--From the Mayflower to a Belfast Sea Captain's Son, 1620-1895
2025-01-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Abbott Room
Join us for our first meeting of 2025!
As the Belfast area’s local chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society, we will first elect officers and discuss upcoming programs for the year, followed by a presentation about how the 1895 obituary for a young man from Belfast, the son of a sea captain, led local genealogist Dana Murch to discover a family ancestry steeped in American history, from the Mayflower to the Civil War.
New group members and attendees are always welcome!
All are welcome! These are typically hybrid meetings, with the option to join in-person in the Abbott Room or to join online over Zoom. To receive the Zoom link or for more information, please email Sharon Pietryka at spietryka@belfastlibrary.org.

Come Boating! Winter Adventure Series: Adventures in the Faroe Islands
2025-01-17 08:00 - 17:00
Marci Richardson will share her travel experiences and upcoming journey to the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago of the Kingdom of Denmark, consisting of 18 volcanic islands, located in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway, known for its stunning landscapes and rich Norse history, popular with hikers and bird watchers and especially fiber enthusiasts. Visiting the Faroe Islands is truly an unforgettable journey off the beaten path.
For more information about Come Boating visit their website

This program will take place in the Abbott Room with a Zoom option. Register for the Zoom link here.
