Upcoming Events
Please note that some of the programs listed below are zoom only with a link to preregister . Most Zoom programs will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube Channel
Visit our calendar of events for a complete and updated list of programs.
Tuesday April 11th 6:30 in the Abbott Room
Word of Mouth a poetry reading with Kathleen Ellis and Annaliese Jakimides
In the 1970s, both Ellis and Jakimides moved from large cities, San Francisco Bay Area and Boston, to small rural Maine towns, Lubec and Mount Chase, respectively, to live closer to the land. Jakimides remained there for decades. Many years later, their writer lives intersected. Recently, Ellis chose a multi-media artwork of Jakimides’ for the cover art of her 2022 collection of Body of Evidence, which won the 2022 Grayson Book Poetry Contest.
Past Programs
Thursday April 6th, 6:00 pm in the Abbott Room
Grief, Ghosts, & Islands: Three Maine Poets Read from Their New Books
Join Catherine Weiss, Jefferson Navicky, and Meghan Sterling for a special evening of readings.
Meghan Sterling (she, her, hers) lives in Maine. Her work has been nominated for a number of Pushcarts, is forthcoming in The Los Angeles Review, Rhino Poetry, Nelle, Poetry South, and many others. These Few Seeds (Terrapin Books, 2021) was a Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Finalist. Self-Portrait with Ghosts of the Diaspora (Harbor Editions), Comfort the Mourners (Everybody Press) and View from a Borrowed Field (Lily Poetry Review’s Paul Nemser Book Prize) are all forthcoming in 2023.
Jefferson Navicky (he/him) is the author of four books, most recently Head of Island Beautification for the Rural Outlands (2023) as well as Antique Densities: Modern Parables & Other Experiments on Short Prose (2021), which won the 2022 Maine Literary Book Award for Poetry. He works as the archivist for the Maine Women Writers Collection.
Catherine Weiss (she/they) is a poet and artist from Deer Isle, Maine. Their poetry has been published in Tinderbox, Up the Staircase, Fugue, per happened, Birdcoat, and others. Catherine is the artist behind the collaborative poetry chapbook/card deck I WISH I WASN’T ROYALTY (Game Over Books, 2020). They are also the author of chapbook-length poem FERVOR (Ginger Bug Press, 2021), full-length poetry collections WOLF GIRLS VS. HORSE GIRLS (Game Over Books, 2021), and GRIEFCAKE (Game Over Books, 2023). More at catherineweiss.com.
Postponed to Thursday March 30th: Tuesday March 14th 6:30 pm in the Abbott Room
Out Going Belfast Poet Laureate Judy Kaber: The Last Hurrah (Not Really)
Please note this program has been rescheduled to March 30th:
Please join Judy Kaber on Thursday, March 30th, at 6:30 pm to help celebrate the end of her reign as poet laureate of Belfast. Though she is ceding her title, she will of course remain active in the city’s fine poetic community. She will read both new and older poems and has invited a selection of poets who have supported her during the past two years to share some of their poems as well. Books by those reading will be available for sale. In addition, there will be a donation jar available for those who want to donate to the Karie Friedman fund which is used to support the children’s April poetry contest at the library as well as other poetry events in town.
Tuesday March 28th, 6:30 pm on ZOOM
Rx for a Chaotic Climate: Healthy Soils a presentation with soil scientist Laurie Osher
This is is third installment in the winter Belfast Garden Club Evening Lecture Series co-sponsored by All of Belfast Climate Dialogues, a project of the Belfast Free Library, focusing on the effects of the Climate Crisis on local environments.
In recent years, Mainers have noticed chaotic weather patterns caused by climate change. In this program, state representative and soil scientist Laurie Osher will discuss the impact of climate change on our $3.6 billion agricultural industry, and describe how land management practices can be improved to decrease that impact.
More information at https://belfastlibrary.org/abcd-events/
Tuesday March 21st, 6:30 pm on ZOOM
Come Boating Winter Adventure Series: Arista Holden introduces The Atlantic Challenge
The Atlantic Challenge Contest of Seamanship is coming to Belfast in July 2024! Up to 16 nations’ young adult crews will convene for a week to showcase their maritime skills in a friendly competition while creating an international community. The seamanship events test elements of sailing, rowing, rope-work, and style.
Arista Holden is the US Trustee for Atlantic Challenge and currently runs the Bantry Bay gig program in Belfast, Maine. Originally from Lincolnville, Arista grew up sailing in various traditional small craft throughout Penobscot Bay. Arista will share engaging anecdotes about community building via rowing and sailing in traditional boats, the upcoming Contest in Belfast, and the summer programs available to the public in Penobscot Bay in 2023. atlanticchallengeusa.com
Tuesday February 28th, 6:30 pm on ZOOM
Community Composting
A panel discussion with: Scott Hesse, Davis Saltonstall, and David Wessels
This is is second installment in the winter Belfast Garden Club Evening Lecture Series co-sponsored by All of Belfast Climate Dialogues, a project of the Belfast Free Library, focusing on the effects of the Climate Crisis on local environments.
The talk will be offered on Zoom. Register for the Zoom link.
Food waste is a major contributor to climate change in the U.S. Maine, to its credit, has led a national campaign to recycle food waste, and the state Climate Action Plan supports community composting. Belfast has considered piloting a community site, but has not succeeded long-term. Residents have proposed it to the BGC, but the club doesn’t have sufficient capacity. Food and garden waste is recycled locally by many home gardeners, but the food waste problem cannot be dealt with at scale by individuals.
This interactive program invites members and neighbors to learn about and discuss the options.
Tuesday February 21st, 6:30 pm on ZOOM
Come Boating! Winter Adventure Series:
Race To Alaska with Clare and Leigh Dorsey
Watch the recording here
In June 2022, sisters Clare and Leigh Dorsey rowed 750 miles along the beautiful and treacherous coastline of British Columbia as they competed in the Race to Alaska. Most of their competitors were in sailboats, but the sisters chose to use muscle power alone, camping each night along the wild shore. The name of their boat…Don’t Tell Mom! Join us as we relive the adventure with photos and stories from the trip.
Thursday February 9, 2023 6pm in the Abbott Room (with zoom option)
Community Climate Conversation: The Future of Transportation in Belfast & Waldo County
Did you know transportation accounts for 49% of greenhouse gas emissions, both in Belfast and statewide? Join us for this program in our series of community climate conversations that began on June 14th, 2022 seeking public input to develop a climate action plan for Belfast.
The event, co-sponsored by All of Belfast Climate Dialogues (ABCD), a project of the Belfast Free Library and the City of Belfast Climate Crisis Committee (CCC) will take place in the Abbott Room of the Library. A hybrid zoom option is available. .
Electric vehicle use, transitioning buses and municipal fleets, reducing vehicle miles traveled through increased access to broadband, public transit, and opportunities to bike and walk… these are all part of Maine’s strategy to reduce transportation emissions.
What about Belfast and Waldo County? Come learn about what has already been accomplished and what opportunities are available, hear what others are doing, and share your questions, ideas, and priorities.
Thursday February 2nd, 6:00 pm on Zoom
Rain Gardens and Other Water Management Techniques for Your Property
Rebecca Jacobs of the Knox- Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation
Do you have excess water on your property following a rain event? A rain garden could be an effective and attractive solution for helping to direct and infiltrate the runoff or pooling on your property. Learn the ins and outs of properly installing a rain garden as well as other water management techniques that could benefit your property.
The event is presented by All of Belfast Climate Dialogues (ABCD), a project of the Belfast Free Library. For the full listing visit the ABCD Events Page
Tuesday January 24th, 6:30 pm on ZOOM
The 2023 Belfast Garden Club Evening Lecture Series co-sponsored by All of Belfast Climate Dialogues, a project of the Belfast Free Library:
Landscape of Change with Catherine Schmitt, Schoodic Institute
Register for the zoom link here
Back in the 1880s, a group of Harvard students, known as the Champlain Society, sparked conservation efforts that eventually led to the formation of Acadia National Park. Today their logbooks are serving a broader environmental purpose.
Environmental scientist Catherine Schmitt will describe how the Landscape of Change project uses the Champlain Society logbooks as a baseline to measure the effects of climate change. She’ll speak on what’s been learned about MDI’s changing landscape so far, the value of collaboration for monitoring the climate crisis, and the ways everyone can participate in understanding landscapes of change.
Tuesday January 17th, 6:30 pm on ZOOM
Around Newfoundland in a Small Boat - Cod and Puffins, Fjords and Fishermen with Jonathan Fulford
If you missed the presentation watch it on our YouTube Channel here
A long time environmental activist and experienced sailor, Jonathan Fulford sailed this past summer from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, around Newfoundland, and back to Belfast, a 3800 nm adventure. This trip was an opportunity to share the beauty of these lands and waters with twenty different crew, as well as meet and talk with the generous people for whom these places are their home. It was also an opportunity to eat a lot of fish!
Register for the zoom link here.