Category: FYI

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Bridgton Public Library 🍁

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we invite our community to join us in celebrating the rich histories, cultures, and ongoing contributions of Maine’s Indigenous nations. We especially honor the Wabanaki (Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot) peoples—who have lived on and stewarded these lands long before us.

What you can do today (and all year):

• Explore our library’s collection of books by Indigenous authors and featuring Indigenous perspectives

• Support Indigenous-led organizations and local tribal communities

• Attend events, lectures, and cultural programs

• Center Indigenous voices when telling local history

Check out these Book Recommendations in our Online Cloud Library:
Here are a few titles that highlight Indigenous voices, stories, and wisdom:

• The Gatherings by Shirley N. Hager and Mawopiyane — A powerful collaboration of Maine voices detailing how Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can come together to create meaningful and lasting relationships.

• Fire Exit by Morgan Talty — a novel set on the Penobscot Reservation in Maine, exploring identity, family, and secrets.

• On Savage Shores by Caroline Pennock Dodds—A landmark narrative  story of the Indigenous Americans who journeyed across the Atlantic to Europe after 1492. 

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer — a beautiful meditation on ecology, gratitude, and Indigenous science and worldview.

• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz—told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, this book offers a detailed history on how Native Americans, for centuries, have actively resisted the expansion of the US empire.

If you’re curious, stop by and ask our staff for more recommendations tailored by age or interest!

A few local and educational resources: 

• The Wabanaki Center at the University of Maine works to strengthen connections and understanding between the university and Indigenous communities. The University of Maine

• The Wabanaki Studies program in Maine’s Department of Education supports the inclusion of Indigenous histories, languages, and perspectives in our state’s schools. Maine.gov

• The Maine Wabanaki Studies framework provides a helpful lens for educators (and curious learners) to better understand the presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Meeassociation.org

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Bridgton Public Library honors and supports the strength, resilience, and creativity of Indigenous communities—not just today, but every day. We welcome you to read, learn, reflect, and grow with us.

Let Freedom Read: Celebrating Banned Books Week at Bridgton Public Library – October 11

At Bridgton Public Library, we believe that access to books, ideas, and diverse perspectives is a cornerstone of a free and informed society. That’s why we’re proud to recognize Banned Books Week and the “Let Freedom Read” campaign — a nationwide celebration of the freedom to read and a stand against censorship in all its forms.

This year, Banned Books Week runs from October 5–11, and we’re putting a special spotlight on October 11 to join libraries, schools, and bookstores across the country in declaring: Let Freedom Read.

What Is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a growing number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. Today, it serves as a reminder that books can be powerful — and sometimes controversial — but that doesn’t mean they should be silenced.

Each year, books are challenged and removed from shelves for exploring topics like race, gender identity, sexuality, religion, and politics. Many of these books are written for young people by authors from marginalized communities — voices that are especially important to preserve and amplify.

Why It Matters

When we allow books to be banned, we limit our ability to:

• Think critically

• Understand diverse experiences

• Engage in open dialogue

• Encourage empathy and independent thought

At Bridgton Public Library, we stand for the intellectual freedom of all readers — no matter your age, background, or beliefs. We believe that everyone should have the right to choose what they read, explore new ideas, and learn about the world through the stories of others.

Visit Our Banned Books Display

Stop by the library this week to check out our Banned Books Week display, featuring titles that have been challenged or banned over the years — including classics, graphic novels, young adult favorites, and contemporary works. You might be surprised by what’s on the list.

Pick one up, read with curiosity, and consider why someone might want to keep it off the shelves — and why that matters.

Join the Conversation

Want to learn more or talk about what you’re reading? Ask a librarian for book recommendations or resources on censorship, free expression, and advocacy. You can also share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #LetFreedomRead.

Let’s celebrate our right to read freely — and protect it for future generations.

See flyer below for more ways to get involved in Let Freedom Read Day!