Bass Harbor Memorial Library

06/20/2026

Researchers on Eastern Egg Rock and Stratton Island had to do a double take after seeing a Bridled Tern fly near the islands. Bridled Terns are a tropical species and are uncommon in Maine. Want to learn more about life on the islands? Dive into this week's Seabirds and Shorelines linked in the comments below!

06/19/2026

Today, on Juneteenth, thinking of Frederick Douglass, who spent several of his formative years in Belfast after fleeing the United States.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. This year marks 161 years since that moment.

161 years is not a long time. It is just over five generations, or roughly two lifetimes ago, and the consequences of slavery and the treatment of enslaved people are still very much with us today.

I try to remember Douglass’s words when the world feels so filled with unreasonable people.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

06/18/2026

The Bass Harbor Memorial Library will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth: Freedom Day. However, we will reopen at 5:30 PM for Friday Night At The Movies.

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗦 : 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟵 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗣𝗠

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖̧𝗢𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗙𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗧’𝗦 ‘𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗜𝗠’

Hailed as one of the finest films ever made, Jules and Jim charts, over twenty-five years, the relationship between two friends and the object of their mutual obsession. The legendary François Truffaut directs, and Jeanne Moreau stars as the alluring and willful Catherine, whose enigmatic smile and passionate nature lure Jules (Oskar Werner) and Jim (Henri Serre) into one of cinema's most captivating romantic triangles. An exuberant and poignant meditation on freedom, loyalty, and the fortitude of love, Jules and Jim was a worldwide smash in 1962 and remains every bit as audacious and entrancing today.

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Join us at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Road, Bernard • Friday, 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟵 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗣𝗠

FREE Popcorn, Snacks, & Refreshments
Donations Always Appreciated

In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Fr | dG1feDVJQVlJVUtUYUk

06/18/2026

The Bass Harbor Memorial Library will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

The library will reopen as scheduled on Saturday, June 20, at 10 AM.

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The First Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all.

06/18/2026

Willie & Millie are once again proud parents! ❤

We've always got our eyes on the Seal Island colony at the library. Come in anytime to relax, pick up a book, and stay updated on our nearby Fratercula arctica (Atlantic Puffin) neighbors.

06/12/2026

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06/12/2026

This week brings us not only the much-anticipated beginning of Summer Vacation for young patrons, but sadly the end of Maine's Atlantic halibut season.

Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is the largest type of flatfish in the world. It belongs to the family of right-eye flounders. Atlantic halibut can be found in the temperate and arctic waters of the northern Atlantic. It lives on the sea floor—bottom-dwelling creature—on a depth of 160 to 6.560 feet. Atlantic halibut prefers areas with sandy and gravelly sea floor.

The fish go fast and furious around here, so get yours while you can, from the people that know how to catch 'em. And if you're so inclined, post your favorite recipes here for others to try out and experiment with. 🌞

Photograph of Braydan, who fishes and lobsters with his father Dan Closson (when he's not in school, of course) aboard the F/V Never Enough, out of Bass Harbor. Photo credit of Dan, with that fine looking halibut, goes to Brad Jordan.

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Don't forget, your Bass Harbor Memorial Library is open all year long, yes, even in the Summertime. You are always welcome to come in, cool off, grab a drink of water, or to just say, "Hello!" We're always happy to see you. As always, our hours are:

Tuesday 10 a.m — 5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m — 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m — 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m — 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m — 2 p.m.

06/09/2026

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗦

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖̧𝗢𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗙𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗧’𝗦 ‘𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗜𝗠’
𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟵 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗣𝗠

Hailed as one of the finest films ever made, 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗜𝗠 charts, over twenty-five years, the relationship between two friends and the object of their mutual obsession.

The legendary 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰̧𝗼𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝘂𝘁 directs, and 𝗝𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 stars as the alluring and willful Catherine, whose enigmatic smile and passionate nature lure Jules (𝗢𝘀𝗸𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿) and Jim (𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲) into one of cinema’s most captivating romantic triangles. An exuberant and poignant meditation on freedom, loyalty, and the fortitude of love, 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗜𝗠 was a worldwide smash in 1962 and remains every bit as audacious and entrancing today. — Criterion Channel

Join us at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Road, Bernard • 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟵 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗣𝗠

❤️ 📽️ 🍿

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻, 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀, & 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Donations Always Appreciated