Thomas Memorial Library offers a variety of exploration tools that you can check out to get to know the natural world! Read on for descriptions of what is available.
Borrow an Orion StarBlast Telescope
Explore the evening sky with our Orion StarBlast Telescope, made possible through the support of Cornerstones of Science. The telescope is available for one week loans. Please note that the telescope may only be borrowed by patrons of Thomas Memorial Library who are 18 or older with a card in good standing.
To inquire about borrowing the telescope, please visit or contact the Main Desk at 799-1720.
Further resources:
Southern Maine Astronomy Observatory’s Clear Sky Chart
Night Sky Backpack
Cornerstones of Science has created a Night Sky Binocular Backpack kit, available as a wonderful addition to borrowing our Telescope or just to try out stargazing!
The backpack is available for one week loans. Please note that the backpack may only be borrowed by patrons of Thomas Memorial Library.
To inquire about borrowing the backpack, please visit or contact the Main Desk at 799-1720.
Contents of this bright orange backpack include:
- A pair of 7×50 Celestron binoculars
- Constellation finder
- Switchable white- and red-light headlamp
- Audubon Pocket Constellation Guide
- The Secret Galaxy by Maine author Fran Hodgkins
- Zoo in the Sky by Jaqueline Mitton
- Find the Stars by H.A. Rey
- Short quick-start guides on how to use the items
Nature Explorer Backpacks
There are three different themed Nature Explorer Backpacks that you can check out to explore the world around you! Each backpack contains books, tools, and activities to help you learn more about the natural world outside your door and become a citizen scientist.
The backpacks are available for one week loans. Please note that the backpacks may only be borrowed by patrons of Thomas Memorial Library.
To inquire about borrowing a backpack, please visit or contact the Main Desk at 799-1720.
Birds
Contents include:
- Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate.
- Sibley Birds East by David Allen Sibley
- Birds of Maine Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
- Colored pencils & pencil sharpener
- Binoculars (with case)
- Magnifying Glass (with case)
- Bird photo cards and nest photos
- Information binder from Maine Audubon
- Audubon bird call
- Dry Erase Lapboard
Resources and citizen science opportunities
For more information and citizen science opportunities relating to birds, check out:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Great Backyard Bird Count, Maine Audubon, Project FeederWatch
Plants
Contents include:
- Forest Trees of Maine by Maine Forest Service
- Take Along Guide: Berries, Nuts, and Seeds by Diane L. Burns
- Pocket Naturalist Guide: Maine Trees and Wildflowers by Kavanagh/Leung
- Colored pencils, crayons, & pencil sharpener
- Information binder from Maine Audubon
- Magnifying glass (with case)
- Specimen box
- Sorting sheet
- Paint color sample strips
- Dry Erase Lapboard
Resources and citizen science opportunities
For more information and citizen science opportunities relating to plants, check out:
Maine Audubon Native Plant Finder, Maine Forest Service, Maine Invasive Species Network, Wild Seed Project
Wildlife
Contents include:
- Falcon Guide to Scats and Tracks of the Northeast by James Halfpenny, Jim Bruchac, & Todd Telander
- Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of New England by Kenn Kaufman & Kimberly Kaufman
- Pocket Naturalist Guide: Bugs & Slugs by Kavanagh/Leung
- Pocket Naturalist Guide: Maine Wildlife by Kavanagh/Leung
- Animal track rubber stamps & washable inkpad
- Empty yogurt container
- Shovel
- Specimen box
- Magnifying glass (with case)
- Colored pencils & pencil sharpener
- Information binder from Maine Audubon
- Dry Erase Lapboard
Resources and citizen science opportunities
For more information and citizen science opportunities relating to local wildlife, check out:
Center for Wildlife, iNaturalist, Maine Kids Wildlife Information, Vital Signs Maine