On a “story walk” along the South Loop at Little Ponds Preserve, “The Wildlife Tree” teaches readers about animals they might encounter. (Heather Logan photo)
Where is Cundy’s Harbor?
When David Perrier first arrived as librarian, this was his question. It seemed every person with whom he talked had a slightly different answer. Being a lover of historical records and maps, David began to seek out the answer. This was the question that fostered the creation of the Saturday afternoon history roundtable.
On the first Saturday of each month, David hosts this roundtable, welcoming anyone who has a question or information to share. For two hours, starting at 1 p.m., all are welcome to join in the conversation. Since the beginning, a small, ever-changing group has entered our door with questions or books, letters or maps to share. On Harpswell Day, the topic for the history roundtable was “legends and lore.” The compiled stories are available at Cundy’s Harbor Library, as is the map showing Cundy’s Harbor’s boundaries throughout the last 300 or more years.
Roundtable topics vary monthly based on questions or information David receives. Prior to the Saturday meeting, David digs through the maps and old materials archived in the reserve shelving. Do you have a question about Maine coastal events or stories? Call David at the library, 207-725-1461, and present your idea. If you can’t make a meeting, David will gladly set up a time to meet with you individually.
Do you have a story time?
This is another question that has a new answer. Traditionally a volunteer ran a story time at the library. One day a week, a picture book was read and there was a follow-up activity. Harpswell residents have many options, between the Orr’s Island and Curtis libraries, to attend story times. Given our recent renovations and limited space, coupled with the loss of the “story lady,” our story time became a “story walk.”
Beginning in July, Cundy’s Harbor Library worked with the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust to bring a story walk to the South Loop at Little Ponds Preserve, on Bethel Point Road. The land has close ties with our library, as it was a gift of the Pulsifer family, who was part of the original library board.
More than 80 groups of people have now read “The Wildlife Tree” on the story walk. This Maine-authored book introduces animals and habitats that align with the trail. The next story walk is currently in the library’s backyard. “Sheep on a Ship” rhymes its way from the parking lot to a picnic table. Other stories are planned for 2024. Using this format allows more families to access stories when they visit our community. All the books are available for checkout as well.
I need a book. What do you have?
Every week David is met with this question. As librarian at a small library, the reading public is his priority. With input from volunteer Nancy Hatch, David works to provide all who enter with books of interest.
This question has inspired two book groups: The Scratch Paper Book Club and the more traditional Cundy’s Harbor Library Book Club, which meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30. The first is a loose network of readers who write recommendations on scratch paper and Post-its. What follows is an exchange of opinions as well as books. Our checkout logs show an increase in World War II books, both fiction and nonfiction. Readers seem to shift their time at the library to converse with other readers. Best of all, it serves as a resource for staff to make better recommendations.
The more traditional book club began with readers who had never been in a book club or had been in a club that dissolved. Each book is selected by group consensus. The library hosts time for conversation and refreshments related to the month’s book. We have had “better living through brownies” for “Lessons in Chemistry” and Brazil nuts for “The River of Doubt.”
What’s new?
Our library is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting at 10 a.m. Our events are in the Harpswell Anchor calendar and on our website and social media. During the week of an event, you will see the trusty sandwich board on our front lawn as well.
We have updated spaces for meetings or tutoring sessions. Planning is underway for a new private space for telehealth and online meetings. We are open to ideas and, of course, sharing our resources as we enter 2024.
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island and Curtis Memorial. Heather Logan is the director of the Cundy’s Harbor Library.
