Wow! Did we survive this summer? Did we get to the beach enough, or out on the boat enough? How many chicken suppers or lobster rolls did you and your visitors consume? Did you make the ice cream socials? Also, let’s be honest: Somewhere between trips to Renys, the grocery store and beverage outlets, we began to wonder, while sitting in traffic, “When is this mad, carefree summer going to end?”
Here at the Cundy’s Harbor Library, we were humming right along. With our new hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday, we saw a lot of new faces and many of our harbor neighbors. We checked out most of those summer reads I wrote about in June. We had a photo contest and ice cream on the deck. There were picnics on the tables out back, following a few author talks and family reunions. At the end of August, we had our back brush and trees groomed just in time for a local wedding. It was a summer filled with energy, conversation and literature.
Now it is September, and the library continues to hum. With the return of interlibrary loan deliveries, we are back to offering books from around the state. This interlude made me aware of how close our library connections really are. All over the state, our libraries request materials from one another. Daily, books are checked out of our collections and make their way to readers. Our books have traveled to the Carrabassett Valley, Monroe, and nearby Wiscasset. Book clubs have gained readership with access to novels from our shelves. A quick review showed 155 books were shared in the past nine months.
After the temporary loss of the vans that crisscross our state, librarians continued to share. At Cundy’s library, we reestablished our connection with Portland and mailed books back and forth, as we had in the ’70s. There was no real change in our connection with Curtis, as we continued picking up and dropping off materials, thanks to our local volunteer Jen. Dusting off our Topsham borrowing privileges just meant three added clicks for a book search and a trip up to the library intertwined with errands at Renys and the movie theater. Directors met monthly or called one another to keep our access going. Orr’s Island Library shared its collection, as did we. All these library connections resulted in a new awareness of why public libraries are a gift for this community. This summer, Harpswell had library access every day of the week. Weekly events and activities included book walks at Little Ponds and Curtis Farm preserves, talks by local writers at both Cundy’s Harbor and Orr’s libraries, and book clubs gathering and sharing copies of “James,” “The Thursday Murder Club,” “Mad Honey,” and “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.” All in all it was a bit of a bother, but just like we come together during power outages, we came together to keep the libraries running.
As we enter September, the live cameras in our backyard will continue to provide a link to harbor conditions and views. Our tables will host you as you visit for picnics or Wi-Fi. Our collection will continue to expand while we maintain strong connections with all Maine libraries. On Saturday, Sept. 14, we will have David Florig coming from Belfast with his mystery books about curling. Attendees also will get a chance to see curling stones. In October, Cundy’s Harbor Library will co-host a literary walk and activities on the new Tondreau Preserve and again on the Cliff Trail with Harpswell Recreation for Halloween.
Within the library’s collection, books receiving thumbs-up from readers are “On Call,” by Anthony Fauci; Paul Doiron’s latest, “Pitch Dark”; “How to Read A Book,” by Monica Wood; “The Cliffs,” by J. Courtney Sullivan; and “Pete and Alice in Maine,” by Caitlin Shetterly. All but the first are by Maine authors!
This is the time of year that is near and dear. I encourage you to drop by and take out a book to accompany you as you enjoy the magic days of a Maine September.
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island and Curtis Memorial.
