“My grandma always said that God made libraries so that people didn’t have any excuse to be stupid.”
–Joan Bauer, “Rules of the Road”
It is difficult to imagine life in 1900. It was three years before the Wright brothers flew their first plane and eight years before Ford introduced the Model T. Making a living was an all-consuming effort, and entertainment as we know it now simply did not exist. However, one way to escape or explore new worlds was the same then as it is now — books.
In 1900, getting books was an issue. There were no bookstores, and even if books were somehow available, few people had the money to buy them. Three summer cottagers and one islander came up with a solution — open a library on Orr’s Island.
During the first year of operation, islanders could check out a book for 2 cents a week; for cottagers it was 5 cents. A fundraiser in the form of a late-summer barn party swelled the library’s treasury to $32.
The library soon became more than a reading place. It was a destination for social gatherings, where sewing and weaving groups were formed while children did map puzzles.
As time passed, the demand for books grew. Recognizing that some people could not physically come to the library, a wooden box (some might call it the first bookmobile) was used to deliver an assortment to people’s homes.
During the next three-quarters of a century, societal and financial challenges abounded. We faced two world wars, during which patrons wrapped bandages for the Red Cross, and the Great Depression. Yet, through it all, the library persevered.
The library as we know it today exists in large part thanks to three separate events in the 1980s.
In 1983, the inaugural library fair took place the first week in August. That event, now more commonly known as the annual book sale, with scrumptious baked goods, continues to this day.
That same year, the town of Harpswell recognized the value of the library and allocated the first of its now-annual contributions toward library services.
Then, in 1986, Joanne Rogers was named librarian. During her more than 35 years in that position, Joanne provided stability and vision when it was needed most. Her passion for reading and excited recommendation of new books and authors (often around the puzzle table) added to the social atmosphere of the library. It was also under her leadership that the newest addition was built, providing space for even more books.
Today, the Orr’s Island Library remains a resilient force within the Harpswell community. The horse-and-buggy days are long gone, but the passion for literacy remains amid evolving community needs and rapid technological advances. As Librarian Anne Wilkes notes, “Now more than ever, reading is the key to being a critical thinker.”
The library offers itself as a warming and cooling center as needed. Its public computers, printers and 24/7 free Wi-Fi are in frequent use. Free library cards are available for residents and visitors alike. For those who prefer to purchase, the year-round used bookstore gives that option. And once again, the library is offering a new calendar. The 2026 theme is “Lobstering in Harpswell,” and all proceeds benefit the library.
Join us in August for the annual book sale from Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 7-9, and our 125th anniversary open house on Aug. 17 from 1-3 p.m.
As we reflect on 125 years, we sincerely thank the town of Harpswell, our generous donors, our residents and visitors, our board members and volunteers, and all those who, late at night, say, “OK. Just one more chapter and then I’ll go to bed.”
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island, and Curtis Memorial.
