“Do you understand what a treasure you have here?”
– A summer visitor to Orr’s Island Library
Monday was a blustery, drizzly day, the kind of day when you wonder whether it is worth it to journey out. And yet, Harpswell Aging at Home’s Lunch with Friends was bustling with lively conversation over delicious food provided by local organizations. Our table’s discussion, which included a new resident of Bailey Island, took a familiar turn. How do you explain to visitors what an exceptional and supportive place Harpswell is?
Later that day, while compiling information for this column, I reflected on the 125 years that Orr’s Island Library has served the Harpswell community and how this library is a true reflection of Harpswell’s uniqueness.
I also noted something extraordinary while crunching some numbers. During the last four months, which include prime vacation time, the library tallied 1,757 visits (excluding events), an increase of 25% year over year. Further, book checkouts from our 10,000-volume stacks totaled 1,582, an increase of 32% year over year. Go back two years and the growth is even more impressive: 228% and 102%, respectively.
How has this rural library been able to achieve those results?
The short answer is that the library is a welcoming place, with a charming atmosphere and engaging conversation. The slightly longer answer is that the library has a singular focus: We are in Harpswell, for Harpswell. Here are some examples.
- A short waitlist for popular books. We continually obtain the most recent bestsellers, often on the recommendations of patrons. Since we only serve Harpswell, it is unusual to have a waitlist of more than one or two people.
- A large book purchase budget. A survey of Maine’s rural libraries shows that many have a book budget of around $1,000, making them heavily reliant on interlibrary loans. The Orr’s Island Library budgets in excess of $7,000 for that purpose.
- Free library cards for summer visitors. This service to the broader Harpswell community allows our short-term friends to use the library while here. The recently expanded sections for children and young people ensure that entire families who encourage reading can do so.
- An innovative librarian. In her two years as librarian, Anne Wilkes, with the help of willing volunteers, has developed new programs, particularly for families with young children. These include new resources for homeschoolers. This summer, Anne attended the American Library Association’s annual conference, thanks to a generous donation for that purpose. She came back with cutting-edge ideas and more than 150 free books.
- Public computers and printers, a notary public, a free seed library and free, 24/7 Wi-Fi. Why leave Harpswell unnecessarily? Access to helpful services, including Anne’s expert assistance solving technology issues, means that keeping up to date, whether at work or play, can often be done without going “into town.” The new seed library gives residents all they need to prepare for summer gardening, along with instructions for winter sowing.
- A warming center. During severe winter weather, the library is Harpswell’s only 24/7 staffed warming center, complete with a fireplace, microwave, refrigerator, hot coffee and tea, and comfortable seating (not to mention a lot of books).
- A Maine room. A just-concluded six-month project has organized a dedicated room that offers historical and literary materials specific to Harpswell and Maine generally.
- A year-round used bookstore. In addition to the popular annual book sale, readers can pick up books anytime in exchange for a donation to the library.
- Collaboration with other nonprofits. No organization can do it alone. The library frequently collaborates with other Harpswell nonprofits, including Harpswell Aging at Home, the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department, and the Harpswell Anchor. The weekly free vegetable sharing table, open on the library lawn from June through October, is just one visible example.
- A Harpswell calendar. What better way to promote Harpswell than through the 2026 “Lobstering in Harpswell” calendar, featuring beautiful pictures of our fishing community. All proceeds from the calendar, available at the library, benefit the library’s community services.
To survive and thrive for 125 years, you must be doing something right. The Orr’s Island Library’s success has required adapting to the changing needs and goals of this community, even when change has been challenging. Annual support from the town of Harpswell and the financial generosity of our patrons and friends will allow us to continue our mission of service. For that, we thank you all.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island, and Curtis Memorial.
