There’s just something special about reading a good book outside during the summer in Maine! Whether seaside or by the lake, in a hammock or by flashlight in a tent, longer days and summer vacations often mean finally getting to the stack of books waiting on our bedside table, or enjoying a light beach read — all at a slightly more leisurely, summertime pace.
Summer reading programs
At Curtis Memorial Library, we have your summer reading needs covered. Our Kids’ Summer Reading Program begins June 29 and continues through Aug. 31. Program highlights will include visits from Chewonki’s Bugmobile, author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand, and the Butterfly Guy. And the inflatable whale will be back! There will also be several family-friendly drop-in craft activities. Check out our full calendar of summer programs for kids at curtislibrary.com/kids.
Our Adult Summer Reading Challenge will begin June 15 and continue through Aug. 31. Pick up a bookmark at any service desk, have it punched for each book you read this summer, and be entered to win some fun prizes.
Curtis is one of several libraries participating in the Maine Humanities Council’s Read ME program — a statewide summer reading program. We will have many copies of the featured books to lend — “The Islanders,” by Lewis Robinson, and “A Gardener at the End of the World,” by Margot Anne Kelly. There will be streamed author talks and other programs. We will also be hosting a monthly Summer Camp Craft for Grownups in the Creative Hive. Check out our full summer calendar at curtislibrary.com/adults.
Summer Bookmobile stops in Harpswell
In addition to our weekly Tuesday stop at the Harpswell Town Office from 1:30-3 p.m., this July and August you’ll also find the Bookmobile on Fridays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Mitchell Field — either down by the beach or up by Pammy’s Ice Cream. For July and part of August, the Bookmobile will then travel to the Harpswell Nature School Summer Camp from 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Curtis’ electric Bookmobile is a full-service library on wheels where Harpswell residents can sign up for a library card, check out books for all ages and interests, return Curtis library books, and request “holds” from Curtis to be brought to a Harpswell stop. Email bookmobile@curtislibrary.com the day before to have your Curtis holds brought to a bookmobile stop in Harpswell.
Twice-Told Tales open late Wednesdays
The Curtis Friends organization turns 60 this year. For more than 10 years, the Friends group has managed the all-volunteer Twice-Told Tales store, selling quality used books at 200 Maine St. in Brunswick. All proceeds support Curtis Memorial Library programs for kids and adults, the museum pass program, the bestseller express program, staff professional development, the Bookmobile and special projects throughout the library.
This summer, the store will stay open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. If you are coming to Brunswick for the Music on the Mall concerts, stop into Twice-Told Tales before the show for some wonderful bargain books. The store will also be open on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through the end of the year. Learn more at curtislibrary.com/twice-told-tales.
Retirement celebration for Liz Doucett
Please join us on Wednesday, July 8, as the Curtis community shares its well wishes with Executive Director Liz Doucett, who is retiring after nearly 20 years of leading the library. We’ll be outside on the Middle Street patio from 9-11 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts, then we’ll return in the afternoon from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with gelato and refreshments. We’ll move inside if there is weather.
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island, and Curtis Memorial.
