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October has come to the harbor. This is the period when Harpswell slips from the summer buzz and crowded calendars to island life. From the library, I stand looking out to the New Meadows River. Many moorings no longer have their charges. The shoreline is busy with docks being taken in and homes being closed for the season.
It is a month of transition, both outside and here in the library. As I turn, I see shelves newly arranged. Now the library has a new fall wardrobe. Books are sorted and inspected. Some are seeking new shelves, while others are being retired because of poor health. Don’t worry. The used books also have found shelves within. New books are arriving through purchase or donation, awaiting the reader who will choose their story.
This summer, the library celebrated its birthday with a silent raffle, cake and lemonade. It hosted several events, including a presentation by Marine Mammals of Maine in July. Author Kayla James brought her latest book, “The Chronicles of a Guinea Pig 2,” in September. Cundy’s Harbor Days included our second annual photo contest, with awards and ice cream for all who came.
Working with our community partners, the library began holding free blood pressure clinics on the first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. The library supported church and cemetery tours as part of Harpswell’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The library also participated in the Harpswell History Hunt and a presentation about farming in Harpswell.
As I reflect on our summer, it was a good one for “the little library with a big view.” Many volunteers joined us for collection management, shelving, and book covering and repair. Our college student, Viktoria Sergeant, helped with the cemetery tour, shelving, and selecting our next story walks for the Tondreau and Little Ponds preserves. Best of luck with your senior year at Mount Holyoke! Marnie G., our “retired” librarian with skills beyond our wildest hopes, returned to Florida to run her library’s bookstore. See you again next year!
Fortunately, some volunteers will remain to continue shelving and delivering books for us. Do you have an hour or so to give? We always welcome volunteers, so reach out and tell us you’re interested.
October is a month of transition, marking a shift in the natural world and a psychological “reset” before the year’s end. It is a second opportunity to examine annual goals or to start afresh with new goals. The library board has done the latter and will be presenting its plan during the annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the library. Following the annual meeting, the book club will discuss “The Lioness Of Boston.” All are invited to stay and participate.
I, too, am using October to transition, or shall I say retire? After six years, I am retiring from my retirement job! To quote Joseph Campbell, “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Believe me, my shelves are already full!
You may see me serving at Lunch with Friends, resurrecting my gardening skills with the Harpswell Garden Club or picking strawberries for the Mingo Club’s ice cream social. But, as many know, I always have time for a good book or a visit to a library.
“Library Connections” is a monthly column that rotates among the three libraries that serve Harpswell: Cundy’s Harbor, Orr’s Island, and Curtis Memorial.
