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Libraries! For Life!

October 4, 2009

"Books fall open, you fall in...", David McCord

Like so many of you, I am a voracious reader, and also like so many of you, I passionately support my local library.

I'm endlessly grateful to Mr. Carnegie, his vision and his initial support of that great egalitarian project, the everytown public library. I live in a small Maine town - I don't think we've topped 10,000 in population yet - but we have what I consider a first-class library.

As in so many small towns across our state, Yarmouth's Merrill Memorial Library is housed in an old building, ours one of considerable grandeur and space. In addition to the truly eclectic book collection, there are many varied magazines, videos, and audio books plus, an incredible, multi-faceted children's program. I could not live without the garden, craft, travel and cookbooks available FREE right downtown.

There are art exhibits, evening author programs, poetry workshops, knitting and quilting groups that meet at MML, all of these well beyond the scope of Mr. Carnegie's original vision. But, this place, our small-town library, this heart of the community, like so much of our western civilization, all began around books.

No matter whether you regularly buy paperbacks, listen to tapes in your car,or browse the electronic library offered on Kindle - no matter how you access those written words, books are an incredibly rich part of our daily life, and this country's library's are one of our richest small-town AND big-city resources. Does ANY place foster the sense of community that our libraries so often provide?

Thank you Mr. Carnegie, and thank you every librarian everywhere!

Submitted by Mary, Educator - Cumberland County

A Second Home

September 23, 2009

For some the library is a place to go and find a good book. For others a place to go to surf the web, still others as a video rental. Some simply use it to go to get out of the house.

I have seen chess clubs, knitting groups, book discussions, and many other such activities, even a Dr. Seuss parade once. You never quite know what your going to see, but you can count on the fact that it will be accompanied by happy children.

I have used the library for just about all of its uses. I have read entire sections, checked out a plethora of movies, logged on to the Internet enough times that I memorized my 17 digit bar code (including spaces), I've taught chess, and even learned to knit!

The library has always been a part of my life. I remember way back before I could read, or even go to preschool, my mom would take me to the library. Then my sister, and finally I could go by myself.

I have now been going to my local library for at least sixteen of my nineteen years alive. It has been a fun, safe pleasant environment to grow up in. I feel at home and comfortable the moment I walk through the red double doors to the library.

So for you the library might be something different, but for me it is a second home.

Submitted by Josh, Other - Sagadahoc County

I Love My Library

June 30, 2009

As a young child with very few books in her home, I soon learned that there was a place that could satisfy my natural curiosity about life. I can't remember how I knew or who told me about my local library, but my memories are vivid: the large, ornate, austere and dignified building, the sunny children's room, and the ever-present sister librarians. I just loved reading through the entire children's book collection, graduating to the circular racks in the front entry, which housed many of the wonderful classics, and then actually going "behind the counter" to discover the treasures which were not so accessible.

Those few years as a lover of my town library prepared me for my future-as a Library Media Specialist in a Southern Maine Primary School. As I work with my young students, I keep my first library experiences close to my heart, remembering the importance of providing materials to those who have a strong desire to learn, but who have not had the advantage of having books available to them.

My license plate is framed with the saying, "I Love My Library." Many people think that this phrase is meant for the wonderful school library where I work, but it actually is meant for all the libraries of my life.

A special thanks to the Abbott Memorial Library, Dexter High School Library, Pond Cove School Library, Thomas Memorial Library, Scarborough Public Library, and the Jameson School Library for making my life so incredibly rich.

Submitted by Nadean, Professional - Cumberland County

Books That Call to You

June 28, 2009

I visit our city library a lot. I often browse the new books, and sometimes one of them will call to me. Here's the story of one that did.

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung. I picked it up and put it down five times. The subject matter was difficult, a young girl's story of her family during the Pol Pot regime. And then I saw that the inscription on the book plate had the name of the person whose house I now live in. I decided to take the book home.

I read it, and sobbed. The book reminded me yet again how easy our lives are here. So when a book calls to me, even if it has difficult material, I find myself reading it. I often end up having some greater connection to the book in some way or another.

Submitted by Lisa, Professional - Kennebec County

Dear John, The Piping Plovers and the Game Warden

June 26, 2009

I am sixty-nine years old and I have never lost a library book. Now, I am missing the box for the CDs for DEAR JOHN. I am methodical about where I put things, especially library books and tapes. So, when I went to return DEAR JOHN, I knew it was in the trunk of my car. I opened the trunk ready to put the CDs from my tape deck into their sleeves and return them to the library. No DEAR JOHN anywhere! I emptied my trunk and looked under the mats. No DEAR JOHN! I cleaned under the seats of my car and the glove compartments. No DEAR JOHN! I must have done that at least three times always coming up empty handed. I searched every nook and corner of my home. No DEAR JOHN! I immediately went to the library to confess my “sin”. Deidre was so kind and understanding. She said she would renew DEAR JOHN and it would give me another three weeks to find it.

Last week, head hung low, I returned to the library ready to pay for lost DEAR JOHN. I have been so careful with my finances over the last few months due to a significant decrease in my monthly income. I resigned myself that it was part of life. I could use the $40.00 a million different ways but I would consider it a “donation” to my library; pay the fine and move on…

On a cloudy, humid, soft-breeze Saturday afternoon, the phone rang. It was the library. The caller asked, “Was I Mary Lou Smith and had I taken out a CD entitled DEAR JOHN?” I replied, “Yes!” The empty box had been found amidst a Piping Plover’s nest at Scarborough Beach by a game warden during a routine check of the area. My box was now safely at the library ready to have the missing six discs returned to complete the drama.

But it’s not over yet! Later that same day, my daughter and I were walking along the shores of Ferry Beach. We were surrounded by fog and angry waves as the Summer Solstice tide was rushing onto the shore, when out of the fog appears a game warden. As this handsome, young game warden approached, I prepared myself to greet him and ask, “Did you return a CD box to the library this afternoon?” He smiled a little surprised at my question and replied, “Yes!” I introduced my self and replied, “It was mine and I am eternally grateful to you for returning it!” He was Rick Stone of the Maine Game Wardens out patrolling the Piping Plover’s nests at Ferry Beach.

As we each went our separate ways, my daughter and I laughed and asked, “What would have been the chances of meeting your CD Box Rescuer on Ferry Beach at 6:30PM on a Saturday evening? One in a million! It was great to have the opportunity to meet and thank him.

How did my CD box get to visit the Piping Plover’s nest? On May 19, I went with my sister-in-law for a walk on Scarborough Beach. We took my trusty lawn chairs out of the trunk and brought them with us. The box must have been nestled into the folds of one of the chairs and slipped out near the Piping Plover’s nest.

It has been a long hard month for me. I was about to surrender my NEVER LOST A LIBRARY BOOK status and forty dollars when fate and Rick Stone intervened and rescued me.

Submitted by Mary Lou, Retired - Cumberland County

Applying for Employment Online

June 16, 2009

I have been using the Belgrade Library and its internet service for approximately 8 months. I used the internet service to apply online for employment positions. I am unemployed and am unable to afford internet access at this time. Having the ability to use the library for this purpose has provided me with a temporary position with the possibility of permanent placement.

They also have excellent children programs, which I feel is invaluable.
Belgrade Public Library

Submitted by Vicki, Professional - Kennebec County

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