Gardiner Public Library

A Glimpse Into the Past

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Recently I had the opportunity to go play in the archives here at Gardiner Public Library.  And what a fabulous experience it was! One day while I was working in the library, I delivered some books to Dawn, our wonderful Archives Librarian. I happened to mention a well-known house in East Pittston that used to be in our family.  It’s on the Historical Register, and I had some questions about it. We got to talking, and Dawn suggested I come spend some time in the archives on my day off.  I set up a day and time with Dawn, who …

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Celebrating Labor Day

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In recent years Labor Day has lost some of its old, and original, meanings, but it still stands as the one day in which we celebrate an important American belief.  This belief is in the importance and necessity of hard work to achieve success.  Once a holiday tied to the militancy of the Labor movement, Labor Day now honors all who work. Oregon was the first state to recognize Labor Day officially on February 2, 1887.  President Grover Cleveland signed a congressional bill on June 28, 1894, making Labor Day a legal holiday. As labor and management moved closer together …

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The Library

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Recently in the Children’s Room, a very young patron exclaimed to me, “The library… is…. GRRREAT!”  He could hardly contain his excitement at the discovery of such a wonderful, magnificent place.  His enthusiasm reminded me of when I was little and used to spend HOURS at the public library, quite content in a comfy corner with a pile of books.  The library was truly the best place! So, yes, dear one, the library IS great!  It is a place where people of all ages can explore, interact, and imagine.  Libraries help foster a lifelong love of reading.  It’s a place …

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Salad Time!

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 Summer time is salad time . . . . and nothing beats the comfort foods of Maine like those featured in the cookbooks of Marjorie Standish.  Cooking Down East was published in 1969; Keep Cooking – The Maine Way was published in 1973.  Both books are available at the Gardiner Public Library.  Try the recipe that follows for macaroni salad or check out one of the titles to look for other down home comfort foods from Maine. MACARONI SALAD 2 cups elbow macaroni ½ cup mayo 1 tbl lemon juice 1 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar ¼ tsp diced pimiento …

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How to Keep Children Reading During the Summer

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Summer is a great time to get your children excited about reading and sharpen their reading skills at the same time!   Relax a little bit — try not to worry about a daily time requirement or minimum number of pages; instead, let them choose what, when, and where they read. There are lots of ways to keep kids reading this summer. Read aloud   Take turns reading aloud with your child. You can each read a page, or for older readers, you can take turns reading chapters. Kids never get too old to be read aloud to, and listening …

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Interesting Library Information

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Each year public libraries throughout the state are required to submit a yearly report to the Maine State Library.  Most folks do not relish the idea of reports, but the information contained is something we should all brag about! The library continues to be the anchor business for Gardiner’s downtown.  Last year more than 62,000 people visited the library.  Some came for the traditional reasons of finding a good book or movie to bring home.  Others came to use one of the 19 public computers available at the library.  We are finding that more and more businesses and governmental agencies …

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