Gardiner Public Library

Summer Destinations in Maine

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 In honor of the beginning of summer, I am featuring several destinations featured in the book, Off the Beaten Path:  Maine, a guide to unique places.  If the places piqué your interest, you can find more by checking the book out of the library.  I’ve also included web sites for the destinations featured in this blog. 1.        “L.C. Bates Museum is situated on the campus of the Hinckley School just off Route 201 south of the intersection with Route 23.  The museum was founded by L.C. Bates, a successful entrepreneur from West Paris, Maine, who financed the conversion of the …

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35 Years, 3 Generations of Families, Some Amazingly Wonderful Patrons.

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Where did the years go? As I begin my retirement, there are certain things of which I am sure. I will deeply miss: The wonderful Gardiner Library staff.  Our collaboration, laughter, problem solving, and friendship goes far beyond most working environments. Together we have made GPL one of the premier libraries in the state. You are the Best! Selecting books for the children’s collection. School visits with dedicated teachers. Meetings & conferences with colleagues. And finally, all the energetic, super terrific children whom I’ve had the privilege to watch grow up and become readers.  Thank you all! And a special …

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April is Poetry Month

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April is National Poetry Month—hope you’ve stopped by to see our “Poet-tree” at the main desk! Even for avid readers, poetry is often thought of as being hard to read or understand. I’ll admit it’s been a while since I’ve read a poem. But being the word nerd that I am, I thought I’d share some of my favorites.   My grandmother gave me Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses when I was a little girl. I was enthralled by the beautifully detailed illustrations and quickly became enamored with the way the words flowed. It’s quite possible that …

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Dance into Spring with an old fashioned musical borrowed from the Gardiner Public Library

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Easter Parade (1948) starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.  When his long-time dance partner abandons him for the Ziegfeld Follies, Don Hewes decides to show who’s who what’s what by choosing any girl out of a chorus line and transforming her into a star. So he makes his choice and takes his chances. Of course, since Fred Astaire portrays Don and Judy Garland plays the chorine, we know we’re in for an entertainment sure thing. Babes in Arms (1939) starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.  This classic film stars Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland as teenagers living in Seaport, Long …

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New Books in the Library

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FICTION: Almost famous women by Megan Bergman.  Here are stories that explore the lives of unforgettable women in history such as Beryl Markham and Edna St. Vincent Millay’s talented sister, Norma. The alphabet house by Jussi Adler-Olsen.  A psychological thriller set in World War II Nazi Germany mental hospital and in 1970s London. Black River by S.M. Hulse.  A tense Western that tells the story of a man marked by a prison riot as he returns to the town – and the convict – who shaped him. Crash and burn by Lisa Gardner.  The investigation of an accident in New …

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Memorial Book Funds

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One of Gardiner Public Library’s long standing memorial funds is the Avis Glidden Ames Fund. Avis Ames was a teacher, bookkeeper and city auditor.  She was a member of the DAR and a philanthropist. Upon her death in 1952 she left monies to aid “needy & poor” children in Farmingdale as well as to the local DAR chapter.  The bulk of her estate was left to the library to purchase works of a patriotic nature.  The interest from this fund has enabled us to purchase many books over the ensuing years. A few recent titles include: Where is Mount Rushmore? …

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