It’s been a busy two weeks at the library, beginning with the fascinating program presented by author Mike Tougias on the tragedy of the tall ship Bounty. Mike discussed his findings on the event from his new book, “Rescue of the Bounty: Disaster and Survival in Superstorm Sandy.” Over 130 people attended this engrossing program.

This week we kicked off the Summer Reading Program with a week-long offering of fun and entertaining programs for children and their families, from West African drumming to a trip to the Boston Museum of Science. We’re looking forward to a visit by “Conjuring Caroll,” one of Maine’s most alluring magicians. Be sure to check out this fun program on July 31 at the library.

With Phase 1 of our three phase renovation project complete, we’re on to planning for what’s ahead for the improvement of the building. To do this we, of course, need funds. So, on Friday, July 11 at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, the board of trustees and Pulitzer prize-winning author Richard Ford and his wife Kristina, hosted a quiet fundraising event attended by over 150 supporters, including co-hosts Sen. Angus King, Pulitzer prize-winning author Richard Russo and his wife Barbara, and Maine State Librarian Linda Lord, among many others. Our sincere thanks go out to Richard and his wife, Kristina, for hosting this wonderful and successful event.

Then on Saturday, July 12, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Books in Boothbay: A Summer Book Fair, with over 50 authors, of both children’s and adult books. Award-winning illustrator Thomas Block and author Paige Pendleton presented fun illustrator workshops for the children who visited the fair. This year was our most successful ever, with over 300 attendees. Special thanks goes out to Sharon Pulkkinen who coordinated the event, with the assistance of the fair’s original founder, Wayne Sheridan, and Margaret Hoffman, assistant director of the Railway Village, where the event took place. Thanks also goes out to event sponsor Maine Authors Publishing, who supplied the funds for lunch for the authors.

Thanks you to the staff, volunteers and trustees who made all this possible. If you haven’t yet dropped in to see the renovated library be sure to do so soon, you’ll be amazed at the change. See you at the library!