The Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library would like to invite our donors and our summer reading program participants to a Summer Reading Wrap-Up/Donor Ice Cream Social on Saturday, Aug. 17. The make-your-own sundae bar will be open in the Great Room from 2 to 4 p.m. Kids should bring their summer reading passports; donors should bring their invitations if possible. (If you have recently donated to BHML and haven’t yet received your invitation: please come anyway!)

While the majority of libraries in the U.S. are municipal entities, fully-funded by local government, BHML, along with more than half of the libraries in Maine, operates as an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit. That means that while Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor supply approximately 33% of our operating budget, the rest comes largely from individual donors, foundation grants, and the support of the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore.

Only through the support of our donors is BHML able to offer year round opportunities for literacy and lifelong learning to the peninsula. This summer, BHML signed up nearly 100 local kids for Summer Reading Passports. Young readers earned passport stamps for time spent reading, library visits, and books finished. With enough stamps, kids could choose a prize, a yummy snack, or earn an entry into the grand prize raffle.

Thank you to the sponsors of this year’s Summer Reading program who generously provided the “Sign-Up Snacks” and “Time Travel Treats” to scores of bookworms: Wannawaf, Ice Cream Factory, Finn McCool’s, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Orne’s Candy Store, Wicked Whoopies, Dolphin Mini Golf, the Boothbay Masons, and Cameron Clan Snack Company.  

It takes a village to support everything a local public library provides; BHML is grateful to serve such this dynamic village!

Upcoming events

Rare Books with Ken Gloss: Thursday, Aug. 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Author Talk - Penny Goetjen: Saturday, Aug. 24, 2 p.m.

One-on-One Tech Support: Tuesdays, 2 and 3 p.m., Wednesdays 6 p.m.