Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library is more than a place full of books (but it is that, too). Our amazing local nonprofit library offers an ever-expanding array of services from storytime, to free technology help, to community partnerships to fight food insecurity. And our local businesses, organizations, and residents help to make sure that services continue and grow.

Over 60 merchants, businesses, and individuals donated products, services, activities, accommodations, boat trips, airfare, art, and more totalling almost $15,000 for BHML’s silent online auction and raffle; and the live auction to be held at the 2nd annual Storybook Ball library fundraiser. Those many, many donations will hopefully inspire your bid to help support our library’s next year of work in our beloved Harbor!

I encourage you to go to our online auction page and explore every package. You will see your favorite restaurants, shops, events, and galleries. Have friends coming to town? Treat them to a stay at a beloved Ocean Point cottage. Always coveted the Allen Bunker paintings that were a major part of creating the ambiance that made the Topside Inn the national bed and breakfast treasure it is? You can own his 2015 “Hendricks Head Light” oil painting which will be up for bid during the Storybook Ball. Want to be in New York City for a December weekend when the city is its most magical? Stay in the city and see a Broadway matinee of “Hamilton”! Do you love to play in the dirt? Get everything you need from a delivery of mulch to a kneeling bench to shiny new tools and art glass mushrooms with a package curated by our wonderful Boothbay Region Garden Club.

The Storybook Ball volunteers have put in countless hours, lots of steps down Townsend Avenue, calls to friends who knew someone who knew someone to create these amazing gifts for you.

A few tickets are still available for the Aug. 2 event itself. So snap them up! Intimidated by the fact that dress is formal? We suggest you think Harbor Formal -- dress up in what makes you feel good! The library is welcoming to all; so come enjoy a whimsical evening with us.

Several bundles are available only at the live auction. If you are unable to attend but want one of those packages, then let us know your bid through contacting Savannah Fields at development@bbhlibrary.org or have a friend who is in attendance have you on the phone to make your bids live. Our Mad Hatter emcee Michael Maxim will make sure you have a seat at the unbirthday tea table!

Our thanks to everyone who enthusiastically donated their services or products to our fundraiser. It meant so much to hear all of you respond, “We would love to help the library.” Please know that, in return, we love all of you! And if the embedded direct links to the auctions and raffle above don’t work, just go to the library website and click on the golden Storybook Ball or online auction buttons.