When first-time visitors to the harbor come into the library, very often one of the first things they tell us is how beautiful our gardens are. This hasn’t always been the case. It all changed a dozen or so years ago when two people, with other volunteer assistance, turned what was once a prosaic stretch of lawn into what is now a beautiful oasis in the heart of the harbor. Those two people are Sue Mello and Bonnie Ginger, master gardeners both.

However, as a result of the construction that has taken place since November, their beautifully planned and tended spaces have suffered some. There are always unforeseen consequences when a project the size of the library renovation and expansion go from the planning stage to actual construction, and the damage done to our gardens has been one of them. This is so especially for our Children’s Garden. With the placement of several new HVAC units and the emergency exit staircase along the side of the building, whole areas of the garden were lost or damaged.

We are pledged to restore their work and bring back the wonderful variety and beauty of their vision to its original state. To do this we need a few willing volunteers to commit to regular maintenance of the gardens. Anyone with basic gardening knowledge and the willingness to commit to the gardens should call me (Tim McFadden, director) at the library: 207-633-3112.

On another note, in order to avoid receiving overdue notices, we have arranged with the state Minerva system so that all materials borrowed from May 27 until we close on June 7 will come due on June 24 and not sooner. We also want to encourage everyone to come over to our temporary site in the Meadow Mall across from Hannaford’s on Townsend Avenue to check out materials before we close.

We are lifting our usual limit on the number of items that can be borrowed in order to accommodate for the two weeks we will be closed. And you will be able to return books to the library on Oak Street during the two weeks we are closed by using the new book drop located on the parking lot side of the building. Please do not return books there until we have relocated.

Finally, a few folks have asked what has happened to my book reviews posted monthly in the Register, which has encouraged me that they are being read! Once we have relocated the library and things have quieted down, they will be back, promise. As always, see you at the library!