What makes a great library? As with achievement in anything else in life, a whole host of ingredients need to be present to produce success as a library. A grand vision is nice, and it’s essential as a guide to follow, but useless if follow through is neglected; just a fancy “bookmark” in the place you’re supposed to be but aren’t. Service to the community’s needs for access to information in the many ways it comes to us, from print, to digital, to person-to-person sharing of knowledge via great programming, are the tools to accomplish our mission. Doing these things consistently while always looking for ways to improve access to information goes a long way to achieving success.

We recently received confirmation our efforts are appreciated. The library was the happy recipient of the 2014 community improvement award given at this year’s Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on May 30 at Fisherman’s Wharf Inn and Restaurant. We’re particularly honored to be recognized by others so dedicated to making the businesses and nonprofits of the region the best we can be. The library trustees, staff and volunteers would like express our sincere thank you to the chamber for this special award.

We have finally closed the doors to our temporary location in the Meadow Mall and have moved back to the renovated and expanded library on Oak Street. On Thursday of last week our new shelving installation was complete, and on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week the collection was relocated. As you read this staff and volunteers are busy reshelving thousands of books and other media onto the new shelves and otherwise getting the library in order. We hope to be in all ways ready to go when we open the doors to the beautifully renovated library on June 24!

Phase 1 of our effort to remake the library building into a first-rate community resource is now complete. The board of trustees now turn the page to phases 2 and 3, which will include construction of an elevator and covered access between the Library and Friends of the Library Used Book Store. A new storage barn for the Used Book Store and general updating of the store are also included in our plans. More detailed information can be found by visiting www.bmpl.lib.me.us.

So, though we’re all breathing a sigh of relief that our efforts to improve and expand the building have been accomplished, we have a lot of work yet to do. Thank you to everyone who contributed to make phase 1 a success. This is your library and without community support it would not exist. See you at the library — soon!