Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and right down the road, the Friends of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) come from all over, but what brings these Used Bookstore volunteers and board members together is a shared love of literacy. Each year, around 10,000 books pass through the doors of the historic Hyde House bookstore, raising about $30,000 for BHML’s operating budget.  

For some, a love of books is in their DNA, like Greg Thornton, who handles the mysteries and collectibles sections. Thorton’s mother and his sister were librarians, and he holds a master’s in library sciences. Another volunteer, Fred Nehring, used to run a bookstand outside Columbia University in New York, and rediscovered the joy of discussing books and engaging with the community by working at the bookstore.  

“I'm a retired elementary school teacher, and I have the children's section in the used bookstore, so I'm still surrounded by the books that I love,” added Lee Hammond.  

Others, like Joyce and Greg Walker, fell into volunteering by being frequent shoppers. While some mark the beginning of spring by the blooming of daffodils or the opening of local restaurants, Joyce waits for Hyde House’s porch to fill with books. The couple keeps their pockets full of quarters anytime they hop in the car, knowing they will eventually end up on McKown Street. This past winter, they joined the team and sorted donations in the backroom.  

“It's impressive to come (from a) different kind of life and then come here with all these people rallying around books, what could be better company? What could be a better way to make friends," said Joyce.  

Another benefit for volunteers is they get first pick of the new titles coming in, all at an affordable price. This has made the location popular with the Walkers' grandchildren, who can get as many books as they want due to the low cost. Board President Jane Homer added, whenever the library raffles off a shopping spree at the store, kids are always excited. 

“I love that we provide a service to the community to make books accessible, because books have gotten so expensive. It just really makes a difference to quality of life when people have access to books,” said Laurie McCammon.  

Whether it's increasing access through giving new life to secondhand copies or providing funds to keep BHML operating, Nehring believes promoting literacy goes hand in hand with good citizenship. “Reading exposes one to the diversity of human experience, which helps to foster perspective and empathy,” he explained.  

Feelings of human connection can also leap off the page into real life, as longtime BHML and bookstore volunteer Meridith Watts described the way her heart sings whenever she pairs someone with a book they want, or one they didn’t know they wanted. Other Friends also shared the incredible enthusiasm tourists display when visiting, and after they return home. One person mailed a box full of Stephen King books because they noticed the bookstore’s Maine author shelf was running low.  

A visitor from New York sent a “thank you” letter after volunteers sent her a new Friends of the BHML tote bag after hers shrank in the wash. According to the letter, she and her long-distance boyfriend make good use of their matching bags; hers shepherds groceries around New York City, and his goes to work where he teaches music to elementary students in Atlanta.  

She wrote, the couple had a lovely time walking around piers and all the stores, and the highlight was definitely the bookstore, where everyone was so nice and welcoming. 

The Used Bookstore will put out 24/7 porch books by mid-April, and open for the season June 1.