The library is currently open Monday through Friday from 10:00am-5:30pm and Saturday 9:30am-12:30pm. The Children's Room and Archives are open by appointment. Please call for details: 207-582-3312.

Adult Books

Librarians, Avert Your Eyes…. Recycled Book Crafts!!!!!

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There is a secret lurking deep in the crafting blogs and Pinterest boards of this internet, one that will send shivers up the spine of any reputable librarian……. books are being used as a medium for art!!!! For those librarians and book lovers who aren’t made of stronger stuff, we suggest you avert your eyes for the remainder of this post.

There are wreaths:
Wall Art:
 Mod Podge Art:
And, they’ve even been used in carpentry projects:
What is the world coming to??!
However much we would like to publicly denounce these vile book crafts, we do recognize that there are times when books do reach a stage age of wear and begin to fall apart…..and then what do you do with them? We suppose crafting could be a suitable option. That is *IF* the books are yours (and not taken out from a library) and *IF* they are no longer suitable to read because of their condition (or if you have a particular dislike for the book/author… well, have at it!). Feel free to take out books from our library ABOUT crafting… we just ask that you not craft with our books, if you please. 🙂
If you are interested in more art to do with recycled books, a simple google search will bring up plenty of options. Also, Pinterest is a great place to get ideas on a whole variety of crafting topics!!
Missy
*Missy is an assistant librarian as the Gardiner Library and currently hosts a weekly craft time at 11:15 in the Children’s Room.*

Marcel Marceau

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It is always enlightening to learn something about a person which changes ones entire perspective about who that individual truly was.
My perception of the legendary mime, Marcel Marceau, was that of a talented performer who’d enjoyed a long career of entertaining audiences around the world.  And although this was correct, he was so much more.  Born Marcel Mangel, a Jew, in Strasbourg, France, he joined the French underground during WW II and was instrumental in rescuing hundreds of Jewish children by leading them out of France over the high Alps to the safety of Switzerland. He also altered the identity cards of children so they would appear too young to be sent to the labor camps and certain death.
Learn more about this actor “without words” in the book Monsieur Marceau by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Gerard Dubois or Marcel Marceau: Master of Mime by Gloria Spielman, illustrated by Manon Gauthier.  Both books are located in the children’s room.
 Charlene Wagner, Children’s Librarian

Off on a trip . . .

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When I set off on a vacation, particularly to a place I have never been to before, I enjoy borrowing travel books so I can have the lay of the land and major “hot spots” already in my mind.  The library has many volumes of travel books such as Fodor’s, Frommer’s, and Idiot’s Guides to help you plan and think about your trip way before you actually arrive and begin to make those decisions on the spur of the moment.

I was saved during my first trip to Disney World by these guides.  Without them I would have had no idea where to begin – from which hotel to stay at to which restaurant I might enjoy trying to which theme ride should be tops on my list.  I think I would have literally been wandering around for hours without a real goal just trying to make a decision.
If a trip is in your future – whether it be a cruise, a business trip, a trip to Gettysburg or to Disney World – stop by and borrow a travel guide.  It will make your trip so much easier.
BTW, my top picks for theme rides at Disney are Soarin’, any of the 3D movies, World Showcase Pavilions, Tower of Terror , and Expedition Everest.
Scott Handville, Assistant Director