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.

Paul Betit

Treats In The Library!

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We have had a very busy month here in the library!

When I sat down to write this blog post, my plan was to only mention the various programs and events that happened in the Hazzard Reading Room.  Believe me there were several well attended events, but I would have missed several more, and the more included over 600 people!!!
During the month of October there were at least 20 programs that the library sponsored or participated in, 18 of them were here at the library.  What types of programs you ask . . .
We participated in the Harlow Gallery’s Art In Home event.  This event happened the first weekend in October.  We had a chance to show off some of our collection.  The stage curtain in the Children’s Room was down for viewing, several Carol Bates paintings were displayed, the Ice Man sculpture by local artist Nicolas Genovese, as well as several items from our Archives collection.

 

We held two separate author events.  Local author Paul Betit was here discussing his three books – Phu Bai, The Man in the Canal and Kagnew Station.  We also hosted a publication party in honor of Gay Grant’s new book – Destination Unknown.
We benefitted from the help of a dozen Gardiner Area High School students as they participated in the Day of Sharing.  This wonderful project helps area locations in many ways, and we are lucky to have these students join us, doing things like raking leaves, washing windows, moving books, and many more!
The library hosted two Local Candidate Forums.  These two events took place at Gardiner City Hall, and were well attended!
The Children’s Room hosted a Pre-K visit from one of the local schools.  This is a great way to introduce the littler ones to what we do!
We hosted a lovely wedding ceremony in the Hazzard Reading Room.  What a pretty space for a small intimate wedding.
 Close to 400 Trick or Treaters visited us as part of Gardiner Main Street’s Halloween Event.  WOW – 400 costumed folks entered the library!
We also had our usual monthly programs which included four Story Hours in the Children’s Room, four Thursday afternoon Teen Times and three different book discussions.
Whew!  That’s 20 programs in a 31 day month.  We are closed on Sundays, so 20 programs in 27 days!  Almost one per day, sounds like we are a busy, hub of activity here in Gardiner, Maine!

Meet The Authors!

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Have you had an opportunity to come to any of our local author series?  It is a great way to learn about the process of writing and to discuss the new books being written by very talented authors.  You have only 2 more events to attend before the series ends.

On Tuesday, September 16th at 6PM the staff of the Gardiner Public Library is pleased to host New England author, Chip Bishop, author of Quentin and Flora-A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War.  Copies of the book will be for sale and the author will be available to sign them.
Quentin and Flora is a moving tale of courage, heroism and young love.  Set against the backdrop of Theodore Roosevelt’s lofty expectations for his sons and his own tragic demise, it is a richly-drawn and gripping tale, superbly written and forcefully told.  Just in time for the centennial of the Great War, Quentin and Flora is a classic page-turner with relevance for today. 
On Wednesday, October 15that 7PM novelist Paul Betit will be our final speaker for this series.  Paul Betit is the author of three mystery-suspense novels featuring U.S. Army CID investigator John Murphy.  His books include Phu Bai, Kagnew Station and recently –published The Man In The Canal.
For nearly 40 years, Paul has worked a sportswriter or a general assignment reporter. His newspaper career has included lengthy stints with the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, the Portland Press Herald and the Maine Sunday Telegram. He continues to cover high school, college and pro sports on a free-lance basis for the two Portland newspapers.
Following his graduation in 1965 from Cony High School in Augusta, Paul served as an intelligence analyst with the United States Army Security Agency. He received letters of commendation for his work in South Vietnam and Ethiopia, the settings for his first two books.  The author will have copies of his book for sale as well.
These programs are free and opened to the public…come spend an evening discovering new authors!