“You must write every single day of your life… You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads… may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”
― Ray Bradbury

Rose Ann Walsh (Senior Library Technical Assistant) and Priscilla Webster (Library Branch Manager)

New entrance to Peaks Island Branch Library

So ingrained was the Peaks Island library in my family’s daily life that when we moved to Washington State for a few years, my preschool daughter observed about the library in our new hometown, “This isn’t a real library.” Library Branch Manager Priscilla Webster reminded me of this as I caught up with her and Senior Library Technical Assistant Rose Ann Walsh as they prepared for the opening ceremony. More than 200 boxes of books had just been moved in a heat wave from the Peaks Island Elementary School into the newly renovated library.

Peaks Islanders know that we enjoy something truly extraordinary–a library that creatively serves its community with rich programming. In return, the library is truly beloved.

For this reason, islanders turned out by the dozens last week to celebrate the reopening of the Peaks Island Branch of the Portland Public Library after its closure in the fall for renovation.

“This is for everybody. If people like it and use it, then it’s a success,” said Rose Ann.

Priscilla added,

“Not even blizzards slowed down the construction of this beautiful building. It’s warmer and more inviting. We have more space for early readers and graphic novels. There’s better handicap access. The book return is inside now. There’s a back room for processing books. This is beyond my wildest dreams. “

The ribbon cutting event showcased the collaboration between the Kennedy-Carter family, the Portland Public Library, the City of Portland, the Recreation Department, donors to the New Vision Campaign, and the entire Peaks Island community. The successful collaborative effort has transformed the library and community room to serve generations of islanders to come.

Sarah Campbell cuts ribbon for newly renovated Peaks Island Branch Library

Dick Reed and Gunnel Larsdotter

Carol Eisenberg and Ned Shenton

Patricia Erikson blogs about Maine writers, travel, and science from a vibrant, literary community perched on Peaks Island, two miles off the coast of the beautiful and award-winning city of Portland, Maine. If you haven’t already, follow her on Instagram at @seashorewrite or subscribe to Peaks Island Press in the upper right corner at http://www.peaksislandpress.com