Monday, June 29, 2009

Library People

There are lots of stereotypes about “library people” that is, those who work in a library. Mystery and assumption about what they actually do, (beyond just sitting around and reading all day :-) ) and what kind of people they are in real life, is revealed pretty quickly as soon as I mention what it is I do for a living.

Over the past few months in response to some recognition from the outside world I got to thinking about our “people”. At Portland Public Library we employ 45.5 FTEs and their stories and accomplishments are rich. We have authors, artists, athletes, activists and musicians and much more among us.














Our recent authors include Gail Kesich Donovan (In Memory of Gorfman T. Frog published by Dutton Children’s Books) and Patti Delois (Bufflehead Sisters published by Berkley Books division of Penguin Books). Patti’s second novel, Penguins in Amsterdam, will be published in August 2010. Our musicians are many including Kurt Baker of punk group The Leftovers (www.theleftovers.com and www.myspace.com/theleftovers), singer songwriter Jason Wilkins and Tom Wilsbach fiddler and Celtic musician who has performed widely in schools and clubs in our area.



This past April saw two of our maintenance and security crew honored through the National Arts Program sponsored by the City of Portland. Mark Upson sculpture entitled Pump Jack won Best in Show, while Wayne Frederick took a first place for his photograph Bare Bulbs.

So next time you think about library people or run into one in conversation, you might be surprised and delighted to learn who they are and what they do. Best of all, they bring those talents, interest and passion to work every day.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Steve's Summer Recommendations for Reading

Each summer most of us have visitors or family who, with regularity, will express their wonderment at all things Maine or pepper you with questions about Maine. I find myself especially in the summer referring to and reading books about Maine. I need short things to sample and pick at during the summer. The tiles below are some of my favorites and all share the character of having brief sections but don’t equate brevity with lack of substance.

I’d also argue that each of these books ought to be in your home but if not, did I mention that you ought to visit your public library?


On Wilderness: Voices from Maine. Edited by: Phyllis Austin, Dean Bennett and Robert Kimber.

Nice compilation of photos, poems, short essays dealing with Maine’s incredible natural world. It is a paperback and nice size to put in your backpack.


The Wildest Country: A Guide to Thoreau’s Maine. J. Parker Huber.

Huber recreates Thoreau’s journeys as described in the Maine Woods. In Huber’s words: “This book is an invitation. It invites you to gain an appreciation of yourself, Maine and Thoreau.”

Contemporary Maine Fiction. Edited by Wesley McNair.

Fourteen short stories by outstanding Maine related authors including Richard Ford, Carolyn Chute, Monica Wood, Stephen King and Richard Russo (just to name a few).


Maine Reader: DownEast Experience – 1614 to present. Edited by Charles and Samuella Shain.

This is a fabulous compilation about our state and should be sampled regularly. Included are a variety of writers from over Maine’s history who have either lived here or visited. Chapters include discovery and exploration, small town life, Maine Woods Maine and the Civil War, Maine artists, etc. You get the idea.

Maine Speaks. An anthology of Maine Literature. The Maine Literature Project.

Along with the Maine Reader just put this on your coffee table and let people sample all summer. Great Maine authors abound in this title covering topics such as nature, work, origins, identity and communities.