The Road Washes Out in Spring: a poet’s memoir of living off the grid by Baron Wormser.
Maine’s former Poet Laureate writes gloriously about poetry and what it was like to live in the Maine woods near Madison in the 1970's. The people and the land are equal stars.
History of the American People by Paul Johnson.
Sometimes cranky English historian mostly tells it like it was while striping away American myths.
The Maine Reader: the Downeast experience from 1614 to the present edited by Charles and Samuella Shain.
2007 was the first year that I have concentrated on this wonderful compilation. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with it yet, make it a date.
Confluence: Merrymeeting Bay by Franklin Burroughs and Heather Perry.
Merrymeeting Bay may be a mystery to many but for sure it is a natural treasure. The mixing of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers above Bath has created a natural wonder. Heather Perry’s photography is incredible and Frank Burroughs, retired English Professor at Bowdoin, is one beautiful nature writer.
Contemporary Maine Fiction edited by Wes McNair.
I am not a big fiction reader so to have a chance to read short stories by Richard Ford, Stephen King, Elaine Ford, Monica Wood, etc. is not just a convenience but a thrilling ride.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Monday, November 19, 2007
Podcasting @ PPL
A recent edition of the ‘Maine Sunday Telegram,’ mentioned that the Humanities on Demand podcast from the Maine Humanities Council is online now. You can access it directly at http://mainehumanities.org/podcasts/
Seven recordings to start have been released: three interviews from the MHC 30th Anniversary CD, ‘Maine Writers Speak’ (Cathie Pelletier, Richard Russo, and Monica Wood), three readings from the Portland Public Library’s Brown Bag lecture series (poet Elizabeth Edwards, novelist Eric B. Martin, and writer Meredith Hall), and a poetry reading by Wesley McNair from the Maine Humanities Council archive.
We are proud to be a collaborator in this effort. During the past year we have been cooperating with the Council, many authors have agreed to allow for recording of their lectures for future Humanities on Demand podcasting participation. Look for many more Brown Bag Lectures in the future being available for download.
Seven recordings to start have been released: three interviews from the MHC 30th Anniversary CD, ‘Maine Writers Speak’ (Cathie Pelletier, Richard Russo, and Monica Wood), three readings from the Portland Public Library’s Brown Bag lecture series (poet Elizabeth Edwards, novelist Eric B. Martin, and writer Meredith Hall), and a poetry reading by Wesley McNair from the Maine Humanities Council archive.
We are proud to be a collaborator in this effort. During the past year we have been cooperating with the Council, many authors have agreed to allow for recording of their lectures for future Humanities on Demand podcasting participation. Look for many more Brown Bag Lectures in the future being available for download.
Friday, October 19, 2007
It’s a Thing of Beauty!
No matter how interesting your job is, I think we all run the risk at times of being so focused on tasks that we forget the wonder being expressed all around us in our little corner of the world. I am leaving shortly for meetings at OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) in Dublin, Ohio. OCLC is ‘big” – an international library collaborative which has built WorldCat, a database of 1 billion (yup, billion) library holdings in many languages and countries. This is the basic product that allows PPL and other libraries to execute interlibrary loans and catalogue material efficiently. So my focus this week has been to get lots of tasks completed so that next week is reasonably smooth for my colleagues here at work before I depart for something BIG.
I took a deep breath this morning before starting the tasks and looked back at a week in the life of the PPL system and yes, it is a thing of beauty.
The fact that last night Portland’s own highly respected punk music band The Leftovers graced the Rines Room at our Monument Sq. location for a 45-minute set was cool enough on its own merits. But contrasted to this morning’s programs: Series for Seniors: An Overview of Important Issues “Enrichment Opportunities”; a Maine Humanities Council Let’s Talk About It Program on the Middle East (Behind the Headlines: An Introduction to the Middle East); and Tales for Twos (for two year-olds), all of which followed early in the week offerings of Preschool Story Time, Finger Fun for Babies, a panel discussion on the future of Congress Street and Pat LaMarche (2004 Green Party VP candidate) speaking about her new book on homelessness in America "Left Out in America".
It - this week anyway - ends tomorrow, Saturday, October 20th, with children's author Cathryn Falwell launching her new book with Shape Caper's, a fun program for children from 11 AM to 2 PM, as well as the Third Saturday Book Discussion of Dave Eggers "What is the What". Then we start again next week.
The programmatic landscape of the PPL system couldn't have reflected better the breadth of creativity we offer in reaching every age in our great town. It’s nice to breathe it in!
I took a deep breath this morning before starting the tasks and looked back at a week in the life of the PPL system and yes, it is a thing of beauty.
The fact that last night Portland’s own highly respected punk music band The Leftovers graced the Rines Room at our Monument Sq. location for a 45-minute set was cool enough on its own merits. But contrasted to this morning’s programs: Series for Seniors: An Overview of Important Issues “Enrichment Opportunities”; a Maine Humanities Council Let’s Talk About It Program on the Middle East (Behind the Headlines: An Introduction to the Middle East); and Tales for Twos (for two year-olds), all of which followed early in the week offerings of Preschool Story Time, Finger Fun for Babies, a panel discussion on the future of Congress Street and Pat LaMarche (2004 Green Party VP candidate) speaking about her new book on homelessness in America "Left Out in America". It - this week anyway - ends tomorrow, Saturday, October 20th, with children's author Cathryn Falwell launching her new book with Shape Caper's, a fun program for children from 11 AM to 2 PM, as well as the Third Saturday Book Discussion of Dave Eggers "What is the What". Then we start again next week.
The programmatic landscape of the PPL system couldn't have reflected better the breadth of creativity we offer in reaching every age in our great town. It’s nice to breathe it in!
Friday, August 31, 2007
2 Great Authors in 1 Great Week!
The first week in October will be something special at PPL.
Every once in a while, extraordinary programs come along that we are lucky enough to be able to share with the public. This fall, we’ll be having two internationally renowned authors present programs.
First, Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo will be joining us for the inaugural stop on the tour for his new book, Bridge of Sighs. Russo will speak on Tuesday, October 2nd at 7pm at the First Parish Church at 425 Congress Street in Portland. He will be reading from his new book and signing copies after the reading. Books will be available from Longfellow Books at the event. If you’d like a more “intimate” meeting with the author, there will be a reception before the reading. The event at 1st Parish Church is free and open to the public, but seats will fill up fast so make sure to arrive early. Tickets to the reception are $35 each or 2 for $60. You can also support our Annual Fund by becoming an Event Sponsor for $250, which includes 4 tickets to the reception, preferred seating at the public 
portion of the event, recognition on the Library’s website and at the event, as well as other benefits. If you’d like to attend the reception or have any questions, please contact our Development and Programming office by phone at 871-1700 ext. 759 or by e-mail at progdev@portland.lib.me.us for more information. You can also check out our website at www.portlandlibrary.com
Three days later on Friday, October 5, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees, The Mermaid Chair, Firstlight) makes a rare New England appearance—in fact, we’re the only New England appearance on her tour. She will read from her newest collection of essays, Firstlight, answer questions from the audience, and sign books. She’s also happy to have her photo taken with fans after the book signing is complete. Books will be on sale at the event by Borders, who’s co-sponsoring the event. 
Tickets to this exciting evening only $12 each, and are available through PortTix (842-0800; www.PortTix.com; 20 Myrtle Street Portland, ME 04101). The event will take place at Merrill Auditorium. Again if you’d like more information or have any questions, please contact our Development and Programming office or check out our website at www.portlandlibrary.com.
Proceeds from both events will benefit Portland Public Library’s 2007-2008 Annual Fund for new books, materials and technologies. We hope you will join us for both of these wonderful authors and help support the Library!
Every once in a while, extraordinary programs come along that we are lucky enough to be able to share with the public. This fall, we’ll be having two internationally renowned authors present programs.
First, Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo will be joining us for the inaugural stop on the tour for his new book, Bridge of Sighs. Russo will speak on Tuesday, October 2nd at 7pm at the First Parish Church at 425 Congress Street in Portland. He will be reading from his new book and signing copies after the reading. Books will be available from Longfellow Books at the event. If you’d like a more “intimate” meeting with the author, there will be a reception before the reading. The event at 1st Parish Church is free and open to the public, but seats will fill up fast so make sure to arrive early. Tickets to the reception are $35 each or 2 for $60. You can also support our Annual Fund by becoming an Event Sponsor for $250, which includes 4 tickets to the reception, preferred seating at the public 
portion of the event, recognition on the Library’s website and at the event, as well as other benefits. If you’d like to attend the reception or have any questions, please contact our Development and Programming office by phone at 871-1700 ext. 759 or by e-mail at progdev@portland.lib.me.us for more information. You can also check out our website at www.portlandlibrary.com
Three days later on Friday, October 5, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees, The Mermaid Chair, Firstlight) makes a rare New England appearance—in fact, we’re the only New England appearance on her tour. She will read from her newest collection of essays, Firstlight, answer questions from the audience, and sign books. She’s also happy to have her photo taken with fans after the book signing is complete. Books will be on sale at the event by Borders, who’s co-sponsoring the event. 
Tickets to this exciting evening only $12 each, and are available through PortTix (842-0800; www.PortTix.com; 20 Myrtle Street Portland, ME 04101). The event will take place at Merrill Auditorium. Again if you’d like more information or have any questions, please contact our Development and Programming office or check out our website at www.portlandlibrary.com. Proceeds from both events will benefit Portland Public Library’s 2007-2008 Annual Fund for new books, materials and technologies. We hope you will join us for both of these wonderful authors and help support the Library!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Is anybody reading?
On August 22, the Portland Press Herald posted an AP article headlined, "One in four Americans read no books last year". There was no mention of library use, just books sales being "flat in recent years and are expected to stay that way indefinitely." The article also reminded me of the 2004 National Endowment for the Arts study "Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America" which raised an alarm (for a short time anyway) regarding lack of reading of novels, poetry, short stories or plays during leisure time.
I am the first to admit that I'd love to see different headlines but I think that there is much more reading going on than studies measure. Some of the benefits of reading are intellectual engagement, acquiring information and participating in a common culture, and many people are doing it on the computer or via magazines or for that matter, my favorite as a kid, cereal boxes and the sports section. I am not sure that western civilization is ready to end just yet.
By some numbers, the past year at Portland Public Library system was a very good one that illustrates that the Library is growing in its relevance and vitality. New cardholders rose by 12% with over 7,200 people signing on to use the Library and its rich resources. Lending increased significantly to a record 742,000 items borrowed and most importantly, breaking free of a four-year stretch of stagnant borrowing. So, I take solace in those numbers -- somebody is reading whether it is a computer screen, book or magazine. That's a good thing.
I am the first to admit that I'd love to see different headlines but I think that there is much more reading going on than studies measure. Some of the benefits of reading are intellectual engagement, acquiring information and participating in a common culture, and many people are doing it on the computer or via magazines or for that matter, my favorite as a kid, cereal boxes and the sports section. I am not sure that western civilization is ready to end just yet.
By some numbers, the past year at Portland Public Library system was a very good one that illustrates that the Library is growing in its relevance and vitality. New cardholders rose by 12% with over 7,200 people signing on to use the Library and its rich resources. Lending increased significantly to a record 742,000 items borrowed and most importantly, breaking free of a four-year stretch of stagnant borrowing. So, I take solace in those numbers -- somebody is reading whether it is a computer screen, book or magazine. That's a good thing.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Some PPL@PPM reflections
From my perspective, the defeat of the proposal to acquire and renovate the Portland Public Market building was a golden opportunity lost to the people of Portland. I continue to believe that the project strength was expressed best in the focus on downtown users and uses, the tremendous efficiency and inspirational aspects of the building and the economic development opportunity for the City that was associated with the redevelopment of Monument Square. But the project was not “sound bitable” and I am reminded by Thursday’s editorial in the Portland Press Herald (http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=113597&ac=PHedi ) that certain facts never quite became ingrained in the debate. The statement that we are now “not losing some 20,000 square feet of space that the market move entailed” continues to be inacurrate.
The above statement of “loss” applies if one intends to simply replicate what exists now. We were never able to effectively communicate to voters that it was about transformation of the library system as well as the users of the downtown location. In fact, there was 14% more space at the Market building versus the same Monument Square service areas. That would have led to much higher lending, more people through the door and a more enjoyable work environment and user experience. The minimum total square footage that the library would have had at the conclusion of the project would have been 85,000 sq. feet (58,000 in the market building and 27,000 in the basement of Monument Sq.) versus 78,000 sq. ft currently which is a 10% increase.
The PPL system will set a direction sometime in the next few weeks based on our available funds and a reconsideration of our past and current planning including what people have told us about their wishes. We then must get on with the business of improving our ability to deliver better service and make the experience at each our six locations the best it can possibly be. It’s time to move on.
The above statement of “loss” applies if one intends to simply replicate what exists now. We were never able to effectively communicate to voters that it was about transformation of the library system as well as the users of the downtown location. In fact, there was 14% more space at the Market building versus the same Monument Square service areas. That would have led to much higher lending, more people through the door and a more enjoyable work environment and user experience. The minimum total square footage that the library would have had at the conclusion of the project would have been 85,000 sq. feet (58,000 in the market building and 27,000 in the basement of Monument Sq.) versus 78,000 sq. ft currently which is a 10% increase.
The PPL system will set a direction sometime in the next few weeks based on our available funds and a reconsideration of our past and current planning including what people have told us about their wishes. We then must get on with the business of improving our ability to deliver better service and make the experience at each our six locations the best it can possibly be. It’s time to move on.
Monday, June 11, 2007
What happens on June 13?
I have been asked by many people what would happen if the June 12 vote is affirmative on moving the downtown branch to the Public Market. The Library and the City would act in the two weeks following to honor the terms of the purchase and sale contract which calls for $2.75 million purchase price. The City would utilize $2.0 million in bond funds while the Library would contribute $750,000 to the purchase. The process to create an RFP (Request for Proposals) for architectural services would also commence and the Library would fund that activity for the next year. The end product would be to produce construction drawings for the use of contractors interested in bidding on the job. The City during that same time would begin its process of deciding how to utilize the current libary structure to maximize economic return. The final goal would be to move into the Public Market space by the end of calendar year 2009 without substantial interruption of library services at Monument Square. In a future post an updated project timetable will be presented.
If the June 12 vote is negative the Library Board will need to convene and determine the future course of the renovation and its timetable.
If the June 12 vote is negative the Library Board will need to convene and determine the future course of the renovation and its timetable.
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