BPL_Bro_HR - Bowdoinham Public Library

LIBRARIANS
• Open 18 hours a week
Mrs. J. Hall Denham
1947–1957
with Mrs. Dudley and Mrs. Palmer 1955–1957
Helen Dudley
1958–1964
Eva M. Palmer
1964–1981
Dierdre Sollenberger
1/1981–6/1981
Susan Burroughs
1981–1996
with Josephine Mussomeli
1995
Pamela Hanson
1996–1999
with Beth French
1999
Beth French
2000–2008
Kate Cutko
2008–present
• New books, magazines and audio books
arriving every month
• Story Hour for children every
Tuesday at 10 a.m.
• Summer Reading Program for kids of all ages
• Three active Reading groups:
~ Parent/Child Book Group meets
2nd Thursday of each month
~ “Loose Ladies” meets 3rd Thursday
~ “Stitch-n’-Pitch” meets 4th Thursday
L I B R A RY P R E S I D E N T S
L.D. Small
C.P. Curtis
Karl Hatch
Gladys Peterson
Lucille Jewell
Eva Palmer
Evelyn Kelly
Elinor Boyer
Cary Wright
Selma Linkenback
Edith Bailes
Andrew Peterson
Billie Oakes
Elizabeth Steen
Cathy Moore
Ron Gordon
Elizabeth Steen
Leslie Anderson
Bill Berry
Liz Webster
Jennifer Foley
Jill Hooper
1910
1947
1949
1950, 53, 55, 56
1954, 57–61
1961–63
1964–1967
1966
1967–69
1970
1971, 1972
1973
1974
1975
1976, 1977
1978
1979–1984
1984–1996
1997–1999
2000–2002
2002–2006
2007–present
• Desktop computer for public use,
with high speed internet
• Wireless Internet also available
• Interlibrary Loan available for $2 a book
• Free passes to the Coastal Maine
Botanical Garden
• Programming throughout the year
on a variety of topics
• Junior Librarian volunteers
• Annual Library Plant Sale—Third Saturday
in May
• Annual Library Book Sale—Saturday after
election Day in October
• Book Sale tent at Celebrate Bowdoinham
The first Bowdoinham Public Library space, above
Small’s Pharmacy on Main Street, circa 1910.
• Volunteers always welcomed!
13A SCHOOL STREET • BOWDOINHAM, ME 04008
207.666.8405
www.bowdoinham.lib.me.us
www.bowdoinham.lib.me.us
1910
March 14. L.D. Small,
J.H. Ames and other
town gentlemen
signed incorporation
papers to “establish
and maintain a public library and reading room”
to be housed in the office of Alton C. Small,
above the Small’s drug store on Main Street.
1913
Ida Fowle Carras (right) graduates from
Coombs High School. Ida will go on to
become the telephone agent in town
from 1934–41. She lived to the
age of 107 and donated to the library
both books and financial support. She
is among our finest “Library Angels.”
1964
Eva M. Palmer took over from
Helen Dudley as librarian. Ms.
Palmer would hold the librarian
job for the next 16 years. We
consider Eva Palmer a true
“Library Angel.” She is the library’s most
generous benefactor to date.
1974
The first Library Plant Sale was held. The plants
were on sale behind Dickenson’s Store and the
event raised $131 for the purchase of interior
paint for the library.
1927
The Bowdoinham School Superintendent, School
PTA, and High School Principal John McCart
met to organize plans to establish a “School and
Public Library.”
A computer was added to the library for public
use. The library was expanded into the former
1st grade classroom.
The Bowdoinham School and Public Library was
opened to the public in the basement of the
Coombs School. It was open two afternoons
and two evenings a week.
With help from the
Davenport Fund,
a small building
on Main Street was
purchased, next to
the site of the current Credit Union. A library
association was established to oversee the
library’s operation.
The town gave the
library the use of
the former Kindergarten Room in the
Coombs School
building. A “book
brigade” of elementary school children
organized by Leslie
Anderson passed books from Main Street up the
hill to the new location on School Street.
1997
1929
1946
1984
1999
The library launches its first website.
2004
1975
The name of the library was changed to the
“Bowdoinham Public Library”.
The 30th Annual Library Plant Sale nets $9,853
for library operating budget.
2010
Through the gifts of Ida Fowle Carras’ estate, the
library was able to fund new shelving and
improvements to the children’s room.
www.bowdoinham.lib.me.us