Waldoboro Public Library Director Cathrina Skov displays a plaque from the Maine Department of the Secretary of State recognizing the library’s centennial. (Alexander Violo photo)
The Waldoboro Public Library will celebrate its centennial Saturday, June 4.
The library, at 958 Main St., will host an open house to mark its 100th anniversary from 12:30-3 p.m.
According to library Director Cathrina Skov, all are invited to attend the open house, which will feature Maine authors Lea Wait, Dorothy Cannell, Melissa Sweet, and Mark Biscoe.
Skov said Waldoboro authors and illustrators Holly Berry, Ann and John Hassett, and Chris Derby will also be in attendance.
She said there will be music, refreshments, face painting, games, and puzzles.
“I want it to be a celebration, just a gathering of people celebrating something really good in their town, something that has lasted 100 years,” Skov said.
Skov said there will be displays documenting the history of the library.
The displays include a copy of the transcript of a meeting in the winter of 1916.
The “library lunch” was a public meeting held in February 1916, in the Baptist vestry, for the purpose of formulating plans for the creation of a public library association.
The Waldoboro Public Library is in its third location in Waldoboro since opening its doors in 1916.
The library was initially one room, eventually expanding to two floors, at its original location in the Willett Block on Friendship Road.
However, by the late 1950s, it was evident that more space was needed, and the library moved into the old post office, an 1855 building that had previously served as a U.S. customs house.
In April 1964, the library opened its doors at the old customs house with the help and assistance of a number of volunteers.
The library’s present location, which opened in 2007, is on Main Street across from the current post office.
Skov said volunteers are an integral part of the library. Volunteers handle everything from repairs to mowing the lawn and building bookshelves, allowing the library to better serve the community.
“We couldn’t do it if we had to pay for everything,” Skov said.
She said the open house will give the library a chance to recognize volunteers and friends of the library.
“The reason the library is going so strong is because so many people donate time and items. It really is a community library,” Skov said.
Skov said the open house will also provide an opportunity for those who haven’t previously visited the library to check it out. The library offers more than books – it boasts wireless internet, magazines, and movies among its other attractions.
“I’m hoping to have people come in and have fun. It’d be nice to have people who haven’t come in see what goes on here,” Skov said.
For more information, call 832-4484 or go to waldoborolibrary.org.
