Good news for libraries is good news for all of us.
This week, we are happy to report that Skidompha Public Library will soon buy back its former home and next-door neighbor on Main Street. We at The Lincoln County News congratulate the library on its accomplishment of this long-held goal.
As a homeschooler, libraries were a big part of my education. We read a lot, and our mother and teacher fully utilized the resources available in the community. My sister and I spent many hours in the children’s rooms at the old Rutherford Library, the Bristol Area Library, and the Wiscasset Public Library. We even ventured to the Maine State Library in Augusta and to Portland Public Library.
It was at Skidompha, however, where we earned personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut by participating in the summer reading program, saw Barbara Cooney speak (years later a gift from the beloved local children’s author would help build the new library), and did many hours of schoolwork upstairs in the study area next to the video collection.
There is a reason why we spent so many of our school days at libraries. Libraries are repositories of knowledge. Libraries are windows to the world. Almost anything you want to learn, you can learn at a library.
As a boy, I mostly wanted to learn about baseball. I learned a lot about baseball, but sadly not how to hit one that was moving very fast.
Later, in the days of dial-up internet, I would go to the new library to take advantage of free access to computers with high-speed internet. I would go to Skidompha after work or while my car was in the shop to read or use the internet.
These days I have less free time, but I still borrow books from Skidompha on a regular basis. I live out of town, but gladly fork over the $40 membership fee each year as it pays for itself many times over.
We understand there was a comment at Newcastle’s town meeting to the effect that society no longer needs libraries because people can find anything they need on the internet. We were disappointed to hear about this comment, but pleased to read that cooler heads prevailed and voters approved the library’s modest funding request.
Few books are available for free online, and much of the “information” on the information superhighway is highly suspect. Many people lack access to the internet. And libraries are more than books, computers, and movies. Skidompha hosts forums about a wide range of topics and brings in authors, politicians, and other prominent folks to inform and engage with the community. Skidompha also has a large collection of genealogy and local history materials. If none of these things appeal to you, surely everyone can appreciate the library’s public restroom – a rare commodity in downtown Damariscotta.
Damariscotta is the cultural and economic center of Lincoln County, and it is fitting that it should have the county’s finest library.
