Raymond Village Library welcomes the community - By Sally Holt

According to The Pew Research Center, there is no one thing people want their libraries to be. They want their libraries to be lots of things: A place where they can study, meet with friends, and attend programs and meetings and more.

There are common themes, however. Quiet spaces are still an important part of what people expect from their libraries. Another common theme, according to the study, was libraries' role as a community center, and their connection to patrons and other local institutions.

So how does a library blend the two? A vision for the future must be formed and each individual library must find the path that best suits their community.

One way to begin is to open the library doors wide and welcome the community to a variety of programs and events.

On Monday, May 12, at 1 p.m, Jared Leadbetter from the Maine State Library will be at the library with a “Petting Zoo” to demonstrate how to use ebooks. Several ereaders will be available in the library through May 19 on loan from the state library for patrons to try out. Please register by calling the library at 655-4283 or email sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.

Paul Doiron is the author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels, including The Poacher’s Son, which won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award for Best First Novel. PopMatters named it to its Best Fiction of 2010 list. His next three novels in the series are Trespasser, Bad Little Falls and Massacre Pond. A new title will be released in June. All have been Indie Bestsellers and have been translated into ten languages. Paul will be at the library on Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. A book signing will follow his presentation and copies of his novels will be available for signing. This program is free and open to the public. Please pre-register at the library or calling the library at 655-4283, or emailing sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.

Raymond Village Library’s Plant Sale is June 7 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the library can use all those extra plants you will be thinning out or removing to make room for new seedlings. By putting aside those plants and bringing them to the library, on June 6, the day before the sale from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m, you will be helping to make this fundraiser a success. Perennials are very popular, as are ground covers, flower shrubs, vines, bedding plants and annuals. For more information, please call Marie at 221-0568, email mkconnolly@maine.rr.com or Jane at 655-5354, email janehubbell@maine.rr.com.

Check out the poster on the bulletin board at the library or on the RVL website about the Get Caught Reading Photo Contest. It is open to all ages and there will be prizes! Entries must be submitted on or before May 12. Applications may be obtained on our website or at the front desk. There is a $5 entry fee.

Anyone interested in having their garden considered for next year’s tour, please contact Elissa Gifford by phone (207)655-3399 or email ewoodgiff@hotmail.com. All eligible gardens will be visited by the end of June this year and choices will be made by the end of July for inclusion in the 2015 Raymond Village Library Garden Tour, to give owners time to plan and prepare.

The first annual Raymond Village Library Bazaar will be held on Saturday, June 21 at the Raymond Village Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be artists and crafters, concessions, a white elephant sale of superior items, music, food and special fun for the kids. Look for more information in the June publication of the Raymond Village Library on our website and Facebook page.

The library will now be open four days a week for the convenience of our patrons. Beginning Thursday, May 1 the new hours will be: Sunday – 10 to 4; Monday – 10 to 6; Wednesday - 10 to 6, and Thursday – 2 to 7.