Special to the Star-Herald
MARS HILL – Summer is here in Aroostook County and most of us are finally getting out of the house and looking for things to do now that the sun is shining. If you get a chance, stop into the Walter T. A. Hansen Library in Mars Hill. Like a caterpillar that changes into a butterfly while in its chrysalis, the library has transformed during the winter, and there are new and wonderful things to do there. In November 2007, the library assisted in the yearly open enrollment for Medicare Part D. This is the second year that the library opened its doors for the Aroostook Agency on Aging in order to assist those on Medicare with help navigating the difficult world of Medicare prescription drug coverage. They will be participating again this year, so keep in touch with the library for details.
Money is tight for everyone, but the library found ways to get new books for their patrons. In December 2007, the library received a $1,000 grant from the Lois Lenski Covey Grant, which allowed a variety of titles to be purchased and put into circulation, including works of fiction, biographies, science and more. Titles included: “Planning for a Sustainable Future,” “50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Know,” “Anne Morrow Lindbergh” and “Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You.”
February of 2008 brought some new life to the walls in the library, with a $1,000 grant from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust. The library received a collection of photographs of the Mars Hill area during the turn of the century taken by Aroostook County artist Linda Griffith. There was a well-received open house on Feb. 9 for anyone to come and meet the photographer and view the exhibition. The photographs will be on permanent display at the library, so all are welcome to come and experience it for themselves.
The library was fortunate to receive the collection from the award-winning photographer. Linda feels that Mars Hill is “enormously charming” and once she saw Main Street, she “fell in love with it.” She feels that the portfolio expresses “something unique about the town’s charm,” and since she is “enchanted with Mars Hill,” she feels that her love for the town is reflected in the work.
Also, during the winter the new Mars Hill Savings Bank had a contest whereby participants for their favorite project in town. There were many worthy places that received money, and thankfully many patrons and residents voted for the library. The results were that the library received $12,000 to help with the much-needed updating of the electrical system.
In addition, there are new weekly events that are being held every week at the library. During the school year, there is Coco’s Reading Hour for children on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and a knitting group that meets on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Other events are being planned for over the summer, and ideas are always welcome for programs. Keep in touch with the library for more details.
Remember, you can also come and “buy a brick” or have a memorial book purchased for someone you want to remember, love or simply want to recognize. There are computers to use, archives to browse and plenty of room to sit and read. Anyone from anywhere can use the services and programs the library provides for free, unless you want to check out a book. For those who don’t live in the Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater, Robinson and E-Plantation areas, you can get a library card for $5.
So spring into the Walter T.A. Hansen Library on Hansen Street in Mars Hill.
For a little library, there are a lot of big things going on. For more information, contact 429-9625 or e-mail www.wtahansenlibrary.com.
