Warren Memorial Library to Alter Hours in 2009

Because of a constrained budget, the Warren Memorial Library (WML) has decided to shutter its doors on Tuesdays beginning January 2, 2009 and has reconfigured its hours on other days.

Besides closing on Tuesdays (a day on which the library is now open from 2p-8p), the WML has shortened the Wednesday work day in 2009 from 10a-8p to 1p to 8p.

On the other hand, the hours on Monday and Friday have been expanded. Monday's hours, for example, have been expanded from 2p-8p to 1p-8p. And Friday's hours will change from 2p-6p to 10a-6p.

Saturday's hours (10a-2p) will remain unchanged.

Such schedule posturing at the WML comes on the heels of the announcement earlier this month that the library is parting company with the Reindeer Theatre Company in an effort to find a permanent, more profitable renter of its second-story auditorium.

- John C.L. Morgan

Inanna

Inanna, a "percussion and vocal ensemble that explores the heritage and rhythms of West Africa," stopped in at the FOX Morning News talk show this morning.

The group will be playing at Warren Memorial Library on Thursday, December 18 at 7p. The concert is free.

- John C.L. Morgan

Dahlin, Torres to Play at Warren Memorial

Emilia Dahlin and Vanessa Torres will be performing at Warren Memorial Library (WML) Friday night to kickstart the 2008-2009 WML Women in the Performing Arts series.

The concert begins at 7p and is free.

- John C.L. Morgan

Reading in Westbrook

The Warren Memorial Library book club (we really need to come up with a sexier name) will be reading Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books for our next meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at 6:30p. And the book can be reserved via the Internet here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Jerks (of Grass) Sprouting in WML

The Jerks of Grass, arguably the best bluegrass band in Maine, will be performing at the Warren Memorial Library Friday night at 7p. And did I mention it was free!

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. Check out the JoG's gig on a February episode of '207.'

Jerks of Grass + '207' = WML Promotion

At the risk of turning this blog into the marketing arm of the Warren Memorial Library, I recommend you check out this '207' video featuring the Jerks of Grass, a band that'll be performing for free at the library Friday, March 28 at 7p.

P.S. I referred to Maine's ice harvest about a week ago. To see that industry as a form of tourism, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Zulu Leprechauns Playing at Warren Memorial Library

Just a reminder that this Friday, February 29, we have another free concert as part of the 2007-2008 monthly music series, and this one is not to miss. The Zulu Leprechauns, who offer an eclectic mix of Irish/African World Beat, will be performing at 7pm in the WML Auditorium.

This group is a project of Annegret Baier, a member of Inanna (who performed to an enthusiastic full house last month in our auditorium), and the show is sure to bring some great energy as we head into the final leg of winter. I hope you can make it!

And a heads up for next month's concert on Friday, March 29, a return of Jerks of Grass. Last fall, many in attendance were blown away by band member Carter's young daughter joining the band for some songs and making it a very special show. This upcoming show will be an awesome event with young performers joining the group for part of the concert to showcase their talent. A treat for all ages.

- Wendy Hykso

Warren Memorial Library: Past and Present

Westbrook is home to two public libraries. Walker Memorial is the municipal library in Westbrook, supported by taxpayer dollars. And our library, Warren Memorial, is also a public library, but is supported primarily by the Warren Memorial Foundation. Some small grants and donations round out our financing.

Warren's history starts with the paper mill. Samuel Warren set up a library in the mill for mill employees which eventually was moved to its present location at 479 Main Street. Samuel's wife, Susan, left money to establish a trust in her husband's memory when she died. In 1929, the Warren Memorial Foundation was established to fulfill Susan's wish of a permanent foundation for educational purposes, including a cultivation and promotion of the arts. Subsequently, the library was opened to the public. For a more in-depth history of the Warren family's contribution to Westbrook, Anastasia Weigle's A Presence in the Community: The Warren Family Legacy offers a great overview.

Many of our patrons at Warren feel like our extended family, and we are always happy to see new faces! Warren Library cards are free to Westbrook residents, and to those employed in the city. We are part of the Minerva consortium and are able to get books, movies, and audiobooks from all over the state at no charge. For more information about what's going on at Warren, visit our website at warren.lib.me.us or our MySpace site at myspace.com/warrenlibrary.

- Wendy Hysko

Public Service Announcement, Take One

Warren Memorial Library is hosting Inanna, a self-described percussion and vocal ensemble, on Friday night at 7p. The concert is free and will take place in the library's auditorium. To learn more about the girl band, er, the "Sisters in Rhythm," click here.

Also, while we're on the topic of Warren Library, their monthly book club will be meeting next on Wednesday, February 13. The current book is 50 Acres and a Poodle, so pick up your copy now. Also, be sure to arrive for the club early, because the first five attendees will receive an autographed mousepad courtesy of your modest correspondent. For more info about the Warren Memorial Library, click here or here.

- John C.L. Morgan

All For Maine: A Bite-Sized Review

All For Maine: The Story of Percival P. Baxter
By Liz Soares
(Windswept Publishers, 93 pages)

Liz Soares's biography of former Maine Governor Percival Proctor Baxter is a good introductory read to the Father of Baxter State Park. The book briefly touches on Governor Baxter's devotion to the humane treatment of animals (the Animal Refuge League's animal shelter here in Westbrook is named after Percy Baxter in honor of his instrumental role in the League's founding and funding) and his generous gifts to Maine. Soares focuses a bit on Baxter's donation of Mackworth Island to the state and the subsequent founding of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf on that island, but most of the book (indeed, most of Baxter's life) was devoted to the governor's dogged (pun not intended, but welcomed) creation and preservation of the Baxter State Park, which includes Mount Katahdin.

This is not a dense book (it'll be re-located to the juvenile section once I return it to Warren Memorial Library), so if you're looking for a thorough examination of Percy Baxter's life, keep moving, nothing to see here. However, if you're looking for an easy primer or a book from which to pull some interesting factoids (did you know Governor Baxter ordered the flags of Maine to be flown at half-staff when his beloved dog, Garry, died?), this book is sufficient.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. Here are some links that'll satisfy that craving for Governor Baxter I just carved into the pit of your stomach with this sparkling review:

Animal Refuge League: here
Baxter House Museum: here
Baxter Memorial Library: here
Baxter State Park: here
Governor Baxter School for the Deaf: here