It’s amazing: Brooklin, a town of about 800 permanent residents, has a public library that is as good as (or better than) many libraries in communities with populations greater than 100 times ours. Our Friend Memorial Library, pictured here, is one of the most-used libraries in the State. It not only provides the latest books, CDs, and DVDs, you can download its e-books; use its computers and Wi-Fi network to surf the web; attend stimulating readings and other get-togethers there, and view its monthly exhibits by our many creative neighbors.
The Library originated in 1896 and, in 1912, moved to its present location on land donated by Brooklin’s Friend family. The FML has gone through several renovations and has had many loyal and generous supporters. Among these were Brooklin’s Katherine and E.B. White, both of New Yorker fame, who were instrumental in revitalizing the library. Katherine, especially, helped form the vision of what a first-class rural library could be. (Brooklin, Maine)