I didn’t buy any Christmas gifts this year. My family and friends don’t need anything. We all have too much stuff anyway, and, if my kids need new underwear and socks, they are on their own.

Instead, I sent a check to Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. I urge you to do so, too.

For years, other fine local service organizations have tried to figure out when to ask the public for help. Well, this year, it is the Library’s turn to ask you to reach into your wallet and help them help us, our neighbors, our summer residents and visitors, our kids, our grandkids, and our great-grandkids.

The Library provides a ton of vital services to us all. If you think our kids don’t need books anymore, if you believe they can find anything they need or want on their smartphone, you are mistaken. Let me give you some numbers. In 2018, the Library loaned out 4,115 children’s books. In 2023, that number was 11,468. Last year, BHML had 33,000 visitors, and more than 3,000 patrons carry our library cards.

You can order a book from the library on your phone or computer. If they don’t have it, they will order it from the statewide system. In a few days, it will be delivered. The library volunteers will call you and let you know you can pick it up.

The Library also hosts a gaggle of children’s activities, ranging from a girl's group focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to after-school craft and chess groups. Old favorites, like volunteers reading to the little ones, hosting craft gatherings, computer coding clubs, and presiding over summer reading clubs are staples. More than 5,700 people participated in the various activities and book groups.

Old-fashioned readers like to visit the building in person to hunt for a new book to keep them company on a long winter night or a lazy summer afternoon.

Did you get a new electronic whizzbang device for Christmas? Do you have a clue how to turn it on? If so, great. But if it is a little bit intimidating, or if you are having a problem, call the library and ask for technology help. Bingo, you don’t have to drive to Portland to visit the Apple Store to ask a question. Call the library. Did I mention that its services are offered at no charge?

Unlike many big city libraries, our local library is not a subset of the local government. It was set up as a local private group, a nonprofit group known as a 501(c)(3) corporation. While the local towns contribute to the library, 60% of its annual budget comes from donations. For exmple, next door to the main library building sits an elderly residence, the home of the used bookstore. It is staffed by faithful volunteers who sell donated books at bargain barn prices to browsers, collectors and other book addicts, like me. Each year, it donates around $30,000 to the library.

Now that I have told you some of what they do, here is what they want to do.

Dear readers, it is time to update our beloved community library. And it needs more than paint and elbow grease. They need an elevator to let patrons who have problems with stairs access the second-floor collection. The facade needs updating. It desperately needs a couple of Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible public restrooms, a larger community room with external access, updates to the utilities and safety requirements, and a teen work and lounge area.

Unfortunately, our beloved used book store building has outlived its sell-by date. They plan to build a new addition to house it and other stuff, adding about 4,800 square feet to the building.

No, the project will not change the look of the much-loved building. No change there. The building will remain open during the 18-month project.

The library board and staff have been working behind the scenes for years trying to figure out what they need and what it would cost. The number they came up with is nothing compared to other valued and needed community projects. The estimated cost is about $6 million.

Here is the punch line, "the ask."

Will you help? Many of our friends are getting their fiscal house in order for the tax man. Many include charitable donations as part of those annual updates. Would you and your friends please consider donating to the library?

I am going to send them a check. Would you join me? If you would like more information on the plans and other fiscal data, the library staff would be happy to sit down with you and provide whatever information you or your tax pro might desire.

Will you help the library?

Merry Christmas to all from the Old Scribbler.