South China library open house

Aurie Maxwell, of China, looks over books at the South China Public Library Open House. (photo by Ginger Lee Jones)

by Ginger Lee Jones

South China Public Library is the oldest continuous library in the state of Maine. It was first founded in a house in 1830 by fellow Quakers in the area. In the year 1900 it was then moved to a building on Village Street, in South China. In the year 1912, the South China Public Library Association was created. In the year 1980, the Children’s Room was added to the building. In 2012, the South China Public Library celebrated 100 years as a nonprofit organization.

The children’s room. (photo by Ginger Lee Jones)

My two daughters and I started going to this library when my oldest was around the age of nine years old. I began to teach my children to read at a young age and the love of reading was allowed to blossom through the joy of home schooling. At the time of our home school experience we met several families who also enjoyed going to this library, and we were one of many who checked out multiple books in order to study a certain subject. The library always felt like home and my daughters and I always treasured going each and every week.

When I saw the event on Facebook for the Open House of the Children’s Room, on February 19, I knew I had to go. It is a huge milestone for the South China Public Library, and one that I congratulated them on. It has been a long time in coming. There were several patrons that stopped by to enjoy the new addition as well as refreshments and new titles on the shelves. I was able to chat with a few people that I hadn’t seen in a while and it was good to reconnect with a fellow home school mom.

Being a photographer has given me many an opportunity to be a part of celebrations. When I got to the library I asked Cheryl Baker, Head Librarian, if I could take some photos to record this special event.

Whether you go to a library for pleasure, home schooling, research or education, it is always a place to go where you have never gone before. It is a place to learn and unwind into a fabulous story or to step back in time to experience events of long ago. Be sure to visit your local library or several near you and let them know that you are a huge fan.