The Year in Books: 2025

2025 marked a big year of reading for BHML! In 2025, the Library hosted four monthly book groups, Author Talks with seven local authors, and a virtual discussion on the best-selling book, The Anxious Generation, among a slew of other events throughout the year.

Our biggest reading event of the year was The Summer Read. We partnered with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, the Boothbay Region Land Trust, Southport Memorial Library, and St. Andrews Village for book discussions of Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Keep your eyes peeled for the reveal of our 2026 Summer Read title coming soon.

We also celebrated the classic children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll as the theme of this year’s Storybook Ball fundraiser. The event drew a sold-out crowd that raised more than $37,000 to support library services!

We are excited to bring the Boothbay Region more books and events to celebrate reading in 2026! Look out for our upcoming Read & Watch discussion for Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell and our newest wintertime book group, Silent Book Club, in the new year.

Bethany’s Favorite Books

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson

The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) by Katie Mack

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

Jane’s Favorite Books

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

Jen’s Favorite Books

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Sandy’s Favorite Books

Savannah’s Favorite Books

Joannna’s Favorite Books

*Currently Great Room use & Community Room use is restricted due to space constraints. Public Programs are held on the first floor of the library in the Great Room.

The Library welcomes the use of the Community Room & Great Room by groups for educational, cultural, and civic activities. Consistent with the Library’s commitment to openness and inclusiveness, programs and meetings are encouraged to be free and open to the public. Both the Great Room and the Community Room seat up to 20 people; please note there is currently no elevator access to the second floor. The Community Room and the Great Room are available to request for use during library operating hours:

Tuesday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Please refer to the fee schedule below for private use of the Community Room. The Great Room is not available for private use. Scheduling priority is given to library sponsored programs and activities.

Meetings that are open to the public and within normal library operating hours will not be charged fees, and may be listed on the library’s public calendar. The Library may choose to advertise these events at the discretion of the Library Director. Any meeting that is not public will not be advertised and will be governed by the Private Meeting Fee Schedule below.

Private Meeting Fee Schedule	For Profit	Non-Profit	Co-Sponsored by BHML
First 2 hours	$150	$25	No Fee
Each additional hour	$25	$5	No fee
Staff fee per hour beyond library hours (for both public & private meetings)	$50	$50	No Fee
Additional equipment setup fee (projector, screen, laptop, speakers): $25

Community Room Use Rules

All reservations will be reviewed and must be approved by the Director or their designee.

The individual or the designated person submitting the request, shall be responsible for following all BHML guidelines for use of the Community Room. Those who use the Community Room must leave the room in the same condition in which it was found. Failure to comply with this agreement will result in a loss of privileges to reserve library spaces.

Reservations

Reservations can be made by contacting BHML, or by filling out the online form.
- When reserving the room, be sure to include time for set up and clean up.
Cancellations should be made as early as possible to allow others to use the room.
Failure to notify the Library of a cancellation may jeopardize future reservations.
BHML reserves the right to cancel a room reservation under special circumstances.
No more than six meetings in a six-month period will be accommodated.

Set Up and Clean Up

Groups are responsible for their own room set up.
Groups are responsible for cleaning up the room before leaving and returning all furniture back to its original arrangement.
Light refreshments may be served.
All trash must be removed by the group.

General rules:

No alcoholic beverages may be served without necessary licensing and prior permission from the Library.
Smoking is prohibited
Unless otherwise negotiated, no admission fees will be charged (Room Use Policy)
Hanging anything directly on the walls using tape, nails, or adhesives, is prohibited.
Insuring property is the responsibility of the individual and/or group using the room. Proof of insurance may be required.
BHML is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
The Group shall be responsible for any damage to Library property resulting from the Group’s use of BHML facilities.
Youth groups may use the Community Room with supervision by an official sponsor.
Any violation of these stipulated rules will result in the Individual and/or Group being responsible for cleaning fees or any additional custodial services required that includes cleaning of carpets, repair and/or replacement of damaged furnishings, walls, equipment, etc.

Adopted 2014
Amended 6-2019
Amended 1-2025

Library Card Policy & Requirements

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library serves the following townships: Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Edgecomb.

All persons applying for library cards must complete the registration form.

Additional requirements:

Year round residents
Photo ID (excepting children, see “Children and Library Cards”)
Seasonal property owners

Photo ID
Home ownership verification (accessible online via town websites)
Non-Residents and/or Visitors may purchase a one (1) year membership

Photo ID
Local and permanent address required
Membership fee, $35 (cash or check)

Non-Residents Eligible for Courtesy Cards:

Southport residents. Students and full-time or seasonal employees working in Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Edgecomb, or Southport.

Photo ID
Employer reference or student I.D.

Courtesy cards entitle the member to full borrowing privileges, but do not include access to the digital service, Hoopla. If patrons are interested in Hoopla, we encourage them to check with their hometown library for availability.

Acceptable Photo IDDrivers License / permitPassportMilitary IDStudent IDNon-US Drivers License or permitResident Alien Card

Acceptable Proof of Home OwnershipMortgage papers or deedTax document or listingTown Report Listing

Children & Library Cards

Children 5 years and up can get their own library card.

Children 12 years and under: we recommend a parent or guardian co-sign on the account in order to be responsible for the replacement/payment of lost or damaged items. However, we allow anyone to get a library card that can provide the information required on the Library’s registration form.

In accordance with our interpretation of Maine State Law, once a minor gets their own library account, our communications about that account are directed to the account holder.

We encourage parents and children to link accounts if they wish to share information.

Updated 6/2017

Updated 9/28/22

Updated 6/2017

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Policy

Community Room Use Rules

Reservations

Set Up and Clean Up

General rules:

Cloud Library

Hoopla

Hoopla

Hoopla

Digital Maine LIbrary

Cloud Library

Hoopla

Learning Express