Jennifer Maffett lives in Pembroke. Barbara Baig lives in Edmunds Township.

It’s National Library Week and Maine, with its long history and geographical reach, has many kinds of public libraries to celebrate. From tiny island libraries serving less than 100 patrons to city-based libraries serving almost 70,000 people, they all play an important role in their communities.

Of the 257 libraries in Maine, just over 40% serve a population of less than 2,000. Although small in size, many have long histories, large hearts and a deep impact in their community.

It might seem easy to dismiss the libraries in rural locations as not doing much “library work.” The collections may be small. The people at the desk might be volunteers. Their hours might be limited. However, a foundational role of all public libraries is that they provide free access to information. All of these small rural libraries do just that and many do so much more.

In addition to books in the stacks and magazines on the racks, access to information is made possible in other important ways. The Maine State Library system has historically helped small libraries expand public access to information by providing interlibrary loan service (books from anywhere in the state, not just regionally as is done in other states) and internet service.

In many rural places internet service is not available for everyone. With the library’s high-speed broadband patrons can research colleges or job opportunities, renew credentials, apply for a job, purchase or change airline tickets, learn a new skill, educate themselves through an online course and stay connected to what’s going on in the larger world.

In a small town, the library is not only a communication and information hub, it is also often the only available public space. In cities, public spaces are plentiful. In small towns, a library provides a vital gathering space.

Most small libraries have embraced their role as community centers. Interest groups are encouraged to gather there: to knit, quilt, play ukuleles or chess, work on a community jigsaw puzzle, sing, discuss, learn. Just about every small library has a book group for adults and programs for children.

Some rural libraries are housed near or in a school, providing extra learning opportunities. Pembroke Library hosts the town’s elementary school students, but also welcomes children bussed monthly from Perry and Sipayik, providing services the students don’t have in their own town.

Many small libraries give local artists the only space in town to display their work and almost all provide space for other organizations to offer concerts and lectures. Like many historic libraries, Lincoln Memorial Library in Dennysville is part museum, housing town records and artifacts. Whitneyville Public Library features a craft shop. Cape Porpoise Library is a wedding destination and offers notary service.

Most small libraries run a used book shop, with the sales helping to fund the library. All of these events and activities reflect the specific needs of each community and are made possible mostly through the energies and efforts of people who live in the community.

These librarians don’t need survey forms to find out what their patrons want; they know what their community needs because they live and work there, and their patrons are neighbors and friends. That’s why Jackson Memorial Library (Tenants Harbor) offers museum and gallery passes, Unity Public Library loans kayaks and Palermo Community Library facilitates an artist trading card exchange.

As you plan your summer road trips, consider including a visit to a library of note in the area. Eastport’s Peavey is the country’s easternmost library. Hamlin Library (Paris) looks so unusual because it was a jail in the 1800s. Other libraries with historic architecture include the Freeland Holmes Library (Oxford), Sturdivant Public Library (East Machias) and East Blue Hill Public Library. 

Why not “book” it to a library this summer?