The Scarborough Public Library kicked off its One Book One Community campaign on Saturday during the library’s annual book sale with the construction of an ark and promotion of the upcoming event.
“(The One Book One Community program) is to promote reading, literacy and bringing one community together to read one book and discuss it after,” said June Gillis, chairman of the One Book One Community project.
This is the first year the Scarborough Public Library has participated in the program, which is being organized by the Friends of Scarborough Library.
After reading five books, the One Book One Community Committee settled on “Ernie’s Ark,” a book of short stories by Monica Woods set in a fictional Maine mill town named Abbott Falls. The book fulfilled the two guidelines set for the book – it is written by a Maine author and is a work of fiction.
“It’s about the lives of people who live everywhere, Maine included,” Gillis said, adding that the book probably is not appropriate for youngsters, but is appropriate for teens ages 14 and older.
The book follows the lives of Abbott Falls inhabitants, including its main character Ernie, who in the first story constructs an ark in his yard.
That is why the library now has its own ark. While not quite up to Noah’s standard, the approximately seven-foot-long and four-foot-high ark is a promotional tool for the One Book One Community program and “Ernie’s Ark.”
University of Southern Maine art student Jonathan Price planned designed and assisted in the ark’s construction. Several community members also helped assemble the boat, which Price said was intended to serve as a community project.
The ark’s frame is constructed from pieces of wood that were found on Maine beaches. The outside of the ark is built from sticks inserted into wood twine stretched along the frame.
Those who wish to participate in the One Book One Community program are encouraged to read the book during the summer and visit the library to sign up for the many different programs related to the book scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18.
There are 30 copies of the book available at the library and staff is reporting that the book is popular. Also at the library are a number of ongoing displays relating to the One Book One Community program, including a photo display of Maine paper mills.
In addition, staff and library volunteers are reading the book to the residents of the many of the town’s senior facilities including Piper Shores, Kaler-Vaill, Scarborough Terrace and Pine Point Manor.
A teen writing contest also is being held for students entering grades 9 to 12. Each essay must be based on the themes of “Ernie’s Ark” and be no longer than 1,000 words. Essays must be submitted to the Current’s office by Aug. 15.
In September the library will host a number of programs that are connected to the book. There will be a discussion on the Jay mill strike, which relates to the book because the employees at the mill go on strike.
There also will be a discussion on end-of-life issues, which is discussed in the book when Ernie’s wife dies. Author Monica Wood will be on hand to discuss the book and sign copies, and a number of book discussions also will be held throughout the weekend.
A full listing of events is available at the library.
Jonathan Price building the bottom half or the ark that he designed while Mallory Gordon, a Scarborough High School junior, works on the top half in the background.
Celeste Shinay and MacKenzie Fergunson, 3, help build the ark at the Scarborough Library last week. The ark is part of the library’s One Book One Community program.
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