Arundel cover

“Bringing authors with varied interests into the schools and communities is one of the best things we can do to raise aspirations of rural kids, and to encourage stimulating discussion for community members.”– Jayne Lello,
Dover-Foxcroft Center Theatre

“It was great to get all the school and public libraries involved throughout the area!”– Linda Packard,
Librarian

Penquis Reads

Penquis Reads

This was a great “cabin fever” reliever that included a variety of programs throughout March. Each participating library came up with its own offerings, which were then promoted throughout the region. This book was selected for the program because it is set in Maine during the Revolutionary War, and offers a wealth of material as a springboard for lively discussion as well as a diversity of programming.

The involvement of the high schools, including enthusiastic support from teachers, led organizers to believe that in the future, the community read could be initiated by the schools. Given a well-chosen title appealing to a young adult audience, it is likely that the entire high school would read it and participate.
2005: Arundel by Kenneth Roberts
Synopsis In this historical novel, a brave young Continental Army soldier from the Arundel regiment in southern Maine endures the grueling hardships of the ill-fated 1775 march on Québec, led by Colonel Benedict Arnold at the time when he was still a noble and trusted leader.
Partners Six public and two school libraries took part in this project: Guilford Memorial Library, Thompson Free Library in Dover, Shaw Public Library in Greenville, Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter, Sangerville Public Library, Monson Public Library; and the Piscataquis Community HS and Dexter Regional HS Libraries.
Activities
  • Presentation on Kenneth Roberts’ life and work by Sanford Phippen. (Dexter)
  • Presentation on Arundel within the context of the history of Maine and the country as a whole by David Richards of the Margaret Chase Smith Library. (Dexter)
  • Re-enactment of the expedition at Old Fort Western. (Augusta)
  • Presentation by Stephen Clark, author and expert on the Benedict Arnold expedition to Québec, including the trail through Maine.
Materials/ Promotions
  • Bookmarks and stickers (using the distinctive N.C. Wyeth cover art of DownEast Books’ Arundel, with the publisher’s kind permission).
  • Coordinating posters — all of these items ordered in bulk for quantity discount, and distributed throughout the participating communities.
  • The events were publicized in school and municipal newsletters, and in the local Chamber of Commerce publication.
Book Distribution The program organizers were able to purchase 11 copies of the book for each participating library, thanks to a generous discount from DownEast Books (the publisher’s rep even delivered them). The public was encouraged to read the book beginning in January, and the programs were held in March.
Attendance About 400 students and community members took part. Some of the participants were involved in two overlapping programs — this and the Winter Writer Series that was underwritten in part by the Maine Humanities Council.
Community Impact Arundel was required reading for the Advanced Placement English class at PCHS. The students were given the opportunity to plan the programming around the book at their school and public libraries.
 
“Making community connections” is cited as a one of the benefits of the Winter Writers Series organized by Jayne Lello. She describes Stephen Clark’s talk on “Following Their Footsteps,” and its impact on the audience, as a perfect example of the successful collaboration with the Penquis Reads project.
Budget/ Funding The Piscataquis County Fund, administered by the Maine Community Foundation. Planning began in June, as soon as it was learned that a grant had been approved.
Funders The overall program budget was $2,000. The discount from DownEast Books extended the group’s purchasing power, and allowed each participating library an additional $200 for programming.
Challenges
  • Presenting a regional program of this magnitude on such a limited budget.
  • A small number of people did much of the work; a larger working committee is planned for next year!
  • Some participants wished for a more contemporary book, citing as a drawback the fact that this title had been required reading for them many years earlier in high school.
For More Information
Contact Linda Packard,
Library Director, Guilford Memorial Library
207-876-4547
lpackard@guilford.lib.me.us