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Summer is speeding on by and there is still so much to do! Are you aware of the literary adventures you can have in the State of Maine?

Naturally, your first literary adventures are right here in Topsham. Maine Fiberarts at 13 Main Street has a current exhibit running through September 30, 2015 titled Handmade Artists’ Books: One of a Kind that you will want to check out. Of course, here at the Topsham Public Library we have summer reading for all ages, a variety of programs, and a lovely garden where you can sit, contemplate and breathe deeply.

Each library has its own personality and you may want to consider visiting a few others. Head on up the coast and visit the Camden Public Library and Amphitheater as it was added to the National Historic Landmark registry in 2013. The Waterville Public Library is one of eighteen Carnegie public libraries in Maine or you could visit the Maine State Library in Augusta. Once you have finished there you could keep on traveling to Brewer, the birthplace and childhood home of Joshua Chamberlain who not only served during the Civil War but also wrote an account titled Through Blood and Fire at Gettysburg as well as others.

If you have a few days in which you can play, you might think of traveling to Gotts Island which is off of Mount Desert Island. This was once the home of Ruth Moore whose book Spoonhandle, published in 1946, spent fourteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was made into a movie titled Deep Waters. Or, you could drive to the northern most part of Maine to the little town of Allagash, home of author Cathie Pelletier, and have a little lunch at Two Rivers Restaurant.

There are some literary adventures that are great for children, too! The Children’s Museum of Maine has an exhibit featuring the children’s book Down to the Sea by Chris Van Dusen or you could enjoy a Shakespeare play adapted for children on August 1 or August 2. Or you could read Andre: the Famous Harbor Seal by Fran Hodgkins (for a more adult telling of Andre’s story read A Seal Called Andre by Harry Goodridge) and travel to Rockport where it all happened.

This is just a small sampling of the numerous literary adventures waiting for you in our great state. If you need more ideas, the Maine Sunday Telegram, in conjunction with various humanities groups, have an online literary map of Maine that will provide you with many more options for enjoying a literary Maine.

This spring weather is delightful after our long, cold winter. The snow is finally gone! Yards are being cleaned up, gardens are being readied, and flowers are being planted. The Topsham Public Library has some great opportunities for our patrons to take advantage of some local attractions and to get out and enjoy summer in Maine.

Summer in Maine should be spent outside and the Maine Wildlife Park is a great place to do that.  Each member of the group, up to 7 people ages 4 and up, will be charged a $3 admission fee when they present the pass at the gatehouse. FYI, the park does not accept credit or debit cards. Maine Wildlife Park only accepts cash or checks.

Maine Maritime Museum also participates in the Library Pass Program. This pass allows free admission to one family group with a maximum of 8 individuals.

With the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine pass, the pass holder is entitled to a 50% discount on museum admission for up to 4 people (with the exception of the first Friday of each month as admission from 5-8pm is only $2). The pass does not provide entry to theatre productions or paid programs and does not give entry to member-only events.

The pass for the Portland Museum of Art allows free entry for up to 2 adults and 6 children. This pass is only valid for general and special exhibition admissions.

If you are looking for something closer to home, there is a combination pass that entitles admission for one family to the Skolfield-Whittier House and the Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Museum, both located in Brunswick.

The Topsham Public Library issues only one pass per day per destination, so it is best to reserve a pass in advance for the day you want it (the day before is usually best). In order to reserve a pass you must be a Topsham Public Library patron in good standing. You may reserve a pass in person or over the phone (725-1727). As each pass can only be used once each day, we can’t always guarantee that the pass will be available.

You must present your library card when picking up the pass. If you reserve a pass and your plans change, please let us know so we can make the pass available to someone else. Passes are only valid for the date specified on the pass.