There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.
— Andrew Carnegie
A group of longtime library devotees gathered at the South Berwick Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 21, to honor and say goodbye to longtime Library Director, Charline Parsons. Ms. Parsons has served as the library director for 20 years.
Among the parting gifts Charline received were an overnight at the Regency Hotel in Portland with spending money and a long list of activities and restaurants where she might enjoy spending it. Many friends, both new and old, sent cards and written anecdotes of Charline’s many years at the library. These were compiled for her into an album.
The Library Advisory Board voted to name a library room in Ms. Parsons’s honor. This plaque reading, ‘The Charline Parsons Room’ will remain in the present building until a new library is ready.
Many thanks to Charline for all of her years of hard work and the wonderful library she helped make in spite of working in a very challenging space. I could always find something fun or interesting to read and she was unfailingly good natured and a pleasure to work with.