November 26, 2025

So much to love about libraries: magic civic spaces

In a consumer society, libraries are more special than ever.

Did you know that a public library is one of the few places where you can:

✓ Hang out and not be expected to buy anything

✓ Interact with a human being (your friendly librarian) who wants nothing from you

✓ Read, listen, watch, borrow, and use stuff for free

✓ Access the internet without ads, gimmicks, or payment

✓ Walk in and feel welcome no matter your wealth, age, gender, ethnicity, or politics

✓ Take a break from advertising

Like national parks, public libraries are one of America’s great ideas. Paid for by taxes and available to all, public libraries are a relatively new invention in the context of global history. Like national parks, public libraries make America great.

The photo above is from Freeport Public Library where I often work. I also work at the Portland library, and Yarmouth, Falmouth, Brunswick, South Portland, Westbrook, Saco, Augusta, Lewiston. I know them all because local libraries are my offices on the road. In between meetings, public libraries are perfect for me. Sometimes I book their little conference rooms for Zoom meetings.

To the right is my office at the Portland Public Library looking out at Monument Square.

Mom Update

“Alexa, what’s the weather?” That’s how Mom learns the outside temperature in her new State of Maine. Only problem is, Alexa has been telling her the weather in Whittier, California. Where she used to live. “Is it really 64 degrees out?” Mom asks as I arrive taking off my mittens. We forgot to tell Alexa that Mom moved. It’s only been four months. Mom’s been living in an insulated world, I'm afraid.

And have you ever tried to talk about Alexa with Alexa listening? Mom and I have learned to talk about Alexa without saying Alexa. And had some pretty good laughs.

Oh brother. Adventures with Mom.

The photo is Mom at a protest in Freeport, Maine. Her town.

My work with libraries

I’m currently facilitating a statewide Working Group on the Status of Maine’s School and Public Libraries, commissioned by state statute. I’m learning so much!

I have also helped several Maine libraries with strategic planning and organizational development. Two years ago I gave a talk at the Maine Library Association Annual Meeting.

Type the word “library” into the search at my website and you’ll see the list.

The photo is Belfast Public Library, Maine. I have so much appreciation for librarians and all those who support them.

Have you heard of a Library of Things?

Here's a one-minute video that I made at the Brunswick Public Library, just miles from my house.

They have row after row of THINGS that you can borrow.

Way better than my video, here's a two-minute NBC Nightly News story about "An unusual library we came across in Maine." It's a terrific segment and showcases our Library of Things very well.

To me, this is a fantastic antidote to consumerism. We actually DON'T have to buy "that thing," even though we're bombarded with messages that say we do. We actually DON'T have to support "that corporation" so much.

It's better for the planet and better for my wallet when I borrow instead of buy.

It so simple.

Thank you libraries for LOANING us stuff.

I get to play Librarian!

So fun that I get to steward a Little Free Library. It's #106150 if you want to look it up. I get to handle books and even “curate” books. Like a librarian. And I love that I’m gathering people around something free and harmless.

I keep a journal in the Little Free Library and love coming across little notes like the two below.

Click here for photos of building our little free library. It was a very fun kid project.

Highly recommended if you have a good spot for one and the inclination.

Remembering Dick Barringer

Dick Barringer was my mentor in graduate school. He got me an internship at the Maine State Planning Office that led to a job that led to a career. He believed in me. I know that because he told me, all the time, every time he saw me. He introduced me to others as a rising star. He did that with all his students. Because Dick taught me, I try do that with kids in the neighborhood.

Dick was the Founding Director of the Muskie School for Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. He’s the one who secured permission from Ed Muskie’s family to use the name. Upon his retirement we gave Dick a pair of hiking boots.

Dick Barringer served as the first Director of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and played a key role in securing land from paper companies for public use over many years. He served as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation and later as Director of the Maine State Planning Office. He used to say that public service - working for the government - is a noble calling.

When Dick arrived from Boston in the early 70’s, the Maine economy was based on natural resource extraction and pollution. Paper companies dominated the Maine economy and there was a sense that we EITHER grow the economy and trash the environment OR save the environment but trash our economy. Dick came along with a PhD from M.I.T. and a love for Maine and said that we could have both: a strong economy AND a healthy environment. He wrote up his ideas in something called A Maine Manifest, 1972. It was a new way of thinking.

He died about a month ago. You can read his obituary here.

I was able to go to the Memorial Service and it was quite something. One of his sons played a Bob Dylan song and another son recounted that in his last days, Dick told him “In the end, only love and kindness matter.”

So much gratitude for Dick Barringer and other Maine leaders who have shown us the way. Peace to Martha and the family.

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Links to get along and find peace

Written and published by Craig Freshley. Thanks for walking along with me.