Miss Rumphius' Library

 
  Yesterday, I visited the Skidompha Memorial Library in Damariscotta, Maine for their open house.  Barbara Cooney was a resident of this area, and she was a big supporter of this library.  Everywhere I looked, I saw her gifts and influence and the love this community still holds for her.

  Photos.

  Original artwork.

   A quilt showing her reading to the children.

It was a beautiful day in Damariscotta, and I came an hour early so I could walk around and enjoy downtown before the event.   

  

I bought myself a chai and sat on a bench and watched the water.  That saltwater smell filled me right up.

 

  

This is the library and the three of us signing in the children's department: author/illustrator Melissa Sweet, author Tammy Meserve, and me.

About 20 years ago, I worked in a bookstore, and I met Barbara Cooney. She was such a sweet, soft-spoken, genuine person, and I have warm memories of that day.  I still have the copy of Miss Rumphius that she signed for me. 

It was special to spend the afternoon surrounded by her artwork, in the community and library that she loved.

  In the story, Miss Rumphius' grandfather tells her that she must do three things in life:   live by the sea, go to faraway places, and make the world a more beautiful place.

Barbara Cooney did all three.