By Sally Leahey

Usually we’re eager for you to pay attention to what’s going on inside McArthur Library, hoping you know about all the materials you can borrow, free programs and online resources.

Now it’s time to take notice of the library’s outside.  Our yard has taken on a new look, thanks to the volunteer efforts of individuals and organizations.

As you may know, the Saco Bay Gardening Club recently donated a terrific collection of more than 50 new books about all aspects of gardening to McArthur Library.  Covering everything from greenhouses to kitchen gardens to tree care, this infusion of new materials supplements the resources the group has donated in the past.  But this year it wasn’t enough to just give books.  There are generous and energetic members who have given a great deal of their time to improve the library on the outside as well.

A group from the Saco Bay Gardening Club has tackled our gardens with enthusiasm, applying their extensive expertise to cleaning up after winter, improving soil, weeding, and adding new plants. 

 On most Tuesday mornings all spring, you could see Barbara and Bob Dunn, Jeanne Thurston, Dick Roberge, John Ropes, Bob Hodge and Carter and Helene Whittaker  working hard around the library’s front yard.  Whether they were tugging away at the old rose bushes to thin them out, or digging up weeds, or hauling fertilizer from truck to wheelbarrow to garden bed, they spent many mornings toiling away at beautifying the library’s appearance.  You can’t miss the lovely blue hydrangea that they’ve planted at the head of the library’s walkway, a cheerful living welcome to library patrons.  

Another dedicated volunteer contributor to McArthur Library’s exterior is John Laverriere.  About a year ago Michael Chase of the Kindness Project approached the library to see if we needed any good deeds.   Never guessing what would come of it, I mentioned that the lawn needed mowing.  Lo and behold, a few days later John showed up with his lawn mower and proceeded to cut the entire lawn.  Not only that, but without any fanfare he then offered to cut the grass for the entire season last year, and is continuing to keep us trim this year as well.

The Altrusa Club has gotten into the act of helping McArthur Library’s outside as well.  Last month this local chapter of an international women’s service group spent a Saturday morning volunteering at the library. They were willing to do all sorts of odd jobs for us, including the dreaded job of cutting down the overgrown bamboo in the staff parking lot.  Ann Putney and Martha Taylor were relentless but very cheerful about getting rid of the overgrowth of weeds.

Expect to see another column in the future about indoor volunteers.  McArthur Library is extremely grateful for all of the unsung heroes who help us out behind the scenes in countless ways.  These are folks who like to help and give back to their community without any expectation of reward or credit.  As author Sherry Anderson said, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”

Sally Leahey is assistant director of McArthur Library.