The Hands Building Our Library

Dear Friends,

With construction now underway on the Friend Memorial Public Library expansion, I find myself thinking not only about the building that will rise over the coming months, but also about the people who will bring it to life. Soon there will be foundations, walls, windows, bookshelves, and gathering spaces. There will be places for children to discover new worlds, for neighbors to gather, and for researchers to explore our maritime heritage. But before any of those spaces exist, there are skilled men and women whose hands, talents, and dedication will transform drawings on paper into a building that will serve Brooklin for generations.

Their stories deserve to be told.

Over the coming months, I will be interviewing the craftsmen, contractors, and tradespeople who are helping build our new library. Some are lifelong Mainers. Some have deep roots in our community. Others have traveled different paths that have led them here. Each brings unique skills and experiences to this project, and each is leaving a lasting mark on a place that will become an important part of Brooklin’s future.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside remarkable craftsmen on historic buildings across the country. One lesson I have learned is that while buildings often endure for centuries, the stories of the people who actually built them are too often forgotten. We know the names of architects and benefactors, but rarely do we hear about the carpenter who framed the walls, the mason who laid the stone, or the craftsman who solved a difficult problem along the way.

This time, we have an opportunity to preserve those stories.

As construction progresses, I will share a series of profiles introducing you to the people building our library—from the first excavation and foundation work to the final finishes. Through these stories, I hope you’ll come to know not only what is being built, but who is building it and why this project matters to them. The new library is the result of many hands coming together—donors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and craftsmen—all united by a belief in the future of our community. Your generosity has made this project possible. Together, we now have the privilege of watching it take shape.

I look forward to sharing these stories with you.

With gratitude,
Robert A. Baird
Capital Campaign Chair
Friend Memorial Public Library