Staff Writer
As the Caribou Public Library celebrates its 100th birthday this year, the staff there have been busy with special activities for both young and seasoned library patrons. And — as with most birthdays, there have been many visitors stopping by, some to wish the staff well, others sharing stories of their experiences with the library over the years. Of course there are the numerous birthday cards and notes sent by library users, in recognition of the facility’s long history.
Bea Paquin, left, retired Caribou Public Library staff member and Diane Dubois, library director, are shown reading a congratulatory letter received from President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, in recognition of the library’s 100th birthday.
One previous library staffer, Bea Paquin, a retired registered nurse who came onboard at the Caribou Public Library as a volunteer and later hired as a regular staff member was doing everything she could (unknown to Diane Dubois, library director) to help make sure the local library’s 100th birthday didn’t go unheralded.
“I think 100 years is quite an achievement,” said Paquin, “and no one seemed to be thinking anything about it.”
Paquin set about her plan, contacting her extended family members (who reside in a wide variety of locations throughout the country) and her friends, asking them to go to their local libraries and tell them of the Caribou Library’s 100th birthday. As a result, the mail at the Caribou Public Library began to include birthday cards and friendly notes from everywhere including libraries from: Auburndale, Fla.; Monson, Washington; Grand Forks, North Dakota and Fairhaven, Mass.
Not content with just contacting other public libraries, Paquin, who retired last December after 16 and one-half years at the local library, went a few steps farther. One of her favorite authors is Debbie Macomber, who is known for personally replying to letters from her readership — and yes, she sent a personal letter to Dubois, wishing the Caribou Public Library a happy 100th birthday.
In her letter the popular author shared her experience of her first trip to a public library in Yakima County, Washington, stating “My mother said that when the librarian handed me my first real book, I grabbed hold of it with both hands and pressed it against my heart. From that moment forward, I wouldn’t go to bed without a book in my hands.”
Another contact Paquin followed through on was, however on a bit higher level — with the assistance of Sen. Susan Collin’s office both here in Caribou and in Washington, D.C.; recently the Caribou library received another birthday letter — this one signed by the President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama.
“When I read that letter, I was so excited,” stated Dubois — and then, laughing to myself, I said, ‘Oh, oh.’”
On Whitehouse letterhead stationary, the letter read as follows.
“Dear Ms. Dubois: Happy 100th Birthday! We wish you the very best on this momentous occasion. You have witnessed great milestones in our nation’s history, and your life represents an important part of the American story. As you reflect upon 100 years of memories, we hope that you are filled with tremendous pride and joy. Congratulations on your birthday and may you enjoy many more happy years as a centenarian.”
Laughing, Dubois said, “I think I’m doing pretty good for being 100 years old, huh?” On a more serious note Dubois stated that in no way was she upset or insulted about the letter, saying that it was completely understandable that at some point through the letter request there had been a mixup in communications.
“I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to think that this mixup in any way lessens the excitement of the library receiving birthday wishes from President Obama and the First Lady,” she added.
Area residents are encouraged to send a birthday card to the library and feel free to include a note describing a special memory originating from being a library patron as a child or an adult.
