HARRISON — Discover the hidden history of a remarkable local woman in “Cloe Perley: Woman of Color”, presented by local author Caroline D. Grimm on Wednesday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. Cloe Perley, a Black woman who lived with the Perley family of South Bridgton in the founding days of Pondicherry, was brought here from Africa as a child and enslaved, until Massachusetts abolished slavery.

She was taught to read and write English and served as a witness on various legal documents for Enoch Perley, and continued to live with the Perleys until her death. She is buried in the Perley family cemetery in South Bridgton with the inscription: Cloe Perley: Woman of Color.

Caroline Grimm has written several books of historical fiction, many set in the Bridgton area, and is delighted to share her research into Cloe Perley with our patrons.

The public is invited to our 2025 Open House, “Find Your Place at the Library”, on Thursday, June 26, from 6-7 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments on our patio while chatting about volunteer opportunities with our board members, staff, and Friends of the Library.

Our 2025 Summer Reading Program, Level Up at Your Library, has begun. The program runs until August 16, and is open to children from birth to age 18; children track their time spent reading (or being read to), and for every 15 hours read, may choose a small prize and be entered into a drawing for a “big” prize.

Harrison Village Library is thrilled to welcome our newest volunteer, Ally the Therapy Dog! Reading to animals can help build confidence and improve read-aloud skills. Beginning June 26, Ally (and her human, Patti Dann) will be in the children’s room, waiting to listen to good books, each Thursday from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

For questions about any of our upcoming events, please contact the library at 583-2970.