Surprise party honors longtime Limestone librarian

By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE, Maine — The Robert A. Frost Memorial Library in Limestone said a special surprise goodbye to one of their longest serving employees Thursday, Rea Caldwell. The now former librarian was greeted by a number of grateful community members. Library trustees, focus group members and friends came to surprise Caldwell with cake and lots of laughs, as friends and co-workers sent Caldwell off in style, and with the appreciation they all felt she deserved.    Caldwell has been the librarian at the Frost Memorial Library for 26 years and has built up a level of admiration in the community that made saying goodbye a difficult and sometimes teary-eyed task for many who attended the party. An entire three-hour time slot was allotted for the surprise bash, as from 2-5 p.m. a steady flow of visitors made their way to the library’s meeting room to eat, share stories, take pictures and reminisce about the last two-plus decades of service Caldwell has generously devoted to the library and its patrons.
Limestone’s public library was established in 1944 and in the last seven decades has seen a long list of librarians who have come and gone, but during the time Caldwell has spent as librarian, she has developed a special bond with those community members closest to the library.
“We are certainly all going to miss her at the library as she has served with the utmost integrity and enthusiasm,” said library trustee Marilyn King. “We certainly wish her well in her new position.”
King’s sentiments spoke for all those associated with the library, as trustees and focus committee members helped to organize the special going-away party. The library capped off the special occasion by dedicating a “leaf” on the library’s “Tree of Knowledge,” honoring Caldwell and all those who have  generously contributed to the success of the library, whether financially, or in Caldwell’s case; a priceless dedication throughout her years of service.
Caldwell will be moving on to her new full-time position at Maine Veterans’ Home, in Caribou. However, in order to assure matters at the library continue to progress smoothly, Caldwell will also remain on the library’s focus committee, while acting as a volunteer librarian for the immediate future. She has graciously agreed to help whoever her replacement may be, throughout the extensive training process the newly hired librarian will need to undertake. With such a vast library to look after, the new librarian is likely to benefit from having the 26-year veteran aiding in the inevitable transition associated with a new job.
The announcement regarding the hiring of the new librarian will take place at the Limestone Selectpeople’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Limestone town office.