THOMASTON — A lending library was donated by Joseph Cueto to Maine Authors Publishing in honor of their 10th anniversary. The library was installed by Claybrook Landscaping on April 24 and is located on 12 High Street in Thomaston.

“The donation of the lending library is exciting, and we are so thankful,” said Jane Karker, president of Maine Authors Publishing, in a news release. “We moved the company to Thomaston over two years ago, and it has been a great experience. The community has been supportive, and the lending library is a small way that we can give back. We are also looking forward to supporting the Thomaston area by hosting a book festival at the end of the summer.”

Woodworking hobbyist Joseph Cueto built the library as an exact replica of Maine Authors Publishing building. All the details of the library, including the windows, doors, and bushes, were cut and painted by hand.

According to the release, he and his wife, Susan Cueto, were thrilled to present the lending library to the company where their daughter, Michelle Hodgdon, is a graphic designer. 

“I really appreciate small businesses in America,” said Cueto. “I wanted to help a small business give back to the community. Whenever you do something for people, it’s good to see the happiness it brings. It’s a good feeling.”

The lending library has been registered with the Little Free Library organization, which includes an official charter sign, a registration number, and a world map listing on www.LittleFreeLibrary.org. The public is encouraged to participate by borrowing and leaving books. It is located right in front of Maine Authors Publishing on 12 High Street (a side street at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 131, on the same side as Montpelier).

“The design of the lending library is beautiful,” said Karker. “The history of our building is fascinating, and to see it represented on such a small scale is stunning.”

According to Karker, the historic federal building that houses Maine Authors Publishing is commonly referred to as “The Half House” because it looks like half is mysteriously missing. Karker has heard several different stories about how this happened, ranging from two feuding brothers splitting the house into two houses, a fire that burned off the back half, and a harrowing tale of a former owner chopping the back portion of the house off by hand with an ax after his tenants left it in shambles. The building was also one of seventy houses identified as safe house serving the Underground Railroad in Maine.

Maine Authors Publishing has been bringing local stores, readers, and writers together since 2009. The company has grown from its location in the owner’s barn to one of the largest Maine-owned publishing companies, with seven employees and a professional team of over ten outside editors and designers, according to the release.

As a cooperative-style publisher, their goal is to support local, independent authors throughout the publishing process with affordable services such as editing, design, printing, a trade catalog, distribution, and marketing assistance. Only a percentage of books are accepted under the Maine Authors Publishing imprint after they have been vetted for writing and design quality.

For more information, visit www.MaineAuthorsPublishing.com or call (207) 594-0091.

The celebration of Maine Authors Publishing’s 10th anniversary will culminate in a book festival on August 24, at 12 High Street. The public is invited to enjoy entertainment, food, and a selection of books. For more information about the book fair, visit www.MaineBookFestival.com.