Library patrons know how books bring their subjects to life. At the Hancock Library, visitors can see an example of that literary magic – as portrayed by marshmallow Peeps.
This was the fifth year of the annual competition, library director Amy Markus said. The library received 19 entries, all of which depicted a scene from a favorite book starring Peeps, the ubiquitous Eastertime marshmallow chicks and bunnies. “Peeples choice” voting wrapped up on April 9, Markus said.
Anthony and Elena Spinale won in the children’s category for “Jurassic Peep,” a riff on Jurassic Park featuring a homemade dinosaur, and the Novotny family’s “The Sugaring-Off Party,” depicting a cozy maple syrup celebration, won the family division. “Julius Peepsar,” featuring the emperor’s infamous demise on the Ides of March, brought Amy Stodola a win in the adult division.
“It’s kind of a down time of year. March can be a difficult month,” Markus said. It was fun to see people pour their creativity into their shoebox scenes, she said.
The Hancock library has been open since June, Markus said. There have been no issues enforcing the 10-person maximum inside the building, she said. Masks remain mandatory and staff are still quarantining returned materials; curbside or entryway pickup continues, and patrons are encouraged to keep visits within thirty minutes, she said. In May, the library’s window weatherization project is slated to start construction, after receiving a grant for a historically sensitive restoration via the state’s Moose Plate fund.