Guilford Memorial Library receives funding
GUILFORD— Through a collaboration with the Department of Economic and Community Development the Maine State Library will invest $2 million in Maine’s 255 public libraries to expand their capacity to provide targeted resources, services, and physical space to support remote and hybrid workers across the state. Business owners and entrepreneurs that primarily operate with a virtual footprint will also be served.
The Remote Work through Libraries Initiative selected libraries based on a competitive grant program that focused on libraries serving communities where access to business centers or co-working spaces are lacking or where there are barriers preventing some remote workers from taking advantage of existing facilities.
Public libraries applied for two types of projects: programming and/or space renovation grants ($5,000 – $25,000) and capital improvement grants ($25,000 to $100,000). Proposals focused on expanding current workforce-related services and programs, adding functionality to existing meeting rooms, creating new spaces, or large capital projects. Priority went toward proposals that focused on reaching historically underrepresented groups as well as those from libraries that serve economically disadvantaged communities and/or communities that were disproportionately impacted by recent economic downturns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A portion of the $2 million will be invested here in Piscataquis County, with Guilford Memorial Library receiving $99,988.50. Town Manager, Johanna Turner, spearheaded the grant process alongside Library Director Alvin McDonald, the Library Board of Trustees and local residents Nancy Lappert and Dyan McCarthy-Clark. With the grant monies the Library’s lower level will receive upgrades targeted to enhance accommodations for remote workers. An open house will be planned and announced once the project nears completion. Remote workers looking for space to work out of are encouraged to contact the library.
Through designated ARPA funds, Guilford Memorial Library has recently created a “Bookmobile” utilizing one of the Town of Guilford’s electric cars. Librarians, Kaitlin Kopcial and Kristin Page, have developed a Library on Wheels as an outreach to local readers who may not get inside the beautiful Carnegie building. A wide variety of brand-new books are neatly cataloged and displayed inside the little black bookmobile which ventures out each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Recent stops have included Riverbend Homes in Guilford, Oakes Manor in Sangerville and the Abbot Post Office.
Major changes to the sloping landscape on the Water Street side of the Library have included the placement of Redi-Scapes retaining blocks, new benches, barrels of flowers and a “take a book, share a book” free little library. Attractive fencing will be installed in the near future.
The Board of Trustees encourages the public to check the Guilford Memorial Library’s website at https://www.guilfordmemoriallibrary.org and/or Facebook page for information on programs and an increase in operating hours.