Whitneyville Public Library to build new library
Friday, August 31, 2007
With it's collection in the 1868 two room schoolhouse the Whitneyville Public Library which has been housed there since 1966,will embark on a 4 year project to raise the funds needed to build a new 4,800 sq ft building which will be the new home of the Whitneyville Public Library.
The John Bodger Regional Library Project first emerged in Dec. 2005 when it was suggested by a library trustee that we should think about building a new library to give us the much needed space we are so lacking in the 1868 two room school house.
Space is something that is greatly needed for not just our book collection but for our computers. The Library which recently was able to offer wireless internet access, is in need of space for computers. We have three computers, two for public access and one for staff only and it is in a confining space and a new library would give us the needed space to expand and offer more computers for public use.
This project which is expected to take 4 years is off to a good start when in Nov. 2005 the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation approved the library's grant proposal for $50,000 the money needed to purchase the property which will be the new site of the library. That plus an anonymous donation helped purchase the new site.
In 2006 another grant from the Maine Community Foundation in the amount of $4,500 will help pay for the survey and for the clearing of the site.
Many suppers and candy and bake sales are funding the on going budget along with two endowments. The library is also working on grants to help increase our endowment.
