Category: Libraries

Library Director Steps Down

Ann Thomas Photo: courtesy Friend Memorial Library Ann Thomas, the library director who steered Goodall Library through stressful times during the past eight months, stepped down this Wednesday. She said she plans to move back to the Blue Hill area to be with her family “who I love dearly.” She praised the Board of Directors as “great” and staff and patrons as “wonderful” members. Thomas began work on February 20 while the library was occupying temporary space at Center for…

Library Finally Able to Start Its Next Chapter

By Lee Burnett, submissions editor Work has resumed on Goodall Library’s $4.5 million expansion, five months after a funding interruption halted construction. There was relief and normalcy as workers returned to their jobs, but there are also new challenges as the library begins to unravel months of convoluted finances. “It was basically a juggling act,” said Library Director Ann Thomas, who deferred part of her salary to buffer employees from cutbacks. “I lost a lot of sleep.” The library began…

Endowment Funds Exhausted, Work Stops on Library Expansion

The interior of Goodall Library, showing the partially constructed circulation desk area. Photo: Lee Burnett By Lee Burnett, submissions editor Goodall Library has halted construction of its $3.9 million expansion because it has exhausted internal financing and has yet to receive release of a $3 million federal grant. Tradespeople were pulled off the job April 11. The project had employed 30-40 carpenters, electricians, drywallers, roofing contractors and others, according to Steve Dumont, president of TPD Construction Co. “We put our…

Book Sale to Benefit Goodall Library

Goodall Library is hosting a “donation based” book sale to raise funds to cover its added operating costs of occupying leased space while its building on Main Street is undergoing expansion. The book sale is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, at its temporary location at Center for Shopping, 1364 Main St. Operating costs for the library have more than doubled since it moved to temporary quarters, according to a press release.…

Eclipse Party

Photo: Lee Burnett Paula Demers, an assistant at Springvale Library, helps children apply eclipse “tattoos” during a celebration at the library Monday afternoon. More than 300 people showed up for the event, which also featured crafts, games, snacks like Sun Chips and moon pies, and free eclipse glasses that allowed for safe viewing of the solar eclipse.