Category: Libraries

What’s Happening at the Goodall Memorial Library

Photo: New Entrance to Goodall Library Credit: Lawrence Furbish By Lawrence Furbish Change is often hard and sometimes it can be very challenging. It seems fair to say that is what is currently happening at the Goodall Memorial Library. Discussion had taken place for several years about the need for an expansion/renovation of the library. Finally in 2021 the library director at that time presented such plans to the City Council which were approved. A three-million-dollar grant from the Federal…

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…