Category: Libraries

Library Manager: Project is Under Budget

The renovated Goodall Library entrance Photo: Lawrence Furbish By Lawrence Furbish As Goodall Memorial Library prepares for an audit of its finances, the library business manager sought to correct what she said are misinterpretations of the cost of its recent relocation and building renovations. According to Julie Norsworthy, the total cost of the renovation of the library will be $3,970.907.41. This final cost would be $43.93 under budget. According to Tim Morrison, senior architect at Barba Wheelock and project manager…

Library Funding Unfrozen

At Springvale Public Library, substitute librarian Paula Demers sorts books in pouches, awaiting pickup by the van that shuttles loaned books between libraries. Photo: Lee Burnett By Lee Burnett Sanford’s two libraries received some good news this week: Federally funded interlibrary loans and internet service would be continued. News came down that the Maine State Library had regained access to part of already budgeted $1.5 million in funding frozen last month when President Trump signed an executive order declaring the…

Library Services Threatened by Cuts

Springvale Library Director Lesley Unger and their interlibrary loan shipment Photo: Springvale Library By Lawrence Furbish Thanks to federal cuts, readers who use library services like interlibrary loans, high-speed internet, Cloud Library e-books and books for the blind and visually impaired might soon notice unpleasant changes at our local libraries. In March, President Trump signed an executive order declaring the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which funnels federal funds to the states and their public libraries, "unnecessary." Subsequently,…

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…