Goodall Library To Receive $3 Million For Expansion

The staff of the Goodall Library announced December 27, 2022 that thanks to joint efforts from US Representative Chellie Pingree, Senator Susan Collins, and Senator Angus King, the Library will receive $3 million to renovate and expand the building to better serve the community.

The Library was also the recipient of a bequest from a local estate this year earmarked for the project. Between the federal funding, the bequest and the Library’s fundraising efforts, they hope to have enough to complete the renovations. They should know for sure after meeting with the architect in January.

To view plans and read more about the renovation project, see this article from June 2021: sanfordspringvalenews.com/goodall-library-plans-expansion/

Rep. Pingree’s press release:

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced $3 million in Community Project Funding to renovate and expand the Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library in Sanford. The funding, which was included by Pingree in the government funding bill for Fiscal Year 2023 passed by Congress this week, will be used to expand the library’s existing space, adding a community room, study rooms, and office space for volunteers to provide a crossroads of access to the town’s many resources. Additionally, funds would be used to update the existing technology currently used by the library.

“The Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library has been dedicated to enriching the minds of its community for more than a century–and no matter the space the public library was housed in, that mission has remained true. Throughout the decades, the Library has worked to better serve the needs of its community and change with the times–renovating spaces, making energy efficient improvements, and more to provide a safe and inspiring environment for learning. I proudly fought to include funding for their latest renovation project to support the Library’s mission to broaden horizons, encourage knowledge, and create a meaningful space for connections within their community,” said Pingree.

“Upon hearing our Community Funding request of $3 million passed, we are elated to have this wonderful news to give to our community! With the new construction, Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library will not only be able to expand our space to better serve our patrons; we will be able to expand the specialized services we provide to patrons and local organizations in a way that will enhance the livelihoods of our community members,” said Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library Director Chip Schrader. “We sincerely appreciate the support and advocacy we have received from Representative Pingree for this project as it reaffirms the relevance, value, importance and significance of public libraries in a free society.”