King Foundation awards $50,000 to library

Staff Report

    GREENVILLE — Several Maine libraries have been awarded grants from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation including the Shaw Public Library in Greenville.
    According to a list released by the Maine State Library last week, at least nine libraries received funds during the latest round of grants from the foundation.

    “The Kings have been very supportive of public libraries throughout the years,” said Maine State Librarian Linda Lord in a press release. “They have supported libraries both large and small in every corner of the state. We are very fortunate to have the benefit of their generosity here in Maine.”
    The foundation awarded $50,000 to the Shaw Public Library which will be used toward the cost of a connector building, linking the old library to the Vernon and Barbara Davis Memorial Annex which opened in 2010. The annex has a children’s library, kitchen, office space, handicapped-accessible rest rooms and a community meeting room.
    “This is indeed great news for the community,” said Town Manager John Simko.
    Dr. Kenneth Woodbury, the community development director for the Piscataquis County Community Development Council (PCEDC), said that “with 46 feet separating the annex from the Shaw requiring patrons and staff to go outdoors to pass between the buildings, the Shaw Public Library Trustees – with the assistance of PCEDC – decided to seek outside funding to construct a corridor or infill eight feet wide to connect the two buildings. The creation of a single connected building … makes it easy for patrons and staff to service the entire library collection. The infill will also provide additional book shelving along the east wall.” The estimated cost of the entire project is $197,000.
    Woodbury added that in addition to the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation grant, the association has received $2,000 from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, $1,000 from Camden National Bank, $3,000 from the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, $10,000 from the Davis Family Foundation and $5,000 from the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust. The association and the trustees are each contributing $15,000.
    An application has been submitted to the U.S Department of Agriculture for a $50,000 grant and for a low-interest loan over a 40-year period to cover the remaining costs.
    Woodbury said that the association will continue to raise funds in order to pay off the loan.
    The Shaw Public Library is the second local learning center to benefit from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation during the past year.
    The Willimantic Public Library received a $15,000 grant in Augusta 2013 which helped pay for insulation, interior painting, a new heating system, combination storm windows and additional books.