CARMEL — Simpson Memorial Library announced on Sept. 26 plans for a major project at the library.
Contributions to the capital campaign, Proud of Our Past ~ Building Our Future, support renovations and the construction of an addition to the existing library building located on Plymouth Road, as well as an endowment fund. The addition will increase the size of the library from 800 square feet to 1,800 square feet.
Library Board of Trustees President and Campaign Co-chairwoman Debora Elliott Ward and Library Director Becky Ames made the announcement before a gathering of library supporters, trustees and capital campaign committee members.
Over the past year a 21-member capital campaign committee led by Elliott Ward and Co-chairman Marvin Graves worked to raise funds to support the renovation of the existing library and the construction of the addition. In planning the capital campaign the library trustees voted to direct contributions that exceed the goal be used to establish an endowment.
“Our goal,” Elliott Ward said, “was to raise $406,940 for the construction and campaign expenses. The campaign has raised $447,000 to date, thanks to the generous contributions of 67 donors. This will allow the trustees to establish an endowment fund, which for a library of this size is an amazing accomplishment.”
With $40,000 in seed funds, the trustees have set a goal of raising a total of $200,000 to establish the endowment, which will help to support the library in perpetuity.
Since 1925, the Simpson Memorial Library has served the community of Carmel and surrounding towns as a free public library. Today the library is a multi-media educational center featuring new technologies that are integrated with a traditional collection of books, periodicals and audio-visual materials as well as an interlibrary loan program.
The addition and renovation will transform the existing library into a spacious reading room housing the adult collection and featuring an area with tables and comfortable seating. It will be a focal point of the community; a contemporary, energy efficient, inviting and accessible space for programs and meetings, serving patrons of all ages.
“The Simpson Memorial Library is a wonderful asset in the community. The support to date for the building renovations and addition has been outstanding. Now we are focused on completing the endowment fund goal of $200,000. Today we invite everyone to join us in building the future for Simpson Memorial Library,” Elliott Ward said.
Becky Ames, library director, acknowledged significant contributions to the campaign. “This project has received tremendous support to date, and we are very grateful to all who have contributed to this point. One of our consistent financial supporters is the Town of Carmel. We appreciate the Town’s commitment to the library and to this project,” she said. “Of the funds raised to date, the campaign received a $200,000 grant from the Next Generation Foundation, a $50,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and a $20,000 grant from the Davis Family Foundation.”
When the library opened in 1925 it had no restrooms or running water. Now many decades later the library still does not have restroom facilities or running water. When the addition is constructed the library will finally have a restroom.
The addition also will provide distinct spaces specially designed for children and teens, new shelving for the expanding collection, a centralized circulation desk, counter space for the catalog computer and printers, and a separate supply storage room with a utility sink.
The construction project also includes the following areas:
• A reading room for adults — a familiar area that will preserve the history of the original library. Adult patrons will enjoy a quiet space with comfortable seating and additional room for books as well as small gatherings.
• Children’s area.
• Young adult area.
• A new circulation desk.
• Children’s window seat.
• Technology area.
• Rest room.
• Storage room.
• A second window seat.
•The foyer, the new sheltered, accessible entrance to the library.
• Volunteer center.
A number of areas within the library have naming gift opportunities. While 16 have already been named by donors, an additional 19 naming gift areas are available.
To support the campaign, contact Evie Smith at eviesmith3@roadrunner.com, or 356-1811, or mail to: P.O. Box 186, Carmel, ME 04419-0186.
For information on the library go to simpsonmemorial.org or Facebook. Simpson Memorial Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The library is governed by a volunteer board of trustees.