ROCKPORT, Maine — The town has scheduled a forum to discuss the future of the town’s public library, which officials have elected to tear down after engineers reported finding rotting floor joists and mold.
The joint meeting of the Rockport Select Board and the Rockport Library Committee is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at the Rockport Opera House.
There will be a review of two reports issued earlier this year: one on the condition of the current building and another on the needs of the community’s library.
Among issues to be discussed are a temporary location for the library, a permanent location, the size and programs to be offered at the library, as well as fundraising.
The Select Board voted in July to have the town manager look for an alternative, temporary site for the library after an engineering report determined the structure is not be suitable for expansion. Town Manager Richard Bates said in July he expected the process to find a suitable location would take several months.
Local officials and residents have debated for several years whether to expand the existing library or build a new one elsewhere. In November 2014, residents rejected a ballot question that called for a new library to be built at the former Rockport Elementary School property.
Bates said in July everyone seems to be in agreement the current library, built in 1949, has no value left and would make no sense to repair. He also said everyone also seems to agree the building should be torn down and a new library built on the same site in the village.