Library Expansion Project

As anyone who has occasion to use our library already knows, this well constructed building which was more than adequate for Old Orchard in the 1950's, can no longer really meet the needs of this community in the 21^st century. The competition for space and service in an electronic age, combined with a population more than double what it was when the building opened for service more than fifty years ago, make it impossible to offer the level and variety of services that the library board and staff want to provide, and to which the citizens of Old Orchard Beach are entitled.

The Library, Board of Trustees, and Building Committee, with the assistance of a professional library consultant, are in the process of developing a building program. This plan will include significant expansion of the present building, and major renovation to the existing structure. The success of this program will depend, to a large extent, on the involvement and support of you - the citizens and business people of Old Orchard Beach. When we work together, we can do amazing things and the Library Trustees, staff and members of the Building Committee are counting on your commitment to our community to promote and sustain this effort, to provide the kind of library the people of Old Orchard Beach deserve.

With all that in mind we ask everyone to contribute whatever they feel they can to this building project. All donations are gratefully accepted and every penny puts us a little closer to reaching our goal. Thank you all for whatever you can give.

Eileen McNally, Library Director

Building Fund Donation Form

Upcoming and ongoing fundraising events:

1st Annual Seaside Art Festival

When: July 26, 2008

Time: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm

Location: Memorial Park (across from chamber of commerce on First St.)

Rain date: July 27th

Sponsored by: The Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library and the Saco Bay Artists Association

FMI: 934-4351

Bottle Drive:

When you bring your books back, bring your bottles too!!!

Help us build a new library

Bring your returnable bottles here and we'll do the rest

Photo of Libby Memorial Library

Library Pictures ~ Past and Present

Past

Present

Just 12 years ago there was an open feel to the library. There was also space for library programs for children.

Here you can see technology demanding more space. What space there was for programs is eaten up by the need to provide more technology; computers and videos are in big demand.

Another picture showing room for children's programs.

Notice the added bookshelves under the windows and the taller bookcases in the middle of the room to support collection growth.

This picture was just a year ago. Notice the table in the lower left-hand corner crowded by the bookcase immediately behind it.

As seen in this picture we've rearranged this section to provide a little more sitting space that patrons don't feel so crowded in.

Public computers are starting to be needed in 1997 as seen here on the edge of the children's room.

Public computers are still on the edge of the children's room today. When all computers are being used it makes that area crowded and the computer chairs block access to the children's room.

Additional Pictures

As seen here bookshelves have had to be added to support collection growth and in doing so it blocks out the natural light which really isn't good for books.

This is our current reading area. We have a small table as seen here with patrons playing chess and just to the left of this table is a listening center with a radio with headphones for listening.

Our reading area just a year ago.

Another view of our current reading area.

Hit Counter