The Changing Role of Libraries Today

Since Friend Memorial Public Library opened its doors in 1912, it has been a welcoming place for everyone, young and old. Over the years, we have been an institution in motion, constantly adapting to fulfill our mission of supporting, promoting, and enriching our community.

More than ever, libraries increasingly serve multiple purposes, and once again our library is faced with the challenge of adapting to our community’s changing needs and requests.

Three important aspects need our attention:

  • Maintenance & renovation

    …efforts will revitalize our library’s existing structure and grounds.

    The most urgent needs are the maintenance and restoration of the library’s aging infrastructure.

    The most pressing of these is preventing the increasingly destructive challenge of mold by providing new moisture control and ventilation systems to protect our collections.

    We have identified these pressing safety and maintenance needs:

    • install moisture control and ventilation systems
    • eliminate standing water in the basement
    • repair windows, trim, and gutters
    • replace worn areas of flooring
    • add lighting and shelving
    • repair cracked walls
    • repair cracked concrete paths

    Built in 1912, the library is an important Brooklin landmark and the beloved building must be preserved for future generations.

  • Additional physical space

    …will enhance and double the size of this community space so critical to the life of our town.

    Our new library addition will enhance and complete our current space.

    A beautiful connecting walkway will feature a new glassed-in reading area. The same interior windows and vaulted ceilings used in the original structure will bring natural light into the new addition. A large reading gallery and our new Maritime Research Center will provide more space for library users. Additional shelves and stacks throughout will ensure our existing collection continues to grow.

    Enhancements include:

    • improved handicapped access
    • larger areas for children and teens
    • additional shelving for collections
    • quiet reading/work rooms
    • large reading gallery
    • connecting walkway withglassed-in reading area
    • establishing the Maritime Research Center
    • more space for programs, exhibits, events
    • new technology areas
    • staff office and workroom
    • increased storage
    • an additional restroom
    • new outdoor event and gathering space
    • new area for safe, off-street parking

  • Increasing the endowment

    …will provide long-term financial stability to cover operating costs, hire and retain skilled staff, update our collections, and increase our services.

    What keeps libraries alive?

    Certainly, the devotion of library staff, who are perhaps a library’s most important asset.

    Certainly, the contributions of all in the community who volunteer their time to repair books, to organize fundraising events, and to deliver books to elderly and handicapped patrons.

    Certainly, the book donations and the financial donations of community members.

    Our library is a public, non-profit organization that relies on the goodwill of patrons who donate to the annual fund, on community members who vote for the town stipend to continue each year, and on donors who help build our endowment out of which an annual 5% draw covers 65-70% of our annual operating expenses.

Central to Our Town and to Our Lives

We provide access to computers, the internet, and workspaces. We work closely with parents and schools to help children develop critical thinking and reading skills. We sponsor social and cultural events, ongoing groups and clubs, children’s events, and much more. We recently upgraded to the Minerva system, a vast improvement in interlibrary loans.

Reaching our campaign goals and expanding our physical space will allow us to increase:

  • books, ebooks, and audiobooks

  • programs for children

  • technology available for teens

  • events and workshops for adults

  • study groups and workshops

  • services for the disabled or challenged

  • computers and software

  • visual and audio technologies

Preliminary Floorplan of Library Expansion

A Community Center for Early Literacy

The love for libraries often starts in the children’s room and at the activities and events the library hosts there. Our library is an educational space, a community space, and a place where a child’s imagination can soar. It is a resource and a destination for families.

But we have outgrown our children’s space.

A larger space will give us room for more programming, more materials, and, of course, more books. We are considering furnishings such as a small wooden boat, a custom-built play kitchen, or a puppet theater. Along with our large collection of children’s books, there will be space dedicated to books for caregivers to share with children who are dealing with the death of a loved on or pet, a big move, or a parent’s separation. Tiny seating, educational toys, and rugs will complete an inviting and functional space.

In other areas of the library, we will dedicate a room to older children for homework, reading, or working on computers. And sound-proof audio rooms will provide space for educational videos and virtual meetings for young adults, as well as older patrons.

With your help, we can continue to grow lifelong lovers of books and libraries.

Join us in creating the
Maritime Research Center

“Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities.”

— R. David Lankes, Professor of Librarianship