As the Caribou Public Library undergoes renovations to beef up its technology, it has also launched an effort to give out more books the old-fashioned way: in person.
Thanks to a $1.8 million grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority last year, the library is transforming to connect more people digitally. For patrons, that means a room full of familiar bookshelves has no pages to peruse while work is being done. At the same time, the library’s new Bookmobile is hitting the road to put books into people’s hands at city events, residential areas and schools.
The combined effort is all about bringing more services to more people, Library Director Peter Baldwin said.
“We’re trying to make a lot of advancements to bring the library into the 21st century,” he said. “From the renovation to the Bookmobile, we’re trying to meet our community where they are.”
Maine has felt the bite of federal funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration, most recently including local food programs and Bangor’s homelessness service providers. There was a chance the library’s renovation funding could have been affected, but it was not, Baldwin said. That’s largely because Maine Connectivity Authority obtained other financing for grants in case federal funds went away.
Walking through the library’s cavernous — and empty — main room on a recent afternoon, Baldwin pointed out the bare rafters and stripped floor. Workers have removed ceiling tiles, floor coverings and performed asbestos abatement, he said.
The biggest challenge by far was removing the books. Finding temporary homes for all the material in the room’s collections was daunting, but Baldwin credits staff for organizing things well so they can still locate what patrons request.
The next step is finishing the interior design. Matthew Carter, senior architect at Haley Ward in Bangor, will complete a plan and then the construction will go out to bid, Baldwin said.
Plans include creating a second story, which will include a large conference room that can hold large groups. LED lighting will be installed and the current single-pane windows will be upgraded. That will improve energy efficiency and will also dilute bright light coming in that can damage books, he said.
The actual hammer-and-nails work is projected to start in December, and crews will work throughout the winter. Baldwin expects the project to be finished in April or May.
The $1.8 million grant will cover the entire cost and perhaps help fund other improvements, Baldwin said. There is no cost match required from the city.
“We’re very excited about this,” he said. “Not only is this fantastic for connectivity infrastructure and helping to bridge the digital divide, it’s also a wonderful improvement to our facility.”
Technology upgrades will include 15 new computers and workstations downstairs. The site’s internet will be upgraded to speeds of 100 megabytes per second for both uploading and downloading. Desk setups will include charging stations.
Community members have been eagerly anticipating the project’s completion and the return of books to the shelves.
While they wait, library staff are traveling with the Bookmobile and preparing to roll out what Baldwin calls phase two: bringing it to local schools.
When he took the facility’s helm four years ago, his five-year plan included starting a library on wheels. A variety of grants enabled the library to purchase a van, and the Bookmobile launched late last year. But it was still a work in progress, he said.
This year, the effort took off. To finish the interior, carpentry students at the Loring Job Corps Center created bookshelves, a small desk and a reading nook in the back of the van. Then staff loaded it with books, all donated, and took the Bookmobile to Thursdays on Sweden and other community events, visited rehab centers and started going to patrons’ homes.
People of all ages can come in, browse and take books they want with them for free. Patrons can also call the library and request a stop at their home, which benefits those who can’t travel, Baldwin said.
Anyone who wants more details or wishes to donate books may contact the library.
Patrons have told Baldwin they are grateful for the new service. Some residents say they remember a bookmobile from when they were growing up, but there hasn’t been one for years and they’re excited about it. Others have never seen one and are also excited, he said.
Besides readers, the van serves other local libraries in northern Aroostook County. The Maine State Library started charging to deliver, and some smaller facilities couldn’t afford the cost, he said. So Caribou’s Bookmobile stepped in, and travels among libraries from Mars Hill up to Fort Kent.
Baldwin looks forward to the new upgrades at the library’s home base, but is just as enthusiastic about being able to bring the library to the people.
“Now we can physically go to a bunch of people’s places,” he said. “It increases circulation. It gets books in people’s hands and it keeps people engaged with their library.”
