Machias library accessibility mission makes encouraging strides
MACHIAS — The board of Porter Memorial Library in Machias is near finalizing designs for a two-story library addition which, when constructed, will make the library’s 1893 construction totally accessible. The funds for the architectural mission have been awarded by the Maine Growth Basis by way of the Historic Preservation Fund of the Nationwide Park Service, Division of the Inside.Port Metropolis Structure is designing the addition.
In June, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine introduced that $820,000 in proposed funding for the addition had progressed by way of the Senate Appropriations Committee, alongside library initiatives in Millinocket and Orono. If awarded, the funding is predicted to cowl 75 % of the mission’s anticipated prices.
“Public libraries are central neighborhood establishments and pillars of training all through Maine. More and more, libraries have emerged as hubs, not only for literacy and Web entry, however for workforce assist and neighborhood actions,” mentioned Collins. “These initiatives are a vital step towards guaranteeing that Maine libraries are totally supporting the tutorial and workforce improvement wants of all Mainers. Because the vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I’ll proceed to champion this funding because the appropriations course of strikes ahead.”
U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine additionally supported the Congressionally Directed Spending grant for Porter Memorial Library, which is now contained within the FY 2024 Agriculture and Rural Growth Invoice. The invoice should now progress by way of Congress.
Updates are anticipated later this 12 months.
The proposed library accessibility addition is deliberate for the rear southwestern nook of the library and can comprise an elevator, stairway, and two accessible loos.
The board want to thank the next people and organizations for his or her assist within the Congressional grant course of: Dwelling Improvements, Dawn Alternatives, Machias City Supervisor Invoice Kitchen, Holly Garner-Jackson, Sen. Marianne Moore, Rep. Tiffany Strout, the Machias Bay Space Chamber of Commerce, Machias Memorial Excessive College Principal Nicole Case, the Dawn County Financial Council, the Downeast Coastal Conservancy, the Roque Bluffs Group Heart, the Associates of Porter Memorial Library, and Sean Daye.
Porter Memorial Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Porter Memorial Library Accessibility Venture, mail checks to 92 Courtroom Road, Machias, Maine, 04655. The library could be contacted at 207-255-3933.
