Orono Public Library plan moves forward with land purchase

ORONO – The Orono Public Library has found a site for its new home near the corner of Pine and Birch streets.

After years of discussions on where the new library should be located, two properties – 37 and 39 Pine St. – were purchased by the Orono Public Library Foundation on Monday to house the future library.

“There has been a long-term attempt at trying to get a public library in Orono. A lot of people have been working 20 years to bring this about,” said David Chase, president of the foundation. “The hard part has been trying to find an acceptable site. We feel like a major hurdle has been cleared.” The current Orono Public Library is located inside Orono High School and shares space with the high school and middle school library.

“It’s taken us a long time to find a great site for the library,” said Lianna Harris, chairman of the Orono Town Council. “This property came up and the property appears to be ideal. It’s exciting. Hopefully it will be a new part of the municipal campus. It’s right in front of the Birch Street School, which is our senior citizens center.” The Birch Street School also is used as a community center and houses a thrift shop.

Harris said the location is within walking distance to the downtown and area schools.

The council agreed to transfer building funds totaling $62,800 and pledged the same as collateral for a loan to the foundation for the land purchase on Aug. 21 during a special council meeting. The council also transferred $10,000 for the foundation to establish a checking account.

The foundation has been working with an architect, said Chase, but no plans have been established. He did say the building would be started from the bottom up. “There are two residences on the properties and those buildings will eventually be torn down,” he said.

What will be inside of the new library is still being decided, said Chase. Providing space for a children’s area and space for the Orono Historic Society are priorities. Public access computers and a public meeting room for book clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or poetry readings are other possibilities.

“The next step will be getting a design done, which we hope to have complete by the end of the year,” said Chase. “We need to start fund raising immediately. We’d like to have a building within the next three to four years. That’s our hope.”

All the hard work has paid off, said Harris.

“All the credit goes to these volunteers who are part of the Orono Public Library Foundation,” she said. “They’ve accepted the financial responsibility for this endeavor by purchasing the property. They’ve already proven themselves to be responsible, caring Orono citizens. We couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m pleased.”