Save the Date: April 27 – Spring Spaghetti Sling feat. Rick Charette!

You like to eat, right? Do you like entertainment too? And how about raising money for a good cause? Well…if you answered yes to any of those questions, then we’ve got just the event for you! On Sunday, April 27 the Friends of Lithgow Library Campaign will be hosting an AMAZING event!

Cabin Fever Reliever: Spring Spaghetti Sling

Where:  Augusta Armory,

Date:  Sunday, April 27

Time:  3:00-6:00pm

Benefits: Friends of Lithgow Library Campaign

Tickets:

$10.00 adult

$5.00 children, age 12 and under

$20.00 for immediate family

Where to Purchase Tickets:

Bank of Maine locations

Lithgow Public Library

The Red Barn (pssst. If you buy tickets here, you can be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 Red Barn gift card)

Eventbrite (online):  http://goo.gl/SRtRJt

Specifics:

3:00-6:00 pm Spaghetti Dinner

3:00-4:00 pm – Children’s Activities, 50/50 and Raffle

Raffle items will include a Nook, a children’s bike, a KVYMCA family membership, a Pellet Grill from Rocky’s Stove Shop, a Red Barn Gift Certificate and a Children’s Discovery Museum membership!

 4:00-5:00pm Rick Charette and The Bubble Gum Band performance

 Rick Charette will be available for autographs and merchandise signings at this time.

 Our SUPER AWESOME Sponsors:

Entertainment Sponsor:  The Bank of Maine

Food Sponsor:  The Red Barn

Raffle Item Sponsors:  KVYMCA, Rocky’s Stove Shop, Children’s Discovery Museum and the Red Barn

Sponsorships STILL AVAILABLE!

FMI:

Join our Facebook Event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/689878661074205/

Eventbrite Ticket Sales:  http://goo.gl/SRtRJ

3D Tour of Lithgow Public Library – Architect’s Rendering

Curious about what the updated and renovated library will look like when it’s completed? Have no fear because the fabulous architects have provided us with the 3D rendering of the proposed Lithgow Public Library.

The updated and expanded Lithgow Public Library will have a great deal to offer. The new facility will:

• Double the size of the current facility to 30,000 square feet
• Restore the historic portion of the facility, including the Reading Room
• Include a café on the main floor
• Expand the Children’s Room
• Centralize the circulation desk
• Provide new, handicap accessible bathroom facilities
• Install a new, ADA-compliant* elevator
• Install an ADA-compliant electric door
• Create a public meeting room that seats 100 people
• Create two public courtyards
• Provide dedicated teen space
• Expand public seating
• Offer private group study rooms
• Expand reference section
• Include wireless Internet access
• Include a public computing area
• Dedicate a section to large print books
• Expand the public parking area

The greater Augusta area competes with other Maine cities for businesses and residents. The new Lithgow Library will be a key component in significantly enhancing this community’s profile, and a remarkable piece of history preserved and improved upon for future generations. Lithgow Library is an amazing resource. Now all we need is the updated facility that our community deserves. The need has never been greater!

*The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all public buildings be equipped to allow people with mobility issues to access the facility. Lithgow Public Library has not been ADA compliant since the Act was passed in 1990.

31 Reasons in 31 Days: Historical Significance

One hundred and eighteen! That’s how old the Lithgow Public Library is. The incredible idea that Mr. Llewellyn Lithgow had came to fruition and has served the Augusta community well. It continues to serve despite its rapidly deteriorating condition. The building has fallen into disrepair and NOW is the time to bring this building to the forefront again and keep the functionality as a positive community addition.

Day #27: Lithgow Public Library appears on the National Register of Historic Places
The library was built in 1896 and has appeared on the National Register since 1974. Restoration, renovation are required so the historic relic will be around to serve the community for years to come.

For more information regarding it’s listing on the National Register, please visit: http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natregsearchresult.do?fullresult=true&recordid=26

Day #28: Lithgow began like this…

What began as the Augusta Literary and Library Association on Water Street became the Lithgow Library and Reading Room when a generous bequest to the city from Llewellyn W. Lithgow allowed the Trustees to incorporate and receive the funds for the purpose of constructing a public library.

The Trustees secured two lots at the corner of Winthrop and State Streets, and thereafter solicited contributions to the building fund. Andrew Carnegie donated $9,000 on the condition that an equal amount be raised through local subscriptions, as an early version of the “matching grant.” The Building Committee selected Neal and Hopkins Architects of Pittsburgh to design the new library, and in May of 1894 the community gathered for an elaborate celebration and parade as the cornerstone was laid. 

Day 29 & 30: Lithgow’s history and a hopeful future

Day 29: Mr. Lithgow passed away in 1881 and left a bequest of $20,000 to the city of Augusta for the purpose of establishing a public library. Like Andrew Carnegie, Mr. Lithgow believed that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, should have the same opportunities for “study and mental improvement.”

Day 30: About 118 years and only one addition to the original structure in 1979, Lithgow Library is once again at a crossroads. Constrained by inadequate space for its programs and collections, and bursting at the seams with users of all ages, the library needs the same type of vision and leadership Mr. Lithgow displayed to take it from its proud history into the future.

(photo: Lithgow Public Library, c. 1896)

Day #31: There are thousands of reasons why Lithgow Public Library needs your support. We’ve highlighted only 31. The truth is that the library needs your support now more than ever. This is OUR library, the one that the community has grown to love and that has shown its love by providing so many valuable services and programs to OUR community. 

Day #31: There are thousands of reasons why Lithgow Public Library needs your support. We’ve highlighted only 31. The truth is that the library needs your support now more than ever. This is OUR library, the one that the community has grown to love and that has shown its love by providing so many valuable services and programs to OUR community. 

 

31 Reasons in 31 Days: Access to Tools, Resources, Professional Staff

The library provides the community with necessary tools and resources to navigate everyday life.  They help with job searches and so much more; the amazing, professional staff is on hand for assistance to all who enter the facility.

Day 21: Lithgow’s provides valuable access to computers and internet

In a recent survey of Lithgow’s technology services (public computers and WiFi), 50% percent of respondents were low-income (below 200% of the poverty line) and only 41% of respondents have regular access to the internet somewhere other than the library. 62% of respondents used library technology for employment purposes.

Day #22 & #23: Lithgow Library uses technology too!

#22 While using our public computers for WiFi, patrons have access to many free resources such as Ancestry.com for Libraries, Learning Express (which offers many technology and occupational training programs for free), and the Marvel! database, which provides free access to back issues of newspapers, magazines and journals.

#23 ebooks & Audiobooks are available too an Lithgow periodically offers free classes on how to use eReaders (Nook, Kindle, etc.) to borrow library eBooks.

Despite the view that libraries are antiquated and outdated, Lithgow proves otherwise. They’re adapting to the changes in technology and plan on being around for decades to come! 

Day 25: Upgrade public computing access and include wi-fi access

With the proposed upgrades to the facility will be more public access computers and wireless access. This will afford people of all ages access to information at their fingertips.

Day 26: Lithgow Public Library’s Amazing Staff!!

Where would Lithgow be without the talented, dedicated, professional staff? Betsy and her awesome staff are integral to the continued success of Lithgow providing patrons with information, assistance and so much more! Thank you, Lithgow Staff!

Betsy Pohl and Amanda Bartlett

 

Press Release: Lithgow Library Campaign Announces Intern

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA, February 2014 – The Lithgow Library Capital Campaign announces its partnership with Nancy Marshall Communications (NMC) and Thomas College student intern, Wendy Grenier of Winslow.

Nancy Marshall, CEO of NMC and member of The Friends of the Lithgow Library says, “As a graduate of Thomas College with an MBA in 1994, I appreciate the opportunity to work with Thomas College again and become a mentor to Wendy through the Lithgow Library Campaign.” She is passionate about libraries, having spent a lot of time in them as a child and having served as founding board member of the Carrabassett Valley Public Library. Marshall continues to utilize the lifelong learning opportunities that libraries have to offer these days, with services like Inter-Library Loan to keep up on the latest public relations and marketing publications.

Nancy Marshall (left), Wendy Grenier (right)

Grenier, a Communications, English and Marketing major in her senior year at Thomas College, resides in Winslow with her husband and three daughters. She is excited to be an integral part of a campaign that speaks directly to her own heart; additionally, she is pleased to be mentored by Nancy Marshall and so many other area business leaders.

Grenier says, “I used to ride my bike to the library every week in the summer. I was so fortunate to have benefited from all the magic that a library holds for a child. In order to continue serving the Augusta community in the years to come, Lithgow needs our help now.”

The final phase of the Lithgow Library Capital Campaign kicks off this month with a fundraising goal of $2M. In order to complete the necessary repairs and renovations, Augusta residents must also pass a referendum in June to provide the campaign with an additional $4 million. Library reps state that the current building is in desperate need of repair and a significant expansion.

Built in 1896, the library was to hold 6,000 books. Today, the Lithgow Public Library holds approximately 67,000 books and media pieces. The library has been surviving for years with makeshift shelving, limited seats, and lack of meeting and other dedicated space.

The National Register of Historic Places recognizes the Lithgow Public Library and in order to continue operation and eliminate further deterioration, building renovation and expansion are required.

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About Lithgow Library Capital Campaign: Lithgow Public Library, opened its doors February of 1896, with funding from Llewellyn W. Lithgow and Andrew Carnegie on the corner of State and Winthrop Streets. A total of $51,850 secured the building and the land for the City of Augusta and Mr. Lithgow’s dream of a public library, a beautiful Renaissance Romanesque “people’s university” was realized. For nearly 118 years, the library has graced the City’s picturesque historical landscapes and offered adults and children from the community the opportunity to enrich their hearts and minds. The time has come for much needed updates and renovations to preserve its historical home within the City of Augusta. For more information on the Lithgow Public Library or the Lithgow Library Capital Campaign, please visit http://www.lithgow.lib.me.us/  OR www.lithgowfriends.org.

For additional information, contact Amy Anderson, Ovation Fundraising at 207.776.5512 or Betsy Pohl, Lithgow Public Library at 207.626.2415.