Welcome to this page where we document the progress of our Library Renovations Project.
Our goal is to ensure that the library continues to be a vibrant, inclusive, and functional community hub.
Please click here for more information on upcoming meetings.
NEW: The 3rd Public Concept Design Meeting will take place on Thursday, January 16 at 8:30 AM.
December 2024:
ARPA Funds Allocated to the Library during Ellsworth City Council Meeting – 16 December 2024
“The city’s remaining $129,081 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds were allocated to the library, INSPIRE center and the Public Works Department in a 5-1 vote by city councilors Monday. The library, which has identified a slew of necessary upgrades following a building inspection, was allocated $72,833 in ARPA funding.”
quoted from “Remaining Ellsworth ARPA funds allocated” by Sarah Halberstadt | The Ellsworth American
Watch the Council Meeting here:
Update: Second Design Meeting
Our second concept design meeting took place on Thursday, December 12 at 9 AM – 10 AM. — > Meeting Minutes.
The same week, on Friday, December 13, library director, Sarah Lesko and Board of Trustees members, Craig MacDonald and Rain Perez presented updated budget drafts based on the Building Assessment Report to the City Council of Ellsworth. You can watch the session below:
November 2024: Building Assessment Report is now available
The Ellsworth Public Library Building Assessment Report focuses on the building and its immediate site. DGC reviewed the building with standard architectural analysis tools. They reviewed the shell (exterior envelope) components, structure, site, mechanical equipment, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection. This review is based on visible observations only and does not include removal of materials to verify assumptions. It does not include a hazardous material evaluation. It also does not include any concept design changes or additions.
Included within the appendix of this report is an itemized cost spreadsheet of all the recommended improvements, organized by priority based on the discussions with the Library, severity of deterioration, and impact to the Library’s operations. Items listed as “Critical” should be addressed as soon as feasible. “Priority 1” items are recommended to be addressed in 1‐5 years, “Priority 2” 5‐10 years, “Priority 3” 10‐20 years, and “Maintenance” items are recommended to be done annually as needed and the Library budget allows. A more detailed description of each Priority level can be found in the appendix.
UPDATE: Fall Meetings 2024
The following meetings are scheduled for October and November.
Please get in touch if you have any questions: info@ellsworthlibrary.net or call us at 207 667 6363.
- Monday, November 18 at 1 PM – Concept Design Kick-Off Meeting | Riverview Room
- Thursday, November 14 at 10 AM – Full Building Assessment Review | City Hall Auditorium
- Friday, November 8 at 12 PM – Special Board of Trustees Meeting | Riverview Room
Friday, October 25 at 11 AM– THIS MEETING WAS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
– Building assessment review with state fire marshal | Riverview Room- Thursday, October 24 at 10:30 AM – Public committee space planning | EPL Main Floor
The focus of this meeting is to brainstorm rearranging library spaces to meet the goals of increased safety, adding quiet spaces, and greater accessibility.
October 2024: Building Assessment
The building assessment is currently being completed and will be posted by November 14, 2024.
The Ellsworth Public Library is working with the Design Group Collaborative (DGC) which is located in Ellsworth, Maine. DGC includes licensed architects and designers with 100+ combined years of design experience with education facilities.
For over our nineteen-year history DGC developed specialties in education building assessments, capital improvement reports and design that propelled the firm’s growth.
We have excellent working relationships with school districts as well as federal, state and local regulatory agencies. DGC is registered and has performed work with the Federal Government as a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB).
September 2024: Feasibility Study
EDIT (October 22,2024): Due to critical issues found during the building assessment process, there is currently no feasibility study being pursued.
“The library will be embarking on a renovation soon to tackle some critical issues and do a little bit of space rearranging to make the best use of our space, and our next step is a feasibility study, so if you’re paying attention to library renovations, we’ll be announcing a feasibility study soon.” said Library Director, Sarah Lesko:
August 2024: 1st Public Space Planning Meeting
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024 we hosted our first Public Renovation Planning Meeting on the main floor of the library. This meeting was crucial in the ongoing efforts to collect community which started with the release of the our Public Library’s Space Planning Survey in July 2024.
If you were unable to attend our 1st Public Meeting on August 13 please feel free to download our presentation here by clicking on the image on the left. It contains a recap of the survey results, first ideas for how to restructure the interior and ways for residents and patrons to support this important project.
During this event, Library Director Sarah Lesko informed attendees about the survey results and presented different ideas and preliminary floor plans. This was followed by an open forum for attendees to discuss their ideas and suggestions. It was also a chance to get further involved in a number of committees that focus on design, community engagement, youth spaces, advocacy, finance, and technology at the library. These committees will meet at varying frequencies throughout the different stages of this project (Please take a look at the pdf presentation below for further details).
Architect Carla Haskell, who drafted the initial floor plans, will participate in the event. Haskell is the owner of Design Group Collaborative in Ellsworth, a LEED-certified architect, a past president of The Grand’s Board of Directors, and the current chair of the board of directors of Ellsworth’s Historical Society, where she plays an active role in the Old Jail Preservation Committee.
Read about it in the Ellsworth American: Ellsworth Public Library unveils renovation plans.
An interview with Library Director, Sarah Lesko, aired local radio station Star FM 97.7 on August 9, 2024:
July 2024: Release of Our Public Survey
In July 2024, we invited local communities to participate in our Space Planning Survey to gather insights from the community.
The library, which is housed in the iconic Tisdale House, is embarking on a new renovation project to improve the experience at the library.
The focus is on adding square footage without major building expansions. To adjust to the growing needs of its staff and the community, input from from the community is crucial to create a space that meets the diverse needs of all the library’s patrons and visitors.
It is the library’s goal to maintain and extend its role as a vibrant, inclusive, and functional community hub. The library wanted to hear from frequent visitors, occasional users, or first-time guests alike.
The survey was open to the public all throughout July and closed on Wednesday, July 31. Read about it in the Ellsworth American: Ellsworth library renovation project seeks community feedback