By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

As Bridgton grows, so do the requests for services, resources and programming at the Bridgton Public Library.

When Amy Stone assumed the role of Library Director in late 2016, she quickly saw “some serious constraints with the space available in our building to provide programs and services to any size group.”

The present building is 5,825 square feet between two floors.

“We have less than 400 square feet total spread out over two floors that can be used for programs or meetings, particularly with children and families,” she recently told the Bridgton Select Board. “We need more space to provide interactive, hands-on programming. Our split-level building further limits flexible space options.”

Stone says BPL understands that some folks do not currently use the library or its resources because of various barriers. To reach them, BPL has an outreach coordinator by bringing services and resources to the public outside of the library’s walls.

“Our outreach coordinator works with community partners to provide support and literacy outreach as well as digital skills support to individuals in our community,” Stone noted.

Bridgton Public Library was one of seven organizations in Cumberland County to receive funding from the Greater Portland Council of Government and Maine Connectivity Authority to increase digital literacy, provide access to devices and teach people how to stay safe online.

Bridgton Public Library received a grant to buy five mobile hotspots to be loaned with the library’s Chromebook computers. The library is offering Chromebooks for checkout to people who have taken computer-skills classes and are considering purchasing their own devices, as well as those who are not able to afford their own. 

“We know that people need internet access for a wide variety of reasons, including online education, signing up for government services, banking and online bill payments, and accessing health resources,” said Stone.

“While we offer free wireless here at our building, it is not always possible for people to get to us if transportation is also a barrier they face. This hotspot lending program will meet a real and serious need here in our community.” 

But, library officials and its Board of Trustees know it is not enough to remain a building of bookshelves.

“The priority is to maintain and improve our historic building while looking ahead to a sustainable building and grounds that will serve the changing needs of a growing population. Each part of this is important and each is being considered as we move forward,” Stone said. “Bridgton is growing and Bridgton Public Library is planning for the evolution of our infrastructure needs to meet the challenges. We know there will be greater reliance on technology to participate in government education and workforce development opportunities. And the library needs to be ready as a community anchor institution. We are also looking at our environment and sustainability and building design that will address these changing needs.”

So, BPL is gearing up for a major construction project. While Stone said a cost estimate has yet to be determined (the architectural firm pegged estimates at $4.4 million in 2024 to nearly $4.7 million in 2025 at 6% inflation and $4.95 million in 2026 at 6% inflation), the proposed plan will enable BPL to achieve its “mission” —The Bridgton Public Library’s primary purpose is to serve the community as its information and cultural center. It endeavors to provide access to educational, informational, and recreational resources in a friendly, safe atmosphere, and to be responsive to the changing needs of the community.

The Process

Libraries were physical locations that housed a valuable literary, cultural and historic asset — the written word. One went to the library to view and study the collection,” — from the BPL Strategic Plan.

Today, a library is much more than rooms full of bookshelves and books. It is a place of expanded services and technology. However, the current BPL’s physical space “was not designed for the shifts in mission,” the strategic plan points out, “Designing space to reflect the move from lending library to full-service library was a challenge.”

The current main building (3,855 square feet) was completed in 1913.

An addition (1,970 square feet) was built in 1995, adding office space, a meeting room and elevator.

The outdoor courtyard was constructed in 2012.

The proposed addition would be approximately 4,050 square feet.

Back in January 2023, the Bridgton Public Library Board of Trustees hired architectural firm, Simons Architects of Portland, “to produce a programming study to assess the space available based on current and potential future use, and provide a final report with recommendations,” Stone told the Select Board.

The analysis looked at present needs and those 25 years into the future.

“This planning study concluded that a renovation of the original building coupled with a new addition is necessary for the library to continue to serve its community. With our increased traffic flow and public use, our building should have the following: Larger public meeting space; separate teen library space, separate from children’s area; larger open area in front of both circulation desks; expanded building entry for safety and more welcoming feeling; more staff work space; staff private office space; bookshelves should be out of the basement, prone to groundwater issues; and more public restrooms,” the strategic plan outlined.

BPL trustees then asked Simons Architect to design schematic plans based on their earlier findings. Allied Cook, which has extensive experience with Maine municipalities and library design, was later hired to develop a cost estimate and project timeline — which is expected sometime in December.

“As you may know, we have been awarded a grant through the Maine Connectivity Authority, which will pay for a small part of the renovation work required to provide future technology access. This includes electrical and networking updates and a reallocation of space,” Stone said.

Funding for the construction project will likely come from grants and a capital fundraising drive.

Schematic designs (seen with this article, and more are available on the library’s website), which included solar panels, were shown to town officials.

“I know so much more about the building than a library director should ever really need to know, but, you know, I’m a lifelong learner, so that’s fine,” Stone said.

Once BPL officials secure additional information, a formal proposal will be submitted to the Bridgton Planning Board for review.

The Bridgton Public Library Building Committee consists of Library Director Amy Stone, along with David Hursty, Bridgette Fuller, Sally Dunning, Joanne Cohn, Jim Cossey, Laura Paldino and Dave Johnson.