Residents and staff back plan to expand Orono library with teen and community space

Orono residents and library staff described broad support for an expansion of the town library, saying the current building—opened in 2009—was built too small and that a planned enlargement would add a teen room, a larger children’s area, staff space and a community room.

The library’s history stretches more than a century, and speakers at the community forum said the facility spent decades housed at Arnold High School before moving into its present building. A presenter (S1) said organizers only managed to raise funds for roughly 6,000 square feet when the community had identified a need closer to 12,000 square feet, and that the Arnold Public Library Foundation has committed to increasing square footage in the future.

Why it matters: Supporters said the expansion would let the library host more outreach and community events, create dedicated space for teenagers and reduce crowding that now forces some patrons to sit on the floor or along shelves.

"We could only raise funds for 6,000 square feet when we knew we needed 12,000 square feet," the presenter (S1) said, arguing the new footprint would allow the library to meet growing local demand. Staff member S16 said the proposed teen area is "one of our biggest reasons for expanding" because middle- and high-school students now occupy areas meant for other uses.

Volunteers and regulars described how current programming would expand. John Bridal, a local volunteer, said he took over a university-run games afternoon and is building a game collection to use in library programs. A front-desk worker (S13) described the Orono Youth Garden, a partnership with the Orono Community Giving Garden that aims to teach kids ecology and provide produce to the food pantry. Another commenter (S12) said a volunteer who runs a food bank at St. Anne’s in Bratton will distribute hats and blankets starting in October, underscoring the library’s ties to local aid work.

Speakers also noted services the library already provides: lending digital and physical passes to local attractions, funded annually by the Friends of the Arnold Public Library, and a range of programs—from story times to knitting groups—that help reduce social isolation. "It's a place where people can go... there's no expectation that they spend money, and they can hang out here all day," a staff member (S16) said, calling the library an inclusive "third space."

Organizers and supporters framed the expansion as a way to preserve those social functions while adding capacity for targeted programming for children and teens, more staff workspace and a larger community room for events. The forum did not record a final vote or formal decision; speakers described plans and commitments but did not set a final timeline in the session.

The Arnold Public Library Foundation and Friends group were identified in the discussion as supporters of library services and programming; detailed funding sources or an implementation schedule were not specified during the forum.