Katahdin Trust donates to Houlton Cary Library renovation

Photo / Cary Library The addition on 114-year-old Cary Library in Houlton has been recently renovate.

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By Staff

HOULTON — The town library’s ongoing facelift is getting help from a $3,000 grant from Katahdin Trust Co.

The bank made the donation March 21, and it will be used to help the 114-year-old library replace windows and stone facing on its north wall, as well as roof repair. The work on the 8,300-square-foot building is being done by Buildings Etcetera of Houlton.

“Historic Cary Library has been a source of pride for Houlton area residents for over a century,” said Brian Gardiner, senior vice president, commercial services officer. “We are pleased to assist the library with needed renovations that will help ensure patrons can continue to access library services for many years to come.”

“We are grateful to receive this gift,” said Linda Faucher, librarian. “We are very proud to have our building recognized on the National Register of Historic Places but like every older building, renovations are necessary and we carefully prioritize our needs from year to year.”

Faucher said the donation covers about 5% to 6% of the renovation cost. She added that the increased insulation and window replaces had made a difference in energy consumption. “Marrying the newer addition (built in 1967-70) to match the original building is a work in progress, but looks outstanding,” she said in an email.

Cary Library sees over 70,000 visitors each year and serves two dozen surrounding communities. It is an independent library managed by its own volunteer board of trustees, and is a Carnegie Library built with locally milled stone.