New library in Penobscot County town will provide ‘much more than books’

In the Penobscot County town of Kenduskeag, construction is underway on a new library that will be three times larger than the existing one and will have improvements such as modern technology and even a public restroom. Nickerson & O'Day Inc., which is based in Brewer and served as construction manager for the Kenduskeag Public Library, hosted a recent truss-signing ceremony for the project. The library, at 4029 Broadway, is half a mile north of the older Case Memorial Library, which is just off Broadway at 911 Stetson Road. Tech and accessibility Case Memorial Library dates to 1835 and has less than 500 square feet of usable space. It doesn’t have running water or a public restroom and has significant limitations related to space and accessibility, Miranda Haskin, the town’s project and grant manager for the new library, told Mainebiz. Case’s future use or disposition will be determined by the town. The new library will be a single-story building of approximately 1,600 square feet, designed by architect Paul Lewandowski, founder of Portland-based architecture firm Fig.19, whose other current projects include shared-use kitchen incubator Bangor Central Kitchen. Old Town engineering consultant Carpenter Associates provided engineering services. The design includes dedicated library space, a meeting/conference room, running water, restroom facilities, improved internet and technology infrastructure and accessibility features. Federal grant The construction cost is estimated to be $860,000. Additional costs include engineering, administration and other project-related expenses outside of that contract. Financing includes $1 million in congressionally directed spending in the form of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community project funding grant, plus $200,000 in Penobscot County American Rescue Plan Act funding. Construction began earlier this year. The completion and opening date are to be determined. The need for the project comes down to access for the small rural community. “Public libraries provide much more than books,” said Haskins. “They provide access to the internet and technology, educational resources, space to work and study and opportunities for people to connect with their community. This project is about providing Kenduskeag with a library facility that can better support those needs today and into the future. “We may be a small town, but that does not mean we should expect less for the people who live here.”