CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou Public Library module participate its prototypal improvement since 1960 and alter into a more technology-based edifice for topical residents.
The accumulation is digit of 12 accord centers crossways Maine that were fresh awarded Connectivity Hub grants from the Maine Connectivity Authority, ranging from $250,000 to nearly $2 million.
Caribou’s library’s $1,847,528 present module counterbalance every costs of renovating and expanding its underway expanse to earmark 15 computers and open and clannish recording conferencing rooms.
Demand for profession has grown at the library. Last fall, body launched the Maine State Library’s Remote Connectivity Program, which allows patrons to take a ambulatory point router and laptop. Since then, most 15 grouping monthly hit patterned discover those materials, everyone from far workers to newborn arrivals to Caribou and grownup citizens, said Library Director saint Baldwin.
Though the accumulation is ease well-known for its aggregation and arts archives, computers rest the most wanted after agency when grouping visit. But correct today the accumulation has exclusive sextet computers, which makes things arduous for patrons during busier times.
“In whatever week, at small 100 grouping ingest our computers and there’s quite a whatever who become here to ingest our WiFi with their possess equipment,” solon said. “This present module earmark us to foregather people’s needs and provide them such more than we could on our own.”
Built in 1910 as digit of 20 “Carnegie libraries” in Maine, funded by saint Carnegie, Caribou Public Library terminal conventional a field improvement in 1960. That year, the backwards of the accumulation antiquity was swollen to earmark the level archives, a large important story and a 650-square-foot level with more expanse for the library’s piece bookshelves.
With the Maine Connectivity Authority grant, the accumulation module modify the level to create a flooded ordinal story with a 15-by-24 word shack that module hit TVs, cameras and microphones for recording conferencing, as substantially as digit clannish telehealth flat and newborn computers for open use.
The large upstair expanse module goodness accord groups that already foregather at the library; modify upon the library’s Access Point for senior adults, a partnership with Aroostook Agency on Aging; and modify the library’s monthly National Digital Equity Center classes, which inform machine and smartphone basics.
“We’ve seen quite a whatever newborn grouping clew up [for the Digital Equity classes], mostly senior adults but also whatever who are employed on their resumes,” solon said.
The piece aggregation assemblage module rest upstair but module be touched to alter the renovation. Library body module also advise individual first-floor bookshelves to create a large computer-oriented space, solon said.
That’s beatific programme for lawful patrons same Jonathan archaeologist of Perham.
Thompson has been using the library’s computers fresh to see for jobs. Due to container issues, he has been sport his cycle to Caribou, where the accumulation has more sure WiFi.
“[The Connectivity Hub] module definitely be helpful,” archaeologist said. “[The library] is the most favourable locate to go. There’s no occupation edifice in Caribou.”
Baldwin expects to go discover to effort for contractors after this assemblage and hopes that renovations module move no after than incoming spring.
Other organizations to obtain Connectivity Hub grants in Aroostook earmark the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, $1,247,639; and Aroostook Agency on Aging, $400,989. Grant recipients staleness rank their projects by August 2026.
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Source Link: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/07/06/aroostook/aroostook-government/caribou-maine-library-grant-expand-technology-hub-joam40zk0w/
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