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Red Cross Blood Drives in Yarmouth
Cole-Haan
Thursday, February 11 9:00AM – 2:00PM St. Bart’sMonday, March 1st 1:00 – 6:00PM Please call the Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross for an appointment or log onto www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome.
Library Explores Expansion Options
Our use of public libraries has changed dramatically over the past decades. We use them to get a weekend DVD, internet access, the latest travel book or trendy recipe, or research career development opportunities. Library programs have changed significantly, too. Stop in at the Merrill Memorial Library any day and you’ll find a monthly book group, a changing art exhibit, a knitting circle, a poetry group, and three story hours for children. The Library also hosts author visits, illustrator workshops, a teen literature group, scavenger hunts, and crafts. The building is always busy with people tucked into corners reading, browsing our shelves or researching job opportunities.
But these changes and our adaptations for hosting them have altered how we use our building. Our expanding use of technology requires different types of spaces and resources than books and shelves.
The Yarmouth Historical Society’s needs have changed also. After a 50-year tenancy on the third floor of the Library building, the Society is seeking a facility of its own that will provide a ground-floor presence to attract more visitors, an upgraded office and research space, and the capacity for expansion to include programming and museum space. The long-term goal is also to provide onsite, climate-controlled storage for the Society’s historic documents and artifacts.
In recognition of these shifts, the Yarmouth Town Council, the Merrill Memorial Library, and the Yarmouth Historical Society have partnered over the past three years to brainstorm ideas and solutions. Two years ago, the Town Council hired Jay Lucker, the former director of MIT libraries, to analyze the space needs of both the Library and Historical Society. Lucker concluded that the current building was not meeting the needs of either organization. For the Library, he found that:
“While the library is extremely well organized and well maintained, it is clearly overcrowded. …What has happened over the past 20 years is that accommodating media and technology-related functions has been done at the expense of existing functions. … There is no question that the existing library space is being utilized to the fullest extent and beyond.”
He identified critical needs for the Library building itself, including additional toilet facilities; space for storage, programs, readers, and tutoring; a separate space for teens; and improved airflow and humidity control. The Library also fights each winter with run-off and ice problems near the entrance and the current toilet facilities must be upgraded for compliance with ADA requirements. The electrical system on the third floor and the windows in the oldest part of the building date from 1904 and are in need of repair.
The Yarmouth Town Council also looked at the potential to expand the Merrill Memorial Library building to accommodate both the Library and the Historical Society. The small size of the parcel, parking constraints and drainage problems made this option prohibitively expensive.
The Historical Society plans to vacate the third-floor office and gallery space on or before June 30, 2011, retaining use of the Library’s attic and storage area through June of 2016. They look forward to the prospect of relocating to a permanent new home and are currently focusing on two potential sites within Yarmouth. Their hope is to identify a site that will attract wide public support leading to a successful capital campaign. Depending on how long the process takes, the Society may move into temporary quarters upon leaving the Library building. Sometime in 2012, the Merrill Memorial Library will expand onto the third floor, taking over the office and gallery space the Historical Society now occupies.
The next step for the Library Trustees is to talk with our community and library users to define our needs and reconfigure our space. Building off Jay Lucker’s work, we will hold three Library tours and forums in early March to get your input. These workshops will be held in the Merrill Memorial Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3rd; at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 4th; and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6th. We also will have a suggestion box at the Library if you can’t make the meetings.
With the list of needs and ideas from Jay Lucker and the community forums, we will work with an architect to develop a renovation plan and a budget. We will then ask for financial support from the community and foundations to refurbish the building. The Merrill Library Board of Trustees will create two ad hoc standing committees to guide us through this transition; one will focus on building tasks, the other will develop a fund-raising plan.
Our goals are to retain the historic character of the original building, continue to provide traditional library services, and adapt to new technologies. The Merrill Memorial Library is a signature building and resource for Yarmouth and the surrounding towns. With careful planning and community support, we can uphold that reputation as we meet the challenges of the digital world.
Merrill Memorial Library Board of Trustees
Patti Bicknell, President
Gro Flatebo, Treasurer
Joan Wilber, Secretary
Tom Reinsobrough
Denise Pendleton
Philip Jones
Art Bell
Officer Flanders Receives Civic Advancement Award
Each year the Town of Yarmouth recognizes one employee, volunteer or committee member for exceptional work in helping to engage citizens in understanding, responsibility, and a sense of ownership in the work of town government. The Walton O. Hansen Civic Advancement Award was established in 1999 as a tribute to the Town Assessor, Walt Hansen, who had passed away sadly and unexpectedly. Walt Hanson loved to spend time with citizens explaining the process and mechanics of the property valuation and tax assessment program; and pains to not only impart information but to truly engage citizens and taxpayers in the philosophy, challenges, and insights into all the work of town government. People who consulted with Walt knew that they had been heard and understood, they saw how their concerns were treated with respect and they, in turn, regarded the tax system with more respect, understanding and sense of shared responsibility.
The 2009 recipient of the Walt Hansen Award is Officer Bruce Flanders of the Yarmouth Police Department. Bruce began work with the Yarmouth Police Department as a part-time patrolman in 1975 and became a full-time employee in 1977. During that time, Bruce Flanders has distinguished himself as a tireless and productive officer, a skilled and detailed investigator, a committed School Resource and D.A.R.E officer, and a highly visible but friendly enforcer of Yarmouth's speed limits. Officer Flanders always takes the time needed to listen to citizens, children, parents, businesses, victims and neighbors about the issues of the police department and the needs of the community. Although regarded as a highly vigilant officer concerned with traffic and pedestrian safety, Bruce is best known for his calm demeanor, his patient and friendly interest and approachable manner, and his willingness to listen and discuss issues of individual and community concern. Officer Bruce Flanders combines the best of “Officer Friendly” with a truly exceptional work ethic and concern for the Yarmouth community. Congratulations to Officer Flanders!
Prior year recipients or the Walt Hansen Award have been: 2008-Erik Street, 2007-Ronnie Thoits, 2006- Jennifer Doten, 2005-David Cline, 2004-Maura Halkiotis, 2003-Cheryl Billings, 2002-Lynne Wiest, 2001-Bill Shane, 2000-Thomas Moran, and 1999-Walt Hansen (posthumously).
Band Together for
Food and Fuel! Sunday March 7, 2010
3-5 p.m.
Main Street Join your neighbors for fun and to help a good cause! Enjoy music performed by local musicians at Town Hall Green. Then join in activities for the whole family and enjoy food and beverages along Main Street between Town Hall and NYA.
Please bring nonperishable food donations for Yarmouth food pantries and financial contributions for the Yarmouth Fuel Fund. If you are unable to attend but would like to donate to the Yarmouth Fuel Assistance Fund, you may send checks to:
YarmouthCAN
P.O. Box 553
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Please specify that you would like your check to benefit fuel assistance.
FMI visit the YCan website at http://www.yarmouthcan.org/. Upcoming Meetings Click on calendar items below for the agenda of an upcoming meeting. If you don't find what you are looking for please call the Town Clerk at 846-9036.
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