Smith was our benefactor. She felt it was important because
a library is the only place people can go if they don’t have
the resources at home to improve their lives.” Mrs. Smith
wanted her monies to make the difference between a person
“making it” or not. She also hoped her donation would
encourage others to give back to their community.
The passing of time has seen a subtle transformation of
library services. In 1908, the purpose of the library was to
lend books. That goal has been expanded to providing not
only written materials but online access to help students
and adults with research.
Today, the “living room of the community” extends
its embrace to many different activities. The library now
provides location and opportunity for both child and adult
books clubs, as well as group card and board games for
elderly people.
For those who love art, 27 art shows have been presented at
the library during the past 8 years.
Foundation grant data through a Maine-based
grants source is also available there, thanks to a donation
by the family of the late Carol Stewart. Due to the strict
guidelines set by the National Foundation Center, in order
to provide this service, the library must also provide grantwriting workshops and a dedicated computer.
According to Kevin Sipe, Chair of the Library
Committee for the City of Presque Isle, “Here, everyone has
access to the ultimate democratic institution. The library
has become much busier because of computers. People
used to come to the library because they couldn’t afford
encyclopedias, now they come because they can’t afford
computers.”
Patrons can also get IRS forms and apply for
passports here. They can also do job searches online. Some
families home school their children here, using the library
as a classroom. And many people just come in to ask
questions. The library has become an “answering place.”
View of the Future
The future of the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial
Library is very bright, especially with the new addition and
more quiet reading room. Sipe’s view is that, “It should
be the den of the community, with its books, newspapers,
magazines, and computers. It will be a social gathering place
for people, where they can sit and read, meet and relax.
Now that an elevator has been installed, more is available to
every individual.”
16 P.I. Library SUMMER 2011
And with the new art gallery, more children and
adults will be exposed to art. There will be rotating exhibits
as well as stationary art works.
What a busy living room!!!!!!