A new chapter: Sanford’s Goodall Library to get a major makeover

SANFORD, Maine — Goodall Library began a new chapter on Monday, Oct. 30, when crews finally started the long-planned renovation and expansion of the historic building.

“We’re very excited for this for our community,” interim Library Director Nicole Bowley said.

When the project is finished, the library will have three new quiet study rooms, a space for young adults, a new meeting room, an outdoor garden, and even a pickup window for patrons to borrow books. As well, the current structure will be renovated, and its technology will be updated.

With a symbolic groundbreaking shovel in hand, Bowley gathered in front of the library on Wednesday, Nov. 1, alongside staffers Bob Morse, Lisa McCarthy and Lynda Ginchereau, board members Tony Bauer and Henry Smith, and Stephen Dumont, of TPD Construction, and Timothy Morrison, of Barba + Wheelock Architects.

Dumont said the first order of business is the demolition of the library’s interior to make way for the structural work that is ahead.

“And then, on the upside, we’re going to get the site ready for the foundations for the additions and then run a new fire sprinkler line to the building from the street,” Dumont added.

The project is slated to be completed, with the new and improved library set to open to patrons, in October of 2024, according to Dumont.

Currently, Goodall Library’s collection of books, magazines, movies, audiobooks, media archives and more can be found in the commercial space next to Planet Fitness at the Center for Shopping at 1364 Main Street in Sanford. Patrons can go there to read, study or use a computer, as the satellite spot is arranged for many of the amenities the library has always provided. The site will remain open throughout the project.

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Goodall Library received $3M in federal funds for upcoming expansion

Like the city’s new, state-of-the-art high school, the project at Goodall Library is the result of a successful pursuit of government funding. Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced that $3 million was headed Goodall Library’s way, as a result of an application assembled and submitted by then-library director Chip Schrader.

The funds are part of the Omnibus bill that President Biden signed earlier this year. In all, York County received more than $34.6 million for all sorts of regional projects, including the construction of a new substance abuse recovery center in Alfred.

Schrader applied for the funding through Pingree’s website, after State Library Director of Development Janet McKenney alerted him about the opportunity. With the application, Schrader included supportive letters from City Manager Steven Buck, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford, and others. Pingree, Collins and King all agreed to sponsor the effort.

At the time, Schrader described the application process as an “amazing, all-hands-on-deck effort that is uniquely Maine.” He said the awarding of the $3 million “reaffirms the relevance, value, importance and significance of public libraries in a free society.”

Schrader stepped down from the helm of Goodall Library this past summer to become the director of the library in Scarborough, his hometown.

Overall, the project is estimated to cost $3.8 million, according to Bowley. In addition to the $3 million from the federal government, the library also has received donations through a trust set up by the Gladys Rothwell estate.

"We are also currently looking for a few additional backers to help us to fund parts of the project that we had to cut from the budget due to rising prices," Bowley said.

Stone benches and plantings in the reading garden, as well as a water feature with seating arrangements for the library's reference area, are among such items, according to Bowley.

"We welcome any interested donors to reach out to us to help us add these and other additional enhancements to our renovation to make it an even more stunning and welcoming place for our community," she said.

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New library aims to be a community hub for Sanford

This is Goodall Library’s first expansion in close to half a century. The two-stories comprising the back half of the library was built in 1976. From there, a few features have been added to the building, including an elevator in 2004 and a geothermal heating system in 2011.

Designed by William Armitage, of Portland, the Louis B. Goodall Library was built at the corner of Main and Elm streets in 1937. Born in 1851, Louis Goodall was the son of Thomas Goodall, who owned the downtown mills and employed thousands of people in Sanford. The younger Goodall served two terms as a U.S. congressman, from 1917 to 1921.

Goodall died in 1935. The library named after him officially joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Bowley said the project is not just an opportunity to improve and expand the library but also to enhance all that the facility does for the community.

“We can really become a community hub for Sanford,” she said.

Dumont said he was born and raised in Sanford, which makes his role in the renovation and expansion of his hometown library one he appreciates.

“As a child, I would come here and read books, and check out books,” he said. “As a father, I bring my daughter here to read books and check out books. That makes the project that much more special.”

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sanford’s Goodall Library to get a major makeover with $3.8M expansion