FARMINGTON — The Farmington Public Library has been working hard to raise $15,000 to renovate the children’s room and is excited to announce that so far $12,500 has been donated.
The project will include new carpeting and updated shelving, creating an even more welcoming space for young readers and their families. The carpet has not been replaced in many years, and several of the bookshelves are beginning to fall apart.
“The children’s room really is the heart of the library. It’s a place for families to spend time together, for kids to get creative and have fun, and hopefully develop a love of reading and libraries that will last them well into adulthood,” said Library Director Jessica Casey. “We’re very much looking forward to sprucing up the space and making it even more welcoming for the children and families in our community”
At the library, children’s materials circulated 19,455 times in 2024 and there were over 1,500 attendees at scheduled children’s programs in 2024.
The children’s room not only is the location for the inventory of books for young readers, but also the space for activities and programing. Art supplies and educational toys are available. Baby Rhymes provides an opportunity for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers gather to sing, clap, march around and listen to stories. On Thursdays, activities are set out for home school kids at 2:00pm. The activities can be enjoyed by anyone else throughout the day. On Fridays at 10:00 for preschoolers and their siblings, activities are set out to explore and enjoy.
Another popular program is the Summer Reading Program, which regularly has over 100 children who actively participate each year.
To date this year, fundraising projects have included hosting an art show where donated works were sold, participating in a community craft fair at the University of Maine at Farmington, and receiving a number of generous donations, all bringing the library closer to its $15,000 goal.
The FPL asks that people consider donating to the fundraiser and helping the library reach the final goal and complete this important project.
Special thanks go to the Farmington Rotary Club, Franklin Savings Bank, the Rodrigue Family Charitable Fund, and many local artists for their generous contributions to our art show and auction.
All donations made before the end of December will be matched by an anonymous donor, allowing the library to complete the much-needed improvements.
The library will continue fundraising at upcoming events, including another community craft fair at UMF on December 6 where our popular “Mystery Book Bundles” and other handmade items will be available for purchase. Please stop by the table!
Donations of any amount are welcome directly at the library with cash, check, or credit card. Donors of $100 or more will receive a complimentary Farmington Public Library hat as a token of appreciation.
For more information, call the library at 207-778-4312 or email library director Jessica Casey at [email protected].
Checks can be mailed to the Farmington Public Library at 117 Academy Street, Farmington, ME, 04938.
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