Announcement!!: For those of you who did, thank you for completing our survey about adding an additional service and space to the library offerings. The mission of this expansion is to provide a space with high-speed, broadband Wi-Fi, semi-private workstations, updated digital devices and printing capabilities so people can safely and reliably study, access online services, programs, shopping, etc. and, most importantly, work remotely. We will also provide digital tutoring and classes for those who feel out-of-the-digital media loop or want to acquire more skills, and a patient, welcoming staff willing to assist patrons become comfortable navigating the digital world securely and effectively. All for FREE and coming soon. Please spread the word, and THANK YOU!!
EXPANSION UPDATES:
June 28th, 2023. The library has been awarded ARPA funding through The Maine State Library to add 800+/- sq. ft. to house the Remote Work through Libraries Workspace and Meeting Room. As mentioned above, this room will feature new and updated computers, laptops, tablets, printers, digital classes and technical assistance in a newly renovated room connected to the library. We have partnered with the Somerset Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) to acquire the devices and offer digital classes and these other services.
THANKS TO ALL WHO WROTE LETTERS OF SUPPORT, PLEDGED TO VOLUNTEER TIME TO THE PROJECT, GUIDED US THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND OFFERED MUCH NEEDED ENCOURAGEMENT!!
July 6th, 2023. Physical work has begun. Please excuse the appearance of the library as there will be a bit of demolition and construction-like activities taking place over the course of the next few months. The first step is to open up an entryway between the two spaces, connecting the old with the new. THE LIBRARY WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE CONSTRUCTION!
July 11th, 2023. Oh!! SURPRISE . . . the passageway between the library and the expansion space is now open! Come in and check it out! THANK YOU M.O.#1 RICKY PARLIN!!!
July 12, 2023. At Mug Up, volunteers signed up to donate time and talents to help with the restoration of "Suite C". These folks will clean, schlep and haul, spackle and paint walls, patch tile flooring, lend interior decoration and/or floor plan ideas, wash windows, clean old or make new drapes, retrofit shelving and pump much needed life back into this former, first grade classroom!
July 13, 2023. Liz Caruso from SEDC delivered two new desktop computers donated by giveITgetIT in Waterville. They will be featured in the new space, among other devices. Mary C. (Library Director) briefly addressed Mercer citizen attendees at the Selectboard meeting acknowledging receipt of the grant and described the intention and long term goals of the project, its benefits to the community, how the expansion will be supported in the future and so on.
July 26th, 2023. To prepare the expansion space for thorough cleaning and restoration, Town Clerk Nancy Gove and Mary designated ownership (with the help of Fran Varney and Heather Leo) of all the items currently being stored in the expansion space and where they will be relocated in the short term. Joan Nunally donated a minifridge and coffee maker for use in the new space (and a Bingo set to Mug Up). M.O. Gary Mosher hauled away the resulting trash and recyclables. THANK YOU NANCY, JOAN, FRAN, HEATHER AND GARY!!
August 30th, 2023. More culling has been done and the new space is starting to really open up. Volunteers are scheduled to come on September 5th to move the remaining items into storage and clean windows, doors, walls, floor, exit, and surfaces. Retrofitting the new shelving begins on September 6th!
EXPANSION UPDATES:
June 28th, 2023. The library has been awarded ARPA funding through The Maine State Library to add 800+/- sq. ft. to house the Remote Work through Libraries Workspace and Meeting Room. As mentioned above, this room will feature new and updated computers, laptops, tablets, printers, digital classes and technical assistance in a newly renovated room connected to the library. We have partnered with the Somerset Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) to acquire the devices and offer digital classes and these other services.
THANKS TO ALL WHO WROTE LETTERS OF SUPPORT, PLEDGED TO VOLUNTEER TIME TO THE PROJECT, GUIDED US THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND OFFERED MUCH NEEDED ENCOURAGEMENT!!
July 6th, 2023. Physical work has begun. Please excuse the appearance of the library as there will be a bit of demolition and construction-like activities taking place over the course of the next few months. The first step is to open up an entryway between the two spaces, connecting the old with the new. THE LIBRARY WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE CONSTRUCTION!
July 11th, 2023. Oh!! SURPRISE . . . the passageway between the library and the expansion space is now open! Come in and check it out! THANK YOU M.O.#1 RICKY PARLIN!!!
July 12, 2023. At Mug Up, volunteers signed up to donate time and talents to help with the restoration of "Suite C". These folks will clean, schlep and haul, spackle and paint walls, patch tile flooring, lend interior decoration and/or floor plan ideas, wash windows, clean old or make new drapes, retrofit shelving and pump much needed life back into this former, first grade classroom!
July 13, 2023. Liz Caruso from SEDC delivered two new desktop computers donated by giveITgetIT in Waterville. They will be featured in the new space, among other devices. Mary C. (Library Director) briefly addressed Mercer citizen attendees at the Selectboard meeting acknowledging receipt of the grant and described the intention and long term goals of the project, its benefits to the community, how the expansion will be supported in the future and so on.
July 26th, 2023. To prepare the expansion space for thorough cleaning and restoration, Town Clerk Nancy Gove and Mary designated ownership (with the help of Fran Varney and Heather Leo) of all the items currently being stored in the expansion space and where they will be relocated in the short term. Joan Nunally donated a minifridge and coffee maker for use in the new space (and a Bingo set to Mug Up). M.O. Gary Mosher hauled away the resulting trash and recyclables. THANK YOU NANCY, JOAN, FRAN, HEATHER AND GARY!!
August 30th, 2023. More culling has been done and the new space is starting to really open up. Volunteers are scheduled to come on September 5th to move the remaining items into storage and clean windows, doors, walls, floor, exit, and surfaces. Retrofitting the new shelving begins on September 6th!
September 9, 2023. What a work crew!! As you can see from the pictures above (hover cursor over the pics to see captions), Suite C got gutted (including removal of the sink and toilet [not shown]) in preparation for floor repair and professional floor stripping and waxing. The former classroom cubbies are on their way to being transformed into new shelving for the library. Heavy lifting and transformation of former bathrooms into storage spaces was done single handedly by Ricky Parlin; initial shelving work by Mike Fortin; schlepping, cleaning, and reorganizing by Jane Wallace, Nancy Gove, Carole Storro, Marti Kitchen, Gaylene Williams, and Mary. Pat Genness hauled away some scrap metal while Gary Moser took away the trash...again. Shaw Library can't thank these talented, diligent and hard-working volunteers enough. None of this would be possible without you!!
October, 2023. As shown in the before, during and after photos above, the shelving in the new space is now complete - it's beautiful! and some books have found their way from storage onto them. Jim Chouinard crafted a wooden bench to cover plumbing pipes and serve as a display shelf in the new office. THANK YOU, MIKE AND JIM!
November, 2023. Selectman Parlin continues to complete preparations for wall painting and floor beautification: sheetrock patching, spackling, sanding and floor tile replacement appear to be done (I don't know . . . does Ricky show up to do this work in the middle of the night? I never see him!). Ryan Storro cleaned exterior library and expansion room windows, and wall painting supplies have been ordered. Emma Gierczak, Assistant Librarian and Janice Nagel, Library Aide (both regular library volunteers!) have been diligently culling the collection and relocating some voluminous series books from the library onto new library shelves in the expansion room to give the overcrowded library some breathing room . . . ahhhhhh! Personal Touch Cleaning has been scheduled to clean, strip and wax the floor on January 5th. Look for the Library's Newsletter featuring the new space - designed, composed and soon to be available at the town office and library.
December, 2023. Carole, Gaylene and Mary are next up to paint the walls this month, clean interior windows and screens, and assemble the shelving and file cabinet in the expansion room's new office/storage space. Our new social media consultant Anna Williams has launched Instagram and Facebook accounts for the library as urged by our partners. Check them out: Instagram.com: mercershawlibrary; Facebook: Mercer Shaw Library. Shortly before Christmas, we were notified that we received additional funding for this project from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation! SEDC also awarded us a modest stipend to help move things along as well.
January, 2024. The walls are finally in the process of being painted - setbacks being floor repair (before the floor guy comes) and more spackling and sanding. The painting that has been done looks great tho' . . .
Lo and behold . . . the floor is DONE: On Jan. 5th, DJ from Personal Touch Cleaning worked for fours hours to revitalize a very old, well used - mostly by first graders - and recently neglected tile floor. Terrific job DJ!!
November, 2023. Selectman Parlin continues to complete preparations for wall painting and floor beautification: sheetrock patching, spackling, sanding and floor tile replacement appear to be done (I don't know . . . does Ricky show up to do this work in the middle of the night? I never see him!). Ryan Storro cleaned exterior library and expansion room windows, and wall painting supplies have been ordered. Emma Gierczak, Assistant Librarian and Janice Nagel, Library Aide (both regular library volunteers!) have been diligently culling the collection and relocating some voluminous series books from the library onto new library shelves in the expansion room to give the overcrowded library some breathing room . . . ahhhhhh! Personal Touch Cleaning has been scheduled to clean, strip and wax the floor on January 5th. Look for the Library's Newsletter featuring the new space - designed, composed and soon to be available at the town office and library.
December, 2023. Carole, Gaylene and Mary are next up to paint the walls this month, clean interior windows and screens, and assemble the shelving and file cabinet in the expansion room's new office/storage space. Our new social media consultant Anna Williams has launched Instagram and Facebook accounts for the library as urged by our partners. Check them out: Instagram.com: mercershawlibrary; Facebook: Mercer Shaw Library. Shortly before Christmas, we were notified that we received additional funding for this project from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation! SEDC also awarded us a modest stipend to help move things along as well.
January, 2024. The walls are finally in the process of being painted - setbacks being floor repair (before the floor guy comes) and more spackling and sanding. The painting that has been done looks great tho' . . .
Lo and behold . . . the floor is DONE: On Jan. 5th, DJ from Personal Touch Cleaning worked for fours hours to revitalize a very old, well used - mostly by first graders - and recently neglected tile floor. Terrific job DJ!!
Now, it's back up the ladder to spread some more latex on the walls.
January 19th update: I've been so busy - no time to update! The walls are all painted now, some area rugs have been delivered, and the room dividers - that will help provide semi-private work stations - arrived yesterday. Today, some furniture was moved in. PLEASE come in and see!!
We added five outlets!
February 8th, 2024. Electrical upgrades finished!! Thank you, Matt from Power Up Electric. Awesome job . . . and fast!
Breaking news: We were notified in February that the library was awarded further funding for this project from the Association for Rural and Small Libraries for underfunded and unforeseen expenses!! Thank you ARSL!!
March, 2024. It's furnishings month. Ordering, installing, assembling, in some cases designing and constructing, arranging, rearranging and re-rearranging new printer, office chairs, work stations, comfy take-a-break chairs, window coverings, side tables, lamps, etc. A lovely piece by local visual artist Carole Storro has been installed over one of the work stations. The new outdoor sign has been designed, a sign maker consigned and it is now being crafted and constructed. Even though the workspace is not officially open, two remote workers have been regularly using it already.
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April, 2024. Pictured here you see that Mike Fortin has returned to install the window shades; the meeting/group workspace; a patron hard at his remote work (while construction continues around him); our relaxing take-a-break corner.
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May, 2024. Teri Day has agreed to convert former storage shelving into six work station/meeting tables - yes, with wheels to continue with the malleability motif. She will also convert a sizable coat/backpack rack out of leftover materials from the kid's cubbies, embracing the refurbish/reuse-whenever-possible subtheme Mike started with the shelving for books. There have been a number of visitors to the space this month, including Linda Silka and Marijke Visser from the Maine State Library to check out our progress with the project and to offer encouragement and practical support. We have one regular user and one occasional user of the space who have helped us get a feel for its utility, and several others have visited to see how the room is shaping up. Mary has constructed lawn signs to help lure people in, posting the library hours right outside each day that we are open. Progress on the new outdoor sign continues and will be delivered sometime in June.
Teri Day and her beautiful (upside-down) tables - almost done!! (Notice the casters?)
June, 2024. Ricky Parlin devoted an entire morning+ to replace our beat-up entrance ramp with a new and more durable concrete one. Liz Caruso of SEDC returned to see how things are going and to make suggestions regarding purchases of equipment that will be used during digital class instruction - starting with a 55" flat screen smart TV on a rolling stand. An agreement between the library, SEDC and NDEC to offer these classes has been signed, sealed and delivered. Visit the Digital Partnership Page for information about classes and these two organizations.
Teri's Tables (pictured) have been constructed and delivered, and she's now making some final adjustments! She's also delivered the coat/backpack rack. To be installed asap.
The Quarterly Mercer Shaw Library Newsletter is almost finished, a mailing list compiled and will be mailed out this month. Watch your mailbox! Wednesday evening hours to be added soon.
Teri's Tables (pictured) have been constructed and delivered, and she's now making some final adjustments! She's also delivered the coat/backpack rack. To be installed asap.
The Quarterly Mercer Shaw Library Newsletter is almost finished, a mailing list compiled and will be mailed out this month. Watch your mailbox! Wednesday evening hours to be added soon.
July/August, 2024. Finishing touches are being made to the workspace which includes our beautiful new outdoor sign professionally installed on the outside of the building by Ryan Storro! Additional upgrades will be added as more people use the space and we figure out what is needed. We hope to see you at the Annual Mercer Chicken Bar-B-Que on Saturday, August 10th. Come over to the library's book sale fundraiser, take a tour of the new room, sign up for digital classes and celebrate the Official Opening of the Remote Workspace with us. As of August 7th, Library/Workspace hours were increased to include Wednesdays from 3 to 6pm.
As always, THANK YOU: all volunteers, donors, well-wishers, curious onlookers, professional services, advice-givers and users of this space!!
It took a little over a year, but we're finally there...and we hope you come over and take advantage of the new Remote Workspace!!
It took a little over a year, but we're finally there...and we hope you come over and take advantage of the new Remote Workspace!!
Digital Classes lead by The National Digital Equity Center
The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) and the Somerset Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) present our first digital class on Wednesday, September 11th at 3pm (directly following the Sept. Mug Up). All classes will take place in the library's new Remote Workspace and Meeting Room. They are one hour in length and you must register one-time with NDEC and then again to reserve your spot in advance of any class.
For more information and to register, please visit their website:
https://digitalequitycenter.org/classes/class/using-facebook-securely/?instance_id=5024
All classes are free to Maine residents. ($50 annual fee for non-residents.) There are 10 spots available, so register soon.
Please see Mary in the library to pre-register, if you have trouble registering online with NDEC, or have any questions, requests, special needs or concerns.
The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) and the Somerset Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) present our first digital class on Wednesday, September 11th at 3pm (directly following the Sept. Mug Up). All classes will take place in the library's new Remote Workspace and Meeting Room. They are one hour in length and you must register one-time with NDEC and then again to reserve your spot in advance of any class.
For more information and to register, please visit their website:
https://digitalequitycenter.org/classes/class/using-facebook-securely/?instance_id=5024
All classes are free to Maine residents. ($50 annual fee for non-residents.) There are 10 spots available, so register soon.
Please see Mary in the library to pre-register, if you have trouble registering online with NDEC, or have any questions, requests, special needs or concerns.
This project is made possible by grants from the American Rescue Plan Act in cooperation with the Maine State Library, Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, Association for Rural & Small Libraries through the generosity of the Manton Foundation, Somerset Economic Development Corporation, and the National Digital Equity Center.
