The Kings present $50,000 for a proposed project

at the Lewiston Public Library.

LEWISTON – The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has provided the Friends of the Lewiston Public Library with $50,000 for the city’s Cultural Learning Center Project.

The foundation is a private nonprofit organization that promotes strengthening and supporting communities, focusing on community-based initiatives, especially within the state.

Library Director Rick Speer said, “We are absolutely thrilled to receive such a generous grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The monies bring us one large step closer to the vision of a multi-faceted cultural learning center within our growing community.”

He added, “The learning center project is designed to address several needs with the community. Those needs include nurturing the educational achievement and aspirations of both individuals and families; developing avenues for bridging cultural differences and enriching cultural understanding; and adequately preserving core historic records that bring our rich history to life.”

The Friends of LPL, also a nonprofit organization, raises funds to support the library’s programs and has been striving to raise the final $414,000 necessary to fully complete the learning center project. In September, the organization submitted a “request for support” to the King Foundation.

Located in the historic Pilsbury Building adjoining the library (200 Lisbon St.), the center will include a performance/meeting hall; a regional history center and archives; a computer lab; and a conference room, along with an expanded library entrance and first floor.

Building upon a $1 million bequest in 2000 by lifetime Lewiston resident John E. Callahan, the city, in its vision for a full-fledged cultural learning center, has purchased the remaining portion of the Pilsbury structure and allocated funds for the project.

In addition, over the past year, a community-wide building committee has worked with the architectural firm of Schwartz/Silver on designs for the envisioned multifaceted facility.

The city will go out to bid on the project in early December, and construction is scheduled to begin by early 2004.