LEWISTON – There’s money coming for the public library’s new performance space and Museum L-A’s oral history project, an endeavor that could turn into a one-hour documentary and book about life in the mills.

The grants came this week as part of $100,000 handed out by the New Century Community Program. It looked at efforts in eight cities and narrowed the recipients to three: Lewiston, Dexter and Gardiner.

Lewiston’s grants are:

• $31,000 for the Public Library’s new Marsden Hartley Cultural Center.

• $10,000 for Museum L-A.

• $10,000 to the Maine Historical Society to organize old Union Waterpower records.

State Sen. Peggy Rotundo, a member of the Appropriations Committee that unanimously approved funding for the grants, said the goal this year was to tie awards with economic development and revitalization.

She said she was proud the local projects were recognized and funded.

For the library, it means a new large-surface screen, sound system and digital video equipment on the renovated third floor. Director Rick Speer said the 150-seat, 2,000-square-foot performance/meeting space, part of the new Marsden Hartley Cultural Center, will host everything from genealogy seminars to music and dance events.

He anticipates a grand opening next fall.

Rachel Desgrosseilliers, director of Museum L-A, said the museum identified people they would like to talk with for oral histories at last weekend’s Mill Workers Reunion, trying to get a mix of departments, experiences and backgrounds.

She said she hopes 50 people will sit for interviews that will be recorded on audio tape video. That material will be used to pursue a book and film.

“The oral histories kind of set the stage for the rest of it,” she said.

New Century Community Program is operated by arts and cultural agencies known as the Maine Cultural Affairs Council. It’s given out $5 million in state money since 1999.