Selectmen in Poland seek to cut the town’s share of operating Ricker Memorial Library by 20 percent. Currently the town provides $59,500. The new fiscal year would see this cut to $48,000, thwarting the future of many services.

An endowment from the estate of Jane Jeffrey Ricker in 1962 provided funds to establish Alvan Bolster Ricker Memorial Library and Community House, in memory of her husband.

In 2007 Ricker Library was open six days, 50 hours each week, and served 13,168 patrons. Some 22,750 books were borrowed by 2,450 card holders. Poland is a community that reads and nurtures its children to do the same. More than 1,280 children participated in preschool storytime and summer reading programs. The library presented the Let’s Talk About It series on the Middle East with the Maine Humanities Council; 1,230 items were added to the collection. The library provided computer workstations and Internet access for 1,865 community members. All services were free.

The Ricker Memorial Library serves all ages and walks of life. Four needlecraft groups, Scouts, woodcarvers, 4-H groups, and seniors meet regularly. The Community Room is available to Poland residents for family events. The legacy of Alvan and Jane Ricker continues to serve the community well. However, services cannot continue without strong town support. Interest from the endowment alone is not enough to maintain the library.

Ricker Library needs the support of residents at Poland’s town meeting on April 5.

Suzanne Marcy, director

John Merrill Sr., chairman, board of trustees

Ricker Memorial Library, Poland


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