STRONG – Librarian Erica Bracy was “kinda speechless” Tuesday. She opened a letter from Stephen and Tabitha King and dropped the $10,000 check that was enclosed in the envelope.

The money, part of a grant, came in response to Bracy’s January letter asking for grants and applications for grants to keep the town’s library open this year.

“When I saw the letter from the Kings, I thought it was a grant application,” she said. “The enclosed letter said it was to help finance the library position for one year. It also said they hope the town will try to find a way to fund it next year as they don’t normally provide such funding.”

During Saturday’s annual town meeting, Bracy couldn’t ask the town to increase their appropriation to the $9,288.48 needed to pay her salary and the phone bill because of the way an article was written. The town approved raising $7,000 for the library, which meant she’s been considering whether to cut library hours and how to get patrons books they want.

“I asked for just enough to keep the doors open … not a penny more,” she said. “I’ve worked with the Maine State Library trying to find funds. It’s not that we want to remodel we’re just asking to stay open.”

Bracy has served as librarian for the past two and half years. During that time, patronage has increased from 170 to 290 with some people going there to search for job applications online, write resumes or read books.

Bracy is the library’s only employee.

The library at 14 South Main St. is open from 2-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays with story time at 11 a.m.