Riverton Rising!

Last Thursday night's Open House was a sweet night for all of us associated with PPL and the Riverton neighborhood. After the uncertainties of the last two years the budget for the Riverton Branch was solidified this spring and we can now with some level of confidence sink our teeth into creating a first rate library experience at Riverton.

We have started with renewing the physical space effecting a transformation of the previous space from cramped, dark and cluttered

to an environment that employs the lessons learned in the renovation of the Main Library.

We have lowered the stack heights, maintained the same amount of linear shelving feet through a new shelving layout, widened the aisles and created specific spaces for adults reading, children’s programming and teens. It is now a light filled space with room to move!

The next stage is to continue to analyze and refine data regarding use of the collections and having the collections reflect the needs. After the first three months in the new space we will analyze the use of the collections and attendance and ask opinions of our Riverton users to see what specific changes we might make. Our plan is to surpass the records this year for lending (64,227) and attendance (50,671) at Riverton.

The Open House last Thursday was a joyful event with new City Manager Mark Rees, City Councilors John Coyne and Dory Waxman, Superintendent of Schools Jim Morse and PPL Trustee President Nathan Smith all in attendance. We had the chance to thank each other for the hard work and support and also unanimously to thank the Riverton Community Association led by President Chip Edgar for their passion and help in keeping PPL operating in the Riverton neighborhood. We are grateful to all.

Taking Shape!

As we approach the 50% completion mark, this week has seen some major and very visible advances in our Monument Square renovation project. A key element in the design has been to reenergize the Library’s role on Monument Square and to contribute more to the life of this critical location in heart of the City. For the first time there is some definition in the redesigned facade as portions of glass have been installed in the grid.

Galaxy Glass employees installing glass panels

The hidden activity which has made up the bulk of our effort to this point continues. Ceilings, walls, wiring, plumbing, new boilers, etc, are being attended to and it is a mundane yet a critical part of our effort. But it must be appreciated that the public statement for all to see of a library reinventing itself to face the decades ahead is a moment to celebrate.

Library facade as seen from Snell's Family Farm stand at the Portland Farmer's Market

Throwing Sand

Today, we held the “groundbreaking” for our renovation. Since the project is a renovation, we didn’t exactly break ground but in fact threw some sand. Morris Fisher, President of the Board of Trustees, Nick Mavodones, City Councilor and Former Mayor, Scott Simons, Project Architect and I, all spoke to the attendees. Below are my comments made this morning on behalf of our staff and in recognition of accepting this gift from all of those who believe in Portland Public Library.

> Throwing Sand - Steve Podgajny, Peter Benard- Ledgewood Construction, Morris Fisher, Scott Simons, Joe Gray-City Manager, Taffy Field-PPL Trustee, Nick Mavodones
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I first want to join Morris in thanking my colleagues for doing their absolute best to handle the many years, and episodes, of disruption – especially over the past year. To have the opportunity to thank people is always a delight regardless of the reason.

Today, on behalf of the Library staff at all of our locations, I want to express our gratitude. The employees of the Portland Public Library are among the most fortunate in public service - the beneficiaries of a true public-private partnership. It is a partnership that provides resources to serve the City significantly beyond what might be possible from solely public or private sources. We refer to this support as our “Margin of Excellence.”

This morning we celebrate this Partnership, because its fruits have given us a Library that, at the end of Phase I&II, will express widespread levels of quality and excellence unattainable through other means and at the top tier for cities of our size.

Without the selfless commitment of the Trustees and volunteers, as well as the support of the citizens, City Council and City Manager of Portland, the federal, state and county governments, and our hundreds of individual, corporate and private foundation donors, we would not be here today.

Next spring we will have the privilege of occupying new spaces to perform our work. When we accept this gift, the staff of Portland Public Library will also embrace two measures of accountability.
First, we will become the custodians of its physical care, a responsibility that will be there for all to literally see how well we are doing.
Second, and even more importantly, but much harder to see on a casual level, will be the fulfillment of our individual and group responsibility, to, day-in and day-out, reach the service potential that this new building presents in our efforts to improve the lives of our users and to strengthen the fabric of our city.

Boiled down to the most basic level: These two imperatives are individual and organizational, ethical and moral obligations that the staff incurs upon accepting this gift. We recognize and embrace your generosity and the expectations extending from it.

I believe we will make you proud as the receivers of this gift and once again, I thank all of you for your faith and trust in us.

Thank you.

The Library on Elm Street

Today the “Library on Elm Street” opens at Monument Square. While Phase I of our renovation unfolds we will be operating essentially a large branch at the site. The staff have culled as many items as possible that have a high probability of being borrowed by those visiting the space. Otherwise we are counting on being able to efficiently (and as quickly as possible) deliver items that you request, either in person at any of our 6 locations, or on-line via the web catalog.

It is an exciting day for us as we look forward to a huge improvement in the aesthetics and functioning of our main location. This phase of the renovation is scheduled to last at least 10 months but we are hopeful it might be a little longer reflecting our success as we concurrently pursue funds for items that are scheduled for Phase II.



We have done our best to work with the space we have available but it is not by a long shot perfect. There are not enough seats, not enough computers, etc. but hopefully the staff will be able to help you get what you need during your visit. Let us know what we might improve in the space and we will do our best.

As the highway signs say: “Temporary Inconvenience for Permanent Improvement.”

Monument Square Renovation Begins!

The renovation of the Monument Square location of Portland Public Library has begun. For a project that has been going on in some manner - planning, fundraising, community meetings, etc - for ten years, it is exciting to finally begin work that can be immediately seen by our members and staff.


A significant amount of our collections on the lower level have been moved including Government Documents, older magazines and newspapers and we will begin to move tens of thousands of items more in the next three weeks. All of these items are going to the Brown Annex. The collections that will be stored in the annex will be available through our catalog and can be requested and delivered to any of our 6 locations.

Beginning March 16, we will be closed for two weeks as we finish the moving of our materials. The Branches will all be open their normal hours.

For much more about the closing and the details of the project please see our FAQ.

Some PPL@PPM reflections

From my perspective, the defeat of the proposal to acquire and renovate the Portland Public Market building was a golden opportunity lost to the people of Portland. I continue to believe that the project strength was expressed best in the focus on downtown users and uses, the tremendous efficiency and inspirational aspects of the building and the economic development opportunity for the City that was associated with the redevelopment of Monument Square. But the project was not “sound bitable” and I am reminded by Thursday’s editorial in the Portland Press Herald (http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=113597&ac=PHedi ) that certain facts never quite became ingrained in the debate. The statement that we are now “not losing some 20,000 square feet of space that the market move entailed” continues to be inacurrate.

The above statement of “loss” applies if one intends to simply replicate what exists now. We were never able to effectively communicate to voters that it was about transformation of the library system as well as the users of the downtown location. In fact, there was 14% more space at the Market building versus the same Monument Square service areas. That would have led to much higher lending, more people through the door and a more enjoyable work environment and user experience. The minimum total square footage that the library would have had at the conclusion of the project would have been 85,000 sq. feet (58,000 in the market building and 27,000 in the basement of Monument Sq.) versus 78,000 sq. ft currently which is a 10% increase.

The PPL system will set a direction sometime in the next few weeks based on our available funds and a reconsideration of our past and current planning including what people have told us about their wishes. We then must get on with the business of improving our ability to deliver better service and make the experience at each our six locations the best it can possibly be. It’s time to move on.

Reiche: Looking Good in the Neighborhood!

The PPL system is committed to creating a superior experience in each of its 6 locations. The talk of the day has centered on our Monument Square location and the possible reuse of the Public Market building but each location is a critical consideration for us. On May 17, the refurbished Reiche Branch reopened with new windows, new paint, new shelving and maybe best of all, a new floor plan.

The effort was fueled by our community partners including United Way (United Way Day of Caring volunteers), West End Neighborhood Association, Portland Parks and Recreation, Portland West and Day 1. We also had a host of individual neighborhood volunteers. Our final task is to acquire an awning to go with the picnic table on the plaza.

Each of our locations has a different feel, size and clientele. (Approximately 50% of our lending takes place at locations other than Monument Square.) It is our goal to invest aggressively in each of them and celebrate their unique role in their communities.