Newspaper Editorial: “Now it’s Bangor Residents’ Turn to Protect the Library”

From a Bangor Daily News Editorial:

It’s up to city residents now to decide whether the Bangor Public Library will keep its copper dome roof. When voters go to the polls June 18, they will see this question on the ballot: “Shall the Order ‘Authorizing a $3,000,000 Bond Issue to Repair the Bangor Public Library Roof’ be approved?” They should vote yes to not only protect the building’s structure but to preserve its historic integrity.
By now it’s well-known that the library on Harlow Street needs to replace its 100-year-old roof, which lasted longer than its expected useful life. Leaking water is threatening collections, the ceiling dropped nearly three inches in the second-floor Bangor Room, and library staff in October found a “river” flowing down the marble staircases. The oxidized copper roof and dome are original to the building, which opened in 1913, about two years after a fire destroyed much of the city.
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The library provides many resources and programs to the community and deserves popular support. More than 30,000 Mainers are members. The place of community gathering and learning should not have to go through another winter with tarps and plywood filling the gaps. The councilors recognized the importance of preserving the aesthetic qualities of the building to mesh with the city’s historic district. Now it’s the city residents’ turn.

Read the Complete Bangor Daily News Editorial
For More, See the Library Journal Article, “Stephen King To Help Fund Library Roof Replacement (March 29, 2013 as well as, “Bangor Public Library Needs $3 Million Copper Roof Replacement (via infoDOCKET)

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries