Our Work for the
Orono Public Library
Building the Orono Public Library
Recognizing the need for a freestanding public library, in 2002, a group of community leaders formed the Orono Public Library Foundation to plan and fund a new public library.Over the course of the next seven years, funds were raised and plans for the new facility were developed in conjunction with the Town of Orono.
The Foundation successfully led the $2.1 million capital campaign to fund the construction of a new 6,500 square foot library on Pine Street, with the Town of Orono contributing $950,000 to the project. The new library opened in 2009 and was enthusiastically received by a grateful community.
The Orono Public Library features:
- A lively children’s area for activities, story hours, and small activities.
- Quiet areas for teens and adults for activities and meetings.
- A very popular community space for meetings and gatherings.
- Staff office and work areas.
- Expanded spaces for thousands of books and periodicals available to readers of all ages.
Since the library opened its doors, it has become a cherished community space for residents of all ages. Library usage statistics have increased by double digits, underscoring the community’s support of its many programs and collections, and circulation has been holding steady at around 75,000 items per year. Since it was constructed in 2002, the Orono Public Library has held a cherished place as a much-needed community center for patrons of all ages.
The Orono Public Library is an incredible community success, a testament to all who have supported the library financially over the year, and to the commitment of many volunteers dedicated to a free-standing public library for Orono.
The Orono village Green Campaign
In 2015, the Orono Public Library Foundation embarked on a $345,000 fundraising effort to pay for the construction of an outdoor amphitheater located near downtown Orono. Using funds raised from more than three hundred donors, the campaign supported the transformation of the area directly behind the Orono Public Library into the Orono Village Green, with construction completed in the Fall of 2016 and landscaping installed in 2017.
The site features a 125-seat amphitheater with a large flat stone stage, an ADA accessible ramp, lawn, and granite seating, a stone plaza with tables, chairs and sunshade, an overlook area, pergola, and bench seating areas. There are pathways circling the grounds connecting to the Orono Senior Center and leading to the village. The Orono Village Green is a three-season public space for community events and performances. Governed by Town of Orono ordinances, the Orono Village Green is available to all residents for social and recreational purposes. Over the years, the site has hosted hundreds of performances for families, residents, and visitors of all ages.
The annual summer concert series is held on the Orono Village Green.
Our Current Campaign: Achieving the Vision
The Foundation, with the support of the Town of Orono and the library staff, now want to build on these successes by creating more space for the seniors, teens, children, parents, and other adults who understand that the Orono Public Library is a vital community center. In 2024, the Foundation began work on a $8.6 million campaign to expand the library to address the needs of the thousands of residents who rely on this space for reading, fun, and community.
