Whitefield Library is located at 1 Arlington Lane, right in the middle of beautiful Whitefield, Maine. Our quaint little library has an unusual history and a grassroots conception.
From the inspiring spark of a 2nd-grade student’s letter to the Whitefield Select Board in 2016, a small group of volunteers took up the challenge to create a community library. Little Quinn’s letter to the Select Board pleaded on behalf of all local children their shared desire for easy access to reading and literature. With that request, a small group of volunteers decided to explore the options. The goal to open a Summer Library in small-town, rural Whitefield was set in motion, and the search for a space was begun.
The saying “When one door closes, another opens” held true in a very unique way. Atop Grand Army Hill in Whitefield, the local Grange membership was in decline and struggling to remain active. With the hope of attracting and serving more community members to its aging Hall, the Grange offered use of its space to the newly organized library volunteers. In mid 2017, the request for more volunteer help to set up a library went out, and by June the Grange’s first floor was turned into a welcoming “Summer Library”. Having provided more than 130 years of service to veterans and farmers, the building began to take on a new role. The used books were shelved and readied for circulation into the community and a few summer activities were planned. The first season saw a small, but dedicated group of patrons of all ages. Forty three local families filled out membership cards.
As the first Summer Library closed its doors for the winter months (due to the inability to heat the building properly) plans were already being made for a second season. It was exciting to have a library in this small farming community! The hopeful wish from a 7-year-old boy who simply loved to read had become a reality.
The second Summer Library (2018) added even more books and patrons. Family memberships doubled as did the circulation, despite the tedious process requiring patrons to wait while books were stamped and cards were filed….all pleasant time to make conversation. The number of volunteers increased and the Library was able to host an Open House, a fundraising event that drew wide attraction with its music, foods, games, and a silent auction. During this same summer, there was a Literrarium workshop that allowed many children to create a model of a favorite book. And, from all the duplicates of donated books, the Library was able to end the season with a well-attended Used Book Sale.
During that 2nd year, the Library Board successfully became a recognized 501c3 NonProfit and set its sites on conforming to all required Maine State Library regulations. Plans were made to expand hours, increase the number of days open, and future programming.
At the same time, the Whitefield Grange members were happy to see the old building being used as it was once intended (a library). As was discovered in its archives, with its construction in 1884 a Post of nearly forty Whitefield veterans from the Grand Army of the Republic (a Civil War regiment), set to work to create a space to serve the community of returning war veterans and their families. The upper floor of this space was meant for meetings and events, and the lower story’s purpose was a free library and public high school. The high school became a reality for nearly 30 years, but the free library did not materialize until this day (2017)!
At the end of that second season in 2018, it was announced by the Grange association that membership could not sustain the property and that the Arlington Hall would be closed and sold. After much deliberation (and very little money), the Library Board made the decision to negotiate the purchase of the property. The Board’s intention was to eventually restore the Grange Hall to its full potential (a library for all ages and any resident within easy reach of Whitefield and to create a generous community space for performances, classes, and a variety of events). With a surprising and amazing gift from Kennebec Savings Bank, the Whitefield Library Association was able to purchase the building for $25,000 and set its sites on restoring its function once again for public use.
From 2019 – 2025 a tireless group of community volunteers (fondly known as the Geezers) and contractors brought the building up to code and restored the aging building while even more volunteers established a multitude of policies and practices of operating a “real”library. The crew renovated the entire interior and exterior structure and turned it into an amazing space for all of the community to enjoy for years to come. The grassroots evolution of Whitefield Library proudly continues to amaze all who hear its story, and appreciatively continues to grow in fulfilling its mission.