Future of Rice Library Survey Available

The Town of Kittery’s Library Working Group has launched a survey to gather community input on the options being considered for the future of Rice Public Library. The survey presents three options being considered for the future library building, and asks 9 questions.  The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.  A link to the online survey is available by clicking here.  Paper surveys will be available at Town Hall, the Rice Public Library, and Kittery Community Center beginning the week of June 5th.  Survey results will be collected through June 30th.

The three options presented in the survey include  1) continue operating in the Rice Public Library and Taylor buildings; 2) consolidate operations into an expanded and rehabilitated Rice Library building; and 3) construct a new building on the Kittery Community Center campus along Rogers Road.  Each option is presented with associated concept-level advantages and disadvantages.  Participants are also be able to identify other options not presently being considered.

This survey follows two successful workshops hosted by the Rice Library Working Group.  Approximately 150 people in total attended the workshops, and provided input, asked questions, and indicated what their preferred option is.

The Library Working Group seeks to identify and present Kittery voters with a solution for the Rice Public Library’s future building needs.  Guided by a shared list of desired attributes, developed by the 2016 Library Committee, the Working Group will present to the Town Council the option that meets the Library’s building needs and represents the residents’ preferred option.  They expect to complete their work by the fall of this year and have a preferred option to present to the Town Council for a non-binding referendum for the November election.  Once a preferred option is selected, the challenges of design, cost and funding can be focused on.

The Working Group represents a cross-section of key stakeholders: Rachel Dennis and David Harris, Rice Library Board of Directors; Lee Perkins, Rice Library Director; Steve Workman, Kittery Community Center Board of Directors; Janice Grady, Kittery Community Center Director; Jeff Pelletier and Judy Spiller, Kittery Town Councilors; Kendra Amaral, Kittery Town Manager; and D. Allan Kerr and Russell White, citizen representatives.

For more information about the Working Group please contact Kendra Amaral at 207-475-1329 or send email.