China Village library launches renovation to improve accessibility of historical building

Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village.

The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village will soon be more accessible to the community thanks to an upcoming renovation.

“The current layout of the library makes it difficult or impossible for many, including those who use mobility aids, to visit and attend our programs. We have been working hard to ensure these updates make our space more inclusive while preserving the beautiful character of our historic building,” said Dr. Louisa Barnhart, president of the library’s Board of Trustees.

Plans include a ramp, wider entryway and doorways, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom so that people of all abilities are able to benefit from the library’s programs. Library leaders plan to begin work in the coming weeks.

The renovation is possible in part thanks to Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities, and a Sustainable and Resilient New England Libraries Grant awarded by the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Barnhart said the library’s trustees are working with the community to secure additional financial support necessary to complete the renovation.

“Making our library’s space and programs more accessible is especially meaningful to me, because all people deserve a welcoming, functional public library,” she said. “I believe this is a project we can all feel excited about supporting, and I am deeply grateful for donations from library patrons and supporters to make it possible.”

The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library has served China and surrounding communities since 1936. Its mission is to enrich the lives of its patrons by providing access to information, culture and connection free of charge. The library is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To learn more about the library’s programs, visit www.chinalibrary.org. To donate in support of the renovation project, visit www.chinalibrary.org/p/donate.html or mail contributions to P.O. Box 6164, China Village, ME 04926.