6422-R1_ML&P_TownOfBuxton_2017-2018_AnnualReport-Web

West Buxton Public Library Established 1925

The West Buxton Public Library traces its beginnings back to 1925 when it was organized in the West Buxton Baptist Church on the hill on River Road by the dam. The Masonic Building, also on River Road in West Buxton, was its second home until 1953 when service to the community went dormant. The library emerged from its five-year dormancy in 1958 under the leadership of Edward M. Elwell. Its third and current home is the former District #12 Schoolhouse (circa 1853) keeping its location in the West Buxton Village area and still on the Saco River at #34. The resurrection of the library resulted from the perception that such a facility was needed by the residents of the village area on both sides of the Saco River: Buxton and Hollis. The library is visited by citizens from Buxton, Hollis, Standish, and Limington. The library’s operating budget is funded by the appropriations of the Town of Buxton and supplemented with book and bake sales, memorial gifts and many monetary donations and collections. The library is staffed by dedicated volunteers who are knowledgeable and will aid the patrons with their needs. We participate in the interlibrary loan system with Portland Public Library. Our previous Director, Cherise Feser, left the library in June to move to Washington State with her family. Her dedication and welcoming personality are missed by everyone here. Amy Hughes took over as director in July. Morgan (Denise) Jones also joined the library as the assistant director.Amy concentrates on ordering new books, day to day operations, and programming; while Morgan manages the social media pages, the website and creates the monthly book displays. Together they make a great team. They are grateful to be part of such a welcoming community. They would like to extend a special thank you to Bob Gorham for keeping us entertained with his stories, sanding our walkways, and making sure we get safely to our cars at night; and to Kira, for her monthly flower deliveries that brighten our days. There are many more patrons who have helped out with shoveling, internet questions, and setup and take down for special events, please know you are all greatly appreciated! Thank you to the patrons, volunteers, Buxton Garden Club, Dorcas Society, Maine State Library fund,and Snell’s Family Farm who all donated time, materials, money and expertise. We are grateful for Peter Mills and his family who keeping our lawns mowed. It takes the whole community. We appreciate the generous support of the Town of Buxton and surrounding neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Amy Hughes Library Director

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