A group of Rockport volunteers have formed Rockport Library Foundation, a 501.(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to raise the private funds that will complement the town-bonded funds to construct the new library. To learn more about the plans and how you can help, click here.
Upcoming Events
5/22/2019 - 1:00 PM
Drop in Mah-Jongg
5/22/2019 - 3:00 PM
Bracelet Making
5/22/2019 - 6:30 PM
Genealogical Society Meeting
5/23/2019 - 12:00 PM
Bridge Group
5/23/2019 - 4:00 PM
Thursday Tech Tutors
View complete event calendar here...
Welcome to the Rockport Public Library
A small town library where everyone is greeted with a smile. Serving as your community-centered library for 100 years and counting! Explore our Future Planning process to learn how we'll move into the next century together.
Mission Statement:
Rockport Public Library is committed to providing the best possible free library service to all of the residents of the Town of Rockport. The library will identify and respond to the needs of our community of library users and seek to provide services that will meet these needs.
Race Information
All funds raised from this event go to support the construction of the new Rockport Public Library. More than just a building that holds books, the new Rockport Public Library will be the community’s gathering and learning center. It will offer access to technology, digital resources, and meeting spaces, as well as print and electronic books. We anticipate opening the doors of our new home to the community in the late summer of 2020.Our 5k Run/Walk starts in beautiful Rockport village and travels along the coast offering fantastic ocean views. The race starts at the Rockport Opera House, takes you down Beauchamp Point, and ends at Rockport Harbor Marine Park, where water and snacks will be provided. The harbor is a short walk from the start of the race. This event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and skills. Strollers are allowed, but be mindful of traffic as most of the race does not have a sidewalk.
Race day registration starts at 8:00am at the Rockport Opera House, and the race starts at 9:00am.
The 5K race is open to all, and registration costs $25 on race day or $20 in advance. You can sign up in advance at the library or online at https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Rockport/RockportPublicLibraryRunWalk5k. More information can be found on our Facebook page. Advance registration ends on Friday, June 21st.
If you have any questions please contact the Library at 236-3642 or rpl@rockport.lib.me.us.
News!
Library Planning and Updates
Few surprises in Rockport Library bids
The Rockport Public Library took another big step closer to completion when bids were opened Thursday afternoon. Three local contractors submitted bids on the four separate components to the new library: Building, Limerock Street Reconstruction and Parking, Roadway Intersection, and the Stream Stabilization.
“This is just the beginning of the process,” stressed Select Board Chair Ken McKinley. “Now the real work starts. Now we get to really sharpen our pencils to ensure the final project comes in under the thresholds we promised voters last fall.”
On the building, the high bid was $3,658,944 from Bruce Laukka of Rockport with two others coming in at $3,335,828 (Blaine Casey in Augusta) and $3,372,579 (The Penobscot Company of Rockport). The Town has a target of closer to $3 million.
On Limerock Street reconstruction and parking, high bid was $123,684 (Laukka) and the next two were $105,876 (Penobscot) and $95,911 (Casey).
The three bids on the intersection, which the Town expects to be reimbursed for as much as half of the expense by MDOT and the Town’s TIF fund, came in at $265,773 (Laukka), $243,866 (Penobscot), and $242,016 (Casey).
Stream Stabilization bids were $32,750 (Casey), $28,820 (Laukka), and $28,034 (Penobscot).
“We’re pleased to be within roughly 10% of our goal on most of the bids and very close to expectations on the others,” said Bill Leone, Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, which is well on its way to raising the $2 million in private funding to match the Town’s $1.5 million bond. “It’s not at all uncommon for contractors to aim high, giving themselves room to negotiate. The building team expressed a high level of confidence that adjustments can be made to bring the project in on budget. We’re very confident that it’s going to be an incredible library!”
The Rockport Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Its sole purpose is to raise private, tax-deductible contributions, which in combination with voter-approved bond funds, will be used to construct a new library building in the heart of the Town. For more information or to make a donation, go to: www.RockportLibraryFoundation.org.
Here is the design.
Floor Plan
Limerock View
Russell View
