Project GRACE director, Steffi Cox, recently spoke before the Town Council to offer Project GRACE's very strong encouragement to the Council to include the Scarborough Public Library's $13 million bond question for its expansion project on the November 2022 ballot.

Project GRACE has for the past twenty years been working collaboratively with numerous partners to serve our town, including the Scarborough Public Library. We are very familiar with their programs, resources, and the library space itself. Library staff are uncomplaining and valiant in their use of a space they have long since outgrown; groups like us find it increasingly difficult to reserve a space at the library for our public meetings and events; and the balance between spaces for active (busy and noisy) and passive (quiet) activities is a challenge even for our creative librarians to achieve.
 
Project GRACE is one of many keen to see the library's expansion plans come to life and who see this as a good investment for the town. Some of the reasons why we support the expansion include:

• our library is where groups like us can convene meetings, hold special events, and engage the community in our mission -- but it can be hard to find a suitable date or availability at all because there aren't enough public meeting spaces to meet our community's need. For the past few years before Covid, Project GRACE had to look outside the library in order to continue to hold our "Food for Thought & Action" convenings at the library because there just wasn't availability in the modestly-sized conference room. Scarborough as a whole has very few public meeting spaces, and the library's expansion plan offers several flexible options that would help the community learn, collaborate, and work together.

 

• our library is quick to help Project GRACE collect school supplies, nonperishable food for the pantry, holiday gifts and more for our neighbors -- they always find a prominent place for our donation boxes -- even it means shifting something else aside for a short time. Behind the scenes, the staff offices are cramped and filled with book carts piled high with program materials, essential supplies, and at times even dozens of donated school backpacks or boxes brimming with holiday presents for kids!

 

• neighbors can access resources they might not have at home or be able to otherwise afford, including free wi-fi, free museum passes, sports and science gear to borrow, etc. (basketballs are in a book cart by the front desk!). During very cold or very hot spells, the library is a warming/cooling center, helping neighbors save on their energy bills and find solace in the company of others. Project GRACE often leaves gift cards or other items like a borrow cell phone at the library so Project GRACE recipients can get something from us quickly and discreetly and safely.
  
  
• our library helps Project GRACE identify and meet needs in the community, too. The librarians often spot when a person is lonely, needs services, has inadequate clothing or shoes, or is homeless or hungry. The library helps us help more neighbors. Some of our neighbors would not have come forward to seek help, if it were not for the encouragement of the librarians who see them regularly at a place where they feel comfortable. However, there are no quiet corners for a private conversation, and the phone for public use is in the entrance lobby where anyone can hear the call.

 

• Project GRACE could do more, if there were more space in the library to meet with our neighbors who need extra help signing up for LiHEAP fuel assistance, meet with our volunteers to discuss their circumstances confidentially, come to a forum to learn about available services. A modest space set aside where a senior could get a snack or cup of coffee or cold drink of water would be a welcome addition.

 

• our librarians have done their homework, and Project GRACE has looked closely at their plans and agrees that the library has worked carefully with the town and stakeholders like Project GRACE. We feel the staff, particularly, director Nancy Crowell, have listened carefully to the needs and wishes of the community, have sought expert advice, and have been thoughtful in their approach to developing plans for expansion - they're work is the culmination of many years of work to position the library to meet the needs of the future as well as the present.

 

• our library welcomes everyone - but it needs more space to do more. When the library was built in 1989, there were 12,000 residents of Scarborough - today there are more than 21,000 and by 2020, we are projected to have upwards of 27,000 residents. The library is undersized for a growing town. Even with the proposed expansion, the new library will be modestly sized compared to similar communities.

 
These are few of our reasons for supporting the library's expansion plans. The library has been serving as our de facto community center, it's a welcoming place, and it's located where it's easy for most people to come together to learn, find connections, and be active and engaged in our community. Councilors, we sincerely hope you will, as we do, offer your unequivocal and enthusiastic support for placing the library's bond on the November 2022 ballot. Let the voters decide.

It's never too late to apply for "Free & Reduced" school meals ... and even though all Maine kids will get free meals this coming school year, it's good to fill out an application to see if you qualify. Brenda at Scarborough School Nutrition can answer any questions ([email protected] or 730-4700).

Project GRACE executive director, Steffi Cox, was recently presented with a "Hometown Hero" award from  Scarborough's Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial. Accepting the award from Kelli & Scott McDonald, Steffi said "It's an honor to be recognized for building community, and to be able to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers and supporters who make up Project GRACE, who are the heart of all we do." The award comes with a donation that will be used to provide humanitarian relief here at home.

The gift from Modern Woodmen paid for several gallons of water that accompanied protein-rich snacks donated by Project GRACE to the Scarborough Police Department community outreach officers so that people living in our community who not have any shelter can stay hydrated and have an energy boost as temperatures climb. 

Slip and slide. It's a hoot on a hot summer's day. It’s also what happens to a child’s social and academic skills when school doors close for the summer. Ask any teacher, they’ll tell you kids lose as much as two months of reading and math skills in the weeks between the last and first days of school. Research shows most kids lose a bit over the summer, but low-income kids lose the most because they lack engaging summer activities. Many of those same kids also miss out on healthy meals.