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About the Library

• Related pages
  > Donations and Planned Giving
  > Photo Gallery of the library and downtown Sanford
  > 2024 Renovation and Expansion
  > Strategic Plan 2025-30

Sanford Library Association

Our Board of Trustees is looking for new members! If you are interested in community involvement as we approach completion of our renovation project in 2025, please read this PDF which includes an application form and a summary of qualifications. [This is a volunteer (unpaid) position.]

Sanford Library Association (DBA Louis B Goodall Memorial Library) is a 501c3 tax exempt organization. EIN 01-0216657

• Jordon Grondin, President
• Eric Logan, Vice President
• Tony Bauer, Treasurer
• Christina Kowalcyzk, Secretary
• Ashley Tripp
• Michelle Hunter
• Charlie Jones
• Micheal Stanek
• Matt Noel
• Rose Caswell
• Sarah Whittier
• James Hutt

Sanford Library Association regular meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August).

FMI see Information for Library Trustees (published by the Maine State Library) including the Library Standards Checklist and Trustee Handbook.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE POLICY  For copies of our Board Meeting minutes, Annual budget, Tax Exempt Certificate, IRS Form 990, Articles of Incorporation, and By-laws, 501c3 status.

Library Funding

The largest categories of library income are:

Municipal Appropriation provided annually by City of Sanford from tax revenues. We apply this entirely toward day-to-day operations, including staff salaries and benefits, materials (books, DVDs, audiobooks, periodicals), interlibrary loan consortium, e-book service, office supplies, programs, utilities (electricity, etc), and routine maintenance. This amount has remained constant (no significant increase) for 17 years at just under $400,000.

Interest Income from our trust funds is reserved for preservation of the building and grounds. The City of Sanford owns the building, but its upkeep costs are entirely the responsibility of the Sanford Library Association. Average income was $42,000 from FY14 to FY23.

Bequests of money and property from individuals (or estates) that typically come with specific provisions on how the gift is to be used.

Grants obtained from charitable foundations or state/federal government programs are always awarded for a specific purpose. For example, the federal grant of $3 million for renovating the building and grounds. Previous grants have funded the elevator construction and the geo-thermal HVAC system.

Staff

Director: [position vacant]

General Manager: Julie Norsworthy
julie@lbgoodall.org

Reference Librarian/ILL: Jason Fenimore
reference@lbgoodall.org

Children's Librarian: Mai Openo
childrenslibrarian@lbgoodall.org

Adult Services Librarian: Susan Ottey
sottey@lbgoodall.org 

Support Staff:
• Library Assistants: Michelle, Lisa, Bob, Sharon
• Cataloger: Lynda

Mission

To enrich the minds of our community by providing a safe and inspiring environment to broaden horizons, seek and gain knowledge, and create meaningful connections.

Timeline

1900: First public library in Sanford opened on School Street near Washington School (now the parking lot between Guererro Maya restaurant and the post office).

1937: Louis B Goodall Library built at the corner of Main and Elm Streets. Funded by Lela Thornburg, daughter of Mr. Goodall. Colonial revival architecture using then current construction methods. Designed by William Armitage of Portland.

1950: East side branch opened in the field house at Carpentier Park; moved to a storefront at High St and North Ave in 1963; closed in 1991.

1976: Two-story addition to Goodall Library completed. Main entrance relocated to Elm Street, improvinig handicapped access with automatic door openers and street-level wheelchair access.

1999: Replaced the "card-catalog" with a computerized library automation system.

~2000: Library website created (lbgoodall.org) 

2004: Elevator installed, funded by a Community Block Development Grant and several local foundations.

2006: Purchased twenty-six Dell desktop computers for staff and patrons.

2008: Goodall Library listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2011: Installed geo-thermal HVAC system, replacing the original oil burning furnace. Also installed other energy efficiency improvements. Funded by the library's endowments, along with grants from Efficiency Maine and the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.

2012: Purchased seven Lenovo laptop computers for patron use.

2012: Upgraded our computerized catalog automation system in partnership with Sanford Schools.

2013: Upgrade internet connection from COAX to fiber-optic.

~2018: Replaced all fluorescent tube lighting with energy-efficient LED.

2021: Joined the Maine State Library's MINERVA consortium, expanding the catalog and inter-library loan service to include 60+ libraries.

2023: Joined the Maine State Library's Reciprocal Borrowing program, essentially turning a Goodall Library card into a "statewide" library card. 

2023-25: Renovation and expansion. Funded by a federal Community Projects grant submitted by Chellie Pingree MC and a bequest from the Gladys Rothwell Estate. Temporary re-location to Shaw's Plaza.