Maine Public donates historic photos to library
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library recently received a collection of historic photographs, courtesy of Maine Public Service — following the utility company’s decision to consolidate offices at one location that resulted in officials needing to find a place for previously stored items.
“One might say ‘a priceless treasure of County history’ was donated to the Presque Isle library. Maine Public Service officials agree,” said Virginia Joles, senior communications specialist for MPS.
“With Maine Public Service’s decision to consolidate locations, it was decided that the archive of company photos needed to relocate as well – however, somewhere different from the rest of the company,” said Joles.
After much consideration, Joles said it was agreed upon that the single criterion for the collection’s new ‘home’ would be public accessibility, which the public library definitely fulfills.
“This tells the company story and what it meant to the community. People from local historians, hobbyists, environmentalists, genealogists, event planners and more will be interested in perusing the many photos contained within these drawers,” said Librarian Sonja Plummer-Morgan, upon receipt of the collection.
Photo courtesy of MPS
LIBRARY RECEIVES MPS PHOTOS — Maine Public Service has donated a collection of historic photographs to the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library. 
The company’s recent consolidation of offices resulted in reduced storage space, with officials deciding to share the company’s collection with patrons of the library. Pictured from left are: Gina LeBlanc, MPS employee; Sonja Plummer-Morgan, librarian; Oscar Nelder – Voscar, the Maine photographer; and Virginia Joles, MPS senior communications specialist. Voscar is pictured holding a photo taken for a Maine Public Service annual report which captures his brother and his favorite hunting partner.
For many years, MPS retained the services of local photographer, Oscar Nelder — VOSCAR — to capture the flavor through photography of many Aroostook County and community events, traditions, beauty and company milestones for its annual reports.
“Voscar was very pleased to learn that these photos would be donated to the library for the public to access and appreciate,” said Joles
At the donation, Voscar took the opportunity to reacquaint himself with some of the photos and shared memories of some local history. It was a special time.
The library’s service will include the ownership, management, archiving and scanning of the collection — currently available in the reference library located on the second floor.
“Maine Public Service is very appreciative of the library accepting these photos and preserving the history for future generations,” said Joles.
