Public invited to library open house

    Several major renovation projects have been recently completed at the Cary Library. The staff and trustees invite the public to come and inspect the results at an open house from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
    Private donors have made many significant changes possible. In 2007, the library received a donation to completely restore the interior of the children’s library, which is located in the original historic building. An anonymous donation provided new comfortable seating in the reading area. The library was gifted with office furniture for their craft and staff area and another private donor purchased a replacement desk for the staff office. In 2011, another donation made renovations to the office area and circulation desk possible. And this year, the town of Houlton has replaced the 30-year-old carpeting in the main circulation area.
    The mission of the Cary Library is to be a cultural and intellectual center for Houlton and the nearby southern Aroostook communities, providing universal access to knowledge and life-long learning through print, electronic resources, cultural activities, programs and services. Many good things happen at the Cary Library, from education to computer literacy to entertainment.
    In recent years, the library’s services have increased dramatically, including computer classes and electronic book downloads for public use, adult literacy programs, children’s programs from preschool to teens, including the Summer Reading Program, Tiny Tots, Story Lady, Story and Craft Hour, as well as many other programs.
    The library has 16 computers for the public to use and Wi-Fi access. It is open 48 hours a week — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.