Congress Approves More Than $6.1 Million for Maine Libraries Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $6,135,000 for Maine public libraries in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Agriculture and Rural Development Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bills.  The bills, which were included in legislation that passed the Senate last week, were signed into law on Saturday.  

“Public libraries are central community institutions and pillars of education throughout Maine.  Increasingly, libraries have emerged as hubs, not just for literacy and Internet access, but for workforce support and community activities,” said Senator Collins. “These projects are a crucial step toward ensuring that Maine libraries are fully supporting the educational and workforce development needs of all Mainers.” 

Funding secured by Senator Collins for Maine public libraries through the FY 2024 Agriculture and Rural Development and THUD appropriations bills is as follows: 

Millinocket Library ADA Access

Recipient: Millinocket Memorial Library

Project Location: Millinocket, ME

Amount Secured: $115,000

Project Purpose: To improve ADA accessibility of the Millinocket Library.

Porter Memorial Library ADA Accessibility Upgrades

Recipient: Porter Memorial Library Association

Project Location: Machias, ME

Amount Secured: $820,000

Project Purpose: To improve ADA accessibility of the Porter Memorial Library

Orono Public Library Expansion

Recipient: Orono Public Library Foundation

Project Location: Orono, ME

Amount Secured: $3,600,000

Project Purpose: To expand the Orono Public Library.

Jesup Memorial Library

Recipient: Jesup Memorial Library

Project Location: Bar Harbor, ME

Amount Requested: $600,000

Project Purpose: To expand the Jesup Library and showcase cross-laminated timber.

Case Memorial Library

Recipient: Case Memorial Library

Project Location: Kenduskeag, ME

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Project Purpose: To construct a new library to allow for more storage and community space. 

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending.  Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.  

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