Waterville, City of (Waterville Public Library)

Situated on the banks of Maine's Kennebec River, in a town of 15,771 people, the Waterville Public Library has become a community resource with partnerships that transform the lives of residents. Over the past 20 years, the job market in Waterville has eroded, and the local Career Center closed in 2005. Recognizing the need for economic growth, the library founded the Business, Career, & Creativity Center program and sought partnerships with business and workforce development organizations. As a founding member of Waterville Creates!, the local arts and culture organization, the library works directly with community arts, creative, and cultural institutions to bring richer arts and cultural events and opportunities to Waterville. With 71 percent of school-aged children qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the library has teamed up with the Maine Department of Education since 2008 to bring books to city parks where bag lunches are distributed.