BOWDOINHAM — Bowdoinham Public Library is raising money in hopes of making it easier for everyone in town to use the library.

In a community survey of residents age 60 and up, nearly 43 percent of the 300 people who responded said they don’t use the library because of accessibility issues. The library, on the second floor of the Coombs Municipal Building, wants to improve access for elderly and handicapped users.

The library is changing up its longstanding tradition of holding annual wreath sale, and will instead offer a wreath-making workshop as part of Bowdoinham’s Holiday Festival on Dec. 1 and 2. The library will provide supplies for people who want to make their own wreaths to take home for the season, according to library Director Kate Cutko.

“We were looking to do something that was a little less labor-intensive,” said Cutko. “I have always had great volunteers, but they worked a lot of hours leading up to the sale.”

Last year, the wreath sale brought in $2,700. She has a more modest goal set of $1,000 this year, while overall the library’s overall fundraising goal is $20,000 for the year.

Fundraisers make up a large portion of the library’s funding, Cutko estimated about a third to half of the budget. The money goes to the various programs offered, such as the summer reading program, and online resource memberships.

The wreath making workshop will take place at Merrymeeting Hall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 2. Wreaths will cost between $12 and $15.
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