Jackson Memorial Library, in Tenants Harbor, is one of 32 libraries serving small Maine communities that have been designated to share a $23,895 Rudman Library Trust Award.

Jackson Memorial will use its share for books and instructional artist in support of the "Readers and Eaters" program.

The Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $23,895 to 32 libraries in Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington counties.

The grants, which range from $300 to $1,000, support programs and activities that creatively and practically integrate with a library’s collection. A full list of grant recipients is available at www.mainecf.org.

Since many of the libraries are now closed for an indefinite time, they can use the Rudman funds to purchase e-books or electronic books on CDs as an alternative way to get new titles to their patrons.

“We don’t want to further encumber the libraries’ ability to serve their communities,” said Liz Fickett, MaineCF scholarship manager, in a news release.

The 2020 awards include grants to:

Brewer Public Library, to update and improve the Maine non-fiction section for Maine's bicentennial in 2020
Edythe L. Dyer Community Library, Hampden, to update adult cooking nonfiction collection
Jackson Memorial Library, Tenants Harbor, for books and instructional artist in support of the "Readers and Eaters" program
Shaw Public Library, Greenville, for books on the history of Maine, emphasizing the importance of Native Americans, African Americans, and women
Trustees of the John B. Curtis Free Public Library in Bradford, for books by Maine authors and illustrators
Witherle Memorial Library, Castine, for children's books and programming related to the Maine Bicentennial celebration 

The Rudman Library Trust was established in 1986. In his business travels in Maine, particularly Downeast, Mr. Rudman was struck by the commitment of local libraries to learning and reading. He and his wife wanted to encourage libraries in smaller communities to continue and expand programming and outreach through the trust that bears their name.

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.