Jesup Grant Match

Donor issues $10,000 challenge to help Jesup Library in Bar Harbor

Maren will match donations to library given July 17-31

BAR HARBOR — Donations given to the Jesup Memorial Library until July 31 will be doubled, thanks to a generous donor who will match up to $10,000.

The donor, Emily Sabah-Maren [Saw-baw Mar-in] says the library was vital for her when she was growing up, and that her success and her children’s began in the library, so when she donates, she is sharing with others the same opportunity she enjoyed.

All money raised will go directly to support annual library operations. As a private nonprofit, the Jesup has served as the public library for the town of Bar Harbor since it opened its doors in 1911. However, the town provides less than 5% of the funds needed by the library to keep the doors open. Endowment provides another 49%. The rest comes from generous individual donors and businesses.

Jesup library director Ruth Eveland [Eve-land] says, “The Jesup – and all we offer – is open to everyone, on an equal basis, at no cost – but there are significant costs associated with operating the library. We are so grateful for Emily’s generosity. She is truly our hero.”

So far in 2015, the Jesup has welcomed more than 5,000 people to more than 250 programs for children and adults – concerts, author talks, arts and crafts, science and technology and other lectures. That’s in addition to free 24-hour Wi-Fi, and free access to public access computers, plus the thousands of books plus e-books, music, movies and even a telescope to be checked out.

Donations can be made through the Jesup’s website at www.jesuplibrary.org (look for the big red DONATE button on the home page), in person at the library, or mailed to 34 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor ME 04609.

A donation to the Jesup, is a donation to the community we serve. Thank you.

For more information, contact Melinda Rice, Director of Development and Communications for the Jesup, at 207-288-4245 at the library or [email protected].