The Lewiston Public Library Children’s Department must be updated to meet the modern needs of our kids and families.

Lewiston is home to about 7,700 children, representing about 20% of our total population. Our children are a diverse group. Many kids have come from cultures with no experience with public, free libraries. As of April 2024, about 20% of Lewiston’s children have LPL library cards.

Despite the number of kids in Lewiston, there is a lack of family-friendly spaces and activities for young children and their families in the city.

LPL is one of the few places where parents can bring their kids, and best of all, it’s free.

Our vision is to provide generations of Lewiston's youth with an inspiring place to play, grow, and explore while remaining respectful of our rich history and reflecting the cultures and traditions of modern-day Lewiston.

The Children’s Department renovation has been in the works since early 2021. The current Children’s Department dates to 1996 and reflects 1990s ideas about children’s learning and development. We’re now in a different era for kids.

We are planning for a timeless design that will serve many generations of Lewiston youths:

Destination LPL will provide:

A fun, welcoming place for families to bring their kids
Cozy and comfortable kids' reading nooks
Transitional spaces that can be used to accommodate school and family trips to the library with furnishings to support them
Technology that will encourage early literacy and provide access to digital resources
Skylights to increase natural light

Nature will be incorporated into the design of the space, nurturing children’s curiosity about the natural world and connecting them with Maine’s rich tradition of outdoor recreation.

When you use a library, you join a community. Libraries are a vital resource, providing a space where families and children can connect and access needed resources.

It’s time for the Children’s Department to grow in order to better serve families.

Your donation can help us make the Children’s Department a more welcoming, appealing, and exciting destination!

READy to Grow: LPL's Campaign for Kids