The King Commitment

The Bangor library proved its service to the community over decades of use and constant growth.  But by 1993 the stacks were so overcrowded that they had to be closed to the public and half of the front steps were such a wreck that the city building inspector insisted they be closed.

The library had an $11 million endowment was but it was reserved to buy new books.  What they needed was $8.5 million for a renovation and expansion.  Fortunately Bangor had a fairy godauthor to turn to...Stephen King.  King, and his wife, Tabitha had already paid for a detailed inspection of the library that reveal copious problems.  Now they came forward with a $2.5 million donation to kick off a capital campaign and the City Council matched the gift.  
But King did more than write a check, he appeared on Jeopardy (and won $10,000) and made a rare and profitable public appearance at the Bangor Auditorium for a book reading. He stood up, spoke out and rallied Bangor residents around a cause they could all benefit from.

His plan worked.  By 1996 the library had the money they needed and the work got underway for an addition and renovation.

The library actually moved into a warehouse across town and the bus system was re-routed temporarily to make sure everyone could still get their books.  One year later the 27,000 sq. ft. addition and 40,000 sq. ft renovation was ready for action with the following improvements (see the slide show at Robert A.M. Stern Architects):

• A new entrance bridging the old and new spaces

• Bright open book stacks, almost doubling the capacity
• Computerized catalogue system
• A new children’s library
• ‘The Bangor Room’ featuring books on the city’s early history and genealogy
• A lecture hall
• Gallery space along the front stairwell
• Accessible entry at the back of the building

Like many of the libraries I visited in Maine, the historic space is buffed out to its original glory and the new space is complimentary, inspiring and modern.

Stephen King has lived in Maine his entire life.  His occasional forays to other states, and once to England, always resulted in his return home.  After graduating from the University of Maine he worked as a teacher and a began writing short stories to bring in extra money.  His first blockbuster book was Carrie, published in 1973 after his wife retrieved it from the garbage.
King has called himself a “salami writer” saying his work is “good salami, but salami is salami”.
The facts is he is one of the most successful American writers of all time, loved and read by millions of fans around the world.  But you don’t even need to leave the city limits of Bangor to see what he has done for generations of residents.