Orono Public Library Renovation and Expansion

Project Scope

The Orono Public Library Foundation engaged Haley Ward to provide architectural services for an extensive renovation and expansion of the Orono Public Library, located in the heart of the University of Maine’s hometown. This long-term project has been in development for approximately six years and represents a major investment in community infrastructure, education, and public space.

The project involves a comprehensive reorganization and expansion of the existing library, ultimately doubling its square footage. The renovated and expanded facility will include a larger community room, additional quiet reading areas, improved workspaces for staff, and expanded space for visitors and users. New program elements include a dedicated teen room, a new children’s room, a children’s wing addition at the rear of the building, and a flexible project and art activity room designed to support hands-on learning and creativity.

A central feature of the design is the creation of a community living room and browsing space. This area is intentionally designed to encourage visitors to slow down, discover featured books, and read comfortably, similar to the experience of a well-curated bookstore rather than a traditional library layout.

The site presented significant challenges. The existing building is located within a residential neighborhood and backs up to a steep ravine with poor soil conditions. Approximately sixteen feet of unsuitable soils were identified before reaching viable bearing material. Early design concepts explored expanding toward the front of the building to avoid these conditions, but this approach increased project costs significantly. The project was subsequently redesigned to expand toward the rear of the site, closer to the ravine, despite the soil challenges.

To address these conditions, the design incorporates rammed aggregate piers (RAPs) to reinforce the soil and allow it to support the new construction. This approach required close coordination with soils engineers and contractors. The redesign also impacts an existing outdoor amphitheater, which will be relocated to a more advantageous location on the project site.

Given budget sensitivity and the complexity of the project, the team made an early decision to engage an independent cost estimator rather than relying solely on internal projections. This proactive step allowed the owner and design team to identify cost issues early and redesign accordingly, rather than discovering budget overruns during bidding.

The project structure added another layer of complexity. The Orono Public Library Foundation led fundraising efforts and secured funding, including a congressional earmark, while the Town of Orono approved a bond and will ultimately own the building and operate the library. This dual ownership and funding structure required careful coordination between the Foundation, the Town, and a broad community board that included representatives from both groups. The design team worked closely with all stakeholders to manage expectations, address concerns, and balance fiscal responsibility with long-term program needs.

The City’s priorities focused on maintaining budget discipline, while the Foundation emphasized ensuring the building was sized appropriately to meet current and future needs after a prior expansion effort fell short. Reconciling these perspectives required flexibility, multiple design iterations, and extensive collaboration.

The project progressed from early concept design through a fundraising phase, followed by schematic design and ongoing architectural services through construction administration. The project is anticipated to go out to bid in the summer of 2026, with construction expected to last approximately eighteen months.

Despite its complexity, the project is widely supported and viewed as a critical investment in the Orono community. The client team has been highly engaged, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to creating a library that serves residents of all ages while being a respectful neighbor within its residential context.

Market

• Commercial
• Municipal & County

Services

Project Data

Architectural Design	Led renovation and expansion to reorganize and grow the library.
Structural & MEP Engineering	Provided integrated structural and building systems design.
Site & Civil Engineering	Addressed steep terrain and poor soil conditions through coordinated solutions.
Survey	Provided survey services to support design and site planning.
Stakeholder Coordination	Collaborated with the Foundation, Town, and community throughout design.
Bidding & Construction Administration	Supporting the project through bidding and construction phases.