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West Buxton Public Library
Established 1925
The West Buxton Public Library traces its beginnings back to 1925 when it was organized in the West Buxton
Baptist Church on the hill on River Road by the dam. The Masonic Building, also on River Road in West Buxton,
was its second home until 1953 when service to the community went dormant. The library emerged from its five-
year dormancy in 1958 under the leadership of Edward M. Elwell. Its third and current home is the former District
#12 Schoolhouse (circa 1853) keeping its location in the West Buxton Village area and still on the Saco River at
#34. The resurrection of the library resulted from the perception that such a facility was needed by the residents of
the village area on both sides of the Saco River: Buxton and Hollis. The library is visited by citizens from Buxton,
Hollis, Standish, and Limington.
The library’s operating budget is funded by the appropriations of the Town of Buxton and supplemented with book
and bake sales, memorial gifts and many monetary donations and collections.
The library is staffed by dedicated volunteers who are knowledgeable and will aid the patrons with their needs. The
library also offers through the Portland Public Library the interlibrary loan system. Any resource that cannot be
provided by this library may be obtained through the interlibrary loan system.
The American Libraries Association has an initiative called Libraries Transform designed to increase public
awareness of the value, impact and services provided by libraries and library professionals showcasing the
transformative nature of today’s libraries and elevating the critical role libraries play in the digital age. Under Cathy
Sargent’s leadership the WBPL library continued to evolve and become a transformative library for the community.
During Cathy’s time as Director, she started new programs, enhanced existing ones, organized successful events
and introduced a very popular makerspace resulting in a positive, energetic environment the community thrives
on. She also raised money from the local community including a significant grant from the Narragansett Number
One Foundation to upgrade the early reader, developing reader and young adult book collection. In addition, Cathy
helped find and train her replacement ensuring a smooth and successful transition.
Cherise Feser assumed Director duties in November 2016 and has proven to be an excellent choice. The library
continues to thrive and Cherise has become very comfortable in her new role. She has new events lined up and new
programs starting while continuing existing ones. Welcome Cherise, Donald and Mya. We look forward to working
with and supporting you. Thank you to Cathy and her family, Chris, Kyle and Chase. We appreciate your service
to the community.
Thank you to the patrons, Volunteers, Buxton Garden Club, Dorcas Society, Hannaford, IOOF Unity Lodge #3 and
the Narragansett Number One Foundation who all donated time, materials and money. Also, we wish to thank Holy
Jordan for helping to keep the pathways shoveled during the winter and our neighbors Peter and Arron Mills for
assisting with the lawn mowing and fall clean up. It takes the whole community and we appreciate all the support
from the Town and surrounding neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Bart W. McCrum
Chairman
On behalf of the West Buxton Public Library Board of Trustees