WHEREAS, libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning; and

WHEREAS, libraries serve as vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment; and

WHEREAS, libraries provide free and equitable access to rich, diverse collections of books, digital resources, and innovative services and programming, ensuring that all individuals – regardless of background – have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive; and

WHEREAS, libraries partner with schools, businesses, and organizations to maximize resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to essential services, strengthening the entire community; and

WHEREAS, libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners by providing access to opportunities that support career growth and economic success; and

WHEREAS, librarians nurture young minds through storytimes, STEAM programs, and literacy initiatives, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, librarians protect the right to read, think, and explore without censorship, standing as champions of intellectual freedom and free expression; and

WHEREAS, Maine's librarians and library workers create welcoming, inclusive spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Governor Janet Mills, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2026 as

Maine Library Month

and I encourage all Maine residents to visit your library, explore its resources, and celebrate the vital role that libraries play in our communities.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty third day of March Two Thousand Twenty-Six