ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Public Library will begin rolling out its new visual identity during National Library Week (April 19–25), marking a significant step in how the library communicates its role as a trusted community hub.
Anchored by the tagline “For Every Chapter of Your Life”, the new brand reflects EPL’s commitment to lifelong learning, accessibility and community connection across all ages.
The design balances tradition with a forward-looking vision for growth and broader community reach. It is inspired by the library’s historic home, commonly known as the Tisdale House. This Federalist-style building was constructed in 1817 for Colonel Meltiah Jordan and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 1897, George Nixon Black Jr., an Ellsworth native and resident of Boston, purchased the property, remodeled it and gifted it to the City of Ellsworth to serve as the town’s library in perpetuity.
“We chose a timeless design centered on the Tisdale House — something we know our patrons truly love,” said Library Director Sarah Lesko. “While we continue to evolve and respond to changing needs, we want to reassure our community that the library remains a constant.”
EPL Communications Director Berit Becker added, “The rebrand also addresses three practical priorities: strengthening our marketing tools, proactively meeting accessibility standards, and showing up more consistently to better engage diverse audiences in today’s communication landscape.”
The rollout will take place in phases, beginning with EPL’s website and social media platforms. Updated print materials will follow ahead of summer programming, while larger-scale updates — such as signage — will be implemented as funding allows. The library is also planning a website overhaul to improve usability, security and long-term maintenance.
The rebrand was exclusively funded through donations designated by the Board of Trustees to strengthen the library’s communication efforts — an organizational priority that was identified in previous years.
Project background & community input
The rebrand is the result of a multi-phase process that began in October 2024, following earlier efforts to update the library’s visual identity. The project started with internal planning focused on creating a more consistent, values-driven patron experience, informed by one-on-one community interviews and staff input. A detailed design brief was then developed based on the library’s mission and values.
The library reached out to more than half a dozen agencies, reviewed proposals, and shortlisted three finalists. EPL selected Portland Design Co. for its versatile portfolio and experience working with municipalities and strong accessibility expertise.
Community feedback played a decisive role in shaping the outcome. Two preliminary design concepts were shared publicly in November 2025, before the final brand was completed in March.
While some patrons expressed attachment to the previous logo, a strong majority — 73% of survey respondents — favored the direction that informed the final design. Survey feedback highlighted a clear preference for a visual identity that feels meaningful and recognizable within the community, rather than corporate, simplified or abstract.
“I appreciate the connection to the building. This feels better placed in our community. It represents the legacy of the town while still moving forward,”— Survey respondent, November 2025
“Working with EPL was a dream,” said the founder and Creative Director of Portland Design Co. LK Weiss. “Together, through a collaborative process, we were able to design a welcoming, timeless, accessible logo that truly reflects the history of the building and the future the library team hopes to build in Ellsworth. The staff was open, honest, flexible, fun, and driven by the true core values of who and what the Ellsworth Public Library is, never straying from their original mission and goal to strengthen and serve the Ellsworth communities. I can’t wait to see this brand grow and evolve into the future!”
National Library Week, first observed in 1958, is a nationwide celebration of the vital role libraries play in strengthening communities. From expanding access to information to fostering creativity, connection, and civic engagement, libraries continue to serve as essential public resources. In Maine, the celebration extends throughout April 2026 as Library Month, recognizing the year-round impact of libraries across the state. The 2026 theme is “Find Your Joy.”
Special National Library Week program for all ages at EPL
EPL invites the community to celebrate National Library Week — coinciding with April vacation — with a full lineup of 18 recurring and special programs for all ages. Events range from a screening of the documentary “The Librarians” to a bilingual storytime in Spanish and English. Please visit the library’s online calendar for the full schedule and program details.
The Ellsworth Public Library is an open, welcoming and safe space where people come together to learn, connect, and grow. It is a vibrant hub of curiosity and community, where everyone is invited to participate, explore, and enjoy. We believe that a strong library is the cornerstone of a sustainable and healthy community. Literacy, especially early literacy, is a vital foundation for the well-being of all community members. ellsworthlibrary.net
