Blake Library History
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The History of Blake Library
The University of Maine at Fort Kent began as a regional teachers’ college in 1878. Soon afterward, in 1885, a library was created to support the students.
Building History
The library was housed in a classroom for many years until a growth spurt in the late 1950s. The gymnasium, built in 1929, was converted into the library in 1965-66. The library was dedicated as the Waneta T. Blake Library, and its collection numbered 15,000 volumes at the time.
In 1988, an addition was built onto the back of the library, and in 2002, construction began on the new Acadian Archives/Archives acadiennes building with access to the library. Construction was completed in 2004. 
Also completed in 2004 was the new library entrance facing the quad area across from Cyr Hall, and the original entrance to Blake Library was closed for a period of time. Eventually the original entrance was reopened. The entrance facing the quad area has come to be known as the Quad Entrance, while the original entrance is now the Bell Tower Entrance.
Waneta T. Blake was born on September 2nd, 1901, in Elden, Iowa. Her family moved to Gardiner, Maine, where Ms. Blake attended elementary and high school. In 1924, she received her B.A. degree from Colby College. Additional studies were pursued at the University of Maine, New Hampshire, and Mount Allison. Ms. Blake was an instructor at the Madawaska Training School and part-time librarian at UMFK from 1933 until 1963, when she retired with the title of Professor Emerita. She oversaw a large increase in the collection during her time at the library. After her retirement, the library was moved to the former gymnasium and was dedicated in her name. She died in 1971 and is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the campus.
Inez Day Richards
In 1997, the University of Maine at Fort Kent received $40,000.00 from the estate of alumnus Daniel T. Richards in memory of his grandmother, Inez Day Richards. Inez Day Richards resided in the Houlton, Maine, area, where she composed several musical scores.
- Alumnus Endows Fund
- Inez Day Richards Collection Development Policy
Titles purchased through Inez Day Richards Fund
- Daniel T. Richards
- Scores/Music by Inez Day Richards
Musical scores, poems, and photo provided by Eric K. Richards, Jr.