AUGUSTA — A photo of the city’s Lithgow Public Library in pro-racino campaign materials has local officials crying foul.

Library Director Elizabeth Pohl said not only does the library not endorse the referendum — or take a stand on any political questions — the image was used without permission.

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AT ISSUE: Local officials worry that a photograph of Augusta’s Lithgow Public Library on campaign material advocating a yes vote on Question 2 suggests the library endorses the proposal, or would somehow benefit if it passes. Yes on 2 campaign material

AT ISSUE: Local officials worry that a photograph of Augusta’s Lithgow Public Library on campaign material advocating a yes vote on Question 2 suggests the library endorses the proposal, or would somehow benefit if it passes. Yes on 2 campaign material

Local officials worry the photograph on campaign material advocating a yes vote on Question 2 suggests the library endorses the proposal, or would somehow benefit if it passes.

Neither is true, officials said.

“This is in no way, shape or form is going to benefit public libraries in the state,” Pohl said of Question 2, which would approve two new racinos as part of the statewide ballot going to voters Nov. 8.

“Anything that would associate the library with a political cause is not a good thing. We want people to understand we had no hand in it.”

Jan Rollins, president of the Friends of Lithgow Library, noted the confusion comes at a time the library is in a fundraising campaign to help pay for a major expansion and renovation.

She called on Yes on 2 to stop using the library’s image.

The brochure “could lead some contributors to conclude that the Lithgow Library has some stake in the Yes on 2 referendum,” Rollins said in a written statement.

Crystal Canney, a spokeswoman for the Yes on 2 campaign, said the photograph was a stock image they had and said other public buildings, streets and venues have been used in the campaign’s mailings.

She said they stopped using the Lithgow photo as soon as they heard of local officials’ objections.

“As soon as we heard there was discontent, we immediately removed it,” Canney said. “We want to respect the wishes of those who brought it to our attention.”

City Manager William Bridgeo sent a letter to the Yes on 2 campaign Friday asking it to stop using library photos in its advertising.

“The city of Augusta and its Lithgow Library take no position on political questions such as yours and find especially offensive the prominent manner in which you use the building — and thus suggest endorsement and support,” Bridgeo wrote.

One brochure urging a yes vote on Question 2 is peppered with the photograph of Lithgow. In at least one photo in the brochure, the words “Lithgow Library” are plainly visible on the side of the building.

Pohl learned of the library’s prominence in the materials from an upset patron who received it in the mail.

Canney said a key part of the Yes on 2 campaign is that an estimated $3 million from the proposed Biddeford racino would provide college scholarships to Maine students.

While obviously not a college, she said Lithgow represents a public building where learning and studying take place.

Question 2 asks voters to approve two racinos: One in Biddeford to be operated by the owners of Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties Limited; and one in Washington County to be run by the Passamaquoddy tribe.

Racinos are horse tracks with slot machine parlors.

Income from the racinos would be distributed according to a formula in state law that calls for a percentage of the net slot machine income to be turned over to the state Gambling Control Board for distribution to multiple entities.

None of those entities are libraries, however, and Pohl noted Lithgow is funded by the city, not state.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

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