WESTBROOK – The widow of celebrated Westbrook author Rick Hautala spoke out this week against Walker Memorial Library’s decision to decline a gift of his papers for their archives, an act she calls a “disservice to the community.”

Holly Newstein Hautala said on Monday that she waited about a year for the library to respond to her offer – a complete collection of his work of more than 30 novels and 100 short stories, as well as insights into the writing industry.

Rick Hautala, who died suddenly in March 2013 after suffering a heart attack, wrote the bulk of his horror fiction novels in Westbrook. In 1986, his third novel, “Night Stone,” was an international best seller, selling more than 1 million copies.

In a letter sent to Newstein Hautala on April 7, library director Karen Valley said the library’s decision to decline the gift was made due to concerns about adequately caring for the papers.

“(The) Walker Library Board and Trustees and I have determined that the library is unable to accept this generous offer,” the letter states. “Walker’s staffing is not robust enough to handle such an important gift, and therefore, we would not be able to care for Rick’s papers in the manner demanded of such a significant gift.”

Valley added Wednesday that a number of factors led to the Walker board’s decision, including limited staffing, space and equipment, and pending renovations that have left library layout plans up in the air.

“We weighed the decision for months,” she said. “But we decided that, unfortunately, we’re just not in the position to accept the generous offer of the Hautala family. It’s really our sincere hope that they would understand our dilemma.”

Newstein Hautala said she was obviously disappointed with the library’s decision, and said the family felt his papers belonged in his hometown.

“I feel the Walker library is doing a disservice to the community and displaying a lack of vision by refusing the papers of the most famous writer ever to come out of Westbrook,” she said.

Newstein Hautala said the collection of her husband’s papers, which are currently being professionally processed by archivist and librarian Anastasia Weigle, would have arrived at the library without requiring any additional work to make them viewer-ready.

“If the gift comes to you and it’s all ready to use, I really don’t understand the logic,” she said.

Newstein Hautala said that the library could utilize the papers for creative writing programs, research, and to attract more young people into the library. She added that in his papers are important insights into not only the craft of writing, but also an “individualized view” of the writing industry, which has changed tremendously.

“I don’t think they understand what they are turning down,” she said.

Weigle said Tuesday that she is still doing an inventory of Hautala’s papers, which, according to an official assessment sent to the library in May 2013, contain “manuscripts in various drafts, editions, notes, manuscript proposals, correspondence, contracts, news clippings, publicity materials, writers conference materials, and digital media.”

The collection also includes a manual typewriter that Hautala used.

According to Weigle, after “processing and re-housing,” the collection could take up to 25-30 linear feet of shelf space.

Weigle, who was the director of the former Warren Memorial Library in Westbrook, where Hautala’s papers were originally housed from roughly 2002-2006, said the papers are an important part of Westbrook.

“Hautala’s papers represent his career as a writer and will give users an opportunity to learn more about the creative writing process,” Weigle said Tuesday. “Walker library seemed to be a good choice for the papers because Mr. Hautala resided in Westbrook, spent time teaching in Westbrook, and inspired many Westbrook students to pursue their own dreams. It has always been the intent of Rick Hautala that his papers stay in Westbrook.”

However, Weigle said, she also understands the decision made by Walker, as she realizes the importance of the collection and keeping it safe.

“As a professional archivist, I respect the board’s decision,” she said. “It is important that the Hautala papers go to a library archives that is able to house, maintain, and make available the collection to future generations of creative writers in the state of Maine.”

Newstein Hautala also made her disappointment public last week on social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

In a response to Newstein Hautala’s comments on Twitter, the library said, “We’re honored to have been asked but are not in a position to handle this important gift in the manner it deserves.”

Newstein Hautala said Monday that she is confident she will find a home for the papers, but that she wants the Westbrook community to know of the library’s decision.

“This is not about pressuring Walker Memorial to accept Rick’s papers, this is about informing the community of what the Walker (board) has done,” she said. “For a city that apparently wants to pride itself on being home to artists and writers, this action by the board of the Walker contradicts this message. The gift of Rick’s catalogued and indexed papers opened up a world of possibilities and prestige for the library.”

In her letter, Valley suggested that Newstein Hautala contact special collections librarians at the University of Maine, the Maine State Library and the Portland Public Library, who “may be in a better position to preserve Rick’s papers and his vital place in Maine literature.”

Hautala taught English at Westbrook High School from 2001 to 2006. Often referred to as “the other horror writer from Maine,” Hautala graduated from the University of Maine and was a classmate of Stephen King.

Holly Newstein Hautala at home in Westbrook with a collection of books and anthologies of the work of her late husband, Rick Hautala.  Rick Hautala