| Bangor Public Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | Bangor, Maine |
| Established | 1913 |
| Collection | |
| Size | 520,000 |
| Access and use | |
| Population served | 35,473 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $2,388,577 |
| Director | Ben Treat |
| Employees | 35 |
| Website | http://www.bpl.lib.me.us/ |
Bangor Public Library | |
   | |
| Location | Harlow, Center, Park, State, York, and Central Streets Bangor, Maine |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | Peabody and Stearns[2] |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Renaissance |
| Part of | Great Fire of 1911 Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001479[1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1984 |
The Bangor Public Library is the public library of Bangor, Maine. It shares the URSUS online cataloging system with the University of Maine and other Maine libraries.[3]
The library's roots date to 1830, when the Bangor Mechanic Association assembled a private collection of books.[4] In 1873, it absorbed several other associations' libraries and became the Bangor Mechanic Association Public Library.[5]
In 1883, former U.S. Congressman and lumber baron Samuel F. Hersey left the City of Bangor a $100,000 bequest, which the city used to form a municipally owned public library. The Mechanic Association's 20,000 books formed the core collection. In 1905, the small membership fee was abolished and the library became truly open to all.[6]
By 1911, the library's collection had grown to 70,000 books. Then came the Great Fire of 1911, which destroyed the library along with most of the Bangor Business District.[7] The library reopened that May with the 29 books pulled from the ashes and 1,300 others that had been on loan.[8] (Today, the library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Great Fire of 1911 Historic District.[9])
In 1913, the library's new building, designed by the Boston architectural firm Peabody and Stearns, opened its doors near the high school.[2]
In 1997, the library was renovated and a new wing added (designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects), thanks to a donation from Stephen and Tabitha King.[10][11] King's story The Library Policeman was inspired by his 10-year-old son's expressed fear of returning overdue books to the Bangor Public Library because of "the library police".[12]
In 2014, the library was renovated again; plans included a new glass atrium designed by Scott Simons Architects.[13]
In June of 2023, the library hired its first community resource navigator, Olivia Scott, MSW. The position was the first of its kind and paid for through American Rescue Act funds. [14]
On an interesting note, the library contains the couch that former VP Hannibal Hamlin drew his last breath upon while playing cards too hard.[15]
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b "Bangor Public Library". Bangor in Focus. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "Bangor Public Library". libraries.org. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "SEO Services for Doctors - Digital Marketing | Ekwa Marketing".
- ^ "Bangor Public Library".
- ^ The American library annual, p. 327
- ^ Maine library bulletin, Volumes 1-6, p. 2
- ^ Report of the Public Library 1917, p. 16
- ^ "Bangor Historic Preservation Program" (PDF). 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Flood, Alison (March 22, 2013). "Stephen King and his wife pledge $3m to Maine Library". The Guardian. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Kellogg, Carolyn (March 21, 2013). "Stephen King and wife Tabitha pledge $3 million to Maine library". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Stephen J. Spignesi, The Essential Stephen King (2003), p. 127
- ^ Bangor Public Library (March 5, 2014). "Bangor Daily News". Bangor Public Library Renovation Tentatively Scheduled for June. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ O'Brien, Kathleen (November 30, 2023). "Bangor library employee aims to help vulnerable visitors". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ "The Bangor Public Library Contains a Creepy Piece of U.S. Presidential Memorabilia". Q97.9. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- Library buildings completed in 1913
- Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Maine
- Public libraries in Maine
- Peabody and Stearns buildings
- Libraries in Penobscot County, Maine
- Educational buildings in Bangor, Maine
- Tourist attractions in Bangor, Maine
- Historic district contributing properties in Maine
- 1830 establishments in Maine
- National Register of Historic Places in Bangor, Maine
