Maine’s Wonderful Libraries

Maine has inspired many authors and illustrators, so where better to find your next favorite book than in one of Maine’s libraries? Our libraries are excellent resources to the communities they serve, and many of their services are free to the general public, while others are available with a library card.

Many of Maine’s libraries are housed in beautiful historic buildings like Skowhegan’s Free Public Library, which is in a Queen Anne-style building on the National Register of Historic Places. The charming Hubbard Free Library in Hallowell, built in the 1800s to look like a charming English country church, is the oldest library building in Maine still serving its original function. The Ogunquit Memorial Library is a distinguished-looking Romanesque Revival building built in 1897 and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hamlin Memorial Library & Museum in South Paris is open seasonally and is housed in a unique 1822 granite-block building that was the original Oxford County Jail.

Maine also boasts 18 Carnegie libraries made possible with grants from Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s.

In addition to borrowing books, libraries offer programming and activities for all ages throughout the year. Enjoy rotating art exhibits at the Portland Public Library’s Lewis Gallery, a popular stop on the monthly Friday Art Walks, or free art classes at the Lewiston City Library. Summer travelers can enjoy children’s story times and free Wi-Fi, too. Keep an eye out for visiting authors as well – you never know when your favorite author from Maine or away will be reading at a local library.

Maine’s libraries don’t lend only books; they often have “libraries of things,” a collection of useful items to lend, such as snowshoes and kitchen appliances you might have not thought to bring on your visit. The Lithgow Library in Augusta has a wide variety of “things” to borrow, including outdoor games like a giant Connect 4 and a pickleball set. The Bagaduce Music Lending Library in Blue Hill has a collection of more than 300,000 titles of printed music, with one of the world’s largest collections of vintage and popular American vocal sheet music and an unparalleled collection of piano pieces for multiple performers – all available to borrow. Around the state, you also can find seed libraries: public libraries offering a card catalog filled with garden seeds for herbs, vegetables and flowers, often paired with how-to-garden programming by local garden clubs. Stop by Waterville Public Library or Buck Memorial Library in Bucksport to see what seeds are available. Many libraries also offer passes to museums and parks, like Winthrop’s Bailey Public Library, which offers passes to the Maine Coastal Botanical Garden and state parks.