Bangor Public Library

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]

Bangor Public Library

Established	1913
Location	Bangor, Maine
Collection
Size	520,000
Access and use
Population served	35,473
Other information
Budget	$2,388,577
Director	Ben Treat
Staff	35
Website	http://www.bpl.lib.me.us/
Bangor Public Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
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Location	Harlow, Center, Park, State, York, and Central Streets Bangor, Maine
Built	1911
Architect	Peabody and Stearns[1]
Architectural style	Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Renaissance
Part of	Great Fire of 1911 Historic District
NRHP reference No.	84001479[2]
Added to NRHP	June 14, 1984
Map

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.[1]

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] 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".[11]

In 2014, the library was renovated again; plans included a new glass atrium designed by Scott Simons Architects.[12]

On an interesting note, the library contains the couch that former VP Hannibal Hamlin drew his last breath upon while playing cards too hard.[13]