Bangor Public Library
Coordinates: 44°48′15″N 68°46′19″W / 44.8043°N 68.7719°W
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| Established | 1913 |
|---|---|
| Location | Bangor, Maine |
| Collection | |
| Size | 520,000 |
| Access and use | |
| Population served | 35,473 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $2,388,577 |
| Director | Barbara McDade |
| Staff | 35 |
| Website | |
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Bangor Public Library | |
| 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 # | 84001479[2] |
| 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.[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 being renovated; plans included a new glass atrium designed by Scott Simons Architects.[12]
References
- 1 2 http://bangorinfo.com/Focus/focus_bpl.html
- ↑ Staff (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ http://www.librarytechnology.org/lwc-displaylibrary.pl?RC=179
- ↑ http://www.bizymoms.com/bangor/bangor-public-library.php?topicid=6531&threadid=22261
- ↑ http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2421.html
- ↑ The American library annual, p. 327
- ↑ Maine library bulletin, Volumes 1-6, p. 2
- ↑ Report of the Public Library 1917, p. 16
- ↑ http://www.bangormaine.gov/pdf/Historic_Brochure_Online_Version.pdf
- ↑ http://www.tv.com/people/tabitha-king/trivia/
- ↑ Stephen J. Spignesi, The Essential Stephen King (2003), p. 127
- ↑ Bangor Public Library (5 March 2014). "Bangor Daily News". Bangor Public Library Renovation Tentatively Scheduled for June. Retrieved 8 August 2014.