Bangor Public Library Explained

44.8043°N -68.7719°W

Image Upright:	1.20
Library Name:	Bangor Public Library
Location:	Bangor, Maine
Established:	1913
Collection Size:	520,000
Pop Served:	35,473
Budget:	$2,388,577
Director:	Ben Treat
Num Employees:	35
Website:	http://www.bpl.lib.me.us/ Embed: yes Bangor Public Library Nrhp Type: cp Nocat: yes Partof: Great Fire of 1911 Historic District Location: Harlow, Center, Park, State, York, and Central Streets Bangor, Maine Built: 1911 Architect: Peabody and Stearns Architecture: Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Renaissance Added: June 14, 1984 Refnum: 84001479

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.^[1]

The library's roots date to 1830, when the Bangor Mechanic Association assembled a private collection of books.^[2] In 1873, it absorbed several other associations' libraries and became the Bangor Mechanic Association Public Library.^[3]

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.^[4]

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.^[5] The library reopened that May with the 29 books pulled from the ashes and 1,300 others that had been on loan.^[6] (Today, the library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Great Fire of 1911 Historic District.^[7])

In 1913, the library's new building, designed by the Boston architectural firm Peabody and Stearns, opened its doors near the high school.^[8]

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.^{[9] [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]

External links

• Official Site
• City of Bangor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bangor Public Library . libraries.org . February 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150920004427/http://librarytechnology.org/libraries/library.pl?id=179 . September 20, 2015.
2. Web site: SEO Services for Doctors - Digital Marketing | Ekwa Marketing.
3. Web site: Bangor Public Library.
4. The American library annual, p. 327
5. Maine library bulletin, Volumes 1-6, p. 2
6. Report of the Public Library 1917, p. 16
7. Web site: Bangor Historic Preservation Program . 2010 . February 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110915233420/http://www.bangormaine.gov/pdf/Historic_Brochure_Online_Version.pdf . September 15, 2011.
8. Web site: Bangor Public Library . Bangor in Focus . February 27, 2022.
9. Web site: Stephen King and his wife pledge $3m to Maine Library . Flood . Alison . March 22, 2013 . The Guardian . February 27, 2022.
10. Web site: Stephen King and wife Tabitha pledge $3 million to Maine library . Carolyn . Kellogg . March 21, 2013 . Los Angeles Times . February 27, 2022.
11. Stephen J. Spignesi, The Essential Stephen King (2003), p. 127
12. News: Bangor Daily News. Bangor Public Library. 5 March 2014. Bangor Public Library Renovation Tentatively Scheduled for June. 8 August 2014.
13. Web site: The Bangor Public Library Contains a Creepy Piece of U.S. Presidential Memorabilia. Q97.9. en. 2018-10-18.