Andover Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andover Public Library |
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| Country | United States |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1899 |
| Location | 46 Church Street, Andover, Maine, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 44°37′54.5″N 70°45′5″W / 44.631806°N 70.75139°W |
| Collection | |
| Size | 12,626 |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 4,280 |
| Population served | 752 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $27,807 |
| Director | Janet Farrington |
| Staff | 2 |
| Website | |
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Andover Public Library
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| Location | 46 Church Street, Andover, Maine |
| Built | 1899 |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000103 |
| Added to NRHP | January 27, 1981 |
The Andover Public Library is a special place in Andover, Maine, United States. It's a public library where everyone can come to read, learn, and explore. This library has a long history and a very unique building!
Contents
The Library's Journey: From Private to Public
The idea of a library in Andover started a long time ago. In 1795, a private library was created. People had to pay a fee to use its books.
Becoming a Public Resource
Later, in 1891, the Andover Public Library Association was formed. This group wanted to create a library that was open to everyone. They worked to make it a public library, supported by the town.
Finding a Permanent Home
At first, the library was located in a room inside the Andover Town Hall. It stayed there for many years. In 1943, the library found its current home. It moved into a building that used to be a church.
A Unique Octagonal Building
The building where the Andover Public Library is located is very special. It has a unique eight-sided shape, called an octagon. This makes it one of only two known octagonal church buildings ever built in Maine.
Historic Design and Recognition
The building's design was likely inspired by ideas from the 1800s. A person named Orson Squire Fowler encouraged building homes and other structures in an octagonal shape. This design was thought to be very efficient. Because of its unique history and architecture, the library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 27, 1981. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What the Library Building Looks Like
The main part of the library building is made of wood. It sits on a strong granite foundation. The roof is sloped and covered with asphalt shingles.
Exterior Features
The front and back of the building are a bit longer than the sides. This gives it a shape that is mostly rectangular, even though it's inspired by an octagon. The outside walls are covered with wooden clapboards. A single brick chimney rises from the back of the building.
Welcoming Entrance
At the front, there's a small entrance area that sticks out. The door is protected by a small roof, called a portico. This portico is supported by decorative brackets, which are like fancy supports.
Services Offered at the Library
The Andover Public Library is open four days each week. It offers many helpful services for the community.
Modern Resources for Learning
Visitors can use the internet and Wi-Fi at the library. This helps students with homework and adults with research. The library also provides access to many online databases. These databases are like huge collections of information, articles, and books that you can access from a computer.
See also
