Camden Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camden Public Library |
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| The Camden Library, October 2003 | |
| Country | United States |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1928 |
| Location | 55 Main Street Camden, Maine United States |
| Coordinates | 44°12′42″N 69°03′52″W / 44.211611°N 69.0645°W |
| Collection | |
| Size | 42,000 |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 257,786 |
| Population served | 5,254 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $701,776 |
| Director | Nikki Maounis |
| Staff | 15 |
| Website | |
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Camden Amphitheater and Public Library
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The amphitheater, July 2013
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 55 Main Street Camden, Maine United States |
| Built | 1928 |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000285 |
| Added to NRHP | February 27, 2013 |
The Camden Public Library is a special place in Camden, Maine, United States. It's a public library, meaning anyone can visit and use its resources. This library is also a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important historical site. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Where is the Library?
The Camden Public Library is found at 55 Main Street. It sits right on the north side of the Megunticook River. It's also at the northern edge of the Chestnut Street Historic District.
A Look Back: Library History
Libraries in Camden have a long and interesting past.
The First Library
The very first library in Camden was called the Federal Society's Library. It started way back in 1796. This early library had about 200 books for people to read. At that time, Camden was a tiny town with only 15 houses near the harbor. The Federal Society's Library was open for 34 years. After that, its books were sold at an auction.
The Ladies' Library Association
In 1854, the Ladies’ Library Association opened its doors on Wood Street. This library later moved to the second floor of the Camden National Bank building. It stayed there until a big fire in 1892. This fire destroyed much of Camden's main business area.
The Modern Camden Public Library
On March 23, 1896, the people of Camden decided to create a free public library. They named it the Camden Public Library. The townspeople worked hard to raise money for this new building. They didn't get help from rich donors.
In 1916, Mary Louise Curtis Bok gave the land for the library. Parker Morse Hooper and Boston architect Charles G. Loring drew up the building plans. The first stone was laid on August 17, 1927. The library officially opened on June 11, 1928. Miss Katherine W. Harding was its first librarian.
The beautiful outdoor areas of the library, including an amphitheater, were designed by a famous landscape architect named Fletcher Steele. On February 27, 2013, the library and its grounds became a National Historic Landmark. It's special because it's one of Steele's rare public works. It also helped shape modern landscape design.
In 1996, the library got much bigger. They built a new section underneath the south lawn.
The Camden Public Library is one of only a few libraries in Maine to be called a "Star Library" by Library Journal. This shows how great it is!
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Pública Camden para niños
