Charles M. Bailey Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles M. Bailey Public Library |
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| Country | United States |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1916 |
| Location | Winthrop, Maine |
| Collection | |
| Size | 29,000 |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 73,000 |
| Population served | 6,092 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $241,231 |
| Director | Richard Fortin |
| Staff | 5 |
| Website | [1] |
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Charles M. Bailey Library
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 39 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, Maine |
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.2 ha) |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Stevens, John Calvin; Stevens, John Howard |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001264 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1985 |
The Charles M. Bailey Public Library is the main public library for Winthrop, Maine. You can find it at 39 Bowdoin Street, near the town center. The town officially opened the library on November 4, 1916. It welcomed its first visitors on December 2, 1916. In 1970, the library became free for everyone to use. The building itself was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
The original building is made of granite. It was designed by famous Maine architects John Calvin Stevens and his son, John Howard Stevens. A newer part was added in 2015. This addition was designed by another Maine architect, Philip M Locashio.
How the Library Started
The first public library in Winthrop opened on July 8, 1889. It was located in a place called "Packard Block." When it first opened, it had 1,322 books. It also had a special room for reading. By 1904, the number of books had grown to 2,700.
Back then, it cost $1 per year to use the library. The money to build this first library came from private donations. The town also provided some funding.
In November 1916, Charles M. Bailey made a special offer. He was from Winthrop, Maine. He agreed to give the town a brand new building. This building would be used as a library and a reading room. The new library opened on December 2, 1916. There was a special ceremony for its opening. Important people attended, like the president of Colby College, Arthur J. Roberts.
Charles M. Bailey was a well-known person in Winthrop. He was a successful businessman. He owned one of the biggest oilcloth factories in America. His factory employed about 200 people in Winthrop in the early 1900s. The library building he donated is made of granite. It is still used today.
Charles Irving Bailey was Charles M. Bailey's older son. He became the first leader of the new library's Board of Trustees. Lula A. Clifford was the first head librarian in the new Bailey building. She worked there until she passed away in 1940. Her starting pay was $1 for each afternoon and evening the library was open. By 1920, her pay was $25 per month.
Before the new building, Mr. John Stanley was the Town Librarian for 25 years. He worked at the Packard Block location. After Lula Clifford was hired, John Stanley continued to help. He served on the Board of Trustees and the Book Committee. Lula A. Clifford had been his assistant librarian before 1916.
Growing the Library
In 1966, people started thinking about making the library bigger. They wanted to buy land next to it. In 1972, the library hired an architect named George Royal. He created a plan for expanding the library.
The Winthrop Masonic Hall was on the land needed for expansion. It went up for sale in 1973. The library asked to have the first chance to buy it. A report in 1973 also said the library really needed more space.
In 1974, the library started to fix up its basement. This area became a Children's Room. In 2005, the Town of Winthrop bought the land next door. The library then hired architect Phil Locashio. They began planning the expansion.
In 2012, the library announced who would lead the fundraising effort. By 2014, officials announced plans to start building. A new one-story addition began construction in September 2014. The expanded library officially opened on June 1, 2015.
The 2009 Fire
The library had to close on March 6, 2009. An incident caused a fire in the building's boiler room. This led to a lot of damage. While repairs were being made, the library operated from the Town Hall. It reopened in August 2009.
