Library Building and Grounds

The doors of the Camden Public Library, located on the hill just above the head of the harbor, were opened June 1, 1928. The land was donated by Mrs. Edward Bok Zimbalist in 1916 for the purpose of erecting a library building. Through efforts of local and summer residents many fund-raising projects were held. In 1922 Parker Morse Hooper offered plans for the building. Charles J. Loring, a Boston architect, assisted. The corner stone was laid August 17, 1927 and the building was completed the next year.

On the walls of the main room is a collection of paintings of early American clipper ships presented by Mr. Hooper. Other memorial gifts include a clock behind the main desk and fireplace utensils.

The Centennial Wing, completed September, 1996, marked a significant expansion. this new space, built below the lawn, includes a large, light, airy Children’s Room, a community meeting space, and computer workstations. Architect John Scholz’s design enabled expansion without altering the scenic and historic value of the original library. The $3 million project was funded with support from individuals and community businesses. One particularly special addition with the Centennial wing was the Children’s Garden, a quiet spot adjoining the Children’s Room. The Centennial Wing was completed exactly one year after groundbreaking ceremonies September 29, 1995.

Centennial Wing

This portion of the library, located below ground, houses our main collection of books. In addition, it holds the Children’s Room and the Jean Picker Room, an audio-visual meeting room, which has seating for 75 people. There are several tables for reading and study, and computer carrels behind the stacks where patrons may study privately or use the Internet undisturbed.

Reading Room

The original library building has been restored to a quiet reading room. The library’s collection of peridocals and newspapers are available, as well as our Maine books and rare book collections. There are tables arn window seats for quiet reading, and a computer workstation for research and reference.

Archives Room

This room holds town and area historical documents, yearbooks from Camden-Rockport High School, and the Camden Herald on microfilm. It includes many old photographs of ships built at local shipyards, as well as early photographs of Camden, Rockport, and Lincolnville. The Edna St. Vincent Millay Collection of materials is housed here. The Archives Room is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, and Tuesday evenings until 8:00. Please make an appointment with our archivist prior to your arrival. Please allow for two weeks’ time for responses to requests for information.

Library Amphitheatre

Through the generosity of Mary Curtis Zimbalist, the land now known as the Amphitheatre was donated in 1931 to the library. Fletcher Steele of Boston was employed as landscape architect for the project. Using local trees and materials, he created a setting of enduring natural beauty, which serves today as a cultural center for the town of Camden.

Children’s Garden

Adjoining the Children’s Room, this one-of-a-kind garden created by Stroudwater Design Group of Yarmouth, is a quiet place to share a book with a child. The granite bench supports are cut in the shape of books, whose titles represent contributions Maine authors and illustrators have made to literature.

The Jean S. Picker Memorial Garden

A beautiful and integral part of the library grounds is the Jean S. Picker Memorial Garden planted in honor of the memory of the late stateswoman, humanitarian, and world peacemaker. The garden features a marine theme with several shades of blue and varieties of flowering plants endemic to the Maine coast including lupine, sea lavender, blue flag, and wild roses.