Mission and History

Mission Statement

The Camden Public Library is a cultural and intellectual center for the community. It provides, at a reasonable cost and in a friendly atmosphere, universal access to knowledge and life-long learning through print, electronic resources, cultural activities, programs and services. The library collaborates with other community groups to meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of the entire community.

History

The first library established in Camden was known as the Federal Society’s Library, and was started with a collection of 200 books in 1796. At that time Camden was a very small town consisting of 15 houses centered around the harbor area. The Federal Society’s Library operated for 34 years until the books were sold at auction.

During the time period 1830-1854 this small coastal town did not have a public library, although in 1848, the “Ladies’ Library” was founded at Goose River, now the town of Rockport. Several years later, in 1854, the Ladies’ Library Association opened in Mrs. Jesse Hosmer’s house on Wood Street in Camden. The ladies took turns serving as librarian, without compensation, every Saturday afternoon. A small fee of twenty-five cents was charged to attend the business meetings or borrow books. The library later moved to the second floor of the Camden National Bank building and remained at this location until a disastrous fire of 1892 that destroyed the Camden business district. On March 23, 1896, the citizens of Camden voted to establish a free public library to be known as the Camden Public Library.

The proud townspeople of Camden raised the money to build this library through various fundraising efforts. No assistance was provided by noted library philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Mary Louise Curtis Bok of Camden and Philadelphia donated the land for the library in 1916. Parker Morse Hooper and Boston architect Charles G. Loring offered building plans. The cornerstone was laid August 17, 1927 and the Camden Public Library opened its doors on June 11, 1928 with Miss Katherine W. Harding serving as the first librarian.

In 1996, the library underwent a great expansion under the south lawn of the library. The opening of this Centennial Wing allowed the library to accommodate larger collections and computer-based technology without compromising the scenic or historic value of the original building. Today the library is a true treasure of the coast of Maine and is a testament to the pride and determination of the residents of Camden. The library is proud to serve patrons from several communities and visitors world-wide.