We again visit this library both for the scenery and to view the current exhibitions - a 9/11…read moreremembrance via posters and Chan: The Blues of Art-Making. The 9/11 exhibit was closed due to staffing shortages, but the visit did not disappoint thanks to the works of artist Deborah Loughlin and the grounds.

Even if the library is closed, the grounds are still worth a visit. With landscaping designed by…read moreFrederick Law Olmsted (think Central Park), you can enjoy the cool shade of the trees around the amphitheater or stop and smell the roses -- literally -- while taking in a view of the harbor. I came back to see the inside of the library, since it was closed on the day I first visited. It has been beautifully renovated and has a great selection of new books for recreational reading. The rotunda on the first floor has a small vaulter ceiling with the words of Edna St Vincent Millay's poem "Renascence" inscribed on the perimeter. For Camden dwellers and visitors alike, the library is one place to be sure to visit during your time in the area!

So we went to Searsport for the day, and if I was a seasonal or year round resident, I would find…read morerespite in this gorgeous setting. From the exterior, the beautiful stone building is attractive, but when you go inside...prepare to be awed. I loved the sitting room which had comfortable chairs and a great table. The computer stations were fully utilized and I understand they also have laptops for use there. The collection seemed quite extensive for this little town of 2.5K people - I was especially attracted to the broad choices in books on CD/Tape. Stop in and check it out, and stay awhile if you are lucky enough to live here!

While on vacation in a cabin on the lake with terrible internet connection, I had a work emergency…read moreback home that needed immediate attention, so I loaded up and headed over. I fell in the love with the library before I even walked in. It's beautiful, and there were kids walking home carrying their books under their arms. Once inside, I signed in and was able to use one of the 4 computers (there may have been more, I just went to the first set I saw). I was able to get my work done in a quiet space with reliable and quick internet. The young gal working would softly call customers and tell them that the book they've been waiting on was available. She spoke to everyone by first name as if they were old friends. At one point, some moms and little ones emerged from the back after a story time session. They all stopped to chat with that gal working, in hushed tones. There were some, shall I say "well experienced in life" age range gals and guys there working on a project for the library and preparing for that annual cook book sale. I couldn't help but chuckle over their planning in those deep Mainer accents. I loved every single minute of being in there. Being from a larger city with a VERY stressful job, I felt as though I was in a movie, from a more simple and beautiful time. What a wonderful gem this place is.

I went to the Belfast Free Library to join a knitting circle…read more It was a gathering of local knitters taking place in a community room to the right of the entrance. All local knitters in attendance appeared to be wearing something amazing and beautiful that they had knitted themselves. It was a very nice way to spend two hours, among fellow knitters. I wish I lived closer.

Utilizing wifi at the Belfast Free Library on this windy rainy day during covid 19 quarantine! A…read morefoot of wet snow took out our power/phone lines 3 days ago...Thanks BFL for leaving the wifi on! Can't wait to step through your doors again when this is all over!

This beautiful library is a comfortable place to work with reliable free wifi. However- during my…read morebrief visit, the library assistant at the front desk was babbling and giggling loudly for over an hour. It was bizarre! It sounded like a one person tween slumber party. There didn't even seem to be anyone in particular participating in this apparently hilarious conversation with her. I had come to work, but it didn't really bother me, in fact, I figured while this ongoing animated display continued in the front of the library, it would be cool for me to make a short work call from the library, especially since there was no one else in the room besides the other librarian, who seemed to be doing her best to ignore her weirdly immature colleague. Nope. I whispered a couple words into my phone and immediately the other librarian hurriedly approached me and asked me to go upstairs to make calls. I asked her if she was joking or somehow hadn't registered the chaos in the next room- but no, she was dead serious. I was appreciative of the space provided upstairs, but the whole situation just seemed so strange. I haven't heard anyone giggle consistently for that length of time since high school. Her behavior seemed so odd and unprofessional for a person employed at a library. And the other librarian just seemed oblivious. Maybe the cold and isolation of a Maine winter makes people weird.

If you're in the area and (as I was) on vacation, the Blue Hill library stands out foremost as a…read moreplace to get some free wifi for a while--and it fulfills that duty with aplomb. But beyond that, this is actually an amazingly pleasant and well-stocked public library. The second floor boasts a room with a nice conference table to get some work done on, as well as a balcony if you'd rather answer your emails en plein air. Just around the corner is a small selection of books for sale (50c paperback!) for when you've blown through your beach reading, and in between, a rotating selection of local art and history (right now, I'm looking at bronze bears and wooden birds). I've never actually tried to take out a book, so I don't know how easy it is to get borrowing privileges if you don't live in the area, but I'm constantly tempted by (especially) the selection of DVDs that greet you as you walk in. All in all, it's maybe not worth a trip up the coast just for the library, but it's definitely a great place to spend an afternoon catching up on work that can't quite wait until you get back to the big city.

This is such a lovely little local library but a few things are lacking; public parking and more…read moreelectrical outlets so that people can plug in their laptops if they need to work, which I did. The librarians were super nice and made sure I was comfortable and had access to an outlet, this is a gorgeous old-school library with antique wood panelling and study desks upstairs which look out over the library. I hope the citizens of Bar Harbor can keep this place going because you just don't see these kinds of old heritage libraries around anymore and from what I understand, this place runs on donations. They also badly need to update their electronic collections and access to databases and such. Other than that, it was a wonderful place to spend an hour away from the maddening crowds and get some work done.

While meandering the quaint avenues of picturesque Bar Harbor, I stumbled upon the Jesup Library…read moreduring their annual Book Sale. The library is closed a few days ahead of time to prepare for this vast emporeutic event every August. Cartons piled three deep were neatly placed under tables of books that covered the entire lawn. To the left of the entrance were the nonfiction materials, and the right held all aspects of fiction. I headed right. I was quite pleased with my restraint as I only purchased one book - an out-of-print Velda Johnson novel that takes place in - you guessed it - Maine. The library itself is also gorgeous. The Federal style structure is composed of lovely red brick, and the inside boasts wooden bookcases, high ceilings and architectural embellishments. The staff here are friendly and informative. They also have a room with local artists' work on display. Definitely worth a visit for any fellow booklover.

I had to go into this library a couple of years ago while I was on vacation to email a paper to a…read moreprofessor and fell in love. Every trip back since then I've taken a walk through. This is as good as it gets for a local library, comfy couches and chairs in front of the fireplace (!), great little nooks for the fiction collection and a great children's section. The staff is always friendly and helpful. It makes me want to grab a book and take a seat.

Why did someone from Boston have the Bangor Library on the "must see" list while in Bangor for two…read morenights? After searching online for things out of the ordinary, I learned that Hannibal Hamlin's "death couch" is in the library. I also learned that he was Lincoln's first VP???!!! Who knew? Whatever you do, don't sit on the couch!!! Look up at the ceiling, the architecture is amazing

I had the pleasure of visiting Bangor Maine in September and I'm so glad I ventured into their…read morelibrary. The citizens are so fortunate to have such a beautiful and historic library. They have over 400k books in circulation and the children/young reader space they have created is swoon worthy. The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. I appreciate the time they spent answering my questions and sharing the library's history with me. I don't know if it's all the books, the fascinating history of the building or how they have managed to blend old and new flawlessly but it makes the library feel magical!

Staff helped this tourist out by recommending the Bog Walk (Bangor next to City Forest), river walk…read moreparking and several local restaurants ~ for bfast, lunch & dinner!!! Plus a not to be missed shop: Ampersand, an "everything store"!! It was!! The staff member said, "Our library is the soul of this town" & I believe her!!

This is the main, and only, library for the picturesque town of Orono - home of the beautiful…read moreUniversity of Maine campus - which is almost adjacent to the city of Bangor, the big player in the area and which many might not know has an important international air hub. While Bangor's library building has a neoclassical bent, Orono's apparently newer library is a simpler structure that's perfectly suited to New England. The Orono Public Library has everything most patrons will need. There are the typical stacks intended for adults, a children's area, a decent DVD movie collection, a conference room or two, computers, and comfortable upholstered chairs. So, while it may look like a big house from the outside, there are all sorts of areas for specific collections and purposes once inside. One might give the Orono Public Library 3 stars for doing what a library is supposed to do. However, two other things stood out about this library and take its rating up to 4 stars. The first was how clean and well maintained it was. The second was how friendly and helpful the staff was. Library employees from sea to shining sea will help you, with a good many of them having smugness issues they can't seem to shake. That wasn't the situation here. They were genuinely interested in the patron. Perhaps that's because, being in the state's main college town, they flex with a broader demographic base. I appreciated the way I was treated as a visiting guest to the library while in the "vicinity" of Acadia National Park. Clearly, the Orono Public Library is an enjoyable and productive library to patronize.

Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta offers books, archives, and community programs, with a…read morehistory room, cozy reading spaces, and a mission to inspire learning and connection for all ages.

Amazing knowledgeable and helpful staff! Beautiful library…read morewith a great catalog! This however, is a LIBRARY not a COFFEE SHOP!!! Hard to read, study or focus when realtors are striking deals on their phones and zoom calls fill the air with barking chatter. What next, a guitarist singing "its five o'clock somewhere"?

This is my local library, and I love it. I've been a patron for over 30 years, and know it very…read morewell. I'm writing a review now because one person gave a 1-star review with anger over the library's mask policy in 2021 (please note that they followed the Maine CDC's guidelines for masking all throughout Covid, which I greatly appreciated; notably there is no mask policy now). This skewed the average star rating greatly in a negative direction, so I wanted to do something to skew it back up where it belongs. Ellsworth's librarians sincerely care about their patrons, and it shows.

Crazy about masks. I'm in a room in the basement, 100% alone yet they still feel the need to come…read moredown and tell me to go outside or put mask on. Nothing like being harassed at a local library over a silly mask.