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The lobby area built in the 1990s as part of a building renovation follows the curve of the original circular walls. Exposed granite walls join the old and the new parts of the building.

The exterior with glass domed rotunda of the Farmington Public Library.

The Holman Reading Room is favorite place for patrons to spread out. Most afternoons the area bustling with people using laptop computers and the outstanding history collection.

Farmington Public Library

Stenciled ceilings, carved oak, glass floors, book lined walls and a domed rotunda. The Farmington Public Library is as beautiful as a museum, but its friendly staff and modern lobby make it a wonderful hometown library.

History

Nestled near the downtown business district is a granite building with weathered copper trim and an unusual glass dome. The beauty of this historic building is undeniable and it stands as a testimony to nearly two hundred years of library service in the area.

Cutler Memorial Library, better known as Farmington Public Library, has roots early in the town’s history. In 1799 a “Social Library” was established and run out of Zachariah Butterfield’s General Store. Monthly meetings were held to exchange books. The organization eventually disbanded in the mid 1800s. The roots of quality library service were established.

A second library was organized in Farmington Village in 1865 using as a core collection, books donated by the local Philomathian Society, which began in the early 1800’s. Philomathy is a term rarely used now – it means “love of learning”. These societies were not uncommon in the 19th century, particularly in small or rural communities where access to books or newspapers was limited.  This second library association was disbanded in 1880.

Farmington Public Library Association, which still oversees the library, was incorporated in 1890. It is worth noting the importance residents place on maintaining a library; there have been only twenty years since the Town’s incorporation in 1794 when residents were without library service.

The current library building began with funds donated by John and Isaac Cutler in memory of their father, Nathan. Nearly 2,000 people attended the building’s dedication in 1903.  Renovations in the 1990s were accomplished through generous private contributions in a successful joint fundraising campaign with the University of Maine, Farmington. The neighboring libraries enjoy mutual interaction, while serving very different community needs.

Farmington Public Today

Today’s Farmington Public Library has a much wider patronage and very diverse collections. Working closely with the Sandy River Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society, it boasts a genealogy/history collection of over 1600 items. Current materials, magazines and audiobooks are easy to browse through in the welcoming modern lobby area. In total the library houses nearly 30,000 volumes.

Visitors settle into the Holman Reading room to enjoy the free wireless access or to relax and read in the overstuffed armchairs near the warmth of the fireplace. Many come to see the domed rotunda or the glass floor. Most simply come to enjoy the atmosphere of their hometown library.

The Farmington Public Library is open Tuesday through Friday 10-6:30 and Saturdays 10-2. All are welcome and programs are free and open to the public.