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The Rockland Public Library was constructed in 1903-1904 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie.

Mrs. Jean and Wolfie (standing behind Mrs. Jean) tell stories every Wednesday morning.

“A proud new cardholder!”

Rockland Public Library - Portrait of a Growing Library

Open seven days a week, the Rockland Public Library strives to be a full-service library for its community. The collection of about 50,000 items, housed in a gem of a building and located in a scenic coastal community, attracts customers from all over the country. Over 170,000 people used the library’s services in 2007.

History

The Rockland Public Library was built in 1903-1904 with a $20,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie who required that communities accepting his funds pledge to support their library monetarily in perpetuity. On May 19, 1902, a referendum question on the matter was put to the voters of Rockland. The final tally was 450 to 30 in favor of accepting the gift, and Rockland has benefited greatly ever since.

Renovations in 2000-2001

Fast forward a hundred years, and Rockland’s Library was falling into disrepair. The paint was peeling and some of the walls were moldy. The roof was bad and buckets were needed to catch water when it rained. A renovation and addition to the library in 2000-2001 cost approximately $3 million and expanded the library space from 8,000 to 18,000 square feet and was again accomplished with donated funds. But this time, no strings were attached to the donations.

Serving the People of Rockland

Today’s library serves the people of Rockland (pop. 8,000) and the greater mid-coast region. Infants get their first taste of library services in Baby Story Times while their older siblings attend regular Story Times or the Tuesday afternoon drawing workshops. Youth Librarian Mrs. Jean hosts the Family Book Club which is currently reading Newbery Medal winners. And the new Cornerstone of Science partnership is helping to improve science literacy by connecting adults and youth with science books and programs.

The atmosphere can become lively in the afternoon when teens visit the library to get online. Over 48,000 people come to the library every year just to use the computers.

On Thursday nights the library hosts free programs funded by the Friends of the Library. During the month of May, the Friends’ Community Room is hosting talks on health and psychology, a film celebrating Frank L. Baum’s birthday, and an Ekhart Tolle filmed book talk.

Strong Local Collection

Like every Maine community, Rockland has a lively past and we strive to preserve it with a strong local history collection. It is said that Rockland was once the 4th busiest seaport on the eastern seaboard after Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Customers can dig up information on days gone by with the Rockland Courier Gazette archive which dates back to the 1850’s. Genealogy and history is also accessible with the Ancestry Library database.

The library building also houses the Rockland Historical Society, whose volunteers are the resident experts on Rockland’s past. The museum’s exhibits include an outstanding collection of Civil War artifacts.