FEATURES

• About
• Find a Library
• Library Events
• News
• Resources
• Spotlights
• Frequently Asked Questions

Featured

Front view of the Bass Harbor Memorial Library

Shelves of books—both old and new—in the original library room.

The card catalog and plaque in memory of Rhoda Watson

Bass Harbor Memorial Library

The Bass Harbor Memorial Library in Bernard has served Tremont, Mount Desert Island, and outer-island residents and visitors since 1922.

A Neighborhood Tradition

The library in Bernard began in the home of local resident, Vesta McRae Barnes in 1900. In 1922, the original front room of the present day library was erected in memory of Rhoda Watson. Today, Clara Baker directs the library, which is open for patrons 20 hours a week year round.

In 1982, with financial help from the Tremont Historical Society, the library grew from one room to two. The large back room functions as the children’s room and as a meeting space for community events. The Historical Society conducts meetings and hosts lectures in the library.

Library Activity

Home-schooled groups meet for arts classes, local authors share their works, parents and children attend weekly story time and play groups, and young students and their teachers from the near-by Tremont Elementary School regularly visit the library. Young students are especially intrigued by our up-to-date card catalog. Without an electronic database for our collection, the card catalog still services our patrons.

Summer Activity

In July, when our numbers swell with summer residents and visitors, the library invites local children to participate in our annual wee- long arts camp. In August we open our doors for our long-running book fair, replete with music, white elephant items, an auction, and a café.

Funding and Organization

BHML is a municipal library; three-quarters of its funding comes from the Town of Tremont. An active Board of 12 members and numerous volunteers make essential contributions to the organization.

Restoration Project

The Bass Harbor Memorial Library has made application and received funding from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Davis Family Foundation to restore the historic front room of the library. The library has also applied for listing in the Maine State Register of Historic Places. In keeping with the goals of preservation, and with the intention of creating an environmentally conscientious renovation, a Restoration Committee is currently overseeing changes in heating, shelving, lighting, and flooring. The project should be complete in a year from now.