Patten Free Library
🏢 Patten Free Library · Bath, Maine
Patten Free Library
Founded in 1847 and opened to the public free of charge on New Year's Day 1891 thanks to philanthropist Galen C. Moses, the Patten Free Library is one of coastal Maine's most historic institutions — an 1890 George Harding building that has grown through three additions while remaining the social and intellectual heart of Bath, the City of Ships.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 33 SUMMER STREET, BATH, ME 04530
Phone: +1207-443-5141
Website: pattenfreelibrary.org
Plus Code: 87MGW58P+43 (BATH, ME)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Patten Free Library
The Patten Free Library began in 1847 as the Patten Library Association, a subscription service housed in rented rooms. The decisive turn came when Bath shipbuilder and philanthropist Galen C. Moses donated $10,000 on the condition that the library serve all citizens without charge. The resulting Victorian building, designed by architect George Harding and opened January 1, 1891, cost $15,000 and stands at 33 Summer Street in Bath's historic district. Children's services launched in the second-floor tower room in 1911. A 1961 expansion funded by donor Mildred Wright added a dedicated Children's Room, auditorium, and Reference Room. The most recent addition, completed in 1998, restored the original 1890s facade while adding expanded youth areas, nonfiction stacks, and a History & Genealogy Room. Today the library operates a Repair Café, Sharing Table (free vegetables from local gardens), Book-a-Librarian consultation service, museum passes, and Home Delivery for patrons unable to visit in person.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1847 — one of Maine's oldest free public libraries; the 1890 George Harding Victorian building is a Bath historic-district landmark
- Established as permanently free to all Bath citizens through Galen C. Moses's 1891 gift — 135 years of free public service
- History & Genealogy Room (added 1998) with specialized collections and dedicated access hours for local and family research
- Repair Café — free community repair events where skilled volunteers help fix household items, reducing waste
- Library of Things, Sharing Table (free fresh vegetables), museum & parks passes, and Book-a-Librarian consultations
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Patten Free Library card opens Maine's full statewide digital library and on-demand media collections:
📚 Services
- Free library card for Bath and Maine residents
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Museum and parks passes — free admission to regional cultural sites
- Library of Things — equipment and household items available to borrow
- Book-a-Librarian — one-on-one consultation for research, technology, or reader's advisory
- Home Delivery Service for patrons who cannot visit in person
- History & Genealogy Room with specialized reference hours
- Pharos literary magazine — produced in partnership with local writers
- Sharing Table — free fresh vegetables and produce from community gardens
- Reservable meeting rooms and event spaces
- Food resources program
🎸 Programs
- Repair Café — skilled volunteer technicians help fix household items for free
- American Girl Doll Festival — annual children's event
- Community Spelling Bee
- Book groups for adults and teens
- Children's and teen programming including STEAM activities
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- Revolutionary Maine Commemoration events (grant-funded)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Sagadahoc & Midcoast Maine
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the History & Genealogy Room at the Patten Free Library?
The History & Genealogy Room, added in the 1998 expansion, holds specialized collections covering Bath, Sagadahoc County, and the broader midcoast Maine region. It includes local newspapers, photographs, town records, maritime histories, and genealogy reference materials. The Ancestry Library Edition database is available in-house. The room operates on specialized hours — check pattenfreelibrary.org or call (207) 443-5141 for current access times.
What is the Repair Café and when does it meet?
The Repair Café is a free community event where skilled volunteers — including electricians, seamstresses, and electronics hobbyists — help you repair broken household items rather than throw them away. Common fixes include clothing mending, lamp rewiring, and small appliance troubleshooting. Dates vary; check the Events calendar at pattenfreelibrary.org for upcoming sessions.
How do I get a free library card at the Patten Free Library?
Any Bath resident or Maine resident can register for a free card at the circulation desk at 33 Summer Street. Bring a photo ID and proof of current address. Out-of-state visitors may also be eligible for a card — ask staff for current non-resident policy. Your card works for in-person borrowing, digital resources through Libby and Hoopla, and the Digital Maine Library statewide collection.
Does the Patten Free Library offer museum passes?
Yes. The library circulates museum and parks passes providing free or reduced admission to cultural institutions in the region. Pass availability changes throughout the year; visit the Museum Passes section of pattenfreelibrary.org to see current offerings and reserve a pass online with your library card number.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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