Ellsworth Public Library
🏢 Minerva Library Network · Ellsworth, Maine
Ellsworth Public Library
Ellsworth Public Library occupies one of Maine's most distinguished library settings: a Federalist mansion built in 1817 for Colonel Meltiah Jordan and donated to the city in 1897 on the permanent condition that it serve as a public library forever.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 20 State Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Phone: (207) 667-6363
Website: ellsworthlibrary.net
Plus Code: 87PHGHRF+RP (Ellsworth, ME)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Ellsworth Public Library
The Ellsworth Public Library sits on the banks of the Union River in downtown Ellsworth, Hancock County's shire town and the commercial hub of Downeast Maine. The Federalist-style building was constructed in 1817 for Colonel Meltiah Jordan and is listed on the National Register of Historic Houses as the Colonel Meltiah Jordan House — though it is more commonly known locally as the Tisdale House after a later illustrious owner, Seth Tisdale. In 1897 businessman George Nixon Black gave the remodeled building to the City of Ellsworth with the enduring condition: 'That the premises conveyed shall be always used for a public library.' A three-story addition designed by Bingham & Woodward was completed in 1991, funded by a city bond, and now houses Maine reference materials, the Whitmore genealogy collection, adult fiction and non-fiction stacks, periodicals, and a lower-level meeting room with kitchen. The library holds more than 46,000 items and, as a member of the Minerva Library Network since October 2020, its cardholders can also request materials from over 60 libraries across the state.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Home since 1897 in the 1817 Federalist Colonel Meltiah Jordan House (Tisdale House), listed on the National Register of Historic Places, donated with a perpetual condition to remain a public library
- Founding gift made by George Nixon Black in 1897 — the building has served Ellsworth continuously for more than 125 years
- Whitmore Genealogy Collection and a dedicated Maine reference section in the 1991 addition designed by Bingham & Woodward
- Culture passes to the Farnsworth Art Museum, Maine Maritime Museum, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine Discovery Museum and Maine State Parks for free family visits
- U.S. passport acceptance services available at the library
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Ellsworth cardholders access a rich statewide digital library plus community-specific resources free of charge:
📚 Services
- U.S. passport acceptance — application processing available at the library
- Culture passes to Farnsworth Art Museum, Maine Maritime Museum, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine Discovery Museum & Maine State Parks
- Library of Things — growing collection of borrowable items beyond books
- Homebound delivery service for patrons who cannot visit in person
- Curbside pickup for holds
- Public computers, printing, faxing & free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room with adjacent kitchen (lower level)
- Interlibrary loan through the Minerva Network (60+ libraries statewide)
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program — artists, authors and musicians for kids and adults in July & August
- Book-A-Month and Between the Covers adult book clubs
- Yoga classes and wellness programs
- Mothers' Circle and Care-Grievers support groups
- Dungeons & Dragons club
- Author talks and book signings
- Youth events and teen programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Hancock County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Ellsworth Public Library building?
The library occupies a Federalist-style mansion built in 1817 for Colonel Meltiah Jordan and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is commonly known as the Tisdale House after a later owner, Seth Tisdale. In 1897 businessman George Nixon Black gave the remodeled building to the City of Ellsworth on the permanent condition that it always serve as a public library — a condition that has held for over 125 years.
Does Ellsworth Public Library offer passport services?
Yes. The Ellsworth Public Library is a U.S. passport acceptance facility. Contact the library at (207) 667-6363 or visit ellsworthlibrary.net for current appointment availability and what documents to bring.
What culture passes can I borrow from Ellsworth Public Library?
Ellsworth cardholders can borrow free passes to the Farnsworth Art Museum, Maine Maritime Museum, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine Discovery Museum and Maine State Parks. Passes are available through the library's website or at the front desk.
What is the Minerva Network and how does it help Ellsworth Library patrons?
The Ellsworth Public Library joined the Minerva Library Network in October 2020, connecting it to over 60 public and academic libraries across Maine. Cardholders can search a shared catalog of millions of items and request materials from any member library for free delivery to Ellsworth — dramatically expanding access beyond the local collection of 46,000-plus items.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
🎨 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 offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
