Rice Public Library
🏢 Minerva Library Network · Kittery, Maine
Rice Public Library
The Rice Public Library is one of Maine's architectural gems: a two-story Romanesque Revival building completed in 1889, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and reopened in 2022 after a $6.1 million restoration that carried it into its next century of service to Kittery.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 8 Wentworth Street, Kittery, ME 03904
Phone: (207) 439-1553
Website: rice.lib.me.us
Plus Code: 87MF37P5+M2 (Kittery, 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 Rice Public Library
The Rice Public Library is the public library of Kittery, York County's southernmost town and the site of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The library traces its origins to the 1867 will of Arabella Rice, who left funds for the establishment of a public library in Kittery in honor of her father, a Kittery native. A board of trustees was formed in 1875, and the building was completed in 1889 to the design of Boston architect Shepard S. Woodcock — one of only two two-story Romanesque Revival public libraries in Maine and Woodcock's only known surviving commission in the state. Constructed primarily of Philadelphia brick with granite trim, the building features a hip roof, a three-story tower on the right, and a main entrance recessed under a round arch in a projecting gable section. Its upper level originally housed a museum and meeting space used by the Grand Army of the Republic. After a $6.1 million renovation, the library reopened in 2022 with fully restored historic spaces and expanded services. The Rice is a member of the Minerva Library Network, giving its cardholders access to collections across more than 60 Maine libraries.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979 — one of only two two-story Romanesque Revival public libraries in Maine, designed by Boston architect Shepard S. Woodcock
- Founded by bequest of Arabella Rice (1867 will), with the building completed in 1889 using Philadelphia brick with granite trim
- Reopened in 2022 after a $6.1 million restoration, bringing the 135-year-old landmark into its next generation of service
- Museum passes to local museums and attractions, sponsored by the Friends of Rice Public Library
- Evening hours Wednesday and Thursday (open until 8pm) for working patrons and families
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Rice cardholders can browse, borrow and stream free through the Minerva Network and Maine's statewide digital resources:
📚 Services
- Museum passes to local museums, aquariums and attractions — sponsored by the Friends of Rice Public Library (cardholders only, reserve online by day)
- Public computers, printing & free Wi-Fi
- Meeting rooms available for reservation
- Genealogy resources and career/test preparation materials
- Interlibrary loan through the Minerva Network (60+ Maine libraries)
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program for children and teens
- Rice Pudding Poetry — community poetry events
- Youth events and activities throughout the year
- Author talks and community events
- Movie nights and Comics Plus digital comics
📍 Nearby Libraries in York County & Seacoast Maine
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Rice Public Library?
The library is named for Arabella Rice, whose 1867 will left funds to establish a public library in Kittery in honor of her father, a Kittery native. A board of trustees formed in 1875, three years after her death, and the building was completed in 1889. The library has served Kittery ever since under her name.
Is the Rice Public Library building historic?
Yes. The Rice Public Library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Completed in 1889, it was designed by Boston architect Shepard S. Woodcock in the Romanesque Revival style, using Philadelphia brick and granite trim. It is one of only two two-story Romanesque Revival public library buildings in Maine and Woodcock's only known surviving commission in the state. The building underwent a $6.1 million renovation and reopened in 2022.
Does Rice Public Library offer museum passes?
Yes. The Rice Public Library offers museum passes to local museums, aquariums and attractions, sponsored by the Friends of the Rice Public Library. Passes are for Rice cardholders only (not transferable to other Minerva libraries), reserved by the day online using your card number, and picked up in person at the library before your visit.
What are Rice Public Library's evening hours?
The library is open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 8pm, making it one of the few York County libraries with regular weeknight hours. Tuesday and Friday are 10am–5pm, Saturday is 10am–2pm, and the library is closed Monday and Sunday.
🎨 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.
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