Camden Public Library
🏢 Minerva Library Network · Camden, Maine
Camden Public Library
Opened June 11, 1928, after Camden raised its own funds without Andrew Carnegie's help, the Camden Public Library stands at 55 Main Street overlooking the Megunticook River and Camden Harbor — a National Historic Landmark designed by Boston architect Charles G. Loring with grounds by landscape architect Fletcher Steele. Open every day of the week, it is home to the Walsh History Center with Edna St. Vincent Millay first editions and clipper-ship paintings, plus a museum pass program and year-round community events.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843
Phone: (207) 236-3440
Website: librarycamden.org
Plus Code: 87PG6W6P+J5 (Camden, 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 Camden Public Library
The Camden Public Library is the public library of Camden, Maine, a Knox County harbor town at the foot of Mount Battie on the Midcoast. The building and grounds were donated in 1916 by Mary Louise Curtis Bok, daughter of publishing magnate Cyrus H. K. Curtis; architect Charles G. Loring and landscape architect Fletcher Steele designed the 1928 brick building, cupola, and waterfront amphitheater. The first library in Camden dates to 1796, and the free public library was voted into existence in 1896. A 1996 Centennial Wing expansion added underground space without altering the historic facade. Today the library is a National Historic Landmark housing 11 clipper-ship paintings (10 stolen in 1970, all but one recovered in 1976), the Walsh History Center with Edna St. Vincent Millay archives, a Camden seed library, a museum pass program, 3D printing, homebound delivery, exam proctoring, and books-by-mail. The library is open every day of the week and participates in the Minerva library network.
⭐ What makes this library special
- National Historic Landmark opened June 11, 1928 — funded entirely by Camden community fundraising, no Carnegie money
- Designed by architect Charles G. Loring with waterfront grounds and amphitheater by landscape architect Fletcher Steele
- Walsh History Center holds Edna St. Vincent Millay first editions, her letters and high-school newspapers, and a 1920 harbor scale model
- Museum pass program (Pass Program — Museums & More!) for local and regional cultural attractions
- Open seven days a week including evenings until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Camden cardholders can stream, download, and research free through Maine's Minerva network and statewide digital resources:
📚 Services
- Museum pass program (Pass Program — Museums & More!) for local cultural institutions
- Walsh History Center: Edna St. Vincent Millay archives, Camden Herald digitized archives, cemetery database
- 3D printing at the library
- Homebound delivery and books-by-mail
- Exam proctoring
- Print, scan, copy & fax
- Seed library
- Public computers, Wi-Fi & tech help by appointment
- Meeting spaces and harbor amphitheater rental
🎸 Programs
- Preschool Story Time and Book Time for Babies
- Lego Club and Creative Art Afternoons for children
- Kids Summer Reading Program
- Work in Progress: Poetry & Writers Roundtable (adults)
- Tai Chi, Qigong & Yoga classes
- Camden Talks Climate educational series
- Historic Walking Tours
- Year-round art exhibitions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Midcoast Maine
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Camden Public Library building, and is it a historic landmark?
The building opened on June 11, 1928, after Camden citizens raised the money themselves — without any Carnegie foundation support. The land was donated by Mary Louise Curtis Bok in 1916 and the building was designed by Boston architect Charles G. Loring, with grounds by landscape architect Fletcher Steele. The library and grounds are now a National Historic Landmark.
What is the Walsh History Center, and what Edna St. Vincent Millay materials does it hold?
The Walsh History Center, housed downstairs in the library, holds first editions of works by Camden native daughter Edna St. Vincent Millay, her witty personal letters, and high-school newspapers she edited — some containing unsigned early poems. It also holds Revolution-era maps, an intricate scale model of Camden Harbor as it looked in 1920, and the original library blueprints.
Does the Camden Public Library offer museum passes?
Yes — the library operates a Pass Program (Museums & More!) allowing cardholders to borrow passes for local and regional cultural institutions. Visit librarycamden.org/passes or call (207) 236-3440 for current participating venues and availability.
Is the Camden Public Library open on Sundays, and what are the latest hours?
Yes — the library is open every day of the week. Sunday hours are 1–5 p.m. The library stays open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday for after-work visitors. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday is 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Note: Tuesday closes at 6 p.m. from January through April.)
🎨 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 has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.