Waterville Public Library

History of the Library

Since 1896, the Waterville Public Library has been a center for community and learning, a place where people and ideas connect. The Waterville Public Library is located in a lovely old building built at the turn of the 20th Century.  In 1902, the town of Waterville benefited, as did many American and European towns, from the generosity of Andrew Carnegie. Known as Carnegie libraries, these libraries often shared a distinctive architectural style called Richardsonian Romanesque, created by library architect Henry Richardson in the late 19th century. Characteristics of the Richardson Romanesque style are a Norman tower, dramatic semicircular arches, and a rugged appearance. The Waterville Library building is typical of this look with its rounded arches, distinctive roofline and fancy stonework. The 1976 addition has bigger windows and no granite, but its horizontal lines blend with those of the original building. This historic building currently houses a collection of materials ranging from the latest bestselling books to popular collections of movies and audiobooks. The library also provides computers for job searching and word processing.

It is the mission of the Waterville Public Library to provide the best in library services to the Waterville community.  With the largest collection of materials in public libraries in Central Maine, the Waterville Public Library is sure to have something that will interest everyone!  The Library has an outstanding collection of books (fiction and nonfiction) for readers of all ages, graphic novels, audiobooks (on CD, and available to download through the cloudLibrary ), films (DVD and Blu-Ray), magazines, newspapers, music CDs, and a fabulous Large Print collection. The Library provides access to 11 public computers in cubicles that include built-in device charging ports, plus printing and faxing services for the lowest prices in town. Our Carnegie Art Gallery hosts local artists, but artwork and historical photos can be found on display all around the library as well.The Library always provides open seating and work areas year-round for people to sit and relax.

 

Updated: 4/24/24