Patten Free Library has been a stalwart in the Bath community for well over a century. Though the building has gone through multiple renovations and expansions since opening its doors in 1891, it still upholds that original 19th-century charm.
“The library was designed by world renowned architect George Edward Harding, who designed many buildings in New York City,” said Robin Haynes, manager of the Sagadahoc History & Genealogy Room of the Patten Free Library. “He followed the Richardson Romanesque tradition, and designed many train stations and grandiose public buildings in the city.”
“We have over 500 donors who contribute to our annual fund,” said library director Lesley Dolinger. “In the 19th century, the first donors were ship captains who donated shares of their schooners to the library. They call Bath the ‘City of Ships’ for a reason.”
Harding also invoked the French chateau- style when designing the main tower of the library, which still stands today in renovated form. Its hallmark features are a steep, castle-like peak and arrow-slit windows.
Expansions in 1961 and 1998 brought the library to its current form.
“We couldn’t have gotten here without our funding, and we continue to thrive because of our amazing donors throughout the community,” said Dolinger. “We have a robust endowment that has grown over the years. Between annual dinners, sponsorship programs such as the Saturday Club (where local businesses raise funds so the library can stay open on Saturdays), art gallery fundraisers, bottle drives and the library council, we should stay strong for years to come.”
Public use of the library has never been higher.
“One of our most popular areas is the reading room, which is located in the oldest part of the building,” said Dolinger. “Thanks to donations we are able to keep this room up to snuff. We recently refurbished the old wood floors, which helps invoke that old world charm. And a Bath couple raised $9,000 for new furniture in ’98. Just another example of this amazing community helping the library.”
The fiction stacks are also located in the original building.
So, how is the library celebrating the big 125th?
“We (had) a float in the Bath Heritage Days parade which was decorated by the teen library council, a group of teens who meet here after school,” said Dolinger. “Our architects just got the funding to design a new teen space for them, so that will be the biggest project this year. The teens do so much for this library and their space right now is tiny. They deserve this, and what better time to do it than during our 125th anniversary?”
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