Public Library, Bangor, Maine

[LIB9980] At the time this postcard was published, it claimed that this library "has the largest number of books per capita in the country."

The Bangor Public Library is the public library serving Bangor, Maine. The library was first founded in 1830 as the Bangor Mechanic Association's private library.

By 1911, the library's collection had grown to 70,000 books, yet all but 29 were burned in a great fire that destroyed most of the Bangor Business District. The library reopened in May 1911 with the handful of saved books and the 1300 others which had been on loan.

The present library building, designed by the Boston architectural firm Peabody and Stearns, opened its doors in 1913. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewishfan/7077793819/]