Our class looking at the Wiscasset Public Library.
Our class looking at the Wiscasset Public Library.
The Wiscasset Social Library was opened in 1899 and it had a total of 1,300 books. In 1903, Andrew Carnegie was approached for monetary assistance. He made an offer of $4,000 for a building, provided that enough money could be raised annually for the continued operation of the library. The Town could not raise the money for the operation of the Library and therefore could not accept Mr. Carnegie's offer. In 1921 the Library became the Wiscasset Public Library. It was privately endowed by a number of Wiscasset citizens.
The Wiscasset Public Library was first built as a bank. The bank had
a jug vault in the basement. A person had to use a ladder to get into
and out of the vault. The vault looked like a large bean pot made out
of bricks. The vault was surrounded by water and another layer of
bricks. If someone tried to break into the vault they would
drown!
Today, with an annual circulation of 30,000 books, the Wiscasset
Public Library is considered one of the best in the state.