Two Seaside Libraries: Camden, Maine and Provincetown, Massachusetts

A lovely garden at the Camden Public Library.

Two sunny summer weekends, and two lovely coastal libraries - one, in Camden, Maine, and the other, in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Both were lovely and reflected that breezy sunny summer seashore feeling we so enjoy!

The library from the water.

Let’s start with Provincetown, since that is the more recent of the two, and also a library we have visited in the past. On our first visit, we drove the length of Cape Cod, visiting libraries along the way. On this occasion, I arrived by boat - and what a different experience of the library! 

First, when approaching Provincetown via the road, you have to sit in traffic, find a place to park, and then look for the library. When coming via water, the library is right there. In fact, it’s the biggest building you can see (aside from the giant memorial).

Walking up Commercial Street, the town was hopping. It was Carnival, and the place was packed. It took ages to make it up to the library because there were so many things to see and do!

Arriving at the Provincetown Public Library, we were greeted by a friendly drag queen, all in pink, handing out pink heart stickers to visitors. What a great way to help people feel welcome and appreciated! Walking into the library, you enter on the ground floor, which is fine. Books, media, circulation desk - the standard fare.

Provincetown’s Book Bike.

Going up a level, well, that changes things pretty radically. On the second floor (and above) is a half-scale model of the schooner Rose Dorothea. The original Rose Dorothea was built in 1905 and went on to have a storied career as both a racer (she won the Lipton Cup in 1907) and a proud member of the New England fisheries.

In 1977, as a tribute to the ship and the town’s maritime history, a half-scale replica of the Rose Dorothea was started. It would be more than a decade before it was dedicated at the Heritage Museum. When that building became Provincetown’s public library, the ship - which had been built inside the building - stayed.

It’s a lovely and curious centerpiece for the library. The one thing we always wish for the Rose Dorothea is that it be used in some way by the library. Oh, isn’t there a way that storytime could be held on the deck? Or a maritime musical program? 

Fresh zucchinis in the crop swap.

Up one level from the Rose Dorothea is a mezzanine (the masts are pretty tall) with a seating area looking out on Provincetown Harbor. Staffers say it’s the best view around, and it would be hard to argue against it.

On the way out, I spotted a refrigerator in a small alcove. On inspection, I saw that it said “Crop Swap.” While I was admiring it and trying to figure out how the program worked, someone came in carrying boxes of vegetables. He explained that folks could bring fresh vegetables in or take some home, all free. As soon as he’d dropped things off, several people came to get theirs. It was the first time we’ve seen a library offer this, and it was great.

The other thing that was great to see as we continued our day was the hundreds of pink heart stickers people were wearing. They were a nice visual sign of how many people had visited the library! Speaking of nice visuals, I ran into someone else with the same orange sunglasses!

Orange glasses all around!

About 160 miles northeast of Provincetown as the crow flies, across the Bay of Maine, is Camden, Maine, another seaside community (albeit one with a very different vibe). The Camden Public Library is an amazing little place. Or you might think it’s little, as you walk up to what appears to be a small, one-story, brick building. 

A mysterious little structure!

Before going into the library, let us pause a moment to reflect on the grounds and the view. One of the first things you’ll notice is a lone glass structure in the middle of a lawn. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a key to an amazing feature of the library. The lawn, dotted with benches, overlooks the harbor and provides a dazzling view.

Another amazing outside feature is an amphitheater. We’ve seen a few libraries with spaces like these and wish there were more of them. This one is surrounded by trees and includes sunny and shaded spaces. There are a surprising number of really lovely outdoor reading spaces at this library, including one with benches resting on concrete books.

Now, inside.

Entering the library, you find yourself in a large open room. It’s the original library and is a lovely little bandbox of a building. This room is for quiet reading and study and has a beautiful view of the grounds and harbor beyond. It’s also got a ton of interesting artwork, primarily focused on maritime themes.

One view of the Camden reading room.

Another view of the Camden reading room.

There’s more to see, however, than meets the eye! Down a flight of stairs is a little half-floor that includes the administrative offices, the local history room, and other operational parts of the library. Down one more set of stairs and you find yourself in the main part of the library - underground! That glass structure? Aha, it’s there to bring natural light into the space.

The secret of the mystery structure!

The space itself is pretty large and includes the majority of the collection, the circulation desk, a number of nice work spaces, a separate children’s room, very clean and modern restrooms, and additional staff work areas. All are in great condition.

There is a door on this level that we hadn’t seen from the street, and people were coming and going. During this visit, the library was well-used. People were asking for help with technology, checking books out, chatting with the staff, and simply sitting and relaxing. It was the picture of a comfortable library on a sunny summer afternoon. 

The two libraries conveyed different versions of the New England seaside experience. One was loud, bright, and boisterous - inviting and exciting visitors. The other was calm, quiet, and staid - offering an oasis on a blisteringly hot summer day. Both benefit from strong community support, as well as heavy usage from vacationers. Both were also in places of privilege, a fact that was pretty clear when exploring the shops and restaurants surrounding them. Finally, both were absolutely lovely, and great places to spend some time.