It is no secret that I love libraries. I have worked in some of the most beautiful buildings in Maine. The interesting thing about Maine’s roughly 250 libraries is that each of them is unique, both in style and in history. So far in my career I have been privileged to work in a beaux arts style building with a glass floor and round walls, a one room library in a brand new community center and a library housed in a former school house.

Each of the buildings had a fascinating story to tell.

McArthur Library in Biddeford Courtesy photo

McArthur Library’s story is utterly amazing. In the 1860s, the division in the United States over slavery was rampant, and that is true of Biddeford as well. When Frederick Douglass was invited to speak at a local church, the congregation was divided. Not just metaphorically, but physically. The church split into two and our beautiful building was constructed to house one of the two congregations.

Fifty years later, the church re-unified and our benefactor, Robert McArthur rallied the citizenry to purchase the remarkable downtown building to house a public library for Biddeford. That is just one tiny part of our history.

The other part is why libraries exist in the first place. Initially books were costly and rare and only the rich could afford them. Reading was considered a male activity and much too taxing for the female brain. Many libraries were subscription libraries and residents had to pay to belong.

Robert McArthur, our benefactor, an immigrant who rose through the ranks in mill work, saw a public library as a way for anyone, regardless of background, to become educated. That is still true today. There are many states who have state funded or county funded libraries; Maine is not one of those states.

Services vary from city to town to undeveloped territory. Biddeford is indeed very fortunate to have an establishment that has existed for 160 years and is still thriving.

This weekend, on Saturday, March 11 at 2 p.m., we invite all to visit the library, and hear more about these wonderful institutions.

Author Thomas Johnson will speak about his new book, “Common Place: The Public Library, Civil Society and Early American Values.” There is one featured library that will be very familiar to most of you. Light refreshments will be served and the event is free and open to the public.

For more information, email mtcoombs@mcarthurlibrary.org.

Melanie Taylor Coombs is adult services supervisor / librarian for McArthur Public Library, 270 Main St., Biddeford, ME 04005. She can be reached at 207-284-4181.