The Skidompha Public Library is the

public library A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants. There are ...

serving Damariscotta,

Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area in Australia, named after Newcastle ...

, and Nobleboro in Maine.

History

On March 13, 1905, the Skidompha Library Association was incorporated and its collection of 1,476 books was given to the three towns (Damariscotta, Newcastle and Nobleboro) as the start of a Free Public Library. The library was established over the Charles M. Jones Grocery Store on Main Street. In 1922, the Library Association and Women's Club of Damariscotta purchased the

Stephen Coffin House The Stephen Coffin House is a historic house at 170 Main Street in downtown Damariscotta, Maine. Built in the first decade of the 19th century, it is a fine local example of Federal style architecture, and is further distinctive for its ell, wh ...

which served as a library and meeting place until 2001, when the larger, current facility on Main Street opened. "SKIDOMPHA" is an acronym formed from letters in the names of Skidompha's founding club members: * S – Ellie Stetson * K – Judie and Addie Kelsey * I – Ida Benner * D – Mrs. James David * O – Mrs. Osman Plummer * M – Mr. and Mrs. Charles Merry * P – Mary Pinkham * H – William K. Hilton * A – Jennie Ames

Awards and recognition

Skidompha Public Library was awarded the prestigious

National Medal for Museum and Library Service The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is an award given annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to American libraries and museums with outstanding service to their communities. The IMLS refers to the medal as "t ...

, the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (

IMLS The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent agency of the United States federal government established in 1996. It is the main source of federal support for libraries and museums within the United States, having the mis ...

) in 2008. Skidompha was one of just five libraries in the United States selected to receive the medal for its outstanding community engagement, services and innovative programming for adults learning to read, senior citizens, young reluctant readers and more. The award ceremony was held at the White House in Washington, D.C., with First Lady, Laura Bush (also a librarian), presiding. The library is one of the few libraries in Maine designated as a "Star Library" by

Library Journal ''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...

References

External links

*
Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop
{{authority control Infrastructure completed in 2001 Public libraries in Maine 1905 establishments in Maine Libraries established in 1905 Libraries in Lincoln County, Maine Damariscotta, Maine