WELCOME TO STOCKTON SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Providing a welcoming atmosphere to encourage reading for pleasure, lifelong learning, and a sense of community.
Artwork by by Mark Quigley
About Us & Our History
Welcome to Stockton Springs Community Library serving Stockton Springs and surrounding localities in mid-coast Maine since 2001.
Situated in the historic Colcord House on the corner of Main and Station Streets, owned by the Stockton Springs Historical Society, it has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
SSCL plays an important role in the social fabric of the community. The library sponsors special events, author visits, art exhibitions (Art in the Stacks) and ongoing programs such as book clubs, a cookbook club, a knitting & crafting group, and a gardening group. The Town and Library also co-sponsor a Tai Chi group meeting twice a week at the Stockton Springs Town Office (lower level) and at the harbor in warmer weather.
For children, we offer story hours, Lego Make and Take time, special movie nights, costume parades and children’s book events featuring Maine authors and artists.
Our
Mission
1. To provide educational and historical resources for people of all ages in Stockton Springs and surrounding communities.
2. To promote and encourage reading for pleasure and for learning.
3. To enrich lives by offering a high-quality, constantly updated collection of print and non-print materials in an inclusive, friendly environment.
The Building
Colcord House owner and Maine architect Joseph W. Thompson (1822-1891) is believed to have built his home as well as the Fort Point Hotel and several other buildings in Stockton Springs in the mid to late 19th century. Thompson held many public offices in Maine and lived in the house until his death. His widow sold the house to Capt. Melvin E. Colcord.
Colcord spent forty years at sea. He sailed as master of the schooner David Babcock and the Bark Isaac Hall. Colcord also ran a ferry service in Stockton Harbor. The last Colcord resident to live in the house was Elaine Colcord Ward. The Stockton Springs Historical Society acquired the building in 1999 and volunteers have been restoring the house since then. The Historical Society shares the building with the Stockton Springs Community Library.
The Library
Basil Staples, a lifelong Stockton Springs resident, always hoped that his hometown would have a public library. In his retirement, he decided to bring his dream to fruition. Basil came up with the idea of starting a “Bottles for Books” campaign to fund the library’s purchase of books and videos. Since its inception in 2001, Bottles for Books has fully generated the funds needed to keep the library collection updated, thanks to the generosity of many local friends of the library who donate their refundable bottles and cans.
Along with Basil was his wife and co-founder, Mary Staples, a retired local teacher who was also the first Library Director. A great many dedicated and hard-working volunteers have joined together over the years to create and maintain the little gem that is home to both the Stockton Springs Community Library and the Stockton Springs Historic Society.
Children's Room
“Mary’s Room” is named in honor of Mary Staples. Steps leading to the room read one word at a time vertically up the risers, “Climb the stairs to Mary’s room.” For people needing assistance with access to the second floor, there is a motorized lift chair on the front staircase of the building.
In Mary’s room are picture books, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and Legos for children to play with as well as seasonal coloring and activity pages. There is a juvenile fiction and non-fiction room (ages 8-12) as well as a young adult nook (12-18) with cozy reading chairs, games, a doodle board and puzzles.
Services
Who We Are
Thank you to the individuals who have and continue to serve as Trustees and Board members. Your time, effort, and resources are greatly appreciated.
Library Director
Open
Vice President
Debbie Harris
Treasurer
Susan Hall-Taylor
Trustee
Pat Curley
Student Voting Trustee
Evan Cottrell
President
Carol Fuller
Secretary
Susan Henkel
Trustee
Andrea Staples
Trustee
Constance “Robbie” Pendleton
Thank You To Our Volunteers
Stockton Springs Community Library is governed and operated by a staff of dedicated volunteers and a part-time Library Director. Currently, there are over 30 volunteers helping out at the library on a regular basis in various capacities. The Library Trustees and Board Directors, who are also volunteers, would like to thank everyone who has provided such generous support. We appreciate your patronage, donations, volunteerism, and community spirit.
We are looking for new volunteers to work a few hours a month at the front desk as volunteer librarians. Training is provided. If you would like to join SSCL in a volunteer capacity, please stop by the library during open hours, call us at 567-4147, or send an email to stocktonstaff@stocktonsprings.lib.me.us.
Our monthly Board Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm and are always open to the public. We’d love to have you join us.
SSCL Volunteer Honorees
2024 – Nancy Olmstead and Laura Bouzan
2022 – Pat Bradley
2020 – Judy O’Neal
2018 – Donna Park
2016 – Ruth Lane and Tom Lane
2014 – Susan Henkel and Judy O’Neal
2012 – Paulina Joyce
2009 – Robbie Pendleton, Debbie Harris, Janice Capano
2007 – Becky Ames
2005 – Ed Colcord
2003 – Flora McMannis
2023 – Susan Hall-Taylor and Polly Taylor
2021 – BOTTLE VOLUNTEERS: Laura Bouzan, Pat Curley, Peter Curley, Carol Fuller, Sam Fuller, Debbie Harris, Jim Harris, Donna Newell, Dave Newell, Robbie Pendleton, Dick Pendleton, and Andrea Staples
2019 – Veronica Westbo
2017 – Hester Brooks
2015 – The Tea Volunteers
2013 – Cathy Melio, Dana Leighton, Buffy Parker, and Spiros Polemis
2011 – George Tsetsilas
2008 – Pat Curley and Hester Brooks
2006 – Basil Staples and Mary Staples
2004 – Peter Richardson and David Field
Funding
Stockton Springs Community Library Endowment Fund
SSCL kicked off its first Endowment Fund Drive on November 1, 2013. SSCL Library’s patrons and friends have continued to contribute generously and it was announced in the Spring of 2015 that the library had raised enough money to create an endowment fund at the Maine Community Foundation.
The Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and nonprofits to build strong communities in Maine since 1983. More information about the community foundation can be found at www.mainecf.org or by calling 1-877-700-6800.
Individuals may contribute directly to the Stockton Springs Community Library fund at the Maine Community Foundation. Individuals are also encouraged to consider the library in their estate planning, and you may also donate to the SSCL endowment fund in memory of a loved one.
If you wish to discuss making a donation or bequest directly to the SSCL Endowment Fund, or are interested in knowing more about the library’s plans for the future, please call the library at 207-567-4147 or email us at stocktonstaff@stocktonsprings.lib.me.us and one of our Directors or Trustees will be happy to contact you.
Bottles for Books
Since its inception, the biggest funding the library has, other than the Town of Stockton Springs annual contribution and various grants, is the Bottles for Books campaign. Bottles for Books raises about $9,000 every year to buy library materials. Refundable bottles and cans are collected in the wagon in front of the library.
The refundables are carted by volunteers to the Bucksport Redemption Center and turned into cash to buy books and DVDs. Donors can also take their refundables directly to the Bucksport Redemption Center and ask for them to be donated to the Stockton Springs Community Library account. Stockton Springs Community Library’s Bottles for Books Drive was recently highlighted in the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s Product Stewardship publication.
Local Assistance
We are thankful that Stockton Springs residents have voted each year to give the Library a donation that helps cover some of the library’s operating expenses. The rest of the operating budget and funding for the future come from community involvement, grant writing, and volunteer fundraising efforts.
With the exception of the part-time Library Director, every person working at the library is an unpaid volunteer, board director and/or trustee. We thank everyone who has donated their time, talents, and money.
Annual Fundraising
Each fall, the library sends a letter to library patrons and friends requesting a donation to ensure that the library can continue to serve the community now and in the future. If you haven’t received a form in the mail, please contact the library to be added to the mailing list.
If you would like to contribute to the endowment fund or prefer your donation to offset the library’s current operating expense, please mail your tax-deductible donation to SSCL, PO Box 293, Stockton Springs, ME 04981.
Click here to download the SSCL Donation Form.
The Library is thankful for all donations, large or small, from our donors.
Cash Donation Box
The Library greatly appreciates any cash donation, large or small. We have a donation box that was made by a volunteer at the Circulation Desk for your convenience.
Annual Fundraising Events
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Book, Bake, and Plant Sale. First Saturday in June.
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Art and Pie sale. Mid-August.
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Great Event and Community Yard Sale. Early September.
Stockton Springs Community Library is an independent 501(c)3 organization.
Library Policies
Winter weather closings: You can find out when the Library is forced to close due to inclement weather on Channel WBLZ Storm Center Closings. We also publish our closings on the SSCL Facebook Page.
Loan Periods:
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Books and Audio Books: 3 weeks.
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DVDs: 1 week. Only two videos may be borrowed per family at any time. Multiple-volume videos: 2 weeks.
Library items may be renewed in person or by phone (567-4147) during open hours.
We do not charge late fees.
Lost or Damaged Books: $25.00 for each item that is lost or damaged beyond repair.
Book and Video Donations. At the present time, the library is unable to accept any large donations of books or videos. Donations of new or lightly used books, audiobooks and DVDs are welcome the last week of May for our annual fundraiser. The Library reserves the right to refuse items that are in poor condition or for any reason. Year-round, you can find used books and DVDs in the library entry hall that are available for purchase at a nominal cost.