Welcome to the Belfast Free Library, serving the community of Belfast, Maine since 1887.
Operating in a historic building located in a vibrant community on beautiful Penobscot Bay, the Library offers a wide variety of programs and services for all ages.
The Library will be closed on Monday, October 9, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
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Quick Links
cloudLibrary– Audio & Ebooks
Kanopy –Film streaming service
Creative Bug– Art and Craft Classes
Tech Help– sign up to make an appointment
Upcoming Events
Calendar of Events
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2 events,
Wiggle & Rhyme: Baby and Toddler Play Time
Wiggle & Rhyme: Baby and Toddler Play Time
A chance for families to share nursery rhymes, songs, action rhymes and books with babies and toddlers. Librarian led content is followed by toy time to build relationships.
“Risk and Reward off Cape Horn” with Charles Lagerbom
“Risk and Reward off Cape Horn” with Charles Lagerbom
The Belfast Historical Society presents this talk with AP history teacher at Belfast Area High School, Charles "Chip" Lagerbom. The talk “Risk and Reward Off Cape Horn: The Story of […]
1 event,
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and […]
1 event,
Knit2Together
Knit2Together
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for […]
0 events,
2 events,
Storytimes for Preschoolers
Storytimes for Preschoolers
This literacy based series invites families to grow social skills, verbal ability and participation. A film is sometimes shown and a craft follows.
Teen Trivia Series #1~ Lord of the Rings
Teen Trivia Series #1~ Lord of the Rings
Bring your knowledge of Bilbo, Frodo and the "one ring to rule them all"! This trivia topic will be awesome!! Date~ September 29th Time~ 4:30 to 5:30 Location~ The Abbott […]
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and […]
Music Together
Music Together
This incredible opportunity is provided free with support from the Belfast Free Library. Connections and brain growth are rampant in this musical program for birth through age 5 with their […]
1 event,
Knit2Together
Knit2Together
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for […]
0 events,
1 event,
Opening Reception for “Of Cod and Communities” by Linda Buckmaster
Opening Reception for “Of Cod and Communities” by Linda Buckmaster
The Belfast Free Library is hosting an opening of the exhibit “Of Cod and Communities” by Linda Buckmaster . The free event is open to all and will include live […]
1 event,
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Book donations will be accepted at the sale, up to 12 good quality books per person. The Friends are looking for current fiction, cooking, gardening and children’s books.
0 events,
1 event,
Library Closed for Indigenous People’s Day
2 events,
October “Take and Make” for Children and Teens
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and […]
1 event,
Knit2Together
Knit2Together
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for […]
2 events,
LEGO CLUB at the Library
LEGO CLUB at the Library
This opportunity to play with boxes of LEGO's donated to the library turns a solitary game into a community time to create on your own.
Wheelbarrow Poets Group Reading
Wheelbarrow Poets Group Reading
Members of the Wheelbarrow Poets, midcoast writers who gather weekly at the Belfast Free Library, will be sharing some of their work in round-robin style during an evening reading to prelude the kickoff […]
1 event,
Belfast Poetry Festival Workshop
Belfast Poetry Festival Workshop
Collective Grief Workshop: From Root To Seed Workshop Leaders: Samaa Abdurraqib & Jefferson Navicky This workshop centers our love and grief for the natural world through the anthology From Root to Seed: […]
1 event,
Belfast Poetry Festival Workshop
Belfast Poetry Festival Workshop
How To Be A Human Radio With Id M Theft Able And Jefferson Navicky Are you interested in performance? Would you like help accessing your own inner actor? Have you always […]
0 events,
1 event,
Book Discussion: The Power of Trees by Peter Wohlleban
Book Discussion: The Power of Trees by Peter Wohlleban
The annual world-wide ecumenical observance of the Season of Creation began on September 1 and ends on October 4. In the Belfast area St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and St. Francis […]
2 events,
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and […]
2 events,
Mum’s the Word: A Wartime Tale of Secrets, Intrigue, Rescue, and Daring, With a Genealogical Connection
Mum’s the Word: A Wartime Tale of Secrets, Intrigue, Rescue, and Daring, With a Genealogical Connection
Last February, Rick Davis told the story of James Monroe Munyon, perhaps the most famous patent medicine salesman in America. This time, Davis will spin a wartime tale involving Curtiss […]
Knit2Together
Knit2Together
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for […]
1 event,
NEW STEAM Series! Ocean Xplorers for ages 8-12, Space is limited – Registration required
NEW STEAM Series! Ocean Xplorers for ages 8-12, Space is limited – Registration required
New STEAM Team Ocean Xplorers Program is turning the tides towards the future starting in October Registration is now open (https://extension.umaine.edu/waldo/4h/ocean-xplorers/) for a new, interactive multi-session STEAM (Science, Technology, […]
1 event,
Storytimes for Preschoolers
Storytimes for Preschoolers
This literacy based series invites families to grow social skills, verbal ability and participation. A film is sometimes shown and a craft follows.
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Wiggle & Rhyme: Baby and Toddler Play Time
Wiggle & Rhyme: Baby and Toddler Play Time
A chance for families to share nursery rhymes, songs, action rhymes and books with babies and toddlers. Librarian led content is followed by toy time to build relationships.
Teen Art Series #2 ~ Cubism
Teen Art Series #2 ~ Cubism
Cubism is a revolutionary approach to representing reality, and we will be exploring this reality in our 2nd program, of the Belfast Free Library "Teen Art Series". Come learn a […]
Belfast Historical Society Program: “New-Old Photographs of Belfast” with Kevin Johnson
Belfast Historical Society Program: “New-Old Photographs of Belfast” with Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson, photo archivist at Penobscot Marine Museum. The talk “New-Old Photographs of Belfast” is from their extensive collection of Belfast images. The museum’s negative and print collections grow each […]
2 events,
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and […]
Camden Conference Community Event
Camden Conference Community Event
Maine in the India Trade with Cipperly Good, Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History at the Penobscot Marine Museum. This talk will explore Maine sailing cargo ships engaged in […]
1 event,
Knit2Together
Knit2Together
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for […]
1 event,
Kelp Farming and Related Projects from the Belfast Area High School & BCOPE Marine Institute – Dave Thomas and BAHS Faculty & Students
Kelp Farming and Related Projects from the Belfast Area High School & BCOPE Marine Institute – Dave Thomas and BAHS Faculty & Students
Teachers and students from RSU 71 including Belfast Area High School and the alternative program BCOPE will be describing the newly formed Belfast Marine Institute, an initiative born out of […]
2 events,
Storytimes for Preschoolers
Storytimes for Preschoolers
This literacy based series invites families to grow social skills, verbal ability and participation. A film is sometimes shown and a craft follows.
Teen Trivia Series #2~ Star Wars
Teen Trivia Series #2~ Star Wars
"May the force be with you" when you compete for the title of "Jedi Trivia Master"! Date~ October 27th Time~ 4:30 to 5:30 Location~ The Abbott Room of the Belfast […]
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Wiggle & Rhyme: Baby and Toddler Play Time
Wiggle & Rhyme: Baby and Toddler Play Time
A chance for families to share nursery rhymes, songs, action rhymes and books with babies and toddlers. Librarian led content is followed by toy time to build relationships.
Book Discussion: The Power of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Book Discussion: The Power of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
This is the second discussion in the series, offered in conjunction with this year's Season of Creation Theme, Listening to Trees: Witnesses and Prophets. In his beloved book “The Hidden […]
Scary Storytelling on the Harbor for School Age and Teens
Scary Storytelling on the Harbor for School Age and Teens
Not for the very young, stories take ability to listen and are chosen by the storytellers for the older child and teens. If rain, the stories will be in the […]
1 event,
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet
The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and […]
1 event,
Knit2Together
Knit2Together
Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for […]
0 events,
2 events,
Storytimes for Preschoolers
Storytimes for Preschoolers
This literacy based series invites families to grow social skills, verbal ability and participation. A film is sometimes shown and a craft follows.
Mr. Drew and His Animals Too at the Library!
Mr. Drew and His Animals Too at the Library!
This popular presentation returns to your Belfast Free Library. An opportunity to interact with the animals follows Mr. Drew's talk. RSU 71 Early Release day.
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Library News
- The Library recently installed a new water fountain and water bottle filler in the Abbott Room! This was made possible by a generous donation from the Friends of the Belfast Free Library. Thank you Friends!
- The State Park Pass is back and available to check out using your library card! Circulation limited to 3 days.
- We now have passes to the Farnsworth Museum! Stop by the main circulation desk for more information.
- As always, new books arriving daily.
- We now offer free access to the New York Times. Click the image below for more information:
- We have become a FamilySearch affiliate library! Click here for more information.
Contact Us
106 High Street, Belfast, Maine 04915
Telephone: (207) 338-3884
Monday 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday Noon – 8:00 pm
Thursday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am- 2:00 pm
Sunday CLOSED
New Fiction
New Non-Fiction
Join our genealogy group tomorrow at 2pm for a fun presentation from Dana Murch! #belfastfreelibrary #belfastmaine #mainegenealogy

Join us tomorrow at 2pm for this genealogy presentation from B.J. Jamieson of the Maine State Library! All are welcome.
#belfastfreelibrary #belfastmaine #mainegenealogy

On Tuesday August 29th please join the All of Belfast Climate Dialogues (ABCD) team, Sarah Kirn, Misty Mallar and librarian Brenda Harrington as they highlight their efforts of the past three years to engage the community in conversations about climate resiliency. The event will take place in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library; 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM reception with light refreshments, 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM presentation followed by time for conversation.
In 2020, the Belfast Free Library won a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services for the All of Belfast Climate Dialogues, a Community Memory project. The grant was to create educational programs and facilitate conversations among a broad cross-section of the Belfast community about climate change. Part of the grant was to collect an archive of Belfast area residents’ observations, concerns and hopes about climate change impacts in our region at this critical time.
To accomplish this the ABCD project created web pages and hosted a series of educational programs on climate change. From 2020-2023, ABCD has held over 40 educational programs & community climate conversations. You can find these on our YouTube ABCD playlist, our event summaries, and highlighted in the ABCD archive. A tour of all of the archived resources on the website will be included in the presentation.
Although the funding for this IMLS grant program is ending in August 2023, the Library will continue offering educational programs on the climate crisis and serve as a resource for climate change. Please join us to reflect and celebrate, and to recognize all those ABCD has partnered with who are working on climate resiliency for our community.
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#climateactionnow #resilience #waldocounty #library #libraries #publiclibrary #publiclibraries #loveyourlibrary #librariesrock #librarygram #librariesofinstagram #IMLS #IMLSgrant #allofbelfastclimatedialogues #abcdbelfast #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatedialogues #climateaction #protectwhatyoulove #belfastmaine #belfastfreelibrary

Zumba for Teens and Adults will be happening tomorrow, August 11th from 4:30 to 5:30, in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library! Wear your best exercise clothes and come dance your face off with Donna Wentworth, certified Zumba instructor! It is free, it is fun, and it is healthy! #zumbafitness #libraryprogramming #teenprograms

Calling all teens and adults! Please come to the Belfast Free Library color-field painting event on Friday, August 4th, from 4:00 to 5:30! We will start in the Abbott Room and, most likely, move outside for the painting portion of this program! See you there! #teenlibraryprograms #markeothko #teenartist #teenartist #colorfieldpainting

On Tuesday August 8, 2023 at 6:30 PM the All of Belfast Climate Dialogues project (ABCD) will host former and current members of Belfast’s Climate Crisis Committee (CCC) to introduce the Climate Action Plan they wrote for Belfast. Their final plan was submitted to City Council on June 4, 2023.
Beginning in June 2022, ABCD hosted four Community Climate Conversations on topics to be considered in a climate action plan. The public had the opportunity to share their ideas and visions to create a resilient Belfast. Members of the CCC were present at each meeting and considered the community concerns in their final plan.
To learn more about these conversations, including audience input and video recordings please go to the ABCD Archived Collection of Community Climate Conversations:
https://abcdbelfast.omeka.net.
You can view the Climate Action Plan document on your the Belfast Free Library’s ABCD web page.
Copies of the Climate Action Plan are also available to pick up at the library in advance of the program.
For more information, please call Brenda Harrington at 207-338-3884 ext. 30.
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#climateactionnow #climateactionplan #resilience #waldocounty #library #libraries #publiclibrary #publiclibraries #loveyourlibrary #librariesrock #librarygram #librariesofinstagram #IMLS #IMLSgrant #allofbelfastclimatedialogues #abcdbelfast #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatedialogues #climateaction #protectwhatyoulove #belfastmaine #belfastfreelibrary

Join our genealogy group tomorrow at 2pm for a presentation from Penny West! All are welcome.
#belfastmaine #belfastfreelibrary #mainegenealogicalsociety

Community Resilience for the Climate Emergency
Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Belfast Free Library (with Zoom option)
The Peace & Social Justice Forum/Waldo County, in coordination with ABCD and Possibility Alliance, will host Dr. Peter Kalmus, award winning author and climate scientist from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. He has said that “Global Warming is happening with a rapidity that leaves me speechless” and is dismayed that our government is not placing this existential threat at the center of the challenges that we are facing.
Moving beyond fossil fuels and how we as individuals can work toward this goal, while living fulfilled lives is the question he and his family have been grappling with. Dr. Kalmus will share his personal journey in this essential work, and will discuss how we can respond as individuals locally, and in collective ways to move us toward a fossil free future. His award winning book is titled “Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution.”
Following the presentation on July 19, Dr. Kalmus will join other climate activists for two community circles to further the conversation about practical ways to support a just transition and increase community resilience in this time of climate crisis. Both circles are open to the public and will be held at the Possibility Alliance, 85 Edgecomb Road, Belfast on Sunday July23, and Saturday August 5, from 4-6 pm. All are invited.
@climatehuman
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#climateactionnow #resilience #waldocounty #library #libraries #publiclibrary #publiclibraries #loveyourlibrary #librariesrock #librarygram #librariesofinstagram #IMLS #IMLSgrant #allofbelfastclimatedialogues #abcdbelfast #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatedialogues #climateaction #protectwhatyoulove #belfastmaine

The Belfast Free Library is now a FamilySearch affiliate library!
FamilySearch affiliate libraries have privileges to limited-access FamilySearch databases. While inside the library (either connected to the library`s WiFi or using of our desktop computers), you are now are able to login using a personal free FamilySearch account and have the ability to view all the records available to an affiliate library at familysearch.org.
Happy researching!
#belfastfreelibrary #belfastmaine
