With few indoor gathering spaces on the island, the library has become a vibrant community hub. On any given day, you might find someone reading quietly in a cozy corner, focused on a project at one of our tables, or sparking their imagination with hands-on activities in the children’s area.
Our Impact
Lending Library
Our collection of over 17,000 books, magazines, movies & CD’s is freely available to the community.
Children’s Center
We are dedicated to nurturing children of all ages. Shelves in the children’s area overflow with books, movies, games and toys. Year-round, school children fill the library with sounds of delight as students explore our collection. Now in its sixth year, in the summer art camp of 2026, Makers’ Space, was attended by 74 children in 7 workshops that included hands-on learning experiences and art making.
Educational Hub
Our summer lecture series has featured some legendary authors and speakers. Overflowing audiences have enjoyed authors as varied as swordfish-and-lobster-boat captain Linda Greenlaw; our own Pulitzer prizing winning David Shipler; and island-based poet Gary Rainford. Author Peter Blanchard shared the story of long-time residents of Placentia Island; his book, We Were an Island, was the basis of an independent film screened on the island.
Art Gallery
Creations by local artists, including school children, grace our walls. A portion of their sales benefits the library.
Meeting Place
Groups use our meeting room throughout the year. Our state-of-the-art conference technology is freely available and allows summer residents to serve on island committees during the winter months.
Internet Hotspot
A place where patrons can access high-speed internet 24/7 from the screened porch or the parking lot.
Emergency Shelter
During power outages people can come to the library to stay warm in the winter months or cool during heat waves in the summer. The addition of heat pumps in the summer of 2026 allowed us to expand our role as a cooling center. The building can always be used to heat up food in the kitchen, get drinking water, and use the bathrooms.