History Portland Library Society

during american revolution, british sacked town of falmouth, along old town-house, publick library. willis account, in destruction of town, little collection dispersed , number of books lost: during war operations entirely suspended until 1780, when attempt made collect fragments , restore them use. library revived, 1786. local newspaper announced falmouth library society re-established upon such principles , rules render useful institution. new members have lately been added.

portland library, 1787-1826

after town of falmouth became portland in 1786, falmouth library society became portland library society. several years later, library re-established, 1806. around 1826 newly formed portland athenaeum bought portland library $1,640. 1828, athenaeum reported: received in portland social library between 1,600 , 1,700 volumes. ... in looking on catalogue of portland library, though contained large number of works of standard merit, , perhaps quite large proportion of works of character, found in libraries formed has been, small additions made year year, , made of popular reading of time.