FAQ >>

How do I get a library card?
When is the Library open?
How do I get to Bailey & where do I park?
How do I check my account, reserve and renew books?
How do I search for a book or other items?
How do I do genealogy research?
How do I borrow downloadable audiobooks and/or eBooks?
How do I support Bailey Library?
How do I ask a librarian a question online?
How do I get a book from another library?
How do I return items after hours?
How do I use a computer in the library?
How do I find a magazine or newspaper article?

How do I get a library card?

Library Cards are provided free to anyone living in Winthrop or paying property taxes to Winthrop. Additionally, cards are provided to anyone employed or going to school in Winthrop. Cards are required to borrow books and other materials. Signing up for your library card is quick and easy. All you need is identification that contains your current street address, e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, rent receipt or any piece of recently delivered mail, and photo identification. Library Cards are available to non-residents, for a yearly fee of $40. This card entitles the holder to all library services.

When is the Library open?

Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 3pm-8pm
Friday: 10am-3pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm
Sunday: Closed

How do I get to Bailey & where do I park?

The Bailey Public Library is located at 39 Bowdoin St in Winthrop, Maine.

Enter your zip code for directions:

A parking lot designated for library patrons is located across the street from the library. Limited parking is also available on Bowdoin street, Union street and Summer street. There is also a municipally owned parking lot outside Sully’s (38 Main St), which is within easy walking distance.

How do I check my account, reserve and renew books?

To check your account status or renew and reserve books you need to visit the Minerva Online Catalog. You will need to enter your name and the 14-digit patron bar-code found on your library card.

How do I search for a book or other items?

You can search for a book or other items by using the catalog search box located on every page of our website, or by searching Minerva by clicking here.

How do I do genealogy research?

Click: Books and other materials on genealogy at Bailey

Ellis Island Passenger Search: libertyellisfoundation.org/passenger

In-house access to Ancestry.com: ancestrylibrary.com/default.aspx

Maine State Vital Records: maine.gov/sos/arc/research/vitalrec.html

National Archives at Boston: archives.gov/boston
Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

How do I borrow downloadable audiobooks and/or eBooks?

Click here for detailed directions on borrowing audiobooks and eBooks.

How do I support Bailey?

DONATE MONEY

Your gift to the Winthrop Public Library Foundation 501(c)(3) helps the Library serve the community above and beyond what tax-based funding provides. Thanks to donations from individuals, businesses and foundations, the Foundation continues to provide support to the Bailey Library. Some achievements include:
• 2015 Locashio Addition
• New slate roof, windows and insulation (1916 building)
• Purchase of adjacent property for future parking lot
• All hours book drop with media slot on Bowdoin Street
• Purchase of lending materials
• Patron-focused furnishings and technology
• Support for literacy and music programs for children
• Free events with acclaimed authors, artists and community leaders

To help the Foundation support the library to the fullest extent, we offer the following annual memberships. Members will be displayed on our wall of donors in the lobby of the library, and listed in promotional materials and at cultivation events, as long as the membership is active. All members, regardless of level, will be listed in our annual newsletter to the community.

• Readers Circle Members: $100-$499
• Library Sponsors: $500-$999
• Bailey Benefactors: $1,000-$4,999
• Bailey Gold Benefactors: $5,000+

Learn more about the Winthrop Public Library Foundation and become a donor.

DONATE BOOKS

A great way to support your Library and clean-up your home or office bookshelves is to donate your used materials to the Friends of The Bailey Public Library. The Friends will re-sell your donations at their annual Book Sale. Proceeds from the sale help fund Library projects, activities, and materials not covered by the Library’s operating budget. Plus, you can become a member of this grassroots organization dedicated to promoting Winthrop’s Library, an essential institution of our community. For many years, the Friends have enthusiastically supported the Library.

Achievements of the Friends include:
• Children’s Summer Reading
• Children’s Music Hour
• Yoga Night
• Downloadable Mobile App
• Children’s audiobooks
• Mobile app
• Receipt printers to improve staff efficiency
• Reversible heat pump in server room to improve network functionality
This proven track record has only been accomplished through the support of members like yourself. Please take some time today to support the Friends by sending a check to:

Friends of Bailey Library
39 Bowdoin St.
Winthrop, ME 04364

You may contact the Friends by email at: friends@baileylibrary.org

Friends Membership categories:
Student: $5
Individual: $10
Family $15
Patron $25
Sponsor $50
Benefactor $100 or more

How do I ask a librarian a question online?

For Reference or Information questions contact: reference@baileylibrary.org

You can also send an email to:

Richard Fortin, Head Librarian
Leigh Wilkinson, Adult Services Librarian
Cindy Hinkley, Children’s Librarian

How do I get a book from another library?

Borrowing books from other Maine libraries:

If the Bailey Public Library does not own the book or material that you are looking for, it may be available for loan from another library in Maine. Searching for and requesting items is easy:

Go to the Minerva online catalog
Search for the book or material desired.
Click on the “Request” button.
Enter your name and library card number and click “Submit”

You should get a message saying that your request was successful. (If you didn’t, send an email to ill@baileylibrary.org.) If the item was listed as “Available” it should be here at the Bailey Library in 2-4 business days! We will contact you as soon as it arrives.

If Minerva libraries do not have the item:
From the Minerva catalog, click on “Search MaineCat”
Find the desired item.
Click on “Request this Item” next to the red check mark
At the scroll down menu, select “Bailey PL”
Enter your name and library card number, and click “Submit”

You should get a message saying that your request was successful. (If you didn’t, contact ill@baileylibrary.org.) If the item is listed as “Available” it should be here at Bailey in 3-5 business days! We will contact you as soon as it arrives.

Please Note:
You may request up to fifteen (15) items at a time.

How do I return items after hours?

The Bailey Public Library has two all hours drop-off boxes for books and media located at 39 Bowdoin St.

How do I use a computer in the library?

Internet access is available at the library in three areas. Computers in the children’s wing are for use by children age 14 and younger, except for parents and guardians accompanying children. Computers in the adult wing are for use by individuals age 17 and older, except for children accompanying a parent or guardian. Computers in the teen area are for use by individuals age 13-19.

Membership at the Bailey Library is not required to use our computers. They are available on a first-come basis. Time on the Internet is limited to 60 minutes on the adult floor and 30 minutes on the children’s floor when others are waiting.

How do I find a magazine or newspaper article?

We have a few ways you can achieve finding a magazine or newspaper article here at the Bailey Public Library.

Members can check our catalog and see what periodicals we have here at the library. Or you can do a search online through the many databases that the Marvel program we subscribe to offers. There is also the Ebsco database (which is part of Marvel) that has entries from over 3,000 magazines and journals.

And if all the above doesn’t work please remember you can always call for help at any time, 207-377-8673.