Our history...

     The First Social Library of Cumberland was founded shortly after Cumberland became a town on March 19, 1821, and the library's book collection was housed in private residences. In 1921, the joint will of Carrol D. and Annie L. Prince of Woodfords listed a bequest of $35,000 to the town library, and Prince Memorial Library was incorporated in November 1921. The library opened to the public on January 7, 1923, and more than 600 books from the early Cumberland library joined the new books on the shelves.

     A 40-foot-by-20-foot addition to the library, donated by Paul E. Merrill in memory of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Merrill, opened in 1959, and the original building was redecorated and furnished with a new heating plant.

     The town of Cumberland assumed the assets and responsibilities of the library in 1968, and in 1972 North Yarmouth, whose residents had always used Prince Memorial Library, began contributing to its support. In 1982 the library was made a department within Cumberland town government, under the direct supervision of the town manager.

     A 1985 consultant's report recommended expanding the library, and Cumberland voters and the Cumberland Town Council authorized a $700,000 bond issue. Groundbreaking for the 8,100-square-foot addition occurred on October 10, 1986, and the new building was dedicated on October 1, 1987.

     The Prince Memorial Library Young Adult Challenge was launched on January 18, 1995, when an anonymous resident of Cumberland pledged $35,000, provided equal amounts could be raised from the town of Cumberland and the residents of Cumberland and North Yarmouth. The Town of Cumberland matched the $35,000, and private contributions amounted to an additional $45,745. The 728-square-foot Young Adult Room was dedicated on April 3, 1996.

     Facility improvements in recent years include replacing the roof; expanding and paving the parking lot; paving the paths between the parking lot and the library; adding air conditioning; replacing the windows in the original building; interior and exterior painting; completely gutting the basement; removal of all shrubbery around the original building and improving foundation drainage; and repointing and waterproofing the original masonry.