The Madawaska Library developed out of a reading club formed in 1939 by the Reverend Lionel Thibodeau. Originally located in the basement of the St. Thomas school building, the library grew and prospered so much that it moved into larger spaces in 1944, and then 1956, where it is now located. The building again outgrew its space, and in 1992 the building was expanded into its current form. Ken Theriault is the Library’s current Director and has been there since 2004.
The Library is funded by the Town of Madawaska. As such, membership is free to anyone who is a resident of Madawaska. People who do not reside in Madawaska, but are local to the St. John Valley may become patrons by paying an annual fee. The Library makes use of grants to help with maintaining modern updated computers and sometimes to purchase specially offered collections.
Patrons have free access to current books, magazines, movies, downloadable books, internet access, and wi-fi. There is a large archive of local history and genealogy materials for anyone wanting to do research on their families. Ancestry.com is accessible for free at the library as well. There is also a meeting room available for local civic groups at no charge. To keep children reading while out of school, there is a summer reading program for them to participate in.
The Library is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm. For more information about the Madawaska Public Library you may contact Mr. Theriault at (207)728-3606.