Resources at the Jesup
The Jesup is a library first and foremost, with books at the heart of what we do. But we offer a lot of other things, too.
Technology & Internet Access
Public Computers: The Jesup has four computers available for public use at no charge. Just come to the front desk and sign up for a 30-minute session that can be extended as needed.
Printers: You can print from any of our computers and all copies are 20 cents a page.
Scanners: You can scan documents free of charge and have them sent directly to any email address.
WiFi: If you prefer to use your own laptop, tablet or phone, the Jesup offers free WiFi that is accessible throughout the building (and outside of it, if you need it off-hours or on a nice day!)
Orion Star Blast 4.5 telescope: Everyone can reach the stars, or at least get a better look at some heavenly objects, thanks to the Jesup’s Lending Telescope Program.
Planisphere: An adjustable star chart can help you recognize the heavenly bodies that are visible at a particular date and time.
Periodicals
Our Periodicals Room has current issues of over popular and niche periodicals including Downeast Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Wired, Sports Illustrated and Vanity Fair. We also receive the Sunday New York Times, Bangor Daily News, Ellsworth American and Mount Desert Islander as well.
Research & Archives
Maine Vertical File: A compilation of historical material in a variety of formats, mostly pertaining to Mount Desert Island but also including information about people, places, and events throughout Maine. Many of these items are one-of-a-kind or no longer available through other sources. These items are available only at the Jesup Memorial Library, and cannot be checked out. Search the Maine Vertical File through the History Trust.
Microfilm: Issues of the Bar Harbor Times (1881 to 1994 and 1996 to 2007) can be accessed on our microfilm reader.
Newspaper Archive: The Jesup has physical issues of the Mount Desert Herald from 1882 to 1891, the Bar Harbor Record from 1887 to 1917, the Bar Harbor Times from 1919 to 1970 and from 1980 to 2009 and the Mount Desert Islander from 2004 to present.
Friends of Island History Newspaper Archive: A fully searchable digitized database of local newspapers (Mount Desert Herald, Bar Harbor Times and Bar Harbor Record) from the 1880s through the 1960s. You can create a free account which lets you download images of the papers.
Historic Maps of MDI: The Jesup holds a unique collection of 400 historic maps.
Ancestry: The Jesup is happy to offer patrons free access to Ancestry.com — on patrons’ own laptops or tablets, or on one of the Jesup’s computers — at the Jesup using the library’s Internet. With Ancestry Library Edition, more than 7,000 databases are available to you for genealogical or historical research — birth, death, and marriage records; immigration records; censuses; family histories; military records; court and legal documents; directories; photos; and maps.
Click here to learn more about the Jesup’s Archive & Special Collections.
If you have any research questions please contact the library at 207-288-4245 or email info@jesuplibrary.org.
Programs & Performances
We’re regarded as one of the top libraries in the state of Maine when it comes to programming. Find out more about our exhibitions, performances & programs, and youth programs and events, or visit our Events Calendar to see what’s coming up next.
Dog-friendly Browsing
We don’t want your four-legged friends to feel left out, as long as they’re kept on a leash while in the library. Make sure to ask for a treat at the front desk!
Games, Puzzles and Chess sets
Our children’s room has toys, games, puzzles and legos, and you can also sit down under our beautiful Palladian window in the Reading Room to play chess.
Baby Grand Piano
We keep a piano on hand in the Reading Room for hosting concerts. If you check with a librarian first, we’ll probably let you practice on it, too!
