Skidompha Book Shop in Damariscotta

A love of all book-related things…

From early childhood I have been a lover of reading, books, and libraries. In the spring of 2020, as shutdowns began and the nation started scrambling for toilet paper, I rushed to stock up on a different item. I hurried to the library and checked out a huge stack of books, including large volumes I never could have completed within the usual borrowing period. Days afterward, the library closed. I had three months with my tall treasure stack before returns were once again required.

The actual stack of checked out books!

It was this passion of mine for books that led to the discovery of the following feature location in the town of Damariscotta in Mid-Coast Maine.

The library with an unusual name

My visit began at the Skidompha Public Library (we’ll get to the name in a little bit) to meet its executive director. Matthew Graff kindly gave me a tour of their facility which is located on Main Street. Some of the unique aspects found within the building include locally made quilts hanging from the railings of the upper level and —of all the unexpected things —an observation honeybee hive! The hive is in an enclosed box that opens to the outdoors from the second floor. It is one of the most unusual items I’ve ever seen in a library. As you might imagine, it is a popular place to stop and watch all the activity. Another busy spot is the children’s wing which is filled not only with books, but other fun learning resources like activity backpacks stuffed with goodies to encourage curiosity and discovery.

Before we go on, let’s explain the library’s unfamiliar name. No need to pull out your dictionary. You won’t find “Skidompha” listed no matter which language you check. Late in the nineteenth century, a social literary club began meeting in Damariscotta. The work of this group led to the creation of the Skidompha Library Association. The founding members of the club used letters from their names to form the word Skidompha. You can see more details on the library’s website, but bottom line: the name stuck!

Supporting the library

As with all libraries, Skidompha requires ongoing funding to continue serving its community so well. The concept of periodic book sales to provide additional support for a local library is likely one option that is familiar to most Mainers. These are held—often on an annual basis—across our state and throughout the country. In some towns, a table may be set-up within a library to allow for year-round purchasing options. But here in Damariscotta there is a different and fascinating arrangement between the library and another of my favorite kind of places—a used bookstore.

The Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop

This unique book carving over the shop’s entrance was created by local artist and sculptor Jacques Vesery.

Within a short walking distance from the library is a used book shop which also carries the unique Skidompha name. I strolled over to meet with Rem Briggs, one of the shop’s co-managers. Rem is a retired English teacher. I’m certain he must have been a great one because he is as enthusiastic and interesting as they come! He and Rosie Bensen, the other manager, are both volunteers. They oversee more than 70 volunteers who run the book shop. There are no paid staff here.

The shelves are full of books—none of which the shop purchased. Everything has been donated.

The entire proceeds from the sales in the book shop go to Skidompha Library! This is a major source of revenue for the library. The idea for this creative and profitable arrangement came from Mary Wallace Smith, a local woman who poured her heart and energy into the library and then the book shop for decades. What she built is flourishing. A retired surgeon named Frank Avantaggio also has a local legacy for his years of work and dedication to the project. Alongside these individuals, one could add many other names of past and present community members who have made this center such a success.

A book lover’s paradise

The book shop has occupied a few locations since its founding in 1968. Its current home is at 17 Backstreet Landing; the site was formerly a restaurant with plenty of parking. It is everything you could wish for in a used bookstore. The space is airy, light, and open. There is an abundance of windows which overlook the beautiful Damariscotta River.

As co-manager Rem explained during the tour he gave me, the entire shop is organized into little spaces, almost like rooms without walls. Volunteers are assigned their own area to maintain. They are clearly doing an excellent job. The entire shop is the easiest place to navigate. The bookshelves—many of which Rem built himself—are full of written works from every imaginable genre. If you need time to look through a volume, or if you want to take a break and do some bird watching, there are numerous cozy chairs available.

If you are a bibliophile, you may be accustomed to paying large amounts to acquire new additions to your book collection. That isn’t the case at Skidompha. The prices are very reasonable—often a bargain. Even if you do end up with a full armload, you can feel good about your purchase knowing that it will help to support the community of Damariscotta and its library.

My own bookshelves are sure to grow more crowded due to this feature as I plan to become a regular customer at Skidompha. When YOU go to visit, take a photo and tag @MaineFeatures on Facebook or Instagram. I can’t wait to see what gems you find! You can find current hours and updates on their website.

If you just discovered the Maine Features journey through this post, I’m on a mission to visit every town in Maine. Check to see if I’ve featured yours yet: All The Visits. To learn more about this journey, see the about page. You can easily stay updated on this adventure by signing up for my emails via the box below. Thanks for coming along!