Location and Hours
The Bethel Historical Society's Research Library is located on the second floor of the Mason House barn and is accessed through a first floor entrance.  The Library is open to Society members and the general public as follows:

• June through October, Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and also by appointment (207-824-2908 / 800-824-2910).
• November through May, by appointment only (1:00 to 4:00 PM, Thursday and Friday afternoons preferred).  Please note that the library collections are non-circulating.

Photocopy Fees
Photocopying is permitted in some parts of the collection.  Photocopies are 25 cents for non-members and 10 cents for members.  No requests for complete copies of books, manuscripts, or genealogical folders/notebooks will be honored.  The Bethel Historical Society reserves the right to place other restrictions on certain portions of its collections, depending on the nature of the research, including, but not restricted to, possible publication. Responsibility for observance of copyright law rests with the patron.

Research-By-Mail
Because of its small staff, the Society is generally unable to respond to detailed requests for genealogical and/or historical information by mail. However, for a prepaid non-refundable fee of $10 per hour (maximum $30 per request), members of our Research Library Committee will search for specific information in appropriate catalogs, genealogies, town histories, published vital records, and directories. We regret that we cannot search in manuscript material or unindexed publications.  For each hour of contracted research, we will provide up to ten photocopies (additional copies will be 25 cents per sheet) of pertinent material and will advise you of the sources we've consulted.  In a letter (no e-mails, please), indicate clearly what information you are seeking, and list sources you have already checked.  A regular postal mailing address must be included with your remittance (made payable to the "Bethel Historical Society") and sent to the Society at P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217. Requests will be answered (usually within 4 to 6 weeks) in the order in which they are received.