Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop, now on Elm Street in downtown Damariscotta, will move during January to a new, more spacious location.

Its new home is located a short distance from the current shop, on the river behind Elm Street Plaza. Residents might remember the building as the former Backstreet Landing Restaurant.

The shop will stay open at its current location on its regular schedule until 5 p.m. on Dec. 24. Then, during the usual January break, volunteers will set up the new shop. Opening day at the new place will be Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Pam Gormley, executive director of Skidompha Public Library, said, “We’re all excited to be moving into this lovely spot. The space is double the square footage of our current shop. We’ll have more room to display books, and we’ll have more places to sit and enjoy them. It’s a convenient location with a beautiful view, and it fulfills our objective of expanding while remaining downtown.”

Gormley expressed appreciation to Vern Verney and Robert Clifford of Colby & Gale, Inc., which owns the building, for providing the book shop with this unique opportunity. She also thanked Valerie Seibel, owner of the current shop, and Larry Holmes, who maintained it, for their gracious hospitality during the 15 years that the shop has been located in the “Red Barn.”

Rosie Bensen, co-manager of the shop, said, “Sometimes summer visitors say that the book shop is one of their first stops when they arrive in our area. Our new space gives us even more opportunity to turn the shop into a destination for visitors and residents throughout the Midcoast.

 “I expect that in our new space we’ll maintain the same cozy quirkiness that we and our customers enjoy now,” she added.

The Skidompha Book Shop is a major fundraiser for the library. All items are donated, all staff members are volunteers, and all proceeds go to the library. The shop, now at 115 Elm St., is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

 Donations may be left at the shop whenever it’s open. Starting Jan. 2, donations may be left at the new location.

 For more information about the book shop, contact the shop at 563-7807, or visit its page on the library’s website, skidompha.org.