Resources for Patron Services

Addressing Homeless Issues: Take the tutorial in Maine's Library Staff Academy

Autism & Libraries - We're Connected
This site is full of resources for libraries. It's specifically designed to inform library staff about autism, and train them to be not only welcoming to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families, but to run interference between those families and other patrons.

Children's Book Review
  • Maine Children's and YA Book Review Group including book reviews, Cream of the Crop, and meetings.

  • Cream of the Crop - Books are reviewed at monthly book review meetings by local librarians. A "Cream of the Crop" Collection of the best titles published in the previous year is prepared for the Maine Regional Library System's Reading Round-Up Conference in April. The Cream of the Crop list contains about 120 books from preschool to high school age levels. The list includes titles, authors, recommended age levels and annotations. Award books are listed on the right sidebar.

Cornerstones of Science
This Brunswick based non-profit works to improve community life and science literacy by strengthening public libraries' capacity to serve as gathering places for informal scientific discovery. Resources for libraries include: online resources; scientific tools; science provider network to locate a scientist willing to provide programming in your library, strategies for science communication; and networking opportunities that allow libraries to interact, learn together and build relationships.

Educational Video Library
Educational videos available to borrow.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) via Area Reference and Research Centers (ARRCs)
ARRCs provide interlibrary loan for libraries and citizens in the districts of the Maine Regional Library System. Free library cards for patrons in its District and backup reference services for libraries are other services of the ARRCs. See specifics for each district below.
  • ARRC/ILL information as it relates to Maine State Library for in partnership with Lewiston Public Library, serving Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset counties

  • ARRC/ILL information as it relates to Bangor Public Library serving Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington counties

  • ARRC/ILL information as it relates to Portland Public Library serving Cumberland and York counties and the Oxford County towns of Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, and Lovell

Imagination Library
Thanks to support and funding from Governor Mills and the Maine legislature, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will be expanding to Maine in 2023.

Librarian 411.org
Videos and other resources for librarians who work with disabled patrons. This project is made possible through an LSTA grant to the Missouri Department of Mental Health and administered by the Missouri State Library. Materials on this site are developed by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health.

Maine Humanities Council
This non profit organization works with libraries and museums to promote strong communities and informed citizens by providing Mainers with opportunities to explore the power and pleasure of ideas. MHC sponsors the Let's Talk About It series and other programs for libraries.

Make It At Your Library
Librarians review projects and content from Instructables- a place where people from all over the world share their maker ideas.

Programming Librarian
The place for library professionals to share, learn and be inspired to present excellent programming for their communities. Find resources, ideas and professional development opportunities to help librarians fill their role as cultural and civic hubs in their communities.

Readers' Advisory
Importance of connecting customers of all ages to popular and recreational reading and the ability to assist customers with their reading choices.

Reading Round Up
Program agenda and FAQs about Reading Round Up, an annual "Reading Round-Up" of childrens and YA literature

Serving Seniors
Resources related to helping Maine libraries create and implement programs and initiatives to strengthen and improve services to the growing population of Mainers over 60.

STEM Activities Clearinghouse
Find high quality, vetted STEM activities that are appropriate for library use. You can search by audience, content level, and difficulty, among others. You can also browse collections that we've curated just for you! Almost all the activities in the Clearinghouse have pictures or videos of real libraries doing these activities. This website was developed as part of the Maine State Library's IMLS grant (LG-80-15-0041-14) in partnership with Cornerstones of Science and Starnet.

STEAM Kits
Available for librarians to borrow. Each kit contains all the supplies needed to run the program, including detailed directions. Kits are lending for 6 weeks and will be shipped out via van delivery on Tuesdays.

STEM in Libraries
Links to all MSL-related STEM offerings.

Volunteers @ the Library
Are you thinking of starting a volunteer program in your library? To be sure, for a library operating on a limited budget with a small staff, volunteers can help you get more done at minimal expense. But if your volunteers are making your life harder rather than easier, then perhaps your volunteer program could use some assistance.

Youth Services
Helpful information and links for youth librarians.

211 Maine
One number – thousands of services. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number that connects people who want to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community.