About SMLD

The Southern Maine Library District (SMLD) is one of three Districts in a statewide library network established by the State Legislature in July 1973. Each of the three Maine library districts contains about one third of the state's population. Together the three districts comprise the Maine Regional Library System, administered by the Maine State Library in Augusta.

Southern Maine Library District (SMLD) is a network of public, school, academic, and special libraries in Cumberland, York and selected Oxford county towns (Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, and Lovell).

Purpose of SMLD

Assist the autonomous member libraries in Cumberland, York , and selected Oxford county towns (Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, and Lovell) in serving their constituents
Foster cooperation on regional projects
Facilitate the sharing of material, personnel, and intellectual resources

SMLD Staff

Consultant: Shirley Helfrich, helfrich@portland.lib.me.us
Administrative Assistant: Elaine Bissonnette, bissonnette@portland.lib.me.us

District Office Services

Coordinate special projects
Promote public relations activities
Conduct continuing education and training programs
Assist member libraries on request with
- building construction projects
- strategic planning
- management decisions
Maintain professional collections

Funding

The SMLD Office is funded by the Maine State Library in Augusta.

Membership

Membership is free and open to any public, school, academic or special library in Cumberland, York and Oxford counties. Membership benefits include:

Library consultant services
Communications
Membership in library purchasing cooperatives
Continuing education opportunities

There are approximately 300 individual library members in the District including public, hospital, corporate, school, law, academic, and other special libraries.

Each member library or school district appoints a representative to the SMLD Council which meets twice each year.

To become a member, contact the SMLD Office: