Collections at the Maine State Library

The collections of the Maine State Library are rooted in our strong commitment to telling the stories of Maine—its people, places, history, and industries. From documenting state and local history to preserving public policy and promoting the works of Maine authors, the Library’s holdings are designed to reflect the full breadth of Maine’s cultural, civic, and natural landscape.

Maine is at the core of our collection

State and Local History

The Library offers a wide-ranging collection of materials documenting Maine’s people, places, and development over time. Highlights include:

  • Local Histories: Community histories from past to present, covering towns, cities, and regions across Maine.
  • City Directories: A robust collection of directories useful for genealogical, residential, and business research.
  • Maine Maps: Historical and contemporary maps detailing Maine’s evolving geography, communities, industries, and transportation networks.
  • Biographies: A book collection documenting the lives and contributions of notable individuals from across Maine.
  • Industry and Public Policy: Publications chronicling Maine’s economic sectors and the evolution of public policy and governance.
  • Maine Vertical Files: Subject-clipped files accumulated over decades, offering unique insights into Maine topics not widely published.
  • Special Collections: Rare and archival materials that preserve the historical record and support in-depth research.

Maine and New England Genealogy

The Library provides a wide range of genealogy resources, including census indexes, family histories, church and cemetery records, and general reference materials to support both novice and experienced researchers.

Works by Maine Authors

The Maine Author Collection features fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s books by or about Maine, with an emphasis on literary merit and cultural significance.

Government Publications

As the state’s official repository, the Library maintains an extensive collection of Maine state government documents, an archive of municipal and county reports and publications, and selected federal documents with relevance to Maine.

Maine Periodicals

The Library subscribes to dozens of current Maine newspapers and magazines and maintains an extensive archive of past issues in both print and microfilm formats.

Nonfiction and Reference Materials

Nonfiction

The Library maintains a robust nonfiction collection supporting general research, learning, and discovery across a wide range of disciplines.

General Reference

A non-circulating reference collection provides quick access to resources carefully selected to support in-depth inquiries by the public and state agencies alike.

Professional Collection

A lending collection of professional development resources for Maine librarians.

Services for Underserved Populations

Books by Mail

For those who are homebound or live in an area without access to a local library, this service loans library materials to patrons by mail.

Large Print and Talking Books

Provides materials for patrons with visual impairments or reading disabilities through a statewide lending program.

Digital Access

Many of the Library’s unique collections are being digitized and made available online through the DigitalMaine Repository, ensuring long-term access to historical materials and public documents.

The Library also offers access to a wide range of online digital resources, including full-text databases, downloadable books, and educational tools—freely available to all Maine residents.