Maine State Library Surplus Shelving & Bookends

Sale period: Now through December 12, 2025. All items must be picked up by that date.

As the Maine State Library prepares to return to the renovated Maine Cultural Building, we have surplus shelving units and bookends stored at our temporary warehouse in Winthrop that we no longer require. While state surplus‐property laws do not permit the items to be given away, we are working with the Maine State Agency for Surplus Property (State Surplus) to make them available at a cost-effective price to eligible libraries, museums, historical societies, and archives.

Who is eligible for this sale

To purchase items, your organization must hold a "registered donee number" issued by State Surplus. The following types of organizations are qualified to apply for a donee number:

• Public agencies, including public schools and municipalities located in Maine.
• Other qualifying nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations located in Maine – this includes libraries and many other types of cultural organizations in Maine.

If your library is part of a municipal government that already holds a donee account, ask your municipal surplus contact to add your library or appropriate staff via the Add/Remove Authorized Representatives form.

How to register your organization with State Surplus

Download and print the Surplus Property Program Eligibility Application.

Send completed paperwork to State Surplus:

• Email: Surplus@maine.gov – scanning your completed form and emailing it in is the fastest way to apply.
• Fax: 207-287-3640
• Mail: Maine State Agency for Surplus Property, 85 Leighton Road, Augusta, ME 04333-0095
• In person: You can also drop off the paperwork at the above address Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

For more information about registration, visit the State Surplus website or email Surplus@maine.gov.

Please Note: MSL staff cannot answer any questions about the State Surplus registration process. Please direct registration questions to the Maine State Surplus office.

Items available for sale

The sale includes cantilever shelving and bookends previously used for storing library books and periodicals.

About the shelving units

• General description: Over 1,000 double-sided Estey-style cantilever shelving units. All shelves are used and conditions may vary.
• Shelving capacity: Seven tiers per side on each rack. Most have 9-inch shelf depth; some have 6-inch depth.
• Rack dimensions: Each 36-inch section is 90 inches in height. Rack width varies by shelf type – units fitted with 9-inch shelves are approximately 20 inches wide, and units fitted with 6-inch shelves are approximately 14 inches wide.
• Color: Powder-coated in light putty or tan.
• Price: $25 each.

About the bookends

• General description: Over 5,000 used metal bookends; item condition varies.
• Dimensions: 9 inches high by 6 inches wide.
• Color: All bookends are powder-coated in a light putty or tan color.
• Price: $0.10 each.

When and where these items are available

The sale runs through December 12, 2025. Items are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Sale items are used and condition varies by unit. You will have the choice of available stock when you arrive to pick up your items.

To purchase items through the sale, you need to fill out the Maine State Library Surplus Property Reservation Form. Details and a link are below.

All purchased items must be picked up at the Maine State Library temporary warehouse in Winthrop by December 12, 2025.

The Winthrop site is not open for walk-in visits; pick-up is by appointment only. You will be contacted by Maine State Library staff to coordinate a pick-up time after you have submitted a request through the sale reservation form linked below.

Bring sufficient help to load any of the items you have purchased. The shelving units can be moved by two healthy people. The Winthrop location has a loading dock. Please come prepared to move these items on your own and not rely on Maine State Library staff to move the items for you.

Just buying bookends? If you are only buying bookends and are on van delivery, we can arrange to have those shipped to you directly. You still need to be registered with State Surplus and have proper documentation before the bookends are shipped out to you.

Need delivery? Vallee Moving in Augusta is assisting the Maine State Library with the move of collections and staff to the Maine Cultural Building. As part of that project, they have been involved with preparing these shelves for the surplus sale. They may be available to transport shelves to you if you do not want to move the shelves on your own. You can contact Vallee Moving for a delivery/install quote by calling (207) 592-1324 or emailing tj@vallee-interiors.com.

How to participate in the sale

Once you are registered with State Surplus and hold a donee number, you must reserve the number of shelves or bookends you wish to purchase. This advance reservation allows State Surplus to prepare the billing documentation required for pick-up.

Your organization will be invoiced directly by State Surplus with the billing addressed to the individual named on your donee form.

At the time of reservation, you may schedule a pick-up time. All purchases must be picked up by December 12, 2025.

Reserve Shelves / Bookends

Use the MSL Surplus Sale Reservation Form to reserve the quantity of shelves and bookends you intend to purchase and to schedule a pick-up time.

Have additional questions

About registration, surplus property billing, etc.

If your questions pertain to the rules or process governing the sale of surplus property in Maine, contact the Maine State Surplus office.

About the items for sale and the process for pickup

MSL staff can provide general information about the items available for sale and address any questions you might have around arranging for pickup of your purchase. Use our Surplus Sale Contact Form to get in touch.