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Starting this week, library patrons from nearly 70 Maine libraries will have more options for accessing library materials outside of their home library. A new year-long pilot project, the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program will allow library users with a valid library card from one participating library to visit another participating library to check out materials in person.
“Maine libraries have a long history of working together to improve access to services and lending materials,” said Maine State Librarian Jamie Ritter. “This new pilot project builds on our already successful interlibrary loan system that provides statewide lending of library materials through a van delivery network.”
The program will work like walk-in interlibrary loan. Library users will take their valid library cards to one of the participating library locations and check out an item of their choice. While reciprocal borrowing does not eliminate statewide interlibrary loan, the system reduces the need to order an item and wait for it to arrive for pickup. It allows more freedom for library users who work, vacation or attend family obligations in other towns to still enjoy the benefits of library materials away from home.
Library users will be subject to any policies the other libraries have, such as item limits, and must present a physical library card for checkout at another location to reduce potential issues or errors. Participating libraries, including Auburn Public Librarly and Lewiston Public Library, have stickers with the program logo that they will be giving out to library users who would like one to be easily identifiable as a member of a participating library. Brochures and bookmarks will also be available at the lending desks as well as on the libraries’ websites. Many types of libraries are participating including public, university, health, and other specialty libraries, which will broaden the options for library users.
For systematic reasons, not all libraries in the state are eligible to participate, a complete list of participating libraries and other program information can be found at www.maine.gov/msl/libs/reciprocal_borrowing. Area libraries participating includue Auburn Public Library, Lewiston Public Library, Lisbon Library, Ludden Memorial Library, Dixfield; Norway Memorial Library, Paris Public Library, Pittsfield Public Library, Ricker Memorial Library, Poland; Topsham Public Library, Waterville Public Library. Area academic libraries participating include Bates College – Ladd Library, Lewiston; Bowdoin College – Hawthorne Longfellow Library, Brunswick; Central Maine Community College Library, Auburn; Colby College libraries, Waterville; Dorothy Webb Quimby Library, Unity College, Unity; Kennebec Valley Community College Library, Fairfield; Thomas College Library, Waterville; University of Maine at Augusta – Katz Library, Augusta; University of Maine at Farmington – Mantor Library, Farmington. Special libraries participating include Maine State Law & Legislative Reference Library, Augusta; Maine State Library, Augusta; MaineGeneral Medical Center – Alfond Center for Health library, Augusta.
PHOTO: Lewiston Public Library is one of 70 libraries in the state particpating in the Maine Recipricola Lending Program. (Maureen Milliken photo)
