Legislation relating to Maine Libraries

Bond News

The Cultural Affairs Council's request for bond funding for New Century infrastructure projects was not included in the bond packages that will be voted on in Nov. 2009 and/or June 2010. When the Governor’s Bond package (which included New Century Funding) was reduced to $150,000,000, New Century Funding was eliminated.

There is a possibility that libraries and other cultural assets could be funded through the Communities for Maine's Future (CMF) program- the question will be on the June 2010 ballot, so any resulting funding would likely be available in January 2011

Check out the language in the LD - 775 (An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Fund the Communities for Maine's Future Program) - scroll down to Part B: Sec. B-1. 5 MRSA §13056-D, Communities for Maine's Future for more details. If you are interested and believe your library fits into the goals of this program, it is important that you begin preparing now.

The best way for a library to be funded under this program will be for the municipality to identify that investment as part of a downtown revitalization plan or economic development plan for a downtown/village/or Main Street.

How to Help with Library Related Legislation

Call your local legislator

Contact information: Web site address for Appropriations and Financial Affairs: http://janus.state.me.us/house/jt_com/afa.htm
Senate Information: Senate Number- 287-1500, Website address for Senate Leadership: http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/
House of Representatives Information:Speaker House Number - 287-1300 Website address for House Leadership:http://janus.state.me.us/house
Find your State Representative or State Senator
http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/legislature.html

Follow the Text and Status of Legislative Documents

Laws and Libraries

Confidentiality of Library Records

IV. Library Records

MRSA, Title 27: LIBRARIES, HISTORY, CULTURE AND ART

Chapter 4-A LIBRARY RECORDS

§121. Confidentiality of library records

Records maintained by any public municipal library, the Maine State Library, the Law and Legislative Reference Library and libraries of the University of Maine System and the Maine Maritime Academy that contain information relating to the identity of a library patron relative to the patron's use of books or other materials at the library are confidential.

Those records may only be released with the express written permission of the patron involved or as the result of a court order. [1997, c. 146, §1 ( amd); §2 ( aff).]

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