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MRLS Benefits and Services Frequently Asked Questions
New to the Maine Regional Library System (MRLS)? The following FAQs will help orient you to the benefits and services.
1. Where can I obtain help about library administration and governance?
Call or email your local district consultant. See contact information, right sidebar.
2.What meetings should I know about?
- District Council meetings held each May and September/October. Check the calendar for specific dates.
- Meetings for public library directors, children's librarians, school librarians, and reference librarians are held periodically
- Maine Libraries Conference [combined meeting of the Maine Library Association & Maine Association of School Librarians]
- Individual appointments for new members can be arranged.
3. What are the interlibrary loan options for libraries?
All member libraries are welcome to request interlibrary loan through their Area Reference and Resource Center (ARRC).
Interlibrary Loan page: Complete information, links to each ARRC and the procedures for requesting.. Additional options are offered through Maine networks and consortia.
4. What are some library publications and communications available to me?
- Maine Regional Library System
- Off the Shelf - Maine State Library's enewsletter. Check the right side bar for sign up and archives.
- MELIBS and other listservs
- MELIBS - any librarian, trustee or citizen from any state may join
- MEFIND - supplements traditional ILL
- MEINFO - Maine State Library information [no reply]
- SMLD - any librarian, staff or trustee from the SMLD may join
- Readers' Advisory - a vehicle for sharing tips, ideas, successful techniques, RA tools, and information
- Youth Services (YA) - offers an avenue of discussion pertaining uniquely to all aspects of children's services, including literature, programming, policies, administrative and other issues, concerns, and topics within the field."
- PublicLibDirectors- library directors can discuss issues and challenges, shareideas, and ask questions of your peers related to managing a library in Maine
5. What are some library organizations?
- ARRC = Area Reference and Resource Center - Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
- Friends of Maine Libraries (FOML)
- Health Science Libraries Information Consortium (HSLIC)
- Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL)
- Maine Humanities Council - One Book: One Community
- Maine Library Association (MLA) [open to all types of libraries]
- Maine Library Commission [appointed by Governor, meets bi-monthly except summer, members represent all types of libraries, open to all]
- Maine Library Trustee Association (MLTA)
- Maine Regional Library System (MRLS) [administered by Maine State
- Library]
- Maine School and Library Network (MSLN) - now managed through Networkmaine. Networkmaine provides schools and libraries in the state with Internet connectivity at little or no cost through the MSLN project.
- Maine State Library (MSL)
6. How do I find library education opportunities?
- Calendar of Events
- Maine Association of School Libraries
- Maine Library Association provides scholarships.
- Learning opportunities: Online courses and seminars for Library Professional Development and Continuing Education and MARVEL training.
- The Districts offers workshops and programs throughout the year. They also offer stipends to defray CE costs (scroll down to the Continuing Education paragraph)..
7. How can I promote libraries?
- See the advocacy page or the marketing page.
8. What kind of free statewide/resources are available?
- Bindery: Statewide agreement with Bridgeport National Bindery
- MARVEL!: Maine's Virtual Library: Free subscriptions to online databases and resources provided by the Maine State Library for libraries and citizens
- SCOOP: Statewide purchasing cooperative for books, equipment, furniture, etc.
- Statewide Interlibrary Loan Van Delivery Service: A courier delivers library books and materials to facilitate interlibrary
9. What web resources are available to follow trends and issues?
