Services for the Public

The following services from the Maine State Library (MSL) are available wherever there is Internet access.

Books/Audio books/eBooks

• MSL Patrons
  • URSUS, the MSL catalog
  • Your MSL library record
  • Borrowing FAQs
• Statewide Patrons
  • MaineCat: a statewide library catalog
  • Download Library for eBooks and audio books
  • Getting started with eBooks
  • Where to get free downloadable ebooks
• Outreach Services
  • Books by Mail: a service for those without local libraries or those who are homebound
  • Large Print Books: a service for those without local libraries or those who are homebound.
  • Talking Books Plus Catalog of large print books, audio books and descriptive videos for the visually and physically impaired
  • NLS BARD: a catalog of downloadable audio books for the visually and physically impaired
  • Your Outreach Services library record

Electronic Resources Provided for Maine State Library Card Holders

• RefUsa: a business database accessed with your library card barcode.
• Heritage Quest: a genealogy database accessed with your library card barcode.
• Civil War Documents: a set of historical and genealogical databases. Contact the reference desk for access

Electronic Resources for all Maine Residents

• MARVEL: Maine's virtual reference collection
• OneSearch: a gateway to most of the MARVEL resources and more

Electronic Resources Created by State Library Staff

• Maine Writers Database: brief biographies and selected bibliographies
• Find a Maine Library: directories of public, school and academic libraries in Maine
• Maine Notables: brief biographies of well known Mainers
• Genealogy sources: tips for using the materials the State Library offer

Suggested Internet Resources

• Maine Answers Tough Times: a list of support services in Maine
• HelpMELaw: Maine legal help resource
• KeepMEWell: Maine health care resource
• Suggested web sites on a variety of topics
• Maine Government: most popular resources
• Read Maine poems, selected by Wesley McNair, Maine's Poet Laureate

Online Forms and Information Requests

• Register for a library card
• Renew a book
• Request an obituary
• Register for a class
• Contact Us
• Ask a Librarian
• Hours and directions
• Apply for Talking Books Plus (must print, include original signature, and mail in)

Visit the Maine State Library to:

• View most Maine State Library Special Collections
• Check out and return books
• Use microfilm of Maine Newspapers, Sanborn Maps, Surname index etc.
• Consult Library Use Only materials
• Search Ancestry.com
• Use the vertical file of newspaper articles, pamphlets etc.
• Consult with librarians on in depth research needs
• Use Skype to video phone your family, friends and colleagues
• Attend classes and programs