News

On March 14th, President Trump issued an executive order calling for eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency for libraries. While there is currently level funding for FY25, this action puts IMLS at serious risk.

The Maine Library Association Executive Board strongly disagrees with this action. The elimination of IMLS would negatively impact all Mainers who rely on library services. Federal funding is critical for the Maine State Library to provide important statewide resources and services. In FY24, the last fully appropriated grant, Maine State Library received $1,526,754 in Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds. Each state receives federal funding through LSTA, and the overall ask for FY25 is $214 million. This would include roughly the same amount for Maine as in FY24. 

MLA urges President Trump to reconsider this decision. 

MLA urges the Maine Congressional Delegation to overturn this executive order and ensure at least level funding for IMLS in fiscal year 2026. Given their strong history of supporting Maine libraries and the IMLS, we now call on them to uphold their Congressional authority as the sole body responsible for funding decisions and to continue authorizing appropriations for Grants to States funding.

MLA urges our members and all library supporters to take action to protect federal library funding. 

Federal funding in Maine goes toward:

• Free gigabit internet to 243 public libraries through the Maine School and Library Network

• Supporting interlibrary loan service to over 260 libraries statewide, ensuring Maine residents have access to more than 10 million items

• Providing e-books and e-audiobooks to all Mainers through CloudLibrary

• Providing those who are blind or visually impaired with large print and recorded books mailed to the patron for free

• Delivering professional development training to library staff through consultations and workshops

• Support for online databases offered through the Digital Maine Library

• Providing the Books by Mail program to homebound individuals and Maine residents who live in rural areas without a local library

• Support for Maine InfoNet for technology support and training for shared library catalogs statewide, building a strong connection for resource sharing statewide, and Digital Maine Library tech support and maintenance

While most library funding in Maine comes from local sources, federal dollars are crucial in building equity by providing resources to libraries with smaller budgets. Federal funding for libraries accounts for just 0.003% of the overall federal budget, and this incredibly modest investment ensures that all communities have access to essential library services regardless of local funding capacity. Libraries are open to all, and services are well used. In 2023, there were over one million visits to public libraries in Maine.

We call upon our members and all Maine residents who care about libraries to contact our Congressional delegation and ask them to take action to reverse the President’s executive order. 

Take action here: bit.ly/ProtectLibraryFunding

For more information, see the American Library Association’s Show up for Libraries campaign and ALA’s FAQs about the executive order.

The Maine Library Association Executive Board
Revised March 19, 2025

Passionate About Libraries? Step into Leadership with MLA!

The Maine Library Association is looking for dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers to fill four key leadership roles—and we want YOU to be part of it!

• Gain valuable leadership experience to help advance your career
• Connect with colleagues across the state
• Make a real impact on the future of Maine’s libraries

This is an incredible opportunity to develop leadership skills, expand your network, and contribute to the library community in a meaningful way.

• Apply by April 15
• No need to be an expert—just bring your passion and a willingness to engage!
• Chair roles include full voting privileges on the MLA Executive Board

Not sure which role fits best? Apply for more than one, and we’ll work together to find the perfect spot for you!

Not ready to chair a position but still want to get involved? Join a committee and make a difference! There’s a place for everyone to contribute.

Step up, lead, and shape the future of Maine libraries!

Available Leadership Positions

Legislative Committee Chair

Special thanks to outgoing chair Amy Stone for her outstanding work!

Lead the Charge for Library Advocacy!
This is an especially exciting time to join MLA’s advocacy efforts—MLA is onboarding a lobbyist, and pending legislation in Maine could bring significant benefits to libraries. As Legislative Chair, you’ll work closely with the MLA leadership team and the Legislative Committee to set advocacy priorities, draft MLA’s annual Legislative Agenda, monitor state and national legislation, and mobilize members to take action.

To apply:  Legislative Committee 

Academic Interest Group (AIG) Chair

Thank you to Elizabeth Bull for her incredible leadership!

Shape the Future of Academic Libraries in Maine! The Academic Interest Group is a vibrant network of academic library professionals who engage in discussions around Open Educational Resources (OER), access services, research, and instruction. As Chair, you’ll connect academic librarians across the state, facilitate professional development opportunities, and advocate for higher education library priorities.

To apply: Academic Interest Group 

Communications COMMITTEE Chair

Are you passionate about libraries and love spreading the word about their impact? MLA is looking for a Communications Chair and committee members to help share the incredible work being done by libraries across Maine.

To apply: Communications Committee

New England Library Association (NELA) Representative

Huge thanks to Holly Williams for her fantastic contributions! The NELA conference in Portland was dynamite. 

Connect Maine Libraries to the Broader New England Library Community!
MLA is seeking an engaged volunteer to serve as our New England Library Association (NELA) Representative. This is a fantastic opportunity to stay informed about library trends across New England, advocate for Maine libraries, and build relationships with regional colleagues.

To apply: New England Library Association Representative

Interested? Apply by April 15! Questions? Contact Sarah Skawinski at vicepresident@mainelibraries.org.

For full role descriptions, see the MLA Handbook:
MLA Handbook (2024)

Join us in shaping the future of Maine libraries—apply today!

 The Maine Library Association invites you to recognize and celebrate the incredible work happening in our libraries by nominating a colleague, advocate, or leader for one of our prestigious awards.

 Nomination Deadline: April 26, 2025
 Award Presentation: MLA Annual Conference, May 20–21, 2025, at Sunday River, Newry, Maine

Outstanding Librarian of the Year
Since 1993, this award has honored exceptional Maine library workers with outstanding professional achievements and dedication to the field. Nominate a librarian who goes above and beyond to serve their community and profession.

Jim Campbell Award
Established in 2024, this award celebrates the legacy of Jim Campbell by recognizing individuals who champion intellectual freedom and privacy. If you know someone who tirelessly defends these values, this is your chance to honor their impact.

Outstanding Library Advocate Award
Since 2022, this award has recognized individuals—both inside and outside the profession—who have made a significant impact in advancing the mission of libraries in Maine. Celebrate the power of advocacy by nominating a dedicated library supporter.

Please submit your nomination today and help us spotlight those making a difference in Maine’s library community!

The Maine Library Association is thrilled to invite MLA members and Maine communities to join us for a FREE screening of Banned Together. 

Banned Together pulls back the curtain on two of the most controversial issues in America today: book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools.

This film follows three young women during their senior year of high school as they fight hostile community members and school board officials to reinstate these banned books.  We witness their evolution from local to national activists as they advocate at school board meetings, sit down with national politicians, famous authors and constitutional scholars, and ultimately, speak on stage at the Right to Read Rally during the American Library Association’s annual conference in Chicago.

These events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, but registration is required: 

October 22nd, Orono Maine 

October 22nd, Biddeford Maine 

November 4th, Augusta Maine 

 

PRESS RELEASE       

Contact:

Jen Lancaster, Communications Director   

859.753.0425 // jen@lwvme.org    

Sonya Durney, Maine Library Association Past President 

 207.602.2497 // pastpresident@mainelibraries.org 

[PORTLAND] – Today, the Maine Library Association (MLA) and League of Women Voters of Maine (LWVME) announced a new partnership to inform and empower voters ahead of the November 2024 election. 

Libraries and Maine Local League chapters have long worked together to co-host voter registration events, educational programs, and candidate forums. Many libraries promote the League's online voter information tool, Vote411.org. The collaboration between these organizations will expand those connections and generate new resources.

“The League and libraries have a long tradition of encouraging active civic participation in their communities. We’re eager to collaborate and share nonpartisan resources,” said Anna Kellar, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Maine. “Together, we can work to inform voters and provide them with the tools they need to make informed decisions on election day.”

“This partnership with the League of Women Voters of Maine aligns very well with library values of education, access to information and civic engagement,” said Maine Library Association President Amy Wisehart. “We look forward to helping the League share valuable nonpartisan election resources with libraries throughout the state.”

The new resources will be jointly hosted by MLA and LWVME and available to all library and League supporters. 

The collaboration follows the example of the American Library Association’s Reader. Voter. Ready. campaign, which equips libraries to engage with voters. 

The League of Women Voters of Maine is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. LWV never supports or opposes any political party or candidate.

The Maine Library Association is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with a mission to advocate for Maine libraries and library workers, foster cooperation, offer professional development, and provide leadership in ensuring that information is accessible to all.

A new partnership between the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) and the Maine Library Association (MLA) aims to equip MLA members with resources and tools to address the challenges of climate change in their communities.

Through this partnership, MLA members will join a nationwide community of practice who are using tools created or compiled by the SLI and its members to uncover ways that their libraries and communities will understand, lessen, and adapt to the effects of climate change. These tools include a custom CO2 calculator to help members estimate their current institutional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to measure progress in efforts to reduce GHG emissions; a vendor list to aid in using environmentally friendly products and services; policy and programming examples; a webinar archive and the Road Map to Sustainability resource to help with planning. MLA members will also receive a 20% discount on the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program.

“The Maine Library Association is thrilled to offer this exciting benefit to our members. The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is an important tool for all libraries engaged in the essential work of environmental sustainability, social equity and economic vitality. We look forward to our work together to support Maine libraries,” said Amy Wisehart, President of the Maine Library Association.

“We applaud the Maine Library Association for seeking this partnership to enable all of their members to accelerate their adoption of sustainable thinking,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Board President of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, “Positioning the Maine library community as leaders in the conversation about climate change mitigation and adaptation is a strong move to ensure libraries contribute to their community’s resilience and remain relevant and responsive institutions.”

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s Sustainable Libraries Certification Program (SLCP) provides library leaders with a tested, structured path forward to increase your library’s commitment to environmental stewardship, economic feasibility, and social equity. The certification program–with versions available for public libraries, academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians-guides participants to look to their communities to identify needs and potential partners, adjust their current practices to align with the triple-bottom-line definition of sustainability, and reflect on how these actions are having a real impact in their organization and community.

Members of the Maine Library Association who opt in will receive one free year of annual membership to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and a 20% discount on the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program. Cohorts of five or more libraries will receive a 25% discount on certification, supporting the principle that there is power in collective action.

Sustainable Libraries Initiative
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is a member-driven organization that empowers library professionals to be leaders using triple-bottom-line sustainability (environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility) throughout their organizations and in their communities. The Sustainable Library Certification Program is now enrolling public and academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians nationwide.

The 2024 MLA Conference Grants are now live!

The Maine Library Association is happy to be able to offer more scholarships this year thanks to many generous donors and a grant from the Gorman Foundation.

Up to 10 grants will be available to attend MLA's Annual Conference, May 19-21. Awarded funds will be applied directly to the applicant's registration and will include up to two nights of lodging at Sunday River. 

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant is a resident of the state of Maine.

2. The applicant is currently employed by a library or media center in

Maine.

3. The applicant has a demonstrated financial need.

The 2024 application deadline is March 31, 2024 and all applicants will receive a decision by mid-April 2024.

For more information and to fill out your application visit our Conference Grants page: https://mainelibraries.org/grants

Mark your calendars and get excited for the 2024 Maine Library Association's Annual Conference, May 19th-21st!

This year's theme will focus on the part that libraries play as centers of democracy within their communities.

Stay tuned for upcoming keynote speaker announcements, scholarship opportunities, highlights from last year's conference, and chances to nominate colleagues for awards. 

As we gear up for the conference, MLA is now accepting proposals for sessions. Please fill out this form by 2/16/24: https://forms.gle/B3XqQFyKM9Ef1ryKA

Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

MLA is pleased to present the Library Wage Study  performed by Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI). The study, initiated to address the complexities of compensation within Maine’s public libraries, has resulted in key insights and recommendations that we hope will serve as a valuable tool for both library directors striving to ensure fair wages for their employees and job seekers exploring opportunities within our vibrant library community.

The study encompassed a thorough examination of key benchmark positions across public libraries in Maine, with a focus on developing pay and classification systems. Research extended to New England states, offering a regional perspective. Job descriptions for primary positions were crafted by MRI to serve as models for libraries, covering essential functions, qualification requirements, and work environment factors.

The report emphasizes the importance of internal equity, ensuring fair compensation practices among current employees, and external equity, aligning with market values for similar positions in the broader workforce. A pay and classification plan is proposed as a foundation for equitable compensation. The plan aims to ensure "equal pay for equal work," with periodic reviews to maintain relevance.

Recognizing the evolving economic landscape, it is essential to note that the data collected for FY23 is a snapshot in time. To maintain the validity of wage measures, adjustments for the yearly increase in the Consumer Price Index or the Maine minimum wage are recommended.

The study would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our MLA Library Wage Subcommittee: Kate Wing (Chair), Wynter Giddings, Sonya Durney, Lee Koenigs, Steve Norman, and Michelle Conners. MLA is sincerely grateful to Carol Granfield of  Municipal Resources, Inc. for the time dedicated to this project and for grappling with the complexity of our requests.

This report will serve as a valuable resource for our library community.

Maine Library Association Wage Study 10-2023 FINAL revised 1-24.pdf