The Maine Library Association (MLA) has read and discussed the rules put forth by the Maine Library Commission (MLC) on September 24th, 2026 and thanks the commission for its work on this project. 

We stand behind the need for professional standards in the Maine library ecosystem. At the same time, we are here to support every library in the state, including those that may face challenges meeting the new rules. We intend to provide this support in several ways: providing our own comments and questions about these rules, helping the library community craft their own comments and questions (starting with a coffee chat on how to effectively craft public comments), and helping all of our public libraries understand and successfully implement the final rules set forth by the Maine Library Commission.

This process has sometimes been framed as a divide between libraries with different needs and resources, but we believe Maine’s libraries have far more in common than not. The proposed rules raise important questions and concerns for libraries of all sizes. Some of our smallest libraries fear rules will come with a price tag they cannot afford, while larger libraries may need to change core business operations to meet other standards. These conversations are also taking place at a time when libraries across the state are navigating increasing costs and significant pressure on local funding. We believe it is important that the rulemaking process recognize these varied circumstances while continuing to move Maine’s library ecosystem forward. 

We at MLA believe that this process does not have to be contentious or stressful. It can direct all of us to re-examine our current library ecosystem, finding ways to strengthen the ways that Maine public libraries serve their communities and working together to make those improvements. We envision a set of rules meant not to exclude anyone, but to draw us closer together and better all of our libraries in the process. 

This comment period is the first step towards creating those rules. This is where we as a library community participate in drafting the library ecosystem we want to see thrive in Maine. We encourage every library, librarian, or interested Mainer to engage with this public comment process. Share how you or your library would be positively or adversely affected by each rule. Ask questions. Bring up specific examples or viewpoints that the Maine Library Commission may not have heard or considered. We hope this process will be collaborative and that the entire state and all Maine libraries will be stronger for having engaged with it. 

Please see the document on our website for MLA’s comments and questions on each rule and how we intend to help the library community implement this successfully. We hope our comments and questions help you craft your own. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Visit the MLC’s rulemaking website, leave your comments via the online form, or find additional ways to make comments, including the public session in Augusta on Oct. 27th at this website.