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G2S Project Code: 2022-ME-92362
State: Maine
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Maine State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Chris Boynton
Director Phone: 207-287-5650
Director Email: chris.boynton@maine.gov
General Information
Title: Books by Mail
State Project Code: 1719
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: The Books by Mail (BBM) program is part of the Maine State Library's Outreach Services. This service helps to meet the library needs of citizens in our large rural state (33,125 square miles with an estimated population of 1,331,479) who live in towns without local libraries or in towns with public libraries open less than 12 hours a week. Services are also for the homebound. Patrons requiring homebound services are eligible to have return postage paid.
State Goal: Provide and improve library services to individuals with disabilities; and to Maine residents, including children, living in underserved areas and rural areas.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$197,357.58
$13,788.78
$0.00
$211,146.36
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Education
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Lending books to Maine citizens who are disabled, homebound or without access to a library
Narrative: Eligible Maine residents can borrow books from the Maine State Library via the Books by Mail program. Patrons who do not have Internet access may make selections from paper catalogs. These are mailed to patrons upon request. Patrons who have the capacity to go online can request and renew materials via email or via an online public access catalog that is part of a statewide consortium. Users can request anything available from the shared database through the OPAC. A formal readers advisory service also allows users to request a specialized recommended reading list. Users can use either a paper or online form. Since Books by Mail patrons have a Maine State Library card, they are eligible for electronic resources such as the Digital Maine Library databases and the Maine InfoNet Download Library (downloadable e-books and audio books). A summer reading program is conducted for the benefit of children enrolled in the Books by Mail program. The Maine State Library pays postage to and from for the homebound patrons. All others pay return postage only. A Maine State Library toll free phone number is provided to users.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 3,310
Average number of items circulated / month: 275
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
This program served 172 residents this year who cannot access library services due to limited local library service in this reporting period. The Books by Mail program has a total of 757 registered users (2412 adults and 1113 K-12 juveniles). There are also 161 registered homebound users in the program.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
We are planning to refocus the program to better serve residents in underserved communities. We will survey active patrons to identify patron needs and obtain feedback. We will examine statewide demographic statistics to identify underserved communities, and focus efforts in those communities to promote our services to eligible citizens. We will partner with public libraries to promote in-person library experiences for citizens that live near those communities with full service libraries. We will also identify books by mail patrons who are using our mail services that could be better served by in-person services at the Maine State Library.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
We need to promote the program more effectively to eligible communities and identify public libraries that can better serve some of our patrons. Some BBM patrons may be better served as local walk-in patrons rather than via mail.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:
MSL is changing the name and focus of the project. The new Maine State Library Outreach Library MSL will develop new eligibility criteria that is clear and consistent (year to year) and accurately captures our target population’s circumstances. MSL Outreach Library staff will identify current Outreach Library patrons that could be better served by local libraries in neighboring communities; MSL staff will process requests through the online catalog (fulfilling from the MSL collection or interlibrary loan) and mail books with return labels and return postage to patrons; Outreach Library patrons will have access to the Maine InfoNet Download library, Digital Library resources and MSL Reference Services; Outreach Library patrons can use the online catalog if they have internet access. Patrons without internet may request library materials via mail or phone; Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook) will be utilized to promote MSL-OL; and MSL will establish partnerships with towns that have no, or limited, library access to promote the Outreach Library’s services.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
We plan several initiatives, including surveys and outreach to better identify and address patron needs.
Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Homebound, rural