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G2S Project Code: 2023-ME-93925
State: Maine
Fiscal Year: 2023

Grantee
Maine State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Marijke Visser
Director Phone: 207-287-5623
Director Email: marijke.a.visser@maine.gov

General Information
Title: MRLS-Area Reference and Resource Centers
State Project Code: 1744
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: The MRLS ARRC system was established by legislation in 1973 (MRSA Title 27, Chapter 4). Currently there are three ARRC libraries serving 16 counties divided into nine regions. The ARRC libraries were selected to improve library services to the residents of Maine. Portland Public Library provides services in the southern counties. Bangor Public Library provides services for the northern and eastern counties and the Maine State Library provides services for the central and western counties. Lewiston Public Library supplements ILL services for fiction for the MSL. The Maine State Library contracts with PPL, BPL and LPL for ARRC services to expand library resource sharing and services for all Maine residents. The ARRC provide ILL services, free borrower’s cards to Maine residents residing in their respective counties, reference and online services to libraries and patrons in those counties, and the Maine State Library manages the statewide van delivery program.
State Goal: Goal 1: All Maine residents have access to high quality information resources through libraries, Maine State Library programs and statewide resources sharing.

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$209,757.58

$3,598.48

$0.00

$213,356.06

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Outreach & Partnerships
Systems & Technologies

Activities
Activity Details
Title: ARRC - Interlibrary Loan
Narrative: ARRCs provide interlibrary loan service for libraries and citizens in the regions of the Maine Regional Library System. The Maine State Library serves as the ILL ARRC for the central and western counties (Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc and Somerset). Lewiston Public Library supplements ILL services for fiction for the MSL. The Bangor Public Library serves as the ILL ARRC for the northern and eastern counties. Portland Public Library serves as the ILL ARRC for the southern counties. Maine libraries that are not part of one of the state supported ILS (Minerva, MILS, URSUS) may make requests through their assigned ARRC. All library types are eligible for this service: public, school, academic and special.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 0
Average number of items circulated / month: 0
Total number of ILL transactions: 54,539
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 4,545

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 257
Academic Libraries: 33
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 43
School Libraries: 617
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: ARRC - Reference services
Narrative: ARRCs provide references services to Maine Regional Library System district libraries with and without a reference librarian as well as directly to patrons in their regions. The Maine State Library, Bangor Public Library and Portland Public Library all have experienced reference librarians with an MLS degree who available in person, via phone and via email to answer quick or detailed reference questions. Many small libraries call for patrons when the answers to questions are not available using the librarian's reference skills or the library's online or local reference resources. Statistics are reported for all reference questions since librarians will not ask a patron or library to identify their regional district or location.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 49,097
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 4,091

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 257
Academic Libraries: 33
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 43
School Libraries: 617
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: ILL Delivery Service
Narrative: The Maine State Library (MSL) manages the statewide delivery service for participating libraries. MSL issues an RFP every 3 years, negotiates the contract, and manages billing for public, school, special and some academic libraries. Billing for the University System plus Bowdoin, Bates and Colby Colleges are managed by those institutions directly with the vendor. MSL bills participating libraries yearly for van delivery service, facilitates inquiries and complaints with the vendor regarding service issues, and maintains regular communication with van delivery service provider. MSL staff maintains delivery labels with route #s for all participating libraries and makes them available online. Maine libraries use local funds for the service paying $26.60 per stop. The Maine State Library uses state money to fund 1 free day for eligible public libraries. Federal money is used to pay for delivery supplies such as bags and totes. The state library absorbs extra costs for higher rates at very rural locations. This keeps costs for all libraries equitable and rural libraries are not penalized by their location. A new RFP will be conducted in 2024.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Physical
Other: Delivery of ILL items statewide via contracted courier service.

Quantity

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 159
Academic Libraries: 14
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 3
Special Libraries: 6
School Libraries: 4
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: MSL-Public Access Computing
Narrative: The Maine State Library offers public access computers in the Augusta location as an ARRC service. Both federal and state funds are used for the purchase, internet access and support of these computers by the Office of Information Technology. Both state and federal funds are used to support this service to regional patrons who use the library. These include general access computers and digital microfilm readers.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Combined physical & digital
Other: Public Access Computing

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 10
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: ARRC-Access to borrower card resources
Narrative: Through the Maine Regional Library System’s ARRC libraries, Maine citizens who have cards from Bangor Public Library, Portland Public Library and the Maine State Library have access to the large collections at these libraries as well as to the additional online resources beyond the statewide Digital Maine Library content. This content is accessed through each library’s website and is authenticated with the card’s barcode. Each library provides different online content based upon local needs, budgets and collection policies. These databases and/or online learning tools are testing grounds for adoption at the state level. A short list of of online learning tools and databases not available through the statewide portal (Digital Maine Library) but available via an ARRC library for cardholders include: American Ancestor,Birds of North America Online, Consumer Reports, Demographics Now, Flipster, Heritage Quest, Home Improvement Resource Center, JSTOR, Kanopy Kids, Reference Solution, and Tumble Books.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

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

Quantity
Number of items made discoverable to the public: 1,049,056
Number of collections made discoverable to the public: 35
Number of metadata plans/frameworks produced/updated: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 257
Academic Libraries: 33
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 43
School Libraries: 617
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The Maine State Library is actively working to assess the ARRC model to ensure the most efficient use of funds. The first step was to conduct a RFP for a new courier service, a proposal project that has spanned into the new grant year. This new courier will now be continuingly assessed to ensure they are meeting all needs. The second step will be to work the ILL/ARRC partners: the Lewiston Public Library, Bangor Public Library, and Portland Public Library, to establish more detailed project reporting standards, and to enhance feedback methods. This will ensure these funds are being spent wisely and efficiently.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
As the ARRC program is so large, and impacts so many Mainers, it is important to have these ongoing conversations with the ILL/ARRC partners in order to ensure needs are being met. This, combined with the RFP and assessment of the courier service, should help ensure that the ARRC project remains an important part of MSL's commitment to meeting the needs of all libraries for years to come.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Courier/delivery service is an ongoing challenge, both financially and logistically. We have learned that it requires continuous monitoring.
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:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
Yes
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: