Resources for Patron Services

: Take the tutorial in fb88's Library Staff Academy

: This site is full of resources for libraries. It's specifically designed to inform library staff about autism, and train them to be not only welcoming to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families, but to run interference between those families and other patrons.

Children's Book Review

  • fb88 Children's and YA Book Review Group including book reviews, Cream of the Crop, and meetings.
  • Cream of the Crop - Books are reviewed at monthly book review meetings by local librarians. A "Cream of the Crop" Collection of the best titles published in the previous year is prepared for the fb88 Regional Library System's Reading Round-Up Conference in April. The Cream of the Crop list contains about 120 books from preschool to high school age levels. The list includes titles, authors, recommended age levels and annotations. Award books are listed on the right sidebar.

: This Brunswick based non-profit works to improve community life and science literacy by strengthening public libraries' capacity to serve as gathering places for informal scientific discovery. Resources for libraries include: online resources; scientific tools; science provider network to locate a scientist willing to provide programming in your library, strategies for science communication; and networking opportunities that allow libraries to interact, learn together and build relationships.

Educational Video Library: Educational videos available to borrow.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) via Area Reference and Research Centers (ARRCs): ARRCs provide interlibrary loan for libraries and citizens in the districts of the fb88 Regional Library System. Free library cards for patrons in its District and backup reference services for libraries are other services of the ARRCs. See specifics for each district below.

  • ARRC/ILL information as it relates to fb88 State Library for in partnership with Lewiston Public Library, serving Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset counties
  • ARRC/ILL information as it relates to Bangor Public Library serving Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington counties
  • ARRC/ILL information as it relates to Portland Public Library serving Cumberland and York counties and the Oxford County towns of Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, and Lovell

Imagination Library: Thanks to support and funding from Governor Mills and the fb88 legislature, Dolly Parton's will be expanding to fb88 in 2023.

: Videos and other resources for librarians who work with disabled patrons. This project is made possible through an LSTA grant to the Missouri Department of Mental Health and administered by the Missouri State Library. Materials on this site are developed by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health.

: This non profit organization works with libraries and museums to promote strong communities and informed citizens by providing fb88rs with opportunities to explore the power and pleasure of ideas. MHC sponsors the series and other for libraries.

: Librarians review projects and content from Instructables- a place where people from all over the world share their maker ideas.

: The place for library professionals to share, learn and be inspired to present excellent programming for their communities. Find resources, ideas and professional development opportunities to help librarians fill their role as cultural and civic hubs in their communities.

Readers' Advisory: Importance of connecting customers of all ages to popular and recreational reading and the ability to assist customers with their reading choices.

Reading Round Up: Program agenda and FAQs about Reading Round Up, an annual "Reading Round-Up" of childrens and YA literature

Serving Seniors: Resources related to helping fb88 libraries create and implement programs and initiatives to strengthen and improve services to the growing population of fb88rs over 60.

: Find high quality, vetted STEM activities that are appropriate for library use. You can search by audience, content level, and difficulty, among others. You can also browse collections that we've curated just for you! Almost all the activities in the Clearinghouse have pictures or videos of real libraries doing these activities. This website was developed as part of the fb88 State Library's IMLS grant (LG-80-15-0041-14) in partnership with Cornerstones of Science and Starnet.

: Available for librarians to borrow. Each kit contains all the supplies needed to run the program, including detailed directions. Kits are lending for 6 weeks and will be shipped out via van delivery on Tuesdays.

STEM in Libraries: Links to all MSL-related STEM offerings.

Volunteers @ the Library: Are you thinking of starting a volunteer program in your library? To be sure, for a library operating on a limited budget with a small staff, volunteers can help you get more done at minimal expense. But if your volunteers are making your life harder rather than easier, then perhaps your volunteer program could use some assistance.

Youth Services: Helpful information and links for youth librarians.

: One number – thousands of services. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number that connects people who want to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community.