State guide
Maine
Maine has a statewide Book Kits program tied to the Maine State Library: official partner pages say kits are available to Maine libraries, contain 10 copies, and travel by van delivery. Interlibrary loan in Maine is split between ARRC service and consortium borrowing, with MaineCat and the statewide van delivery network supporting sharing.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State library agency
- Maine State Library
- Statewide book club kit program
- Maine State Library book kits are available to Maine libraries; each kit contains 10 copies, loans for 6 months, and is sent by van delivery.
- Statewide kit catalog
- Official page →
- Interlibrary loan
- Maine interlibrary loan works through ARRC borrowing for some libraries and consortial borrowing for others; shared catalogs feed into MaineCat, and participating libraries move materials through the statewide van delivery service.
Official resources in Maine
Main state library portal with catalog, statewide catalog links, and library services.
Explains ARRC borrowing, consortium borrowing, MaineCat, van delivery, and special rules for book-group borrowing.
Official town-by-town directory of Maine public libraries.
Official Maine Humanities page describing Maine State Library book kits for Maine libraries.
Key facts for Maine
- Book Kits are available to Maine libraries.
- Each Maine State Library book kit contains 10 copies of the listed title.
- Maine State Library book kits are on loan for 6 months.
- Books are sent to libraries via van delivery.
- Maine libraries use two main ILL models: ARRC borrowing and consortial borrowing.
- Regular ILL channels should not be used for book-group borrowing; MEFIND should be used for multiple-copy book discussion requests.
Libraries that lend book club kits in Maine
| Library | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Public Library Book Clubs Androscoggin County | Auburn | (207) 333-6640 | Offers Books and Banter, Tuesday Mystery Club, a quiet reading club for kids, and a rotating Maine Historical Fiction Book Group. |
| Lewiston Public Library Genre Roulette Book Club Androscoggin County | Lewiston | 207-513-3004 | Monthly adult book club page says patrons can contact Lending Services for help locating copies. |
| Portland Public Library Blurb Club @ Burbank Cumberland County | Portland | Not published* | Informal public discussion group where attendees talk about current or recent reads and hear recommendations. |
| Scarborough Public Library Nature Book Club Cumberland County | Scarborough | (207) 883-4723 | Public library book-club series page for a recurring nature-themed discussion group. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If your library wants a statewide kit, search “Book Kit” in the Maine State Library catalog and plan around the 6-month loan.
- For ordinary interlibrary loan, ask your local library whether it borrows through a consortium or through its ARRC.
- If your group needs multiple copies rather than a kit, have library staff use Maine’s book-group borrowing channel instead of regular ILL.
Not seeing your library or county?
We list a library only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Maine, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Maine's population center, for comparison only):
- Dover Public Library, New Hampshire · about 99 miles
- Laconia Public Library, New Hampshire · about 101 miles
- North Hampton Public Library, New Hampshire · about 116 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Maine State Library
Website →Phone: (207) 287-5600 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Maine page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- What is a library book club kit?
- How to borrow a book club kit from your library
- How to start a book club at your library
- Using interlibrary loan for your book club