A new pilot program kicks off next week in Maine that aims to improve lending options for library patrons.
Almost 70 public, academic and specialty libraries across the state are taking part in the year-long pilot program that will allow people with valid library cards from one participating library to check out materials in person from another.
Maine State Librarian James Ritter says what makes reciprocal borrowing possible is that these libraries all share the same library software.
“All of the libraries have a 14-digit barcode on their cards,” Ritter says. “They share the same library software system, and that's what enables a library patron from one library to go into another.”
Ritter says administrators plan to analyze the program and determine what works well and what might need to be adjusted. He says it's hoped that more Maine libraries will take part in the future.
A list of participating library is available from the Maine State Library.
