Kaylena, Community Resources Coordinator, at Portland’s new Homeless Services Center.
Kathleen Cleary, PPL Library Safety Manager, found the event to be filled with hope:
“There was so much positive energy generated by Portland’s community partners coming together to support our unsheltered population and celebrate this much-needed new facility.” -Kathleen
Kaylena Spears, PPL Community Resources Coordinator, was immediately impressed with the thoughtful layout that will help to meet the needs of the community:
“I am very excited to see what this new shelter can provide and the impact it will have on the community!” – Kaylena
The shelter contains 208 beds, multiple showers, a laundry room, a food service and cafeteria area, a day room, a healing garden, and much more.
As a City of Portland partner, PPL is grateful for the direct access residents will have to onsite providers who will facilitate mental health services, substance use support, and medical and dental care. A passenger shuttle will run continuously between the shelter and downtown Portland from 8 am to 7 pm, allowing residents to easily access the library and other resources.
Reflecting on the day, PPL staff were equally moved by the speakers present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Anya, a former Oxford Street Shelter occupant, spoke in response to seeing the facility:
“Portland’s homelessness problem will definitely be reduced — though not cured — and it would be better if we could stop people from becoming homeless in the first place.” – Anya
The shelter is expected to transform how the city and its partners, including PPL, respond to those needing services.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month and libraries nationwide are joining together to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning!
Chances are you already have a PPL Library card and use it regularly to grab the newest bestsellers, stock up on audiobooks for your daily commute, or pick up magazines or DVDs to enjoy on a leisurely day. However, in addition to all these great resources, you might not be aware of the array of other unique offerings you also have free access to. We asked PPL Staff to share some of their favorite perks that PPL library cardholders may not be aware of:
IT’S ALL IN THE CLOUD
Browse CloudLibrary for the latest books and audiobooks and discover an array of additional digital resources including free access to unlimited movies, documentaries, and TV shows from biblio+, unlimited access to newspapers and magazines from NewsStand, and unlimited access to comic books from Comics Plus!
Enjoy unlimited access to an ad-free catalog of films and TV available on mobile phones or tablets, content can be streamed, mirrored, or cast to a compatible TV.
SEE GIGANTIC TROLLS, VIEW PRICELESS ART, HIKE STUNNING TRAILS
Your library card gives you a free pass to local adventures right in your community and beyond! Visit museums, parks, and cultural sites including the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Portland Museum of Art, Maine State Parks, and Portland Stage, among others. To explore and discover something new, find out how to access these passes with your library card here.
“I loved the troll with the crazy beard, Birk, one of the 5 trolls I saw!” – Abbott, age 10
GET TEENS ROAD-READY
For teens ready for driver’s ed, our Teen Library recommends using your library card to access complete DMV practice tests and helpful guides including easy-to-follow directions for obtaining a Maine Driver’s License & Permit FAQs. This resource also includes information for motorcyclists and those seeking commercial vehicle licenses, all free and accessible with your library card.
CONNECT, RESEARCH, GROW
Did you know Wifi hotspots are about the size of a deck of cards and can link up to ten devices to the internet and are simple to use? Your household can check one out with a library card. This is an excellent resource if you plan on being in an area where access to WiFi is limited or unavailable.
ConsumerReports.org is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services providing overviews, ratings, and recommendations. If you value your time and how you spend your money, this is the best way to quickly research products before you purchase them, but you’ll need your library card to access it!
For entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses, your library card serves as a powerful tool to access valuable information that supports and informs your work. Reference Solutions is a business and consumer research database that offers business and residential listings useful in searching for people, researching business executives, creating marketing plans, conducting competitive analysis, fundraising and more.
This is only a sampling of perks your PPL library card gives you access to. Not sure if PPL offers a specific resource? Ask A Librarian. Do you have a favorite resource at the Library or a unique story about your Library Card experience? Please share, we’d love to hear from you …and if you know someone that does not have a PPL library card, bring them by any branch and we’ll sign them up!
Edmond Kabagambe speaks 8 languages!
We are excited to welcome Edmond Kabagambe to PPL!
“When I first arrived in Maine in 2015 from Rwanda, Portland Public Library was my first stop! New to the country, I spent a significant amount of time in Public Computing working on my Curriculum Vitae, accessing my emails, and reading the news. More than ever, public libraries are essential because they provide a quiet environment where patrons can reflect, read, and relax while exploring a wide range of materials. Here, everyone has access to the creativity and wisdom found in books, music, art, and more.”
Fluent in multiple languages, Edmond comes to Portland Public Library with over 20 years of experience in the Human Resources and finance fields, including strategy, recruitment, and policy implementation. Prior to joining PPL, Edmond held several leadership positions including Chairman of International NGOs Network Admin Forum in Rwanda, was an executive board advisor and co-founding member of Rwanda Human Resources Management Organization Professionals, HR specialist and trainer for Africa region emergencies transformation and development, human safety and security for ActionAid – Rwanda, and USAID based in US Embassy in Kigali. Edmond holds an MBA in Management and Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Finance.
In addition to his professional work, Edmond is dedicated to the community and serves on various nonprofit, educational, business, and faith-based Board Committees to support initiatives helping to further leadership, strategic planning, and operational development within these organizations.
Edmond enjoys spending time with his family of 6 taking in Maine’s beautiful ocean views, exploring the coastal lighthouses, and swimming and picnicking at Sebago Lake.
Edmond speaks 8 languages including English, French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, and some Swahili mostly spoken in East and Central Africa. If you see him walking through the Main Library be sure to say hello!
