Items requested through the MaineCat environment circulate around the state through a complex delivery service which is funded through Maine State Library. The vendor contract for this service is subject to a competitive bidding process as part of State Procurement Laws and procedures because it uses public funds from the state level.
The current contract expires on June 30, and we expect deliveries to be on hold for at least six weeks starting July 1. In anticipation of this pause in delivery services, MaineCat requests were suspended starting June 4 with the hope that materials will be returned to their home library by the end of June.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t MaineCat working?
MaineCat services have been suspended across the state while the Maine State Library sorts out issues related to the van delivery service that transports library materials throughout the state. The Maine State Library is in a competitive bidding process for a new delivery service, and legal appeals have been made, which is lengthening this process.
When will this service be restored?
We do not have firm dates for this interruption, but we expect there will be no delivery at least through mid-August of this year.
Can I renew the MaineCat items I currently have checked out?
Unfortunately, you cannot renew MaineCat items at this time.
What are my options for accessing materials while MaineCat is down?
Please continue to borrow items from Portland Public Library’s catalog. These items will remain available for pickup at all PPL locations. Delivery between PPL branches will not be interrupted.
Request a curated reading list of items that are available at PPL. Fill out a Your Next Great Read form, giving us as much information as you can about your interests, and we will hook you up with some new ideas!
Explore the items in PPL’s Digital Library. Here you will find digital books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, comics, movies, and TV shows that don’t show up in the catalog.
Visit another library in Maine and check out their books in person with your PPL card. Through the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program, you can use your PPL library card to borrow books from any of the participating libraries in Maine. Please note that you will have to make another trip to return your items to the lending library.
What if I have an urgent need for an item not available at PPL and cannot travel to another Maine library that participates in reciprocal borrowing?
PPL will continue to offer its Interlibrary Loan services for items coming from out of state. During this period, PPL will limit patrons to two (2) active interlibrary loans checked out to their account at a given time. Beyond those two items, patrons can submit additional concurrent requests for a fee of $5.00 per fulfilled request.
Why is PPL placing limits on Interlibrary Loan services and charging postage fees?
Interlibrary Loan is a costly option for the library because we pay for the postage required to send library materials through the mail. These short-term changes will help us stay within budget. Once the statewide issue with van delivery is resolved, we will remove the limit on ILL requests and stop charging postage fees.