Updated: 2/16/26
Did you know Maine has TWO reciprocal use programs!?!?
Reciprocal use essentially means that if you have a valid library card from the libraries listed below, you can use your library card to borrow materials from other libraries on the list. How neat is that?! *You must, of course, be in good standing with your local library.
The reciprocal use program is a great way to get out and explore other libraries in your area.
Nothing can change a mood on a bad weather day better than checking out a new-to-you library, exploring what activities, play areas, and books they have to offer. I also love the ease that you can return any materials you check out at the library you visit back at your home library.
Another great benefit of having a reciprocal program is that they can offer a great play date option; especially if you have a parent-friend who doesn’t live in the same town as you. Is there a library on the list that is halfway between you two? Could you meet there for a playdate?
Lastly, and probably my favorite reason for loving the reciprocal use programs in our state is..vacations. Do you have a staycation in Maine coming up? Is the library in the town (or a close neighboring town) that you are planning to vacation in on the list? If so….JACKPOT! Nothing beats visiting a library on a rainy day or on a day that you need a good rest, to help you have a great vacation!
Let’s get into the Reciprocal Use Programs! See below…
The Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program:
This program expands upon the Interlibrary Loan program and allows patrons from participating libraries to visit other libraries in the program and check out books IN PERSON.
And…the BEST part of the program is that you can return materials to home library!
Remember: You need to see YOUR HOME LIBRARY below in order to visit any other library listed.
The libraries that participate in this program are:
- Auburn Public Library
- Bangor Public Library
- Belfast Free Library
- Berwick Public Library
- Bethel Library Association
- Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library
- Brewer Public Library
- Calais Free Library
- Camden Public Library
- Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library (Lovell)
- D.A. Hurd Library (North Berwick)
- Dyer Library (Saco)
- Edythe Dyer Community Library (Hampden)
- Friend Memorial Public Library (Brooklin)
- Jesup Memorial Library (Bar Harbor)
- Kennebunk Free Library
- Lewiston Public Library
- Libby Memorial Library (Old Orchard Beach)
- Liberty Library
- Lisbon Library
- Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library (Sanford)
- Ludden Memorial Library (Dixfield)
- Lyman Community Library
- McArthur Public Library (Biddeford)
- Mechanic Falls Public Library
- Millinocket Memorial Library
- Northeast Harbor Public LIbrary
- Norway Memorial LIbrary
- Orono Public LIbrary
- Paris Public Library
- Parsons Memorial Library (Alfred)
- Pittsfield Public Library
- Portland Public Library
- Prince Memorial Library (Cumberland)
- Ricker Memorial Library (Poland)
- Rockland Public Library
- Rockport Public Library
- Scarborough Public Library
- Skidompha Public Library (Damariscotta)
- South Berwick Public Library
- Southwest Harbor Public Library
- Springvale Public Library
- Stonington Public Library
- Thomas Memorial Library (Cape Elizabeth)
- Thomaston Public Library
- Topsham Public Library
- Vose Library (Union)
- Walker Memorial Library (Westbrook)
- Wells Public Library
- Windham Public Library
- Wiscasset Public Library
- York Public Library
The Minerva Reciprocal Borrowing Expansion:
This program works in a very similar way to the above program. And again, you need to see YOUR HOME LIBRARY below in order to visit any other library listed.
Libraries for this program include:
- Auburn Public Library
- Baxter Memorial Library (Gorham)
- Belfast Free Library
- Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library
- Brewer Public Library
- Central Maine Community College
- Dyer Library (Saco)
- Edythe Dyer Community (Hampden)
- Falmouth Memorial Library
- Freeport Community Libary
- Friend Memorial Library (Brooklin)
- Gray Public Library
- Husson University
- Jesup Memorial Library (Bar Harbor)
- Kennebunk Free Library
- Ludden Memorial Library (Dixfield)
- McArthur Library (Biddeford)
- Merrill Memorial Library (Yarmouth)
- Northeast Harbor Library
- Northern Maine Community College
- Norway Memorial Library
- Old Town Public Library
- Orono Public Library
- Pittsfield Public Library
- Prince Memorial Library (Cumberland)
- Rice Public Library (Kittery)
- Saint Joseph’s College
- Scarborough Public Library
- South Portland Public Library
- Southern Maine Community College
- Southwest Harbor Public Library
- Thomas College Library
- Thomas Memorial Library (Cape Elizabeth)
- Topsham Public Library
- Walker Memorial Library (Westbrook)
- Wells Public Library
- Windham Public Library
- York Public Library
A couple quick notes about these reciprocal use programs:
- These lists may not be the most up to date, so if you don’t see your library listed, be sure to ask your librarian if your library participates in one or both of these programs!
- Reciprocal Use Programs typically DO NOT apply to using free/discounted passes at the visiting library. You will need to check out/reserve those at your home library.
I hope that if you see your library listed in one or both of these programs that you will take advantage of these programs. If you do, please feel free to leave a comment down below or on The Wandering Chickadee’s Instagram account. I would love to hear about your experience with these programs!
If you haven’t checked out the first blog in this series, please do! I share all about the free and discounted passes that a lot of libraries offer patrons here in Maine.
As always, thank YOU for following along! If you love the blogs from The Wandering Chickadee, be sure to add your email address below.
-Natalie
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