Authors of this commentary argue that the rewards of library collaborations are substantial for users, for the state collectively, and for individual libraries.

What is happening with public libraries in the United States and the United Kingdom though born of different origin stories—the former, book banning and the simultaneous devaluing of intellectual activity and public education; the latter, Brexit austerity measures and the resulting increased privatization of formerly public services and space—is having the same fiscal chilling effect. Communities are being deprived of the vital library and information services they rely on for continuous learning, economic mobility, and informed civic engagement.

In Maine Policy Review’s 2013 special issue on libraries, David Nutty and James Jackson Sanborn gave a strong overview of the collaboration between libraries in the state from the early 1900s to the then-present day. However, over the following years, several significant changes have occurred in Maine’s library landscape, which we will cover in this update.

The authors of this commentary describe efforts by the library at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, to provide all Husson students with an opportunity to build foundational understandings of generative AI.

Libraries strive to maintain print collections that are current and useful through both acquisition and removal of materials. Removal, often called “weeding,” is guided by factors that include accuracy, usage (circulation), physical condition, currency, relevance, and availability of materials elsewhere. Because of space limitations, smaller libraries and school libraries have more stringent weeding criteria. Ideally, weeded print materials are reused through various means if they are in good condition and not outdated or inaccurate. This article describes the various ways libraries handle their weeded books including book sales or bookstores, donations to local or national nonprofits, or online resellers. Materials that are not candidates for reuse may be sent for recycling, or, as a last resort, disposed of in the regular waste stream.

Beneath the mass culture radar, book clubs, both online and in person, are on the rise, as is readership overall. Concurrently with these trends, a loneliness epidemic is emerging, presenting a promising opportunity for libraries to participate and facilitate a literary cultural moment. “Libraries Should Be Part of All This Book Talk” discusses the formation of Book Talk. To attract a wider readership and challenge any preconceived notions of a "book club," we intentionally present Book Talk as an "event" instead of a "club." The article highlights the enthusiasm that the events experienced, where attendees took part in animated conversations that far exceeded the proposed topics, with each event ending with eagerness for more. In an ever-changing world, libraries offer a trustworthy constant, even as they come under fire in the much-lauded “culture wars.” While libraries continue to adapt to the 21st century, they remain well placed in the popular consciousness as a place of community and heritage, which gives libraries the unique opportunity to hopefully grow this new literary cultural moment into our communities nation-wide.

In today’s rapidly advancing technological environment, digital literacy skills are crucial for active engagement in society. Maine’s public libraries have initiated efforts to provide digital literacy education to their communities. However, these endeavors face challenges due to inadequate resources. This study investigates how Maine’s public libraries tackle digital literacy education, the required resources, and the associated opportunities and challenges. The findings highlight the urgent need for federal and state support to adequately fund digital literacy education as existing funding and staffing models struggle to meet community demands. Additionally, as digital literacy becomes indispensable for accessing essential services like medical appointments and government documents, addressing the gap between access and knowledge requires comprehensive educational initiatives.

An interview with Hazel Onsrud, an adult services librarian at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine. Onsrud is a winner of theALA's 2024 Movers and Shakers Award. For the past eight years, she has spent most of her time on community-focused programing and collection development.

Libraries deal with vital issues affecting society that need to be better articulated for greater public and legislator support. Problematic ebook business models are affecting copyright and privacy protections and contributing to inequity. Let's sustain fundamental library tenets protections as libraries adapt to the future.

The Lewiston Public Library serves a population of nearly 40,000 people, many of whom are recent immigrants. This commentary highlights the services and resources the library has designed to meet the needs of a multilingual community.