SEARSPORT — Carver Memorial Library, in Searsport, is one of  five libraries throughout Maine, as of January 19, 2021, to enter into a new partnership, the Consortium of Apollo Maine Libraries (CAML). 

CAML will be able to offer “one card” capabilities for their borrowers. Along with Carver, the public libraries participating are Farmington Public Library, Porter Memorial Library (Machias), Waterboro Public Library, and Hollis Center Public Library.

What this means for library users from these towns is that a card issued by their home library will work at any of these participating libraries. Those searching their home library’s online catalog will have the option of broadening the search to include these consortium libraries as well, and request items to be sent to their home library for pickup through the statewide library van delivery system.

Returns of checked-out items can be made at any participating library. All materials borrowed through the CAML consortium are checked out for two weeks, and can be renewed once as long as no one is waiting, according to Carver, in a news release.

Hollis Center Public Library participation will be limited to in-person borrowing, since they are not yet part of the library van delivery system.

These new features are made available to library users at no cost because all the libraries use the same Apollo library software, which can be connected together. The cooperation of these libraries is intended to make library use more seamless, expand the range of materials available, and allow borrowers the autonomy to do their own requesting.

Statewide interlibrary loan services will continue to be available for titles not found in the CAML consortium, just ask library staff for assistance as before.

This cooperative consortium hopes other libraries may join in the future, expanding services for their borrowers and across the consortium, said Carver.

CAML libraries are excited to offer these expanded services to their communities, and hope everyone will visit soon and check it out.