Become a Member - Get a library card!
Join more than 620,000
visitors at the downtown branch and our five neighborhood branches each
year. Most services are available in-person and online. Contact any branch
location or Lending
Services at the Main Library at (207) 871-1700 x730 for further information.
Free library cards are
available to:
 Residents of
the Southern Maine
Library District including
Cumberland, York, and parts of Oxford counties (5 years of age & up)
Full-time
students attending schools in these counties
Individuals
listed as property taxpayers in Portland
Individuals
working in Portland
Note: Others may purchase a card ($20 per
year). Patrons of other libraries may
borrow PPL materials for free via interlibrary
loan.
Apply for a card
...
at the Lending Services Desk at any branch. Show photo identification with your
current name and address (or two non-photo IDs), complete the application, and sign the
responsibility statement. You can use your card immediately!
To
update a card ... with your new address, phone number, or
other information, contact the Lending Services Desk at any branch, with your
library card number in hand.
To replace ... a
lost, stolen, or damaged card, visit the Lending Services Desk ASAP with your
identification and replacement fee ($0.50 for children under twelve; $1.00
for others). You are responsible for all materials borrowed with your
card until you report it as lost or stolen.
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Guidelines for borrowing
With your card, borrow books,
pamphlets, government documents, audiobooks & videos, and
magazines (neighborhood branches only).
| Item
Type |
Max
# |
Loan
Period |
Renewals
Allowed** |
Overdue
Fees |
| Books |
6 items/
topic |
3 weeks |
twice
(3 weeks) |
Adult's
item: 25¢/day
Children's item: 10¢/day |
| Audio |
6 items |
3 weeks |
twice
(3 weeks) |
Adult's
item: 25¢/day
Children's item: 10¢/day |
| CDs |
6 items |
3 weeks |
twice
(3 weeks) |
Adult's
item: 25¢/day
Children's item: 10¢/day |
Videos/DVDs
|
6 items |
7 days |
twice
(7 days) |
Adult's
item: $1.00/day
Children's item: $.50/day |
| MaineCat
Item |
varies |
varies |
once
(7 days) |
varies |
| Magazines (Childrens
& Branches only) |
varies |
varies |
varies |
Adult's
item: 25¢/day
Children's item: 10¢/day |
Return items ... to any branch or into the book drops
located at each location. Items returned after closing will be checked
in on the next business day.
Renew items ...
in-person, by phone, or online. 
- Renew
Now via the web (want help?).
-
Stop by or call the Lending Services Desk at
any branch during open hours.
-
Renew using our new automated Telephone Renewal Service 24
hours per day. Call 871-1734 or 871-1762 directly and follow the
instructions.
**Most items can be renewed
twice if there is no one waiting on
hold. If you have any overdue items or fees totaling more than $10.00 to
renew you must speak with a Lending Services staffperson by
phone at 871-1700 *3 or in person (not online or via the 24
hour service).
Please
note: For items with a 3-week loan period, you may renew
anytime after the first week you have it out. However, the renewed due
date will always be 3 weeks from the renewal date, not from the original
due date. Similarly, you may renew videos with a 7-day loan period
after the first four days, and the renewed due date will be calculated
from the renewal date.
Request /
ILL / Hold
items ... that are currently on-order, checked-out, located at
another branch, or owned by another library. All of these requests can
be made in-person at any branch, and most can also be made online. For
complete information, click here.
Overdue fees ... are calculated
on open days only. Any patron whose fines total more than $10.00 may
not borrow or renew materials until the fine is paid. Maximum overdue
fine is $10.00. If an item is not returned or returned damaged, the
Library may bill you for its retail value plus a $10 processing fee.
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Services for Special Needs
Outreach services ... are available to Portland residents who
cannot come to a library facility due to illness or disability. Contact Outreach
Services, (207) 871-1700 x717 for more information.
Talking Books service ... is available to all Maine residents
who are unable to read conventional print materials. Sponsored by the
Library of Congress and administered by the Maine State Library in
Augusta. Contact the Audiovisual
Department, (207) 871-1700 x705 for more information.
Building access assistance
...
includes automatic doors, ramps, audio-assisted elevators, and
compliance with ADA standards. Special services include a TDD device for
people with hearing impairments, an enhanced computer for people with
special needs, and large print and audiobook materials. For further
information, contact the Reference Department, (207)
871-1700 x725.
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