Press Release

June 6, 2006

Portland Public Library Cards Available to Curtis Patrons

The library in Brunswick just got a lot bigger! On June 1, Curtis Memorial Library announced its collaboration with Portland Public Library to issue PPL library cards for any resident of Cumberland and York Counties, and some towns in Oxford County.

“This is an exciting development for people throughout the area as well as Curtis Library patrons,” said Janet Fullerton, Coordinator of Information Services at Curtis. “This goes far beyond borrowing books from Portland. The added online databases offer a wealth of information that has not been available to our patrons before this arrangement with Portland Public Library.”

Highlights of the new resources include

• Genealogy information from HeritageQuest and Ancestry Plus
• Learn-a-Language programs with Pimsleur
• Thousands of audio books you can download to your MP3 player
• Auto Repair and Small Engine Repair manuals
• Learn-a-Test programs you can use from home
• Business Research from Mergent and other references
• Facts-On-File World News Digest

Access to these databases is free to anyone with a valid Portland Public Library card. Curtis has begun registering Cumberland County residents and others for the free cards, and most of the resources are available immediately. Although a few of the databases can be accessed only from Portland Public Library, most are available through any Internet connection.

“With these new tools, our patrons have much more research power at their fingertips,” said Fullerton. “The Marvel! databases, available from the State through our own website, are still excellent, but the new capability opens new possibilities at no cost to users or to Curtis.”

Any resident of Cumberland or York County, is eligible for a Portland Public card. To get one at Curtis, simply bring a Maine drivers license, or two other forms of ID with name and current address. Young people ages 12-18 must show a photo school ID and have a parent or guardian co-sign the form. For more details please stop in at the circulation desk at Curtis Memorial Library, email info@curtislibrary.com, or call 725-5242.