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What can you do to help?
Right Now
RIGHT NOW! The MLC has a draft rule proposal out for public comment. Understand the stakes, participate in the process—online, by mail, and at the October 27th Public Hearing in person or via zoom.
Comment in person or via zoom on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 9:00am–11:00am Eastern Time
Comment by mail or on online by 5pm Friday, November 20, 2026
Meeting and Comment Details from MLC
How to Comment
You may comment on any part of the MLC proposal. Current concerns include the paid-director requirement and its effect on volunteer-led libraries, the 52-week and 12-hour annual-average standard, governance and training requirements, the lack of meaningful exemptions—including removal of the earlier island exemption—and the compliance process that can lead to loss of services.
Comments may be short or long, general or specific. Every comment is worthwhile. For spoken comments, two to three minutes is a useful target, though the MLC has not (yet?) stated any time limits. NOTE that the online form requires your name and email. It cannot be saved and completed later, so prepare your comment first and be sure to select Submit.
You do not have to be a library professional, a library employee or a library volunteer to make a comment. You do not have to be a policy maker or need to have any legal experience to make a comment. If you are a Maine resident, you should make your feelings known about this proposed Rule and its significant impact on Maine's free public library system.
Changes may happen so still comment
NOTE that the MLC may change any part of the proposal before the rule becomes final. Even if your library is not affected now, you may comment on requirements you do not want added later. Earlier materials and the MSL Maine Regional Library System Standards Public Library Impact Assessment published September 10 discuss provisions or methods that are not in the current draft, but could be significant if the MLC returns to them, including mandated municipal funding and a two-people-on-site safety requirement.
Learn more about the controversial issues in the Proposed Rule
Attend Future Maine Library Commission Meetings
Here's where you can check agendas and documents about future Maine Library Commission meetings. You can attend via Zoom to express your concerns and opinions. You can find the Zoom link at the top of the meeting agendas. Public questions won't be answered during the meetings, but you can ask them questions here: MLC online contact form.
Tell Your Legislators
Let your state senators and representatives know that they should support small libraries both financially and legislatively.