Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the library?

The Library is located at 71 South Street in Gorham. The entrance is diagonally across from the former Shaw School. From South Street (Rte 114), the Library may be accessed by turning onto Morrill Avenue, taking a right onto Ballpark Avenue, proceeding to the end of Ballpark Avenue and taking a right into the library parking lot. From Narragansett Street, the library may be accessed by turning onto the Access Road and following it past the high school and the Rec Department into the Library parking lot.

Where should I park?

Parking is available on South Street and in the library parking lot by the new Municipal Center (the former Shaw School). There are two handicapped spots near the entrance as well as three 15 minute spots.

What are your hours? What holidays are you closed?

Our hours of operation are:

Monday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday: closed

As a town department, the library follows the State of Maine holiday schedule and is closed in observance of the following holidays:

New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day Washington's Birthday Patriot's Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving and the following Friday Christmas

May I renew my checked out items?

Absolutely! Just give us a call at 222-1190 and have the last 6 digits of your library card number ready to renew your items. You may also renew online using your full barcode number. Please note that if someone else is waiting for a library item, it may not be renewed. Items that are more than 2 weeks overdue may not be renewed.

I can't find my library card. Can I get a replacement?

You may replace your card at the Circulation Desk upstairs. There is a $2.00 replacement fee.

Do you have a public fax machine?

We do! We offer a self-service fax kiosk for sending faxes only; we cannot receive faxes for the public. We accept cash, check or credit cards for fax payments. The fee is currently $1.00 per page for domestic faxes. Unfortunately we do not provide international faxing at this time. Please stop by the Reference Desk or call us for more information on this service.

How do I reserve a meeting room?

Please contact our Administrative Assistant at 222-1190 to reserve a meeting room.

I need a back issue of a magazine. How long do you keep old editions?

For most titles, we keep one year of back issues. We also have access to MARVEL! databases, which include abstracts and full-text magazine articles for most of the magazines we carry plus many others. Please ask a library staff member if you require assistance.

What is MINERVA?

We are part of a network of Maine libraries that use MINERVA, or Maine Info Net Electronic Resources Via Automation, to display their card catalogs on the web. You can search MINERVA from designated computer terminals in the library as well as from your home computer. Searches may be done by title, author, subject, call number or keyword.

If we do not hold the title you seek, use the drop-down list of locations at the top of the search results page to widen your search. To cast the widest possible net, choose "All MINERVA locations."

The advanced search lets you narrow your query by material type (DVD, VHS, audio, etc), sort your results by date, relevance or alphabet, and many other useful features.

How do I reserve an item?

You are welcome to reserve any library item that is not immediately available. Library staff can put your name on the reserve list for a particular title if you call or come to the desk with your library card. You may also make reserve requests from home by searching MINERVA and using the "request" button in the on-screen navigation menu.

How long will it take? Requested items that are available at Baxter Memorial Library and on the shelf can usually be put on reserve for you within one business day. Since we print out reserve requests several times each day, there might be a short lag between when you make a reservation online and when we receive it. When in doubt, call us before you come in to pick it up.

If the item you have requested is checked out to another patron or only available from another library, you might have to wait a bit longer. When you request a checked out title, MINERVA should indicate the due date and/or the number of holds currently waiting. You are welcome to call and ask us where you stand on the waiting list.

How do I renew an item?

A library item may be renewed as long as no one else is waiting for the item. With your library card number in hand, you can renew items in person at the circulation desk, by telephone or via the web. If you choose to renew online, you will need to log in using your full library barcode number.