Curtis Memorial Library is located in Brunswick, Maine and serves approximately 25,000 people in the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell. The library has a very nice website at http://www.curtislibrary.com/ that includes access to the library's OPAC.
Dedicated in August, 1904, the library was the result of a gift of $15,000 and a lot on the corner of Pleasant and Middle streets, from Brunswick native and successful New York lawyer William J. Curtis. He dedicated the gift in memory of his father, Captain John Curtis, a very successful local merchant captain. 
William J. Curtis, 1854 - 1927
bust by Raffaello Romanelli, 1912
The present library has expanded to cover the entire lot donated by Mr. Curtis in 1903. At 44,000 square feet, the library is a mix of airy modern space, with its meeting rooms, children's and teen spaces, technology room (although modern tech is evident everywhere), study carrels and stacks, and the "old section," now a quiet study area that looks and feels like the library of an old-time railroad tycoon.
Quiet study room, "old section"
I met Ms.Orth at 10:00 AM wednesday morning at the "Youth Services" desk. At first I thought a student was filling in for her, but no, this was Melissa Orth, Teen Librarian at Curtis Memorial.
Melissa Orth
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Ms. Orth is very gracious, and has a great sense of humor.
"You know, some of your questions were a little outdated," she offered.
That's why I'm a student, I thought.
"Which ones," I asked.
"All of 'em, ha, ha. No, actually, the question about our internet connection. We're not cable modem or T-1, we have a fiber-optic connection, it's cutting edge."
Fearing the worst, I plunged right in to my list of outdated questions.
- What is your title here at Curtis Memorial Library?
"Teen Librarian. I'm responsible for the Teenzone in the library, the Curtis Teens section of our website, the Teens at Curtis Memorial Library Facebook page and the activities we provide for teens here at the library--movies on the big screen (with popcorn!), crafts, that sort of thing. I also host the Junior High and High School book clubs at their schools. I think I've met your boys --are you related to Alex Nichols?"
Mea culpa. She couldn't know him that well--she was still being nice to me.
The Teen Zone at Curtis Memorial
- Your education?
"I have a BS from Connecticut College and my MLIS from Southern Connecticut State University."
- What types of technology are available for patron & staff use in the library?
"That's a pretty broad question. For patrons, we have 23 internet workstations and 4 word processing stations, with MS word and a printer. We have a DVD player, to review DVDs, 12 OPAC catalog stations, several code scanning self check-out stations, 7 iPads that we use for training patrons, for instance, in how to use ancestry.com...there are our AWE kid's workstations, with large, color keyboards, kid games and headphones, ebook readers, game stations in the game rooms...."
children's computers self check-out station
- What types of Internet-based technology services are provided for patrons?
Obviously, we have the 23 internet-accessing workstations, wifi throughout the library, our on-line public access catalog stations with access through our website. Through the website you can also access Worldcat and other catalogs, conduct a job search, contact a reference librarian, access our many databases, all kinds access of every type."
"Technology Room"
- Who on the staff manages the technology?
"Marian Dalton is our Systems Librarian, Rebecca Francis is the cataloging Tech."
- Who maintains your website? Your Facebook page?
"The website (http://www.curtislibrary.com/) is a joint effort, with a lot of us involved. I manage the teen facebook page" (http://www.facebook.com/CMLteens).
Librarian Janet Fullerton at main Reference Desk
- Budget - how much proportionately is spent on technology?
Databases?
CD's, Video & DVD software?
"The library has a budget of approximately 1.3 million dollars a year. Around $800,000 goes toward staff, we spend around $25,000 a year on updating or buying technology--the state funds a lot of our cataloging costs through Minerva (The Maine Info Net http://www.maine.gov/infonet/minerva/index.htm)...CDs are fading in popularity--we don't spend much there. We spend around $800 a year on DVDs..."
Microfilm files and patron workstations
- What types of cataloging systems are employed - are they up-to-date?
"We're a partner in the Maine info Net--Minerva--and most of our cataloging is done there, since our collection is all a part of the greater Minerva collection. We sometimes have to make adjustments in the record, but not often."
- To what extent are you networked? – can you access patron workstations from your workstations?
"No, we can't access the patron workstations. We have two servers for the staff and patrons networks and a web server."
Main servers and server station Web Server
- Are the patron computers filtered? How about the wifi?
"The patron workstations are filtered. We do that partly so we can retain our federal funding. Our Acceptable Use Policy pops up on the screen when you first sit at a patron workstation. Our wifi is unfiltered."
- Do you have separate OPAC stations?
"Yes, we have 12 OPAC stations in the library and access through the website."
- What type of internet connection? (cable modem, ATM, T-1)?
"We have a fiber-optic connection, courtesy of a state grant of federal money."
- Automated - are you automated and what is the name of the system?
"Our cataloging is from Minerva/Mainecat, we don't have another cataloging vendor. 90% of our books are from our book vendor, Ingram (http://www.ingramlibrary.com/). We use their order record to check in stock, and use Minerva to add the MARC to our catalog. Our DVDs and audiobooks come from a variety of places, music CDs are gifts, mostly."
Audiobooks
- What does the library have for policies & forms associated with library technology (e.g. Acceptable Use Policy, time limited Internet access)
- How do you present these policies to your patrons? Posters near workstations?
"The AUP pops up when you sit down to one of our patron workstations. It explains what is and isn't acceptable use. It can be found on-line as well. The pop-up also notifies patrons of our 1/2 hour time limit per session, 2 hour total per day. We don't list any disciplinary actions, I don't believe that's ever come up. We have a web hosting policy that can be found on our web site, it provides guidelines for the library's web hosting, basically available to town sponsored organizations or organizations that provide for the common good as defined by the library director."
- How do you provide for patron privacy?
"Each workstation (memory, cache) is wiped clean after each use. Also, we can't access those stations from our staff workstations.
Main Desk
- Maintenance & repair - how does technology get repaired - in-house or sent out?
"We have some clever people around here --we do it all in-house."
- Is there equipment in the library that can be used by community organizations or signed out by patrons, town meetings, etc.?
"Most of the equipment stays here. You can check out our Kindle!"
- Do you have sufficient space, electrical outlets, data ports for network/Internet?
"No! No! Yes."
2nd floor study carrel
- What kind of furniture do you have solely for technology?
- To what extent does ergonomics factor in to your furniture set ups?
"The staff areas are ergonomically as correct as we can make them. The patron workstations aren't. With our half hour time limit we don't think it's an issue, and beyond making standard adjustments to the chair--height, that sort of thing--every patron is different."
- Do you use any assistive technologies?
"We have an Optilec Magnifier for use for the vision impaired. And the operating systems of our patron workstations have some assistive tech built in --magnifying capabilities and that sort of thing."
- What works best for new tech?
"We're not trying to become a technology zoo. We just want to get one of each e-reader, for example, so people can try them out. I like Overdrive eBooks, compatible with all readers--except the Kindle, Amazon's proprietary reader. I like our iPads. We have 7 of them. We use them to do inventory and they're great for patron training, in ancestry.com, for instance."
- What doesn't work?
"Our patron work stations get worn out from all the use."
- Does the library sign out equipment and software (DVD, CD, Video)?
"Not a lot of equipment, just the Kindles, or you can use an iPad, but only here at the library. You can sign out CDs, DVDs and video, of course. No software other than the occasional CD-roms that come with books.."
one of 3 children's reading rooms
- Do you liquidate old tech media & equipment? (VHS, etc).
"We try to liquidate it, but change comes hard. It's hard to get everyone on the same page when it comes to what's outdated and what isn't. So we usually hold on to it."
- What new media/platforms do you see coming to the library?
- Does the library have downloads of eBooks, iFlicks, MP3, books on tape?
"Ebooks are gaining in popularity. Yes we have access to a large collection--we need more readers as it is. No iFlicks, but we're keeping an eye on that and other up and coming tech. We do have audiobooks. You can also download audio books or ebooks at the library through Minerva via OverDrive. You download the audiobook or ebook as a digital file, after which you can play it (audiobook) on your iPod or MP3 player--or Mac, or load it (ebook) into your reader. Doesn't work with your Kindle, because Amazon wants you to get your ebooks from them. It's a timed borrow from the state because of copyright laws"
In the kid's section
- How does the library store/shelf media equipment?
"It mostly stays in the rooms where it's used." The microfilm reader is in the tech room with the microfilm files, for instance."
- How about media itself --DVD, Video, CD, etc.?
(By Dewey with the books, or separately?)
"Almost all of it is shelved separately, by Dewey."
Youth Fiction section
- What type of security measures are taken to prevent theft of hardware or software?
"We use magnetic tags on all our books or other media, and have anti-theft gates at all the exits."
anti-theft gates at main entrance
- How do you keep your equipment free from viruses, etc.?
"There's an automated file dump after each patron use of a workstation. Staff has several layers of anti-virus and regular maintenance."
looking down from 2nd floor
- Is there a unique service provided by this particular library?
"I think our teen program is unique." (interviewer note; it is a very extensive program, with a teen's own comfortable space in the library, regular movie showings and fun/cool activities, a website page, a facebook page, and this librarian connecting with teens in their schools as well) "And we have a level of technology here at Curtis that's probably higher than most libraries in the area, so i guess that's unique. Also, i believe our self check-out stations are fairly unique."
Gaming room for Jr. High level and younger patrons
in the quiet section 2nd floor stacks
I learned a lot from this visit, despite this being my local library. The level of technological service and knowledge really surprised and impressed me. As my knowledge of library services and issues increases--a result of my classes - my appreciation of Curtis Memorial increases. I was pleased to have made another friend at the library and I discovered a lot about the place by poking around for this assignment. The service to kids, teens, to those on the down side of the digital divide, to exotic (to me, not them) media users, and generally to those with needs different than my own was a revelation. My own library use has been pretty pedestrian, checking out the occasional book, or working on my laptop. This interview made me look around and see a lot more of what this library is about.
Stepping back for a bigger picture, I got a pretty good look at how a library can be one of a community's most important assets. I can see why the Brunswick Library Association, in 1884, was so determined to get funding, get land and get a library. I have a new appreciation for the footprint that a library can (and this one does) leave on a community.
I also learned lots about the support system that the State of Maine provides, and I'm very impressed. Minerva is a wonderful tool, designed and implemented by librarians for the greater good. I'm sure the accompanying beaurocracy can be a little painful for those who depend on it for cataloging and downloads, but what a network. They are supporting and sustaining a very labor intensive and critical role in the state's libraries, making themselves the unseen foundation of our town gathering spots.
Finally, I learned that the Teen Librarian is cool. I know, it's an overused word, but it's the word my two teen aged boys used when I asked them if they knew Ms. Orth. "Ms. Orth? yeah, she's cool."
She is, too.
Many thanks to Melissa Orth, Teen Librarian at Curtis Memorial, for what was, no doubt, a painful exercise in patience on a busy day. She never let it show.
Library model of one of Captain John Curtis' ships
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