Library Hours
Monday: 9:00 - 5:00
Tuesday: 9:00 - 8:30
Wednesday: 9:00 - 5:00
Thursday: 9:00 - 8:30
Friday: 9:00 - 5:00
Saturday: 9:00 - 5:00
(Saturday in summer:
9:00 - 1:00)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions are divided into the following categories:
Library Basics
Computers
Building & Gallery Space
Donations & Volunteering
Story Times
Library Basics
Where is the library located?
How do I get a library card?
When can my child get a library card?
How do I access my library record from home?
Can items borrowed from other libraries be renewed?
What is the difference between Minerva and MaineCat?
Do you have a fax machine?
Do you have any museum passes?
Do you have Value Line?
What newspapers do you get?
Why can't I put movies or CDs in the book drop?
Are there any job opportunities at the library?
Computers
Do you have computers for public use?
Can I reserve time on your computers in advance?
Can I check my email from your computers?
Can I print from your computers?
Do I have to have a library card at your library in order to use the computers?
Do you have wireless internet access?
Building & Gallery Space
How can I reserve the Community Room?
Can I exhibit my artwork in your gallery space?
How do I apply for a Cape Elizabeth Arts Commission grant?
Is the library wheelchair accessible?
Donations and Volunteering
When can I make book donations to the Friends? What do they accept?
When is your used book sale?
Are there volunteer opportunities at the library?
How do I make a donation in honor or memory of someone?
Story Times
Do I need to sign my child up for story time?
Do I have to belong to your library in order to take my child to storytime?
Where can I find the music used at story times?
How do I get a library card?
If you are a resident of Cape Elizabeth, just bring a photo ID and something that shows your Cape Elizabeth address, such as a utility bill or other official piece of mail. You will be asked to fill out and sign an application for a library card, which will include your contact information and signature. Library staff will create a library account for you and give you a plastic library card, which you will need to bring with you when you want to borrow library materials. Your library card will also allow you to access your library account online, as well as request items from our library or other libraries from home. Return to top.
When can my child get a library card?
Children may get a library card in their own name when they are five years old. We ask that a parent or guardian sign the child’s application for a library card. Parents are financially responsible for all items borrowed on a child’s library account. However, due to Maine’s state statute on privacy of public library records, parents may not have access to a child’s library account unless the child gives his or her permission, or unless the parent presents library staff with the child’s library card. Return to top.
Do you have computers for public use?
The library has 9 computers available for general use, and three public computers that are limited to searching the library catalog only. All of our public computers are MacIntosh desktop computers. One public computer in the Main Library runs in the Windows environment for those library users who prefer to work in Windows. All the computers run Microsoft Office applications, as well as Safari, Camino, and Internet Explorer.
You may sign up to use any of the public computers for one 30 minute block of time. If no one else is waiting, you may continue to work in 30 minute increments. Return to top.
Can I reserve time on your computers in advance?
No, but you may call the library before you come to check on availability. Return to top
Do you have wireless internet access?
The library offers free wireless internet access in the Main wing of the library, both upstairs and downstairs. Check in at the Main library reference desk for instructions on logging in. Or download instructions here.
Important: Please make note of your own IP address and Port Number, as you will need to change your settings back in order to be able to login to your own home network.
Can I check my email from your computers?
Yes. We have four Main Library computers, two Young Adult Room computers, and three Children's Library computers that access the Internet. The filtering software on the Children's Library computers wilI not allow you to access webmail programs, but if you are over 17, library staff can temporarily turn off the filter in order for you to access your email.
Can I print from your computers?
All public computers are networked to a black-and-white laser printer located at the library’s circulation desk. Printed pages are 15¢ each. We recommend that you use the “print preview” command prior to printing from web pages so you know how many pages are going to print.
Do I have to have a library card at your library in order to use the computers?
No. Anyone is free to use the library’s public computers. Return to top.
Do you have a fax machine?
The library does not have a fax machine. The nearest available fax for public use is at the Pond Cove IGA on Rte. 77. Return to top.
How can I reserve the Community Room?
All requests to use the Community Room, as well as all other Town public spaces, are handled by Cape Elizabeth’s Community Services department. Please contact Pat Fowler at with your requests. Return to top.
Do you have any museum passes?
The library offers the following museum passes, made possible through the generosity of the Cape Elizabeth Arts Commission:
Children's Museum of Maine: The pass provides a 50% discount on the admission charge for up to four people, and may be borrowed by one group per day.
Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland: Two adults per day may borrow the pass to the Farnsworth Museum, which waives the admission charge and provides the bearer to 10% off purchases made at the museum store.
Portland Museum of Art: The pass may be used by one family per day (two adults and up to 6 children from the same family.)
Passes must be signed out at the Main Library reference desk. For more information, to check on availability or to reserve a pass in advance, please call the library at 799-1720. Return to top.
Can I exhibit my artwork in your gallery space?
Anyone interested in exhibiting artwork must fill out an application to be submitted to the Cape Elizabeth Arts Commission. Stop by the library for an application form, or click here to download a copy. Return to top.
How do I apply for a Cape Elizabeth Arts Commission Grant?
top by the library for a grant application form, or click here to download a copy. Return to top.
When can I make book donations to the Friends? What do they accept?
Donations of books and other materials to the Friends of the Library are welcomed year-round. Donations may be placed in a drop-box in the entryway to the library (if you have a large quantity of books to donation, please see staff at the front desk about the best place to leave them.) The Friends of the Library accept books, videos (VHS & DVD), audiobooks, and music cassettes & CDs. They do not accept encyclopedia sets, magazines, or textbooks. Return to top.
When is your used book sale?
The Friends of the Library hold an annual book sale in the fall, usually during Columbus Day weekend. In addition, they offer a lobby booksale in the spring and summer months with selected titles that are replenished each week.
Are there volunteer opportunities at the library?
Volunteer opportunities at the library vary. If you are interested in volunteering, please call or send us an email expressing your interest and availability.
How do I make a donation in honor or memory of someone?
We welcome monetary donations in honor or memory of someone. Donated funds will be used to purchase materials of a particular type or in a particular subject area, if you request. Materials purchased with such funds will be given a special gift plate with the name of the donor and the honoree. Please stop by the library to fill out a form to provide us with the relevant information, or download the form here.
Do I need to sign my child up for story time?
No, registration is not necessary. Older and younger siblings are always welcome to attend. There is a lounge area adjacent to the Community Room where you can bring unhappy or restless siblings during the program. Return to top.
Do I have to belong to your library in order to take my child to storytime?
No, anyone is free to attend story time.
Do you have Value Line?
Yes, in print form and online access at the library (not available for online access at home.) A librarian will access the site for you with a password provided for library use.
What newspapers do you get?
- Boston Globe
- New York Times
- Wall Street Journal
- Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram
- Barron's
- Cape Courier (copies also provided free at Circulation desk area)
- South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Sentry
- The Current
- Southern Maine Forecaster (copies available free at the circulation desk area)
Why can't I put movies or CDs in the book drop?
Video, DVD, and audiobook cases and their contents can get damaged when dropped into the book drop, or when heavy books are dropped on top of them. The extremes of heat and cold can also damage these materials, which are expensive to replace. We ask that you return audiovisual materials inside the library during open hours. Please note that the library is open two evenings a week and on Saturdays. If you find you will be unable to return an item to the library before it is due, please give us a call so we can work out another arrangement.
How do I access my library record from home?
Click here to go to the My Account page, which will give you directions on accessing your library account.
What is the difference between Minerva and MaineCat?
MaineCat Statewide Catalog combines and links more than 100 library collections contained in 10 large online library systems, including Minerva. Read more.
Can items borrowed from other libraries be renewed?
Most items borrowed from other Minerva libraries may be renewed provided no one else is waiting for them (books and audiobooks for one two-week period; videos & dvds for an additional one-week period.) Items borrowed from the larger MaineCat system may or may not be renewed. If you are unsure about an item you have borrowed, or are unable to renew an item yourself online, please contact the library for assistance.
Where is the library located?
The library is located at 6 Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth. Click here to go to our contact page for directions.
Is the library wheelchair accessible?
Yes the library is wheelchair accessible, and is equipped with automatic doors. There are four lifts in the library providing wheelchair access to each level of the library, as well as wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Are there any job opportunities at the library?
Currently, there are no posted openings for jobs at the library. However, feel free to drop by your resume and a letter expressing interest for us to keep on file in case of future openings.