Services

Wireless Internet Access logo
The library provides free wireless internet access!
Click here for more information.

Our Collection

The library lends books, magazines, audiobooks on cassette and CD, videos (VHS & DVD), and music CDs. Our collection includes:

  • Main Library
  • Our extensive collection includes reference materials, nonfiction, general fiction, genre fiction, videos on VHS and DVD, audiobooks on cassette and CD, newspapers,and magazines. Go to Adult Services page.
  • Young Adult Room
    This growing collection contains hardcover and paperback fiction and nonfiction, magazines, videos on VHS and DVD, audiobooks on cassette and CD of interest to teens. Go to Young Adult Services page.
  • Children’s Library
    Our large children’s collection contains fiction (including picture books and early readers,) nonfiction, reference, magazines, read-a-longs, board books, videos on VHS and DVD, audiobooks on cassette and CD, and music for infants through pre-adolescents. Go to Children's Services page.
  • Parenting Collection
    This growing collection includes books, videos on VHS and DVD, audiobooks on cassette and CD, magazines, and pamphlets. There is also a lounge area equipped with puzzles and toys so that young children may be entertained while their parents browse. For more information, visit the Children's Services page.
  • Maine Collection
    This special collection contains nonfiction adult books written by Maine authors or about Maine subjects.
  • Gabriel A. Zimpritch Poetry Collection
    This flourishing collection of poetry and creative writing materials was established to honor the memory of Gabriel A. Zimpritch, a member of the Cape Elizabeth High School Class of 1996. The library also offers the annual Zimpritch Symposium, a day-long writing workshop for high school students which concludes with a public reading.

As a member of Minerva, the Thomas Memorial Library also provides access to the collections of over 80 other libraries in the state of Maine.

Our Programs

  • For Children
    Weekly children’s programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are offered during four seasonal sessions throughout the year. An annual Summer Reading Program for kids of all ages encourages reading during the long school vacation. Additional programs for families and school-aged children are offered periodically throughout the year. Go to Children's Programs.

  • For Teens
    Several programs of special interest to teens are offered each year. Library staff welcome your ideas for future programs for teens. Go to Young Adult Programs.
  • For Adults
    The library offers a monthly book discussion group. Special events featuring authors and other cultural presentations are offered several times a year. The library staff welcome suggestions for future speakers and programs. Go to Adult Programs.

Delivery to home-bound patrons

The library offers delivery of materials to patrons who are ill or unable to get to the library. A librarian can bring specific materials, or a selection of materials in a particular genre or area of interest. If you are interesting in using this service, please call Joyce Lourie at the library at 799-1720.

Public Access Computers

The library has twelve Apple computers available for public use. Six computers are located in the Main Library, two are located in the Young Adult library, and four are located in the Children's Library. For those patrons more comfortable working in the Windows environment, one Apple computer in the Main Library is booted in Windows mode.

All public computers have internet access via Safari, Camino, and Internet Explorer. Public computers also offer access to the Microsoft Office suite, and a variety of other programs.

Patrons may sign up at the reference desks to use the computers for 30 minute blocks of time. If no one else is waiting, a patron may continue to work for one additional 30 minute time period, after which time he or she will be asked either to stop, or to switch to another computer.

All public computers are networked to a black-and-white laser printer located beside the library's circulation desk. Printed pages are 15¢ each. Patrons are encouraged to use the "Print Preview" function prior to printing in order to avoid printing mistakes.

Wireless Internet Access

The library offers free wireless internet access in the Main Library, Young Adult Library, and Maine Room. You will need to configure your laptop or other wireless device in order to use the library's wireless network. Instructions may be obtained from a librarian in the Main Library, or you can download them 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.

Marvel! Maine's Virtual Library

Thousands of magazines, newspapers, and reference books are available at any computer in the

Marvel! Maine's Virtual Library
state of Maine through the online resources of Maine’s virtual library, MARVEL! You can access this collection of subscription databases by clicking on the MARVEL! icon at right. If you are accessing the databases from home, you will be asked to login using your name and library card number (the barcode number on your Thomas Memorial Library card.)

Photocopiers

The library has two photocopiers, one in the Main Library, and one in the Children's Library. Photocopyies are 15¢ regardless of size for single-sided copies, and 25¢ for double-sided copies. Photocopies of reference or other non-circulating materials are free for the first 10 copies, and then 5¢ for each additional copy.

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.

Tax Forms

The library provides free income tax forms for both Federal and State returns. The tax forms are located in the Main Library below the window on the north side of the building. Many tax forms are also available for free download online:

Federal Income Tax Forms
Maine State Income Tax Forms

Click here for links to more online tax resources.