
Pandemic Service Levels UPDATED March 1, 2021
When will the library building reopen? UPDATED October, 2020 Read our latest update
here.
How do I use the curbside service?
How do I make an appointment to pick up my requested materials?
How can I get a library card?During the library shut-down, we’ve made it possible for you to get a library card online. Anyone who lives in or owns property in Cape Elizabeth, or who works for the Town or for the Cape school department regardless of residency, is eligible to get a free TML card. Please fill out
this form and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
Not eligible for a TML Card? You can get a free eCard from Portland Public Library which will allow you to access many of the same digital resources. If you would like to open a temporary eResource library card, please email Portland Public Library at lending@portlib.org.
How do I request books and other library materials?
How can I find out what's available to request?If you are looking for a specific item, you can search for it in the Minerva catalog. We know it is hard not to be able to come into the library and browse our shelves. We’ve tried to compensate for that loss as much as we can by offering the following options:
- If you want to browse lists of our newest materials, you can do so here.
- If you would like personalized help from one of our librarians to find just the right reading, listening, or viewing material, you might want to try our Library to Go service.
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Do you have a list of new books, new DVDs, and new audiobooks that are available to request?
If I get multiple email notices about my materials, do I need to make more than one appointment to pick them up?
No, you do not need to make more than one appointment if you’ve received multiple separate emails that your holds are ready and you can proceed to booking a curbside pick up appointment. We will bundle them all together for you.
What does a cancelled hold notice mean?
If you received an email notifying you of a cancelled hold, most likely this means that we could not locate the item on the shelf for you and marked it as missing in our collection. We are sorry for the inconvenience!
My library card doesn’t work. What should I do?
If you try to access our online services and find a problem with your library card, it likely needs to be updated. Please call us at 799-1720, or send an email with your name, library card number, and current address to
Julia Hoisington, our Circulation Librarian, at
jhoisington@thomas.lib.me.us and we will update your card.
When I log into my account, I get a message saying that I need to contact the library. What does that mean? Chances are, your card needs to be updated. Everyone’s library card expires once per year, which is simply a prompt for us to make sure we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. Please give us a call at 799-1720 and we can update your record over the phone. You can also send an email with your name, library card number, and current address to Julia Hoisington, our Circulation Librarian, at jhoisington@thomas.lib.me.us and she will update your card. If you have any billed items on your account, you would also encounter that same message. Again, please give us a call so we can resolve any issues.
Do you have any online resources, such as downloadable eBooks and audiobooks? The library provides access to a number of resources you can enjoy from home using your TML card, including eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, streaming movies, and databases that include popular magazines. Click here for complete details on these resources and how to access them.
What are you doing to ensure materials I borrow are safe?According to CDC Guidelines and multiple studies about the viability of the Novel Coronavirus on surfaces, time is the best disinfectant. Therefore, all materials returned to us by other borrowers are being quarantined for a period of 72 hours before being checked in. Because of this, you will continue to see items you have borrowed show up on your account for three days after you have returned them.
How do I schedule and appointment to pick up my requested items? Please visit our
Curbside Pick-Up page and fill out the form below the calendar.
Please do not make an appointment for curbside pick-up until you have received either an email or a phone call from us confirming that your items are ready to be picked up. If you encounter any problems scheduling a pick-up time, please
email us or call us at 799-1720.
What happens when I come to pick up my items?When you arrive at the library at your scheduled time, please pull up in front of the building at the pick-up area. Please remain in your car and call us at 799-1720 (the number will be posted on a sign outside) to let us know you are here. A librarian will bring your materials in a bag, already checked out to you, to a table in front of the building. Once the librarian has returned to the building, please exit your car and pick your bagged materials.
What if I'm unable to leave my home?If you are unable to leave your home to pick up your items, you can arrange for home delivery. Please
contact Kevin Goody to make those arrangements.
I have items to return. What do I do with them?Please place all returned items in the library book drop. Don’t worry if DVDs or audiobooks have a label that says “Do Not Place In Book Drop”–those are old labels from when we were in our old building and they no longer apply.
Can I get something printed?
Where can I find a list of upcoming programs?
Do you have any recordings of past programs? Yes! We have recordings of selected programs in case you missed them. You can find and view those recordings here.