Maine InfoNet

What Maine InfoNet does

Maine InfoNet is a library consortium headquartered at the University of Maine in Orono that operates shared library technology infrastructure for the state of Maine's public, academic, school, and special libraries. The organization manages four shared integrated library system (ILS) platforms — Minerva (60+ member libraries of all types), URSUS (nine University of Maine System campuses plus the Bangor Public Library, Maine State Library, Portland Public Library, and Maine Law and Legislative Reference Library), MILS (smaller libraries), and MaineCat (a statewide unified catalog linking 100+ library collections across 10 large online systems, surfacing 4.6 million unique titles and 8.9 million items). Beyond the ILS layer, Maine InfoNet delivers the Digital Maine Library (formerly MARVEL!) for statewide licensed electronic resource access via EBSCO Discovery Service with geo-location authentication, and a Download Library for ebooks and audiobooks through OverDrive's cloudLibrary. The underlying ILS technology is Sierra from Innovative Interfaces (with URSUS migrated to Ex Libris Primo and III Vega in 2024), supplemented by Summon 2.0 discovery and INN-Reach interlibrary loan interoperability.

Maine InfoNet's business model is a hybrid of membership dues, institutional cost-sharing, and state and federal grant funding. Member libraries pay annual dues billed in April/May with payment due August 1; non-payment can trigger suspension (with a 10% reinstatement fee). Revenue is also supported by grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and appropriations administered via the Maine State Library. The organization is operationally and institutionally embedded in the University of Maine System, which serves as parent, headquarters host, and the largest single URSUS anchor. Governance is shared: Minerva is self-governed by a Users Council and Executive Board with elected members from public, academic, and special library sectors, while Maine InfoNet staff provide technical management, training, cataloging mentoring, and interlibrary loan support across all four platforms.

The customer base spans 60+ Minerva libraries, nine UMS campuses, and the Maine State Library, with end-user access extended statewide to every Maine resident through the Digital Maine Library and Download Library. Go-to-market is community-led: recruitment and onboarding are driven by the Membership Committee, and ongoing engagement runs through MinervaCats and MinervaCirc listservs, quarterly Circulation and Cataloging Roundtable meetings, statewide Zoom calls, vendor training webinars, and Maine State Library Council meetings hosted at regional hub libraries. The organization has 251-500 employees, no disclosed external investors, and operates exclusively within the state of Maine.

Name

Maine InfoNet

Legal name

Maine InfoNet

Website

https://maineinfonet.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Maine InfoNet is a library consortium that operates shared integrated library systems (Minerva, URSUS, MILS, MaineCat), statewide digital resource access (Digital Maine Library), and an ebook/audiobook lending service for Maine's public, academic, school, and special libraries and residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Consortium Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Library consortium services
• Integrated library systems
• Shared catalog services
• Interlibrary loan networks
• Digital library access

Headquarters

HQ city

Orono

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Library Dues: Member libraries pay annual dues to participate in Minerva and other shared systems. Dues bills are sent in April/May with payment due by August 1. Overdue notices follow, and non-payment can result in suspension of consortium access. The consortium also assesses a 10% fee on annual dues to lift suspensions.
2. State and Federal Grants: Maine InfoNet and its services are supported by funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Maine State Library. LearningExpress Library was expanded statewide with contributions from Maine InfoNet and Fogler Library.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Maine InfoNet operates shared integrated library systems and statewide digital infrastructure for Maine's libraries. Its core offerings include MaineCat (a unified statewide catalog combining 100+ library collections), Minerva (a shared ILS consortium of 60+ libraries), URSUS (a shared catalog for the University of Maine System and Dirigo libraries), MILS (a shared system for smaller libraries), the Digital Maine Library (remote access to online databases for all Maine residents), and the Download Library (cloudLibrary/OverDrive-powered ebook and audiobook lending).

Product overview

Maine InfoNet is a library consortium organization providing technology infrastructure for Maine's libraries through a portfolio of integrated library system (ILS) products and services. The core offerings include: MaineCat (statewide unified catalog with 4.6M+ titles), Minerva (consortium of 60+ libraries with self-governance), URSUS (University of Maine System libraries consortium with 3M+ titles), MILS (smaller libraries consortium), Digital Maine Library (formerly MARVEL! - full-text database access for Maine residents), and Download Library (OverDrive-powered ebook/audiobook lending). These products share the Sierra ILS platform from Innovative Interfaces and interoperate through standards like MARC cataloging, INN-Reach interlibrary loan, and various search widgets. The organization provides technical management, support, training, and governance coordination for member libraries across Maine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MaineCat: Statewide catalog combining over 100 library collections with more than 4.6 million unique titles and nearly 8.9 million items.
• Minerva
• URSUS
• MILS

Products and services

• MaineCat Statewide Catalog
• Minerva Shared Library System
• URSUS Shared Library System
• MILS Shared Library System
• Digital Maine Library
• Download Library
• Maine Shared Collections Collaborative (MSCC)

Quantifiable outcome

• MaineCat searches across 4.6 million unique titles and 8.9 million items from 100+ library collections
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Maine State LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine State Library is a key partner in the URSUS consortium (as a Dirigo library), hosts the Digital Maine Library, provides LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funding coordination, and partners with Maine InfoNet on statewide electronic resource licensing and library development initiatives.
• University of Maine SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Maine System houses Maine InfoNet's offices and provides the institutional home for the URSUS consortium. UMS libraries (9 campuses) participate in URSUS, and the partnership enables shared infrastructure, technical staff, and governance through the Maine InfoNet Board.
• Bangor Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBangor Public Library is a Dirigo library partner in the URSUS consortium, combining its collection with the University of Maine System libraries, Maine State Library, and Maine Law and Legislative Reference Library.
• Portland Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortland Public Library is a Dirigo library partner in the URSUS consortium.
• Maine Law and Legislative Reference LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine Law and Legislative Reference Library is a Dirigo library partner in the URSUS consortium.
• Innovative Interfaces (III)coreTechnology or IntegrationInnovative Interfaces provides the Sierra integrated library system (ILS) software used by URSUS, Minerva, and MILS. Sierra 3.3 was deployed across all three systems with features including performance improvements for Create Lists, new API endpoints, and web accessibility timeout warnings. Maine InfoNet has discussed costs for potential ILS migration or staying with III.
• Serials Solutions (ProQuest)majorTechnology or IntegrationSerials Solutions provides the Summon discovery service (Summon 2.0 / OneSearch) used across Maine library systems. Maine InfoNet coordinates Summon implementation and upgrades, including the Summon 2.0 platform launch with redesigned UX, Topic Explorer, automated query expansion, and new dynamic advanced search features.
• EBSCO Information ServicesmajorTechnology or IntegrationEBSCO provides the EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) powering the Digital Maine Library's single-search-box interface and hosts databases like LearningExpress Library 3.0 (statewide since 2013). EBSCO also provides Points of View Reference Center and other databases available through the Digital Maine Library, with ongoing accessibility improvements.
• OverDrivemajorTechnology or IntegrationOverDrive provides the cloudLibrary platform for the Maine InfoNet Download Library, offering free ebooks and downloadable audiobooks to patrons of member libraries. Maine InfoNet subscribes to OverDrive's Front-Line Technical Support service for patron assistance, and OverDrive Media Console v3.0 was deployed for mobile access.
• Ex Libris (ProQuest)majorTechnology or IntegrationEx Libris provides the Primo discovery platform now serving the University of Maine System libraries as part of the 2024 URSUS catalog migration. The UMS libraries migrated from the legacy URSUS/Sierra system to Primo as of 2024.
• III Vega (Innovative Interfaces)majorTechnology or IntegrationIII Vega is the new catalog platform for Dirigo Libraries (Bangor Public Library, Maine State Library, Portland Public Library, Maine Law and Legislative Reference Library) as part of the 2024 URSUS catalog migration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• OCLC: OCLC is a global library cooperative that operates WorldCat and shared cataloging, discovery, and resource sharing services for libraries worldwide. It is comparable to Maine InfoNet as both operate as library cooperatives providing shared cataloging infrastructure, but OCLC operates at a vastly larger scale.
• LYRASIS: LYRASIS is a large non-profit library consortium and technology services organization serving libraries, archives, and museums across the U.S. and globally. It is comparable to Maine InfoNet as both operate as member-supported library cooperatives providing shared infrastructure, hosting, and digital preservation services to library members.

Direct peers

• NC LIVE: NC LIVE is a North Carolina library consortium that provides shared access to electronic resources, databases, and digital content for member libraries. It is comparable to Maine InfoNet as both deliver statewide electronic resource access and shared digital library services through consortium-funded licensing.
• NELINET: NELINET is a New England-based library and information network cooperative providing shared technology services, training, and consortium programs to academic, public, and school libraries. Like Maine InfoNet, it operates as a regional library cooperative with member dues, governance structures, and shared ILS-style services for member institutions.
• Califa Library Group: Califa Library Group is a California-based library consortium that negotiates group purchasing and provides shared electronic resources for member libraries. It is comparable to Maine InfoNet as both operate statewide consortium models for shared content licensing and database access for libraries.
• Marmot Library Network: Marmot Library Network is a Colorado-based consortium of academic and public libraries offering shared library systems, a union catalog, and courier services. It is comparable to Maine InfoNet as both function as multi-type library cooperatives with shared catalogs, ILL, and consortium governance structures.
• Bibliomation: Bibliomation is a Connecticut-based library consortium providing shared library automation, catalog, and interlibrary loan services to public and school libraries. It is a direct peer because it operates the same business model - a member-governed cooperative delivering shared ILS and resource sharing for a defined member network.

Others

• Innovative Interfaces (III): Innovative Interfaces is the vendor that supplies the Sierra integrated library system used by Maine InfoNet's Minerva, URSUS, and MILS consortia. It is comparable as a technology supplier and ecosystem partner whose roadmap and pricing decisions directly affect Maine InfoNet's service delivery.
• EBSCO Information Services: EBSCO provides the EBSCO Discovery Service and statewide database content (LearningExpress, Points of View) used by Maine InfoNet's Digital Maine Library. It is comparable as a content and discovery technology partner supporting Maine InfoNet's statewide resource offerings.
• Ex Libris (Clarivate): Ex Libris provides the Primo discovery platform now serving University of Maine System libraries after the 2024 URSUS migration. It is comparable as a technology ecosystem partner whose platforms underpin Maine InfoNet's academic catalog services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MaineInfoNet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maine-infonet-collaborative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maine InfoNet