Portland Public Library receives $50,000 grant for health information initiative

Portland, Maine - Portland Public Library (PPL) is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). These funds will support programs to bridge the gap in access to health information for our patrons, focusing on the most vulnerable members of our community -- teens, immigrants and refugees, and patrons experiencing homelessness.  

This project is grounded in three critical goals: improve access to reliable health information for underserved populations, strengthen partnerships with local health organizations, and improve health literacy for library patrons. To accomplish this, the library will offer public health information workshops, targeted use of specific online resources, and the efforts of a health outreach specialist. Access to high quality health and understandable information, can help members of these groups have greater confidence in making their health decisions. "Public libraries transform lives. We believe that by bridging gaps in access to health information, the community’s health will be stronger. Informed patients can make better decisions about their health and wellness," states Sarah Campbell, Executive Director of Portland Public Library.

Portland Public Library provides resources and experiences to build community awareness, improve access to information, and increase civic engagement. In 2014, PPL identified health as a focus area to stimulate community health literacy and convene community conversations about key health issues. We offer workshops, community discussions, and direct interaction with health professionals and organizations, in order to build awareness around health information resources and provide opportunities for deeper engagement around the issues most critical to our community.  

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, has been a center of information innovation since its founding in 1836. The world’s largest biomedical library, NLM maintains and makes available a vast print collection and produces electronic information resources on a wide range of topics that are searched billions of times each year by millions of people around the globe. It also supports and conducts research, development, and training in biomedical informatics and health information technology. In addition, the Library coordinates a 6,000-member National Network of Libraries of Medicine that promotes and provides access to health information in communities across the United States.

Developed resources reported in this press release are supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012347. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Maine Office of Securities Shines Light on Broker-Dealer Fees

In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, Maine's Office of Securities issued an advisory to raise investor awareness about fees charged by broker-dealer firms for services and maintenance of investment accounts.

"A key component of building financial literacy is learning what you need to know and where to find it," Securities Administrator Judith Shaw said. "That is especially important when it comes to understanding what services you are paying for and how much you are paying."

The advisory follows new research from the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which the Maine Office of Securities is a member. The research indicates that many investors are confused about brokerage service and maintenance fees and want clear and easy access to fee information from their broker-dealer firm.

A national public opinion poll commissioned by NASAA found that fees are important to investors but a general lack of standardization and clarity in their disclosure has left investors unaware of how much their broker-dealer firm charges for the service and maintenance of the investment accounts. To address this concern, Administrator Shaw suggests investors focus on the timing, method and content of fee disclosures.

-- Pay attention. Fees are typically disclosed when a customer account is opened. Ask for a fee schedule and make sure it is up to date. If it is not readily available, do not place any assets with the firm until it is provided. You have the right to know the fees in advance. Also, watch out for fee changes. Most broker-dealers disclose fee changes at least 30 days in advance, but they may use different methods to reach investors. Make sure your broker-dealer firm knows how you prefer to be contacted.

-- Read the fine print. Most broker-dealer firms disclose fees for certain services on a table, chart or list, while some use a narrative, but it may not list dollar amounts or formulas. If you do not see a section on fees and charges, ask for it. Investors are responsible for reading and understanding all materials provided by a broker-dealer.

-- Talk the talk. Different firms may use different terms for the same service. Know the services you may be using regularly and ask specifically what terms a firm uses for its services and the associated fees.

"Savvy consumers know it is important to compare prices on similar products, and they want the tools to make an informed decision," Administrator Shaw said. "Investors have spoken; regulators and the industry need to listen."

The advisory is available on the Office of Securities' website at www.investors.maine.gov. Consumers may contact the Office to check an adviser, salesperson or investment, or to obtain other information related to investing, by calling (877) 624-8551, visiting the agency's website, or writing to Maine Office of Securities, 121 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0121.

Alewives' Upstream Journey at Merryspring

Camden/Rockport, Maine - Fisheries Scientist Lisa Kerr will lead a presentation on understanding the life and journey of alewives at Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, May 12 at 12:00 pm.


Alewives are anadromous fish with a complex and fascinating life history and an amazing upstream story. Dr. Lisa Kerr will speak about how alewives are both an integral part and link between freshwater and marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Maine. Kerr’s talk will include how and why alewives swim up Maine’s rivers each spring, their status in the Gulf of Maine, and current research and efforts to resolve issues that are contributing to their decline in the wild.


Kerr is a fisheries scientist with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The goal of her research is to inform progress towards sustainable management of fisheries and ecosystems as a whole. She holds a PhD in Marine, Estaurine, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland Center of Environmental Science.


This program is part of the Spring Talk series at Merryspring, co-sponsored by The First and Jackson Landscape Services. Tuesday Talks are open to the public for $5, with free admittance for Merryspring members.


Merryspring is a member-supported, non-profit nature education center and park located at the end of Conway Road just off Rt. 1 by the Hannaford shopping plaza in Camden. For more information, call Merryspring at 236-2239, email info@merryspring.org or visit our website at www.merryspring.org.

Sarah Mildred Long Bridge Replacement Informational Open House

Kittery, Maine - The Maine Department of Transportation and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation are sponsoring an open house to showcase the final design of the new Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. Members of the public and the media are encouraged to explore the open house's multi-media exhibits, which will include 3D animations, slideshows, and a model to help people understand how aspects of the new bridge will promote mobility, avoid congestion, enable growth, and support a thriving port.

Department of Transportation representatives, along with the design team of FIGG I Hardesty & Hanover Joint Venture, will be available to answer questions and talk about additional details including the design, the alignment, and the schedule. This open house is the latest of nine public activities for the project. A portion of the exhibit will detail the public process and explain the process by which members of the public selected aspects of the new bridge. OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, September 18th 3PM - 6PM Kittery Community Center at Frisbee Common, 120 Rogers Road, Kittery, Maine

PROJECT WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/mdot/sml/

Secretary of State Charles E. Summers Jr. Reminds Maine Residents of the Various Locations to Register to Vote

Augusta, Maine - The Secretary of State's office reminds Maine residents of the various locations that individuals are able to register to vote. Those interested may visit their town office, local Bureau of Motor Vehicle Office, Department of Health and Human Services. You also can use the National Mail Voter Registration Form, which may be printed from the web site of the US Elections Assistance Commission by clicking here

For those interested in conducting voter drives, the policy to assure even distribution of voter registration cards, and to avoid having unused registration cards in circulation after new versions are created are as follows:

All requests for voter registration cards must be made by completing the VRS Request Form at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/reg-card-request-form-11-08.pdf.

In advance of each election, statewide candidates and qualified parties may request up to 2,000 cards per week, up to a total of 10,000 cards.

In advance of each election, all other candidates, individuals and groups may request up to 1,000 cards per week, up to a total of 5,000 cards.

Anyone interested may use the current electronic version of the Voter Registration Card to print additional cards. This electronic version is in a print-ready Adobe PDF format and contains both the front and back of the card.

Voter drive orders for registration cards will be filled as quickly as possible. The new voter registration card will be available on the Secretary of State's website as of Wednesday, June 27, 2012. http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data.htm.