Using Your Online Library Catalog

I have to thank a younger family member for introducing me to this amazing tool. Our state of Massachusetts has regional memberships for local libraries that allow patrons to borrow books from member libraries. Utilizing additional memberships, patrons can borrow from larger libraries should their own regional library not provide the materials they are seeking.

For instance, my library belongs to CWMARS that is the Central district. A search will produce books from member libraries. I can do an additional search that goes outside the region. People do have to live in a qualifying district. With cutbacks, some libraries have been disqualified.
What I love is being able to access the catalog from my home. I can search availability and make reservations online. When the books arrive, I receive an email telling me the book is at the reservation desk. In our system, patrons are allowed to reserve up to ten items. Each time an item arrives and is checked out you can add another if you have reached your limit.

This has saved me hours of time trying to access a monitor to check titles at the library. It has motivated me to look at titles available from other libraries, as our library does not always have the materials I am most interested in accessing.

The regional system has allowed me access to DVD’s, books on CD, Video Games, as well as traditional books one expects to get from a library. If you have not examined your local libraries online capacity I suggest you find out if they have gone online. It is a great way to access materials. I have saved money on books and movies and I have had a chance to review other products prior to purchasing them.