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Changes in the Library

If you've been in the library this week, you may have noticed a few things have moved around.

In our continued effort to make information at the library - whether in the form of books, movies, or anything else - easy to find, library staff spent last Thursday morning shifting, merging, weeding, and generally reviewing some of our collections. Here's the major highlights of what moved and where, and please ask library staff if you have any questions:

• All non-fiction DVDs moved downstairs, and are now interfiled with our non-fiction books. This way, if you're looking for, say, travel information to England, books and DVDs are now in the same place
• All items having to do with languages - books, DVDs, books on CD, etc - are now shelved together in a new "Language" section upstairs, right next to the music CDs. We're still in the process of labeling all of these items as "Language" both with a sticker on the item and also in the call number in the catalog
• Most of the movies and audiobooks have shifted a few aisles over, to make room for the new Language section, and to fill in where the non-fiction DVDs were
• The Young Adult section also has quite a few changes:
  • New books will no longer be in a separate section - they will be interfiled with the rest of the YA fiction books
  • We're starting a new section for books in a series (like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, etc) - these eventually will all have a "Series" label both on the book and in the catalog
  • Video games are now on the back wall

If you have any trouble finding anything, or any questions about these moves, please ask any library staff person.

Patron Survey: What Do You Think of Our Catalog?

When the Chelmsford Library, as part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), got the new Evergreen catalog earlier this year, part of the funding came from a grant awarded to MassLNC. One of the requirements of that grant is to report back on how patrons like the new catalog.

To that end, all MVLC libraries are asking their patrons to complete a short survey to share their experiences. There is also a spot to make suggestions for features you'd like to see added.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey - it will be available through the first week of January 2012.

If you need any help or have questions about using the catalog, please contact the Reference Desk. Thanks!

Change to Library PIN/Password Coming Dec. 5th

As of December 5th, the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (including the Chelmsford Library) is going to implement a more secure password for your online library account. This means disabling the existing "PINs” from our previous system, and patrons will be prompted, when logging in, to create a new secure password.

Why are we doing this?
Information on what materials you have checked out, on hold, etc. is private data protected by state law. The current four-digit PIN does little to prevent a hacker from compromising your account information. They could also provide a hacker with a way to access and potentially damage the system itself.

Beyond this, we’ll be immediately introducing some new services, and next year we expect to introduce additional user services that will require us to retain more information about the materials you’ve previously checked out and placed on hold. We need to better protect your data in order to provide these services. After you update your password, you’ll also have the ability to update your e-mail address online and, if you wish, to choose a user name for your account other than your library barcode number.

Please Note: With the new system, a username other than your barcode number will work only for logging into the MVLC catalog. Any other services that currently require you to enter your barcode (databases, museum passes, etc.) will still require you to use your barcode for access.

What you’ll need to do
When you log into your account after December 5th, you’ll be automatically prompted to change your password. You’ll need to select a password that’s at least seven characters long and contains both letters and numerals. Once you make this change, you’ll be able to log into your account.

Should you forget your new password, you’ll still have the ability to update it online. Your library also has the ability to reset your password or to assign you a temporary password that will allow you to reset your password yourself online.

Access to the Virtual Catalog is Back!

At long last (although it's only been a few months), library patrons can once again place requests in the statewide Virtual Catalog.

This functionality was lost when we migrated from our old catalog to the new Evergreen catalog, because Evergreen and the Virtual Catalog were not able to communicate properly. All summer, developers at the MVLC Central Site office have been working on restoring this communication, and after this weekend's update, it's finally back.

Here's how connecting to the Virtual Catalog works in Evergreen:

At the bottom of every page, there is a Virtual Catalog link. You should still search the MVLC catalog first, but if you can't find what you're looking for, click the Virtual Catalog link at the bottom of each catalog page (or contact the library).

This will link you to the Virtual Catalog login page. On this page, first, use the dropdown box in the middle of the page to choose the library in which you'd like to pick up the item you are going to request. Second, enter your library card number into the box at right, and then click the Begin Searching the Virtual Catalog button.

From that point on, searching and requesting in the Virtual Catalog works just like it did before - find the item you'd like, click the blue request button, and complete the form. You can also check your Virtual Catalog account to view the status of the requests you've placed through the Virtual Catalog.

We're very happy to have this functionality restored. If you have any questions about the Virtual Catalog, or need help placing a request, please contact the Reference Desk at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

Catalog Help: Frequently Asked (and Answered) Questions on Using the Catalog

The library's catalog, called Evergreen, is shared by the 36 libraries that make up the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC). The Chelmsford Library and MVLC have created help pages that explain how to use the catalog, as well as highlight some of its features.

Catalog Help Topics

• Basic Search
• Advanced Search
• My Account
• Using Bookbags
• Placing a Hold
• What is a Password/PIN and how do I get one?
• How do I see more information about items?
• Patron Information Privacy: Chelmsford Library's Policy & MVLC's Policy

We'll add more information to our Catalog Help page as it is developed.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need more help with any aspect of the catalog, please contact the Reference Desk at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.