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.

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.

This year has been such a phenomenal year for book donations, the Friends have decided to supplement the big annual book sale with periodic paperback book sales.

• Dates:
  Saturday, October 29th
  Saturday, November 12th
  Saturday, December 10th

• Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

• Location: Chelmsford Library lobby area

• Price: 4 paperback books for $1.00

Be sure to stop by and check out the sales, and thank you for supporting the library!

The Chelmsford Water District will be flushing water mains in the Town Center beginning October 11th, between 11:00 PM and 3:00 AM. Flushing will continue on the nights of the 12th, 13th, and 18th.

The flushing will cause discoloration in the water, but the Water District will attempt to use water hydrants to alleviate discolored water before morning.

The Water District asks that residents check their water each morning to make sure it is running clear before they use it. Also, check your backflow device to be sure it is not leaking after the flushing.

Flushing beyond the Center is scheduled for October 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th, and 27th, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

For more information, please visit http://www.chelmsfordwater.com or call the District Office at 978-256-2931.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered or shopped in the 2011 Friends of the Chelmsford Library Book Sale - you helped make it another successful year!

This year the sale raised almost $30,000!

This money is used by the Friends of the Library to fund library programs and speakers, our museum passes, electronic resources, and much more.

Dates for donation drop-offs for next year's sale will be posted soon. Thank you again for all your support!

Photo courtesy of The Chelmsford Patch