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New Look for Overdrive Ebooks and Audiobooks Catalog

The online catalog the library uses for ebooks and downloadable audiobooks, called Overdrive, updated its website with a new look this weekend. If you haven't already, please check it out at http://mvlc.lib.overdrive.com.

There is an online guide that introduces all the new features, and new printed guidelines will be ready soon. A few important changes to note are:

• The way to choose how long you'd like to check out an item has changed dramatically:
  1. Below the large BORROW button on a title's information page it will say "This title can be borrowed for 14 days. (Change)." Clicking on the "Change" button will allow you to set a new lending duration.
  2. From the ACCOUNT screen in the SETTINGS tab on the right of the page and must be done BEFORE a title is checked out in order to take effect. As always, everything but WMA Audiobook titles can be returned early so we recommend the maximum checkout duration for eBook titles as they can always be returned early but they cannot be renewed.

  Any change made to this setting from either the method in 1 or 2 will become the new default.

• Patrons can now return their EPUB and MP3 Audiobook titles early directly from their "Bookshelf" screen in the new OverDrive web interface. Below each title is a new button "Return Title" so a patron will not have to return the title through Adobe Digital Editions as was required previously.

The new look only applies to the website - people using the mobile app will not notice any change. If you use Internet Explorer 7 you will need to download the Google Chrome plug-in to display the page correctly, as that version of the browser does not support all the features of the new layout. Alternatively you could update to the latest version of the browser.

If anyone has any questions please contact the Reference Desk.

New Library Catalog Design Launches Oct 1st, 2012

The entire MVLC catalog will be getting a new look starting Monday, October 1st. Chelmsford has been testing it for the last few weeks, so you may have already seen it, and maybe even suggested ways to make it better.

The new catalog will be an improvement over the previous catalog. One very noticeable thing should be an improvement in the speed of the catalog, and also fewer "empty pages" (when all you see is a blank page and have to reload it).

Many new features will be introduced, including:

1. A cleaner, easier-to-navigate interface
2. The ability to view item details (call number, availability status, etc) on the search results screen by clicking on the “Show More Details” button
3. The ability to configure which e-mail notifications you wish to receive from your library
4. Text messaging will be available for holds notification, and to quickly send a call number to your phone (instead of writing it on scrap paper)
5. You can set a preferred “Pickup Location” for requested materials for your patron account
6. You can choose to record your check out and holds history in your patron account
7. Enhanced functionality to bookbags (no called My Lists)
8. You can choose to stay logged into the catalog when logging in from home, instead of getting kicked out after a little while
9. More information on using these new features is also available

We've had a lot of great feedback so far from patrons who've tested the new catalog, so we're excited to launch the new design and features. If you notice any glitches after Monday, or have any questions whatsoever, please contact the Reference Desk.

The Library Catalog Is Getting A New Look!

The library catalog for the Merrimack Valley is in the process of getting both a new look and some new features. Chelmsford is one of the libraries that will be testing out the new catalog - and we'd like to hear what you think.

Some of the new features are:

• Cleaner look & faster loading
• Better search options
• Keep track of items you've checked out
• More bookbags options (now called My Lists)
• Stay logged in at home

Read about how to use some of the new features in this version of the catalog.

We'll be testing the new version of the catalog until September, when it will go live for all the area libraries. In the meantime, our old catalog is still available.

Love it or hate it, please submit your feedback through the "Patron Catalog Survey" link in the top right corner of the new catalog! Or, talk to any library staff person - and ask us questions, too!

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!

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.