• Books (64)
• Childrens (11)
• Column (15)
• Computer (9)
• Current News (46)
• Events (73)
• Friends of the Library (23)
• Library Information (84)
• mackay (2)
• music (3)
• One Book (24)
• Overdrive (10)
• Programs (29)
• Reading Room (37)
• Reference (21)
• Resources (55)
• Teens (5)
• Town of Chelmsford (48)
• Web Tools (5)

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!

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.