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Use Consumer Reports At The Library

Did you know the library subscribes to Consumer Reports? In fact, we subscribe to both the print magazine and the online database - and it's free for any Chelmsford resident to use!

We have two copies of the magazine - one upstairs with the regular magazines that you can check out to use at home (except for the most recent issue), and another complete set downstairs in Reference. The most current year is kept at the Reference Desk, and we also keep the last few years too.

In addition to the magazine, the library also has the Consumer Reports Buying Guide, and new and used car buying guides.

The online version of Consumer Reports is listed on the Reference databases section of our website - you'll need your Chelmsford Library card number to log in from home.

For similar resources, check out our Consumer Information webpage - it lists other subscription services provided by the library, as well as free websites.

Another great resource is the Boston Consumer Checkbook - instead of reviewing products (like Consumer Reports), it reviews local services, like plumbers, roofers, etc. Print magazines for the last few years are available by the Reference Desk, and online access is available too, but you must be in the library.

For help with these or any Library resources, please contact the Reference Desk.

2009 Fuel Economy Guide

The US Department of Environmental Protection released their 2009 Fuel Economy Guide, and it is available both online and in print at the library.

The Guide is designed to inform consumers about how cars compare based on their fuel economy, to help car buyers make more energy- and cost-conscious buying decisions. It also provides an overview of the different types of alternative-fuel vehicles available (natural gas, hybrids, flex-fuel, etc), and gives driving tips to improve fuel efficiency.

To see the fuel economy ratings for 2009 and past years, you can:

• Explore online fuel ratings on the FuelEconomy.gov website
• Download a PDF version from the FuelEconomy.gov website
• Visit the library and pick up a copy. They are available next to the newspapers, and reference copies of the 2009 Guide and past years (in addition to other automobile information) are near the Reference Desk

More information about the Guide and EPA fuel economy rating information is available on their website, http://www.fueleconomy.gov.