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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.

9 Ways to Discover Your Family History at the Chelmsford Public Library

There's help, information and vast resources available for those who wish to climb the branches of their family trees at the Chelmsford Public Library.

By Paula McCarron, Chelmsford Patch (reprinted with permission)

Are you curious about your family history? Or have you hit a "brick wall" in your research?

Compiled with the help of Brian Herzog, Chelmsford's Reference Librarian, these nine tips will help you climb the branches of your family tree.

1. Hit the stacks to find books such as The Sleuth Book for Genealogists by Emily A. Croom or Genealogy Online for Dummies by Matthew and April Helm. They'll help you better understand ways to trace your family history.

2. Visit the Local History Room. Pore over records of the births, marriages and deaths for many towns in Massachusetts up through 1849, Chelmsford High yearbooks, maps and more.

3. Try your luck. Type a surname into the library catalog database to see if someone has published a history about your family.

4. Tap into databases such as Ancestry, Heritage Quest and ProQuest. Go to the library homepage and click on "Reference". Click onto "Databases" to choose "genealogy" from the drop down menu. Tip: Access is also possible from your home computer with a library card.

5. Borrow a CD of folksongs, a DVD travelogue or a cookbook featuring ethnic recipes to explore your family heritage.

6. Tap into the library site to access the Chelmsford Papers Obituary Search database. To view or to obtain a copy of your findings, use the library microfiche equipment or ask a librarian for help.

7. View vintage photos and find local history sources at Chelmsford History (chelmsfordhistory.org), a site hosted by the library.

8. Watch for the new arrival of "study tables" at the library. Each study table will feature a bookstore style display of books on particular topics. One table will be dedicated to the subject of genealogy.

9. Ask a librarian for help. Chelmsford librarians will be happy to help by identifying resources, providing help in using library equipment and offering research assistance.

Need help when the library is closed? Don't despair. Help is available 24 hours a day by visiting the library's site. You can click on the "Ask a Librarian" box to be connected to a librarian via chat software.

As you dig into the hobby of genealogy, you'll come to appreciate the vast amount of information and resources available at the library - and best of all, they're all free.

Climbing the Family Tree

If you're wondering about how to research your family tree, the Chelmsford Genealogy Group is ready to help.

By Paula McCarron, Chelmsford Patch (reprinted with permission)

Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emmitt Smith and Lisa Kudrow found their ancestors courtesy of the NBC show "Who Do You Think You Are," which focuses on how genealogy can reveal fascinating details of one's family history. But here in Chelmsford, you don't need to be a celebrity to get help in climbing your family tree - and best of all, the help is free.

Judy Sylvia, Coordinator of the Chelmsford Genealogy Group (CGG) started her search after hearing her father-in-law speak about his search for ancestors. Since then, Sylvia works on her own tree but she's also helping others to make their own discoveries through her volunteer work with Chelmsford Genealogy Group.

CGG meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Chelmsford Public Library. All meetings are free and open to all – residents and non-residents, alike.

"If you're just getting started, it's a great because someone in the group has probably already done what you're looking to do. People are willing to share what they know. And we often have guest speakers with thanks to the Friends of the Library who donate the money for speakers' fees," says Sylvia.

E-mail announcements are sent three to six times a month to keep everyone informed of the meetings as well as other local events. Sylvia also forwards requests from people who are searching for a Chelmsford ancestor.

The "hottest" development, a surname database was initiated by club member, Norm Rourke and is under construction by Reference Librarian, Brian Herzog. The database will provide an opportunity to search or share information about a particular ancestor or surname in the very near future through the Chelmsford Public Library website.

Now twelve years into her search, Sylvia recently discovered a 1700's ship captain within her family tree.

"That's the thing. You start with four grandparents, then eight great grandparents and it just keeps going. You keep finding so much that it's never really ever done," she said.

For more information, check out the Chelmsford Public Library's Web site.

This article originally appeared on the
Chelmsford Patch on January 18th, 2011.

Free ProQuest Access for National Library Week

The library subscribes to many online resources to help with research. However, for National Library Week, April 12-18, 2010, you'll be able to access even more - ProQuest is providing free access to some of their most popular databases, including:

• CultureGramsTM explore the world's cultures with local experts that document the history, customs, government, and daily life in multimedia reports on over 200 countries
• eLibrary® this easy to use resource brings together content about in-demand subjects from millions of multimedia-rich, global resources
• ProQuest® African American Heritage brings together records critical to African American family history research and connects users to a community of research experts
• ProQuest Historical Newspapers™ - Black Newspapers experience history firsthand via continuous runs of the following full-image titles: The Baltimore Afro-American, Chicago Defender, Los Angeles Sentinel, and New York Amsterdam News

Visit http://www.proquest.com/go/celebrate to access these resources and more, during National Library Week. No username or password needed.

If you have questions about these databases, or any online resources offered by the Chelmsford Library, please ask at the Reference Desk, email askus@mvlc.org or call 978-256-5521 x211.

New Database: Literary Reference Center

Chelmsford Library patrons now have a new way to research books and authors: Literary Reference Center.

Searchable from either your home or the library, this database has full-text information on thousands of authors and their works. Content is broken down into a number of categories (plot summaries, synopses and work overviews, author biographies, literary journals, poems, short stories, classic texts, author interview and more). All search results are gathered into convenient tabs for easy organization.

Information can best be found in one of two ways:

1. For broad searches on topics or subjects, use the Find: search box near the top of the screen
2. To find specific authors or works, use the Browse Authors/Browse Works links near the middle of the screen

Other features include a Literary Glossary (for definitions of literature-related words), a timeline of works and their historical context, a research guide, help with citing sources, and frequently-updated books and author highlights.

Access to Literary Reference Center is funding by NMRLS. For help accessing or using the database, please contact the Reference Desk.

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