Welcome to MVLC

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New Services Starting December 5th Require New Passwords

As of December 5th, you have the ability to update your e-mall address online, and, if you wish, to select a username other than your library barcode number. In order to provide these services, we’ve needed to make some changes to the level of system security we employ, which will require you to update your password. As of December 5th, we’ve disabled the legacy “PINs” from our previous system and you will need to select a new, more secure password for your user account that meets current Internet standards.

What you’ll need to do:

Now when you log into your account for the first time, 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.

MVLC Rejoins the Statewide Virtual Catalog

Library users can once again directly place requests for materials not owned by MVLC libraries through the Massachusetts Statewide Virtual Catalog. Virtual Catalog membership encompasses almost all Massachusetts public libraries and a number of college and university libraries as well.

You can find a link to access the Virtual Catalog among the group of links at the bottom of any catalog page:

 Basic Catalog (HTML only)    |   MVLC Libraries    |   FAQ    |   About MVLC    |   Online Databases    |   Virtual Catalog

On the access page, you'll be asked to select the library at which you wish to pick up your materials and to enter your patron barcode number. If you're logged into the catalog at the time you place your request, your patron barcode will be automatically inserted into the search form.

Welcome to Evergreen

As you’ve surely noted, public libraries in the Merrimack Valley have introduced a new catalog (and a whole new library system that supports it).

The system is called Evergreen, and unlike the library software we’ve used in the past, Evergreen is open source, meaning it’s not a product of a commercial vendor, but rather software created, maintained, and enhanced by its community of users. Evergreen was created in 2006 by the Georgia Public Library Service. It was originally adopted by over 200 public libraries in Georgia and has been growing rapidly ever since. Today it’s used by approximately 425 library systems encompassing over 870 library outlets worldwide. In the next several months libraries in two other Massachusetts library networks – NOBLE and C/W MARS will also be moving to Evergreen.

Open source software has some important advantages to library systems like MVLC. First, it allows us to better control our costs. MVLC is a membership organization and your local public library is charged for membership. Controlling costs means better value for your tax dollars. It also means that more of the money your library does pay can go toward improved services, rather than software licensing costs.

Second, open source gives us control of our software. Control of our software means we have the ability to change and enhance it to better meet your evolving needs, something we haven’t been able to do very effectively in the past.

We know the system has some rough edges at the moment. In the coming months we’ll be firming up the foundation of our new system, correcting the problems that come with any major change and then preparing to take advantage of the opportunities it provides to expand our services to you.

Among the first improvements you’ll see in the coming months is the introduction of a sleeker and more user-friendly catalog to replace what you’re currently using. From there, you’ll see a gradual growth in what you can do through the catalog.

So take a look and tell us what you think – and what you’d like to see.

As always, we appreciate your support – and your patience.

MVLC Responds to HarperCollins new E-Book Policy

In a significant revision to the usual lending terms for ebooks, HarperCollins has announced that new titles will be able to circulate only 26 times before the license expires. Under the publisher's requirement, the library (via the OverDrive platform) will be able to make the eBook available to one customer at a time until the total number of permitted checkouts is reached. MVLC feels this policy is not in the best interest of library users and has sent the following response to the HarperCollins: more...

When it comes to efficiency, libraries wrote the book

In the past decade, overall funding to all types of libraries across the Commonwealth through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has dropped by 39% while libraries experienced a dramatic surge of 50% in library visits. Through cooperation, consolidation, and the use of the latest technology, libraries were able to meet the growing demand for library services during the funding decline.

The challenge for libraries comes as local and state budget cuts to libraries jeopardize the very services that residents are using more than ever. In order to help libraries continue these services the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners presents a FY2012 Legislative Agenda that considers the current economic reality and requests funding that will maintain core services.

Merrimack Valley Library Consortium

The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium is an alliance of 35 public libraries serving the Greater Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. From this page, you can connect to the MVLC on-line catalog and obtain information on the network and all member libraries.

Databases accessible to MVLC Patrons

This list is by no means a complete list, and some of our member libraries offer additional databases to their patrons. For more information contact your local library.