CWMARS news... Better spacing
Stephanie Carpenter
The Woods Memorial Library is pleased to announce that it is joining the CWMARS network as a mini-net member. Barre residents will experience increased library services with this move. The library is able to join the network because of grant funding acquired by CWMARS through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
CWMARS or the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing network is a conglomerate of libraries that are inter-connected. Any library, a full member or mini-net member (a library whose town’s population is under 10,000), may serve Barre residents with a variety of services.
Any patron who has previously held a card at the Woods Memorial Library will need to complete an application form for a new library card. Patrons who already have a library card from another CWMARS library may use that card in Barre. One card will be used at most libraries in the central and western regions of the state.
As part of increased services patrons will be able to: access personal accounts online 24-7, renew and order books online, receive email notifications when a reserved book arrives or if a book is overdue. If you use multiple libraries, all of these accounts will be linked. Patrons will also be able to access e-content for devices like mp3 players, Nooks, Kindles and other e-readers. Staff will also be able to teach residents how to utilize these functions.
The library staff has been undergoing training to transition from the old system to this new system. On Friday, September 7, 2012 the library will be closed for the final staff training day. The library will be fully online and using the CWMARS’s system called Evergreen on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.
In other news, the Woods Memorial Library is hosting a Civil War Living History day on Saturday October 6, 2012, Columbus Day weekend, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and to share this amazing time period in America’s history with area residents. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in North Park, and at the library.
The 9th Mass. Artillery, an authentic reenactment unit, will present an accurate portrayal of the Union artillery formed in 1862 in North Park. The Library will host a variety of programs in Allen Hall and the Historical Society will open its doors to residents as part of the day’s events. This day is being sponsored by the: Barre Veterans’ Post 2, Barre Police Association, Barre Historical Society, Barre Savings Bank, Athol Savings Bank, Barre Women’s Club and the Barre Library Association. This program is also supported in part by a grant from the Barre Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. More information will come over the next month.