Information Databases

We've told you before about all the wonderful databases we have available through our Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Library System and through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. We just received an update of databases available from the MBLC, and it includes lots of new titles for all ages, including teachers, school administrators, and librarians!

There's a collection of more than 4,200 scholarly periodicals, including much full text. We even have the full-text of the New York Times back to 1995, and it is updated daily. Something new is Inform, geared to Spanish language speakers and students. Massachusetts History Online includes full-text articles gathered from almost 50 sources that directly relate to MA history.

You are sure to find help, whether researching for a high school or college paper, checking a health resource whether as an academic or a consumer, reading about popular culture, or reviewing current events.

THREE CUPS OF TEA

We're really gearing up for our Mansfield Reads month, starting next week! Borders is now also sponsoring our event, as well as the Friends of the Mansfield P.L. and the Mansfield Cultural Council, a local agency, funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Border is highlighting Greg Mortenson and his book.

Greg Mortenson tickets available 2/9/08

Tickets for Greg Mortenson's program, which is scheduled for February 27 at 7 p.m. at Mansfield High School, will be available beginning February 9. Tickets will be available at the library beginning at 10 a.m., and are free. The program is suggested for ages 10 and up, and will last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are being distributed at the library only, must be picked up, and are limited to 4 per person. They are available on a first-come, first served basis.

The Virtual Catalog

We have had access to the "Virtual Catalog" for about five years, and it permits you, our user, to access dozens of libraries in Massachusetts that are not members of our Sails consortium. When one of you requests an item we don't have, our next step is to check the Virtual Catalog. You, too, can do it...there are links in our on-line card catalog, Ibistro, and on our website. Here's some facts from the Virtual Catalog:

The Virtual Catalog project has been underway for five years; about 20 library systems are now connected. The Virtual Catalog will search the following library catalogs:

CLAMS, Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing
C/W MARS, Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing
FLO, Fenway Libraries Online
Minuteman Library Network
MBLN, Metro Boston Library Network (including the Boston Public Library)
MVLC, Merrimack Valley Library Consortium
NOBLE, North of Boston Library Exchange
OCLN, Old Colony Library Network
SAILS
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Boston
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
MBLN, MVLC, and FLO card holders must enter the Virtual Catalog as guest users at this
time. You cannot reserve material (i.e.,"place a hold") through the Virtual Catalog interface at this time.


Items that we request through this catalog take longer to arrive than usually happens for local requests, but most do come. If you can't find the item you want in the Virtual Catalog, we can usually request it through Interlibrary Loan. Our "ILL" requests go through another Massachusetts library, but items can come from all over the country...and we sometimes send items as well. Please let us know if there is something you are looking for and have been unable to find, or if you have questions about the Virtual Catalog. Some of our library users are VERY familiar with it, and use it very frequently!

Digital TV Transition

You may remember that we had a program on the digital tv transition which will occur in February 2009. Folks who receive their tv with an antennas will do longer be able to do so.
The government is providing $40.00 coupons to help consumers buy converter boxes. Apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov . The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).