CW MARS NEWS

  CW MARS recently rolled out an electronic library card (eCard) to allow patrons without a library card fast access to electronic collections. The CW MARS eCard makes library content more accessible for patrons who have difficulty physically getting to the library or who primarily borrow electronic content.  “We want to make sure all residents have access to library content,” said CW MARS Executive Director Jeanette Lundgren. “The eCard aims to do just that by allowing our patrons without library cards to quickly access library content from the comfort of their own home.” eCards give our patrons access to over 170,000 shared eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines as well as access to their local library's eContent.   During the pandemic, our libraries have seen an increase in the usage of electronic materials. CW MARS continues to see checkouts of electronic materials climb. In fiscal year 2021 there were over 1.9 million checkouts on eContent, which was 24% higher than ...

CW MARS welcomed  FIVE new member libraries on July 1st, 2021: Brimfield Public Library  in Brimfield, MA (pop: 3609)  Field Memorial Library in Conway, MA (pop: 1897) Paige Memorial Library in Hardwick, MA (pop: 2990) Leroy Pollard Memorial Library  in New Braintree, MA (pop: 999) Tyringham Free Public Library in Tyringham, MA (pop: 327) The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) offers a Small Libraries in Network (SLIN) program to help Massachusetts public libraries in municipalities with populations under 10,000 afford membership in an automated resource sharing network like CW MARS. The MBLC believes that full participation in a resource sharing network is the best way to fully serve residents and provide equal access to materials state-wide. Over the past six years, fourteen small Massachusetts public libraries have taken advantage of MBLC grant funds to join C/W MARS including the five new libraries listed above plus: Ashburnham: Stevens Mem...

In the light of the recent acts of violence against and ongoing discrimination of the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities in the United States, the CW MARS Social Justice Committee reaffirms our commitment to anti-racism.   CW MARS stands in solidarity with the American Library Association (ALA) and the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission in recognizing and condemning anti-Asian hate crimes. Any type of racism or xenophobia against Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities cannot be tolerated.  CW MARS member libraries are encouraged to highlight books and other resources that promote understanding and fellowship among people of different backgrounds. For Asian Pacific Heritage Month this May we are curating a collection of electronic OverDrive titles to celebrate Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islande...