Hudson Public Library upgrades to Evergreen ILS

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Hudson Public Library upgrades to Evergreen ILSHudson – Beginning in October, the Hudson Public Library, along with all the other member libraries associated with the CWMARS network, will be upgrading to a new Integrated Library System (ILS) called Evergreen.

Evergreen is an open-source library software designed by the library community to help users find materials and to help libraries manage, catalog, and lend those materials to the public. Open source software is freely available – free to download, free to use, free to view, free to adapt and improve. Development and maintenance are supported and paid for by the library consortiums.

The move is part of a larger project (supported by the Board of Library Commissioners) where the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) and the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) and the Central & Western Mass. Automated Resource Sharing network (C/WWMARS) move to Evergreen as a group. MVLC, NOBLE and CWMARS make up approximately half of the public libraries in Massachusetts along with a number of academic libraries. Evergreen is also being used by hundreds of libraries nationwide and in Canada.

CWMARS will transition to Evergreen in early October. While this is happening the Hudson Public Library system will be down and normal searches and transactions will be unavailable. You will still be able to check books, movies, etc. out of the library as usual. When the library comes up on the new Evergreen software, the two catalog databases from the Western and Central Regions will be combined, meaning that you will only have to do one search for a book in CWMARS.

This move will also combine the patron databases, which will hugely expand the number of patrons who share the same name. As a result, the library will no longer search for your library record by name – you must have your library card or library card number with you for every transaction, including Internet use. This will speed up the transactions at the desk and ensure the accuracy and security of your account. Use the keychain version of your card or keep the full-size card with you.

During September, the Hudson Public Library will give you a new library card free of charge if you have lost or misplaced your current card. Beginning in October, you may purchase a new card for $2 if you forget to bring your card with you or the library will hold your materials aside until you are able to provide your card or number.

There are several ways to make sure your library card (and/or library card number) is accessible to you: use the keychain version of your card, keep the full-size card with you, photocopy your library barcode and keep a copy with you, keep a written list of each family member's library card number with you, enter your library card number as a contact in your phone, keep your card or card number in your automobile glove box, or use a barcode app such as “CardStar” or “Key Ring” and store your number on your phone or iPod.

For more information, call the Hudson Public Library at 1-978-568-9644.

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