How to Use WPL's "Member E-resource Card"

All CMRLS member public and school libraries*, have received or will soon be receiving a Worcester Public Library "Member E-Resource Card."

Each library has been given one card, which is intended to support librarians as they help their patrons find information. These cards are single-user cards because Worcester Public Library's database licenses do not permit multiple off-site usages. We hope you will find the resources in these databases valuable as you assist your patrons, and we appreciate your support in using them as they were intended. Unfortunately, misuse of these cards could result in the loss of the databases if use exceeds the license.

Worcester Public Library also provides other reference support services for member libraries' staff and patrons.

• A toll free number (1-800-562-0080) is available to librarians all the hours that our library is open.
  
• Worcester Public's Reference Librarians staff the MassAnswers 24/7 Virtual Reference service to provide your patrons with round-the-clock access to professional librarians who can answer their questions.
  
• We provide e-mail reference for your patrons' more in-depth questions, especially those involving local history or genealogy.

All these services are provided to you, your library and your patrons, through our role as your Regional Reference Center.

*Other CMRLS Member Libraries are welcome to apply for a card if they feel the databases will support their work. Please e-mail pschen@cwmars.org to request a card. Cards are sent care of the Head Librarian of each institution.

"Member Cards" Expand Access to E-resources

Starting this fall CMRLS member libraries will have a Worcester Public Library "member card". This card will enable member libraries to access the remote databases that are available to all our card holders. These databases cover many subjects, from health to history, from geography to genealogy and include databases for children as well as adults . Several databases are also available in Spanish. For a complete list of the remote databases please go to WPL's homepage http://www.worcpublib.org/ and click on "Online Databases", then select "Databases Outside the Library".


These "member cards" are only for use on your computers and should not be given out to patrons. We hope this service will make it possible for you, as our member libraries, to expand your patrons' access to current information sources. Two training workshops on these databases are planned for this fall (two more in the Spring). The fall workshops will be held in Groton and Blackstone. Check the Continuing Education listing on the CMRLS website for more details and to sign up.

Library Cards

I was at a training for new staff a few months ago. I vaguely remember something about cards being issued so we could access some of the reference resources that are specific to Worcester Public Library. Did I understand correctly? If so, how do we obtain a card?