New Databases Now Provided by the State Library

The State Library is pleased to announce that it is now providing Massachusetts state government employees with remote access to Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com! Once the Library reopens to the public, on-site access will be available to all patrons.

***For state employees with a State Library card, you will be prompted to enter your library card # and password to access these databases remotely. See below if you have any questions.***

Ancestry.com (Library Edition)
https://ezsm.ez.cwmars.org:4643/login?url=https://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com

Ancestry.com is a great resource for those interested in their family history or for more in-depth genealogical research. Users will have access to millions of original US and international documents (vital and military records, census schedules, probate documents, criminal records, etc.), photographs, indexes and directories, oral histories, and much more. 

Note: Ancestry is currently offering remote access until the end of September and will evaluate if an extension is possible, after which only on-site access in the library will be offered.

Newspapers.com (Northeast Collection)

https://ezsm.ez.cwmars.org:4643/login?url=https://newspaperslibrary.proquest.com/?accountid=36683

Newspapers.com’s Northeast Collection offers access to thousands of historical papers that were published in the northeast region of the United States between the 1700s and 2000s. Massachusetts newspapers include those published in Boston, Fitchburg, Fall River, Lowell, North Adams, and Pittsfield. The collection also includes newspapers for other then New England states, as well as New Jersey and Delaware.

Note: Newspapers.com will continue to provide remote and on-site access. 

Need a library card? Have questions?

For state employees that do not have a library card or have a card that’s lost or expired, fill out our card application form and we’ll get back to you asap: https://www.mass.gov/forms/state-library-card-online-application-form 

If you have an active card but do not remember your password—contact us! We can reset it for you and show you how to manage your password from your library account. We can be reached via email at reference.department@mass.gov and are also happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

Reference Department   

From the Preservation Lab

Yesterday as I was repairing a gift book published 1909 I noticed an interesting bookplate in the front. (Click on the image to increase the size.) The warning at the bottom struck me, as I had just fully detached the front cover.

Since I am employed for the explicit purpose of cutting old books during repairs, the threat of up to six months in jail wasn't too scary. However, as I spoke to the head of our department about the statute quoted on the plate, we began to wonder if such a law was still on the Massachusetts books. A few minutes searching in LoisLaw yielded my answer. Yes, indeed this law still existed and both the fine and jail time has increased. It's lovely to know that the commonwealth has put up this front line of defense, in effect lessening the amount of items that come to the lab through malicious intent. Now, if only there were a law preventing inherent vice.

- Lacy Crews, Preservation Assistant

Expanded Bill Histories On Instatrac

Instatrac, a legislative tracking service, recently added bill history information for the Massachusetts General Court dating back to the 1995-96 session. This additional material includes texts of bills and bill histories. The State Library offers onsite access to Instatrac.