Magazines are Now Available in Overdrive!

That’s right!  Nearly 100 popular magazine titles have now been added to Overdrive.  What is
Overdrive?  Overdrive is a free service offered through libraries that allows patrons to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and now magazines from a collection of millions of titles.  And the best thing about the magazines is that they are always available to anyone who wants to read them—no holds, no waiting!

So how do you get in on this awesome deal?  State government employees can access Overdrive with their State Library card by logging in here (choose “CW MARS Patrons” in the dropdown menu).  If you are a government employee and have not yet applied for a card, you can do so by visiting this page on our website.

Not a state employee?  No problem!  Most local public libraries offer this service, so get in touch with one today.

Kaitlin Connolly

Reference Department

Must-Read Books at the State Library

The State Library is known for its legislative, historical, and special collections, but did you know that we have contemporary fiction and non-fiction books in our collections, as well? While the bulk of our popular books are available as eBooks, we also have an important collection of popular print books dating back to 2001: the Massachusetts Book Awards Must-Read Books.

Given to the State Library every year by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, the Must-Read Books include notable fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s/young adult books that are either about Massachusetts or written by Massachusetts-based authors. This year’s books include The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant, The Map Thief by Michael Blanding, Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire, and many others.

We encourage you to stop by the library to browse this year’s Must-Read Books, which are located just inside the library’s third-floor entrance, or to request previous years’ award-winning books from our stacks. All of the Must-Read Books are available for checkout by State Library card holders and are also available to the general public via interlibrary loan.

Laura Schaub
Cataloging Librarian

Free access to eBooks

Did you know that your State Library card gives you access to thousands of free eBooks? If you are a current Massachusetts Executive or Legislative branch state employee, all you have to do is enter your library card number (located on the back of your card) at our digital catalog.

Once you’re logged in, you can browse available eBooks in a variety of ways, such as genre, subject, or popularity. You can also browse by device type, including Kindle, Android, and iOS, among others. Once you have found a book to check out, simply mouse over the book’s image for the option either to place a hold (if the eBook is currently in use by another patron) or to borrow the eBook.

Don’t have a State Library card? No problem! Simply visit our website to apply for a card today. We will mail you your new card, and you will be on your way to enjoying free access to a wide variety of popular fiction and nonfiction eBooks.

Laura Schaub
Cataloging Librarian