From the State Library of Massachusetts

From the State Library of Massachusetts

Free Streaming Videos

Libraries offer such a wealth of free resources that sometimes even we librarians are surprised to learn about all of the amazing benefits provided by the simple library card. If you’re anything like me, you were delighted to learn in last week’s blog that one of the benefits of a State Library card is access to free streaming videos! This is especially welcome news now that so many of us are spending more time at home. As soon as I read about this option, I logged into my State Library account and was thrilled to see that there were over a thousand videos available to stream instantly, including movies and TV shows in a variety of genres: comedies, dramas, documentaries, children’s videos, and many more.

If you’re a permanent Massachusetts state employee, you too can stream free videos with your State Library account. Simply log in to the C/W MARS Overdrive site with your State Library card number (be sure to select “CW MARS Patrons” from the dropdown box upon login), and navigate to the “Videos” section in the “Collections” tab. Another option is to use the Overdrive app, which allows you to watch streaming videos on your Android, Chromebook, iOS, or Fire device. 

Some of the videos available for streaming

If you need help setting up your account or getting started with streaming videos, you can view Overdrive’s Help page or get in touch with us at the State Library Mon-Fri 9am-5pm via chat, phone (617-727-2590), or email (reference.department@mass.gov).

It’s easy to sign up for a State Library card if you don’t already have one: just fill out our online form for state employees, and we’ll send you your new library account information so that you, too, can explore all of the free videos brought to you by your library.

Laura Schaub

Cataloging Librarian

State Employees: Sign Up For an “Electronic” State Library Card Today!

Even though the State Library’s physical location is closed, our librarians continue to work diligently to provide remote services to our patrons.  And as a reminder, state government employees can still sign up for a new library card or request a card renewal.  What can a library card do for you?  Many things!

• Sign-in and manage your State Library patron account online.  Patrons can view books that have been checked out, as well as change their password (from the default password that we issue upon sign-up) and other personal information.
• Borrow from thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, popular magazines, and even movies—for free!  Just use your library card and password to sign into your CW/MARS Overdrive account: https://cwmars.overdrive.com
• Access journal and newspaper databases provided by Ex Libris, including JSTOR, GALE Academic OneFile, the Boston Globe, and New York Times.  Choose a database by name or subject by visiting our serial solutions page.
• Submit requests for books and journal articles via interlibrary loan.  Here’s how: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/interlibrary-loan-at-the-state-library 
• Note: book lending has been suspended at this time.

An example of some of the thousands of ebooks
that are available to borrow.

Applying for or renewing a State Library card is easy!  All you have to do is fill out our online form here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/state-library-card-online-application-form.  Once the form is processed, we will send you your library card information. 

If you have any questions about signing up for or renewing a library card, or if there’s anything else the library can do for you, contact us!  Our librarians are working Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM and can best be reached via email (reference.department@mass.gov) or through our new chat service.

Kaitlin Connolly
Reference Department

Friends of the Library Newsletter - December issue

Keep up with the State Library's activities and programs with the Friends Newsletter. To download your own copy visit: https://www.mass.gov/news/december-friends-of-the-library-newsbrief