Using Minerva to get the latest and best
By Sudie Blanchard Assistant Director
The 21st century library is here!
The internet has made it possible for a small library like ours to provide more for our patrons. For example, Minerva, the 80-plus library consortium of which we are a member, works like a giant library with lots of branches. We are all connected by the internet; we all share resources, and library patrons throughout the state win. With the simplicity of online requesting, patrons comment that they no longer buy books - they just request them through Minerva.
For example, if our copy of a new book is out circulating, you can easily request the item you want and get it more quickly than in past years. Just point your browser to http://www.york.lib.me.us/ and log on to our catalog from your computer to request books and audiovisual materials of all sorts.
Here's a quick review of how easy it is to make one of these requests either at the library or from any other computer with access to the internet:
1. Head to our website at http://www.york.lib.me.us/ and search our catalog for the desired item.
2. Once you can see the author, title and status, click on the button that has a check mark on it, with the word "Request."
3. On the next screen that comes up, type your name in the first box and your full library card number in the second box. Look for that number under the barcode on either your library card or your library key tag.
4. Click the "Submit" button. You should then see a screen saying that your request was successful. Unless you are requesting a book that is checked out or in very high demand, your request should arrive in less than a week. We'll call or e-mail you when the item arrives at the library.
These are very basic instructions. For more detailed online requesting instructions, head to http://www.york.lib.me.us/reserves.html.
More people than ever before have caught on and are using Minerva to request the books, CDs and DVDs from the millions of items available on Minerva. So if you hear the sound of zippers, don't be surprised - those are the Minerva bags as we prepare for the arrival of the delivery van that carries materials back and forth among Maine libraries.
Have questions or need to know your library card number? Give us a call at 363-2818.
