In the early nineties, fresh back from Zimbabwe and living on my own in the North End, I spend a lot of time in the Boston Public Library researching jobs and keeping warm in the winter. Until sometime last year, I seem to have forgotten that the library even exists. But here are the great things about the (Somerville) library, especially in its 21st-century, internet-enabled form:
- The catalog is searchable online
- Any books that aren’t available in your local library, can be “requested” through the Minuteman Library Network (usual order time is 1-2 weeks) and picked up at the location of your choosing.
- Books that aren’t on the Minuteman Library Network can be ordered through the “Virtual Catalog”, encompassing many more libraries (usual lead time, a bit longer), such that I, at least, have been able to get almost every book I’ve needed.
- And all this for FREE with a library card.
- In addition, you can check the status of check-out books (and requested books) online, renew online (up to three times) etc.
- All of the above also applies to children’s books and CDs. Hooray!
