NMRLS Newsletter - February 2008

MassCat Changes: A new system & membership opens up!
Current MassCat members can reduce costs by committing before April 1st!
By Nora Blake, MassCat Manager, Whatley, MA
Scott Kehoe, NMRLS, Danvers, MA

MassCat has just signed a contract with LibLime, a vendor providing services around an open-source library system named Koha. LibLime's Koha ZOOM will offer a very robust OPAC with many more services to patron and library staff alike! The new LibLime system will include integrated modules for circulation, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, cataloging, and serials control. The system is web-based and hosted remotely by LibLime. Local libraries will just need an internet connection and a browser to use it, nothing to install locally! We are looking forward to the move to Koha and plan to migrate to the new system this summer.

Please remember however, that MassCat is a resource sharing system for small libraries. Membership in MassCat is not meant for libraries that are already members of another automated network. We are really looking forward to implementing this new system and we hope you like what you will see.

MassCat is offering a series of demonstrations of the new system throughout February and March. If you would like information about LibLime Koha and these sessions, please contact: Nora Blake, MassCat Manager (nblake@masscat.org / 1-866-MASSCAT toll-free).

You can also register for the NMRLS sessions at: http://www.nmrls.org/ce/index.shtml Click on the View all Workshops links, scroll down to MassCat events.

Northeast Region:
Tuesday, February 26 - 10am-noon @ NMRLS, Danvers.
Tuesday, February 26 - 3:00-5:00pm @ NMRLS, Danvers.
Thursday, March 6 - 10am-noon @ NMRLS, Danvers.
Thursday, March 6 - 3:00-5:00pm @ NMRLS, Danvers.

Metrowest Region:
Wednesday, February 27 - 10am-noon @ Metrowest, Waltham.
Wednesday, February 27 - 1:00-3:00pm @ Metrowest, Waltham.
Tuesday, March 18 - 10am-noon @ Metrowest, Waltham.
Tuesday, March 18 - 1:00-3:00pm @ Metrowest, Waltham.

Central Region:
Friday, February 29 - 10am-noon @ Central, Shrewsbury.
Friday, February 29 - 1:30-3:30pm @ Central, Shrewsbury.
Tuesday, March 4 - 1:30-3:30pm @ Central, Shrewsbury.
Tuesday, March 11 - 10am-noon @ Ashburnham Public Library

Southeastern Region:
Thursday, February 7 - 10am-noon @ SEMLS, Lakeville.
Thursday, February 7 - 2:00-4:00pm @ SEMLS, Lakeville.
Wednesday, March 5 - 10am-noon @ SEMLS, Lakeville.
Wednesday, March 5 - 2:00-4:00pm @ SEMLS, Lakeville.

Western Region:
Wednesday, February 13 - 1:00-3:00pm @ Western, Whatley.
Thursday, February 14 - 1:00-3:00pm @ Lee Public Library
SNOW DATE: Friday March 15 - 1:00-3:00pm @ Lee Public Library.
Thursday, February 28 - 10am-noon @ Western, Whatley.