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SAILS COVID-19 UPDATE

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the libraries in the SAILS network want to let you know the measures we are taking to provide service to our patrons and students during this period. Our libraries are committed to delivering essential services while also protecting the health and safety of staff and all of our users.

The below information has been updated as of 8/17/2020.

Library closings

Please see our COVID-19 Reopenings list to see which libraries are offering curbside and no-contact pickup services and which are providing in-person service. Please contact your library directly to find out what services they are offering.

Your library checkouts

Because libraries are quarantining materials after they are returned, there will be a delay in checking those items in. They may be listed on your account for several days after you return them. You may also receive overdue or auto-renewal notices for items that have been returned, but have not yet completed quarantine. If checked-out material is still listed on your account a week after returning items, please contact your library.

Consult our COVID-19 Reopenings list to see which libraries are currently accepting returns. In some cases, libraries may only accept returns at specific hours or through the bookdrop. Please contact your library for further details.

Most public libraries are using standard due dates for materials again. Please contact your library with any questions about due date. You can find due dates for materials checked out on your card by logging into your account.

All school library due dates have been extended to September 1, but your school may send information about returning library materials sooner. Students and faculty at SAILS academic libraries should contact their libraries with questions about extended due dates.

Your holds

The statewide delivery system that transports materials among our libraries has resumed service for most SAILS public libraries, but some are still unable to accept delivery. Please be patient while the delivery system catches up on the backlog of holds.

Most, but not all, holds that were suspended during the pandemic have been unsuspended. All holds for public library patrons suspended by the network should be unsuspended by August 31. You can also suspend and unsuspend your holds by logging into your account.

Please understand that, with quarantine periods for materials, holds are not filling as quickly as usual. We thank you for your patience as we go through this process.

Online materials

All of our libraries provide access to online materials. E-books, audiobooks, and e-magazines are available through the SAILS Overdrive collection. We recommend using the Libby app to access these resources. 

Your library may also have online collections available. Be sure to visit their web sites to see what else may be available to use while you’re at home.

For people who do not yet have a library card, you can easily sign up for a card by filling out the form at https://www.sailsinc.org/my-account/get-a-library-card/. During the COVID-19 epidemic, this card will be good for two months before you need to visit a library to upgrade it to a permanent card.

If your SAILS card was set to expire in March or later, you can continue using your card through September 1 so that you can access these online resources. Online card registrations done early in the pandemic have been extended through September 1. If you are still unable to access resources due to an expired card, please contact your library to see if it can be extended.

Contact your library if you have further questions.

COVID-19 Closings

Dear patrons, As you know, most public spaces are needing to close their doors to protect the most at risk in our communities. People working in our libraries want to be able to help and give and the best way to do that in this case, is to stop for a bit. We have several libraries closed for the coming days. Here is a list and it will continue to be updated as needed.in this case, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18e0DczuQP4-lN8nvJER-mdvWyJN5zLnPiC4V44d3goI/edit?usp=sharing

However, on a happier note, we do have tons of titles you can get online with your library card! You can get to the digital titles from Enterprise, our online catalog. Log in with you barcode and see what your library has to offer. It's a lot! Pick your library at the top of this page and download right from the catalog.

Managing available holds with “deliver later”

When a hold becomes available for you, you'll receive an email and a notification in your library's OverDrive collection. You have three days to borrow the hold or have it delivered later if you're not ready to read it.

Delivering a hold later means you stay at the front of the wait list, but pass the current copy to the next person in line.

Find details at: https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/2265.htm

Commonwealth Catalog

ComCat
The Commonwealth Catalog extends your search beyond your local library’s resources.In one easy step, you can search through millions of items at participating libraries across Massachusetts to find the books, DVDs, and music you’re looking for. Make a request and it will be delivered right to your local library for quick pickup. You know what you want — let the Commonwealth Catalog help you get it.

Please search the SAILS Enterprise catalog first. If the material you want is not available in the catalog, please log in below to use the Commonwealth Catalog. For additional assistance, please contact your local library.

Login to the Commonwealth Catalog


  

Current participants include:

  • Bridgewater State University
  • CLAMS, Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing
  • C/W MARS, Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing
  • FLO, Fenway Library Organization*
  • HELM, High Education Libraries of Massachusetts
  • MassCat Massachusetts Library System
  • MBLN, Metro Boston Library Network (including the Boston Public Library)
  • MLN, Minuteman Library Network
  • MVLC, Merrimack Valley Library Consortium
  • NOBLE, North of Boston Library Exchange
  • OCLN, Old Colony Library Network
  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst*
  • University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth*

* These libraries/library networks are currently unable to support borrowing and lending via the Commonwealth Catalog. They will resume services in the near future.

The Commonwealth Catalog system is being funded with state funds through a series of grants from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Borrowing eBooks from Enterprise

How do I use the Enterprise library catalog to check out eBooks or eAudiobooks?

There are several ways to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks: through the OverDrive or Hoopla websites or apps, or through our library catalog. Here’s how to do it through the catalog.

**Note – to directly check out titles from the catalog, you must be logged into the Enterprise catalog with your library card number. Your ALT ID will not work. 

  1. Find the title you’re looking for in the catalog.
  2. Make sure you’ve picked the format you want ( eBook or eAudiobook)
  3. Find the vendor (OverDrive or Hoopla). Have you borrowed from that vendor before?
    1. Yes, I have borrowed from that vendor before:
      1. Click the Checkout button and enter your library card number and PIN.
      2. Choose the Checkout Option that works with your device. Not sure? Choose HTML (eBooks) or OverDrive Listen (OverDrive eAudiobooks) to keep your options open.
      3. To read the book, download the checkout in your app (if you are using an app), or read the title in your browser through the vendor’s site.
    2. No, I have never borrowed from that vendor before:
      1. Visit the vendor site, OverDrive or Hoopla, or app to find the title and borrow the eBook or eAudiobook there.

We’re here to help! If you would like additional assistance, please contact your library, or try these FAQs:

How do I use OverDrive?

How do I use the Libby app for OverDrive?

More Answers To Questions About Our Downloadable Book Collection – SAILS Overdrive FAQ

SAILS Mobile – library to go

Get the SAILS Mobile app in the Google Play and Apple stores!

Top Features
  • Search the SAILS’ catalog: Search for items by title, author, subject, or general keyword and place holds on interesting items.
  • Manage your account: Keep track of your account – view your checked-out items, holds, fines, and account information.
  • Pay fines online with a credit card.
  • Search by barcode: Use your device’s camera to scan the barcode on a book, CD, DVD, or other item at a friend’s house or bookstore and search for available copies in the SAILS’ Network.
  • You can link accounts to manage your family’s checkouts and holds, all in the same place.

Overdrive – SAILS Digital Library

Libby is the recommended app for our Overdrive titles.

Overdrive

The older Overdrive app still works…
Get our downloadable books (MP3 & EPUB) directly to your mobile device.

overdriveIcon

  • Audiobook sleep timer: Set the timer and your book shuts off when you do.
  • Sepia eBook display: Enjoy easy-on-the-eyes reading that looks just like a paper book.
  • eBook orientation lock: Enable this setting, and you can rock without the roll!
  • Return eBooks right after reading so you can dive into the next one.

Choose your device and download

Enterprise Catalog

The SAILS online catalog, Enterprise, is a mobile-friendly site.

Library Card Management Apps

With the new SAILS Mobile App, you no longer need to use another app to manage your library card. However, if you already use the following apps, they do work with the SAILS cards.

Cover artCardStar: “Go Cardless with CardStar™ from Constant Contact. Fast, easy & secure! LIGHTEN YOUR WALLET and move your plastic loyalty cards, reward cards and membership cards to your phone so you never miss out on a reward, discount, or deal again.” Download for Android or Download for iPhone

Cover artKey Ring: “Never carry loyalty, membership, or library cards again! Key Ring is the app for loyalty cards and savings while shopping. Plan, save, and organize by carrying your cards, stores’ weekly ads, coupons, and your shopping lists – all in one app.” Download for Android or Download for iPhone

NoveList_Plus_Flyer_ILoveBooks_Romantic Do you know as a patron of a SAILS member library, you have access to the terrific reader's advisory tool, Novelist? Since we have NovelistPlus, content spans all ages! The subscription started on July 1st and in the Enterprise catalog, you can go to the item details page and view the added content from Novelist. You can also go direct to Novelist. We currently have a page on the SAILS website you can log in after selecting your library. Here is the page: http://wp.me/P6JtVr-2iQ. There is also a powerpoint tutorial showing available features.

Novelist – find your next great read!

novelist_plus_flyer_ilovebooks_romantic

View a tutorial showing available features.

select your library to go to novelist:

FY ’16 Annual Report

The SAILS network is now 21 years old. I spoke to our attorney on Monday and we were laughing about all the paperwork she has in her file from the merger of SAILS and ABLE – it goes back to 1994! But I think that despite all the misgivings the creation of SAILS has proven to be the best decision the directors made.

FY16 has been a very active year for us. I have a PowerPoint that highlights a few statistics about usage and staff activities but I would like to talk about a few things that don’t appear on the PowerPoint.

There were a lot of firsts this year – it was the first time we sponsored a library showcase and it was so successful it will be repeated in March 2017. The SirsiDynix staff members who attended the Showcase were so impressed the program was highlighted during their opening address of the Users Group Meeting in Indianapolis.

The network made a change in staffing – one that I think is benefiting everyone. We merged 1.5 positions into one “jack (or Jacqueline) of all trades” – Lisa Hart as the Support Specialist. Her willingness to take on a huge variety of tasks not the least of which was making today’s refreshments has freed up other staff members’ time to focus on member library support. We love having her as a part of the SAILS team.

In accordance with the strategic plan which began on July 1 2015 we concentrated our efforts on providing opportunities for seminars about new technologies and purchasing equipment that libraries can borrow. This year the network loaned tablets and blue tooth scanners to libraries testing Mobile Circ, laptops and scanners to libraries doing an inventory, a people counter, and an Overdrive Media Station. In addition to scheduling a number of training sessions at SAILS and via webinars, SAILS staff went on site to do hands-on training – for example Laurie conducted 2 part circulation training for staff in Mattapoisett. We expanded our digital collection and Kristin worked very hard with a number of libraries to post collections of significant documents and images on our Digital History site.

FY17 promises to be another year of expansion for network services. We are purchasing a hotspot from T-Mobile that can be loaned to libraries who want to go beyond the walls for community events. If there is enough demand we will purchase a second unit. We have scheduled trainers from Novelist and Gale to do onsite training in September to help staff members make the most of the resources available to them. In November we will be sponsoring a one day seminar/workshop on dealing with the “virtual patron.” In response to requests from staff and directors we have new workshops available this year – streamlining technical services using the features of Workflows, searching, a reports roundtable, and the ins and outs of using Google apps. In addition we are hosting a workshop sponsored by MLS on RDA.

SAILS is a multi-type cooperative – it has public libraries of all sizes, academic libraries and K-12 media centers. It is our mission to provide the best possible service and the broadest level of service to all our members. Not everything we offer meets everyone’s needs but our goal is that we have a positive impact on every member, making Southeastern Massachusetts the model for library services and cooperation in the state and beyond.