ADAMS -- The Adams Free Library will be connected to a broad sharing system before year’s end, trustees report.
Patrons can expect greater access to local libraries with the new system, Central/ Western Massachusetts Auto mated Resource Sharing (C/WMARS). C/WMARS is a 155-member collective re source of over six million books.
Patrons can borrow books from any member library using the system. It is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and member fees. Many local libraries, including Williams town and North Adams, are already members.
Adams Free Library Board of Trustees Chairman James Loughman said the library’s already paid up its $7,000 membership fee. It was assisted by a $2,500 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners last December and $3,000 from the town.
"We are in the process of becoming full members of C/WMARS," Loughman said. "The ports are installed and we’ve paid our membership, however we still need to complete the culling and recataloging of the collection. ...This will [provide] even more improved ease of access and ability to determine what’s out there."
Board of trustees member Eugene Michalenko had a month in mind for when Free Library patrons can begin using the service.
"We’re hoping for sometime in November," Micha lenko said. "It’s one of those software things where you have to give it some time to work the
In other Free Library business, security cameras are in the process of being installed throughout the building. The town agreed to foot two-thirds of this $8,000 expense, while the Adams Historical Society, which uses the building, took on the remaining cost.
Regarding a larger project to repair the building’s weathered roof, masonry and front entrance, Town Ad ministrator Jonathan Butler said officials would like engineers to look at the building and put together bid-ready documents for the scope of work.
"In a perfect world, we’ll have an engineer on board in November or December," Butler said.
The town set aside $75,000 in free cash to put towards engineering costs in its fiscal 2013 budget.
Font Resize
