Welcome to the Online Newsstand!!

We are delighted to introduce a new service that we've recently added to our website: The Online Newsstand. This service was created by a talented NH librarian using content we already receive via EBSCOHost, our online reference tool for periodical articles. The Newsstand contains current issues of more than 80 popular magazines, and you can read them at home, at work, or even on your mobile device.

Here's how it works: Go to the Merrimack Library's Online Newsstand by clicking here. Find the magazine you want to read and click on the cover image to see a list of the available issues. (The number of issues you see depends on how long the magazine has been one of the newsstand's selections.) Select the article you want to read or choose Complete Issue to see all the major articles for that issue. When prompted, enter your 14-digit Merrimack Library card number to display the article.

Many articles are available in .pdf as well as .html, so you will be able to see photos with the text. Some articles have an audio file, and the program will read the article to you at your choice of speed.  Each time you select a new article, you will be prompted for your card number, so you might find it convenient to copy and paste your number, or select Complete Issue if you want to move from article to article without re-logging in.

The Merrimack Library is paying nothing for this service. Zero. Nada. The only "cost" is that we will enter the data for one magazine when new issues are available and paste a little program code into our website now and then. We hope you will enjoy this great free service, and we welcome your feedback. The Online Newsstand--just another way we help you Open Your World.

Another setback for library digital lending

The availability of digital books through NH Downloadable Books took a step backward last week when Penguin announced that it was ending its contract with Overdrive (content provider for NHDB) to provide both eBooks and downloadable audiobooks. This move leaves only Random House as the only major unrestricted source of eBooks for libraries. HarperCollins limits a copy to 26 checkouts before a new copy has to be purchased, and Hatchette Group does not make new releases available for libraries. Macmillan and Simon & Schuster do not participate in library lending programs. While there are still many smaller publishers participating, these "Big Six" are responsible for many high-demand titles. We can get them in paper, but not electronically.

Why is this happening? The major publishers say that library lending will hurt sales and erode author royalties. Studies show that just the opposite is true. eBook borrowers are also eBook buyers. Libraries introduce people to authors that they might not otherwise discover. Many bestselling authors support library lending because they know that once a reader finds them, they'll be back for more.

Leaders from the American Library Association and the Public Library Association recently met with publishers' representatives to plead for liberal digital library lending. A dialog is ongoing. Penguin's decision to pull out in the middle of the conversation is a serious blow. It's easy to say that libraries should be moving from paper collections to digital, but there's little we can do if major players aren't playing.

Penguin titles that NHDB already owns can still be borrowed, but if you have a Kindle, you'll see that you can no longer download wirelessly. All Penguin titles will have to be downloaded to a PC and transferred to a Kindle via USB cable.

When I teach people how to use their eReaders with NH Downloadable Books, I preface the training by telling them that whatever I show them today may be different by next week. That's because the players and rules keep changing. Let's hope Penguin's decision is short-lived and the other major players will join the team soon.

Library Budget

The Town Council’s budget meetings are taking place during February. This Thursday, February 16th, they will finalize the budget for the voting that will take place on April 10, 2012. You can view meetings of the town council and school board by tuning in to Merrimack Channel 20.

Many patrons are unaware of the major cuts in the budget that the Merrimack Public Library has undergone the past four years. They sometimes realize this when the library is not open when they come. NOW is the time to speak up if you do not like the changes in hours, dwindling personnel, loss of programs, or decreased materials budget.

Contact us for ways to get involved and show your support for your local library.

Telescope for Loan!

I often promote library displays with materials grouped by category for visitors to peruse. "Looking to the Stars" is one of the themes right now featuring astronomy, the moon landing, space exploration, star maps, planets and Pluto's fate. On the fiction side are novels containing stars in the title or topic. I even get to fit in my favorite genre of Science Fiction with stars and space as the focus.

The inescapable portion of this display is a 2 x 2 foot telescope sitting on the bookshelf. Yes! The library will be lending out a telescope for a week at a time. Thanks to the New Hampshire Astronomical Society, several local libraries are participating in this program. The "scope" is an Orion StarBlast 4.5" telescope. Reservations taken NOW! Look up "Telescope" or "Orion StarBlast" in our catalog and place your request, or give us a call and we'll sign you up.

Here's looking at you, Big Dipper!!

Abe Lincoln to Visit the Library

President Abraham Lincoln, as portrayed by Steve Wood, will visit the library on Tuesday evening, February 21, at 6:30 pm. He will share with the audience stories of his youth, his political rise and rivalry with Stephen Douglas, and the burdens of leading a divided nation through war.

This Chautauqua living history event is presented in cooperation with the Merrimack Historical Society, which secured funding from the Humanities-to-Go program of the NH Hampshire Humanities Council. NHHC brings enlightening programs from the humanities to communities across NH.

The program will be preceded by a brief meeting of the Merrimack Historical Socety. Seating is limited, and we strongly suggest you reserve a seat. You can also call 424-5021 or email to sign up.