Bedford Public Library’s online resources available while you wait for reopening

Friday, February 3, 2012

Susan Clark photo
The Bedford Library

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The Bedford Public Library’s weatherization project is a bit behind schedule, but our plan is to reopen Feb. 9. We will be in the Craftworkers’ Guild building behind the library until then with many new materials for you to check out.

Now, and anytime the library is closed, there are resources available to everyone. Need to return a book and the library is closed? Our book drop is located at front entrance to the library, and it is available 24/7. Are your books coming due and you can’t get to the library to return them? Try renewing online through our catalog at www.bedford.lib.nh.us. As long as no one else is waiting for the item, you can log in to your account and renew your items online. Forgot your PIN number? Just call the library at 472-2300 for information on how to reset it. Can’t remember when your books are due? You can always check what you have out and when it is due in your online account. If you prefer, you can always call us to check on an item or renew.

The Bedford Public Library is part of the GMILCS network of libraries. We are pleased to announce that the Nesmith Library in Windham has joined the GMILCS library consortium. This expands our regional resource-sharing and opens up a whole new variety of materials for Bedford residents to borrow. Windham joins Bedford along with the other GMILCS libraries, which include Amherst, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Salem, Manchester, Merrimack, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Milford and New England College. Using our shared online catalog, you can search for Bedford items or items in any of the GMILCS libraries. Start your search at www.bedford.lib.nh.us.

Using your library card and a computer, you also have access to thousands of full-text magazine articles and newspaper articles through the library Web site. View our online databases by subject and you have many topics to choose from, including automobile repair, business, literature, language, health, general and popular magazine articles. Homework Help sources include World Book Encyclopedia. We also offer the Union Leader and the Concord Monitor. Your library barcode and password or PIN is all you need for access. So, for example, I am looking for a new snowblower. I just went to the library Web site, “Databases by Subject” link, then “General,” “MasterFile Premier” and typed “snowblowers” in the search box. The first article that comes up is “Best Snow Blowers.” It is a full-text PDF article from Consumer Reports and just what I was looking for!

We love to see you at the Bedford Public Library, but when you can’t stop in, please consider using our online resources remotely or visiting one of our partner GMILCS libraries.