4 Pond Road, Harvard, MA 01451
 978-456-4114

Tips on Finding and Requesting Material

Begin your search in Harvard Public Library's online catalog.  If material is not available at Harvard Public Library, expand your search to all libraries in the Central Region.

Search the Union Catalog to expand your search to all C/W MARS libraries (both the Central and Western Regions).

Search the Virtual Catalog to search Massachusetts libraries located outside of the C/W MARS network.

• Quickest - Find Material Available Locally

• If Not Available Locally

• If Not Available in C/W MARS 

Quickest - Find Material Available Locally

Begin searching in Harvard Public Library's Catalog.

From the Harvard Public Library's webpage http://www.harvardpubliclibrary.org/ click on the link "Search HPL Catalog."

• Follow instructions on the screen to search and locate material.  Go to searching the HPL catalog for tips on how to search the catalog.

• Read the descriptions of the material to find what you want.

• If the item status is Check Shelves, you may be able to check the item out that very day.

• If the item is not available at your library, use the drop down menu to the right of your library name and choose All Central MA Libraries (the very last choice).

• To place an online request, click the button.

• Enter your library card number and your PIN or follow instructions to create a PIN.

• Forgot your PIN?  Contact a library staff member at 978-456-4114.

• Select the library where you wish to pick up the material.

• Click SUBMIT.

If Not Available Locally

"Search the C/W MARS Union Catalog"

Expands your search to all C/W MARS libraries in Central and Western Regions.

• Click the button.

• Search for the desired material.

• Click the REQUEST THIS ITEM link.

• Select the Central Region.

• Enter your name and your library card number.

• Select Harvard Public Library as the location where you wish to pick up the material.

• Click SUBMIT.
  

If Not Available in C/W MARS

Search the Virtual Catalog at www.cwmars.org/vcat

This expands your search to Massachusetts libraries outside of C/W MARS.

Use the Virtual Catalog only when you cannot request the material from a C/W MARS library.

• Select Central Region.

• Enter your library card barcode number.

• Select the Harvard Public Library as the location where you wish to pick up the material.

• Click Login.

• Click Searching/Requesting.

• Enter your search in the Term box and click Begin Searching.

• Click the Request button.

• Complete the Create Request screen.

• Click Submit Request.

Note:  Request will be denied if the material is available in C/W MARS.