CW MARS (Central Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, Inc.), is a library consortium dedicated to resource sharing and access to information. The network includes public and academic libraries from 495 to the New York State line with more than 8.5 million physical items and ebooks available to borrow by Massachusetts residents. Storrs Library’s membership to CW MARS makes available to Storrs’ library card holders a wide variety of titles and services using just one card.
With the Online Catalog, you can find books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, CDs and more! You can make requests for things and also manage your individual library account. Read these helpful tips to find the answer to most of your questions.
The Commonwealth Catalog extends your search beyond the C/W MARS library network. Search through millions of items at participating libraries across Massachusetts. Requests will be delivered to your local library for pickup.
Residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts residents are entitled to register for a BPL eCard and access databases, electronic resources and a variety of materials that are available from the Boston Public Library (BPL). To register for a BPL eCard, applicants must meet any of the following criteria:
- Reside permanently in Massachusetts.
- Live in-state for most of the year to attend school.
- Commute to a Massachusetts employer on a sustained and regular basis (primary place of work).
- Own property (real estate) in Massachusetts.
For additional information about registering for a BPL eCard, please consult Boston Public Library’s eCard FAQ on their website. Boston Public Library makes available its resources to the Commonwealth as part of its status as the Library of the Commonwealth. The Library for the Commonwealth is a state funded program by BPL which provides services to anyone who lives or works in Massachusetts. Additional information about this program is available on BPL’s website.
Get Started Borrowing eBooks & More
Storrs Library cardholders are part of a larger library network, CW MARS, which allows Storrs Library cardholders to enjoy access to materials from Storrs Library and Central and Western Massachusetts. Storrs Library’s membership to CW MARS is the reason why Storrs Library cardholders can visit neighboring libraries and checkout materials using their Storrs Library card, negating the need to sign up for a library card at each library individually. To put it succinctly, Storrs Library cardholders are also considered CW MARS library cardholders.
Storrs Library is committed to providing stellar, personal service and understands that the changing landscape of eBooks can be hard to keep up with. Storrs Library staff is available to help and answer any of your questions about accessing eBooks and/or navigating our collections and/or services generally. If you are having trouble, please contact us over the phone or in person and we will be happy to help.
CW MARS Digital Collection
In addition to our physical books CW MARS offers eBooks, eAudioBooks, and eMagazine Online or through the Libby App – Libby Online and Libby App.
CW MARS Library Card Holders are eligible to borrow eBooks from Partner Library Systems across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This expands the reach and availability of materials to library patrons across the Commonwealth. CW MARS Library Card Holders can use their individual library card number to borrow eBooks & more via the Overdrive and/or Libby apps. The Partner Library Systems include:
- Boston Public Library
- CLAMS
- Merrimack Valley Library Consortium
- Minuteman Library Network
- NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
- Old Colony Library Network
- SAILS Library Network
CW MARS and the aforementioned Partner Libraries are able to make their eBook Collections shareable across networks thanks to Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner’s (MBLC’s) program, Library eBooks and Audiobooks (LEA). The additional funding and support from MBLC will help ensure the timely availability of materials and variety of content.
To benefit from an extended selection of eBooks and More, CW MARS library patrons can add Partner Library’s to the Libby app and/or use the Digital Collection website (https://cwmars.overdrive.com/) to borrow materials.