For many Massachusetts libraries, nine networks provide the library catalog, the ability to borrow from neighboring libraries, circulation, patron registration, public Internet access and other critical services.
Network Homepages and Catalogs
The CLAMS network covers most of the public libraries on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket as well as Cape Cod Community College.
The Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (C/W MARS) covers most of central and western Massachusetts.
Fenway Library Organization (FLO) is consortium of libraries mostly located in Boston and Cambridge, MA. In addition, FLO hosts and provides support for the Commonwealth Catalog.
FLO provides support for Higher Education Libraries of Massachusetts (HELM), a small association of academic libraries who are also affiliate members of FLO.
MassCat is an online resource sharing network for school, medical, special, and 10 small public libraries in Massachusetts. MassCat is a service of the Massachusetts Library System.
The Metro Boston Library Network (MBLN) includes the Boston Public Library system, Malden, Chelsea, and an array of schools, special and academic libraries in the greater Boston area.
The Minuteman Library Network (MLN) serves public and academic libraries in the Metrowest area outside of Boston.
The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) serves 36 independent public libraries in the greater Merrimack Valley region of northeastern Massachusetts.
The North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) serves 26 primarily public and academic libraries to the north of Boston.
The Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) serves 26 public libraries and two academics along the south shore of Boston and down toward the Cape.
SAILS serves 61 mostly public and school libraries in southeastern Massachusetts, down to Buzzard's Bay and the Rhode Island border.
Network Members
Click on the number for a list of library members by library type.
| Network | Public | Academic | School | Special | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 355 | 46 | 61 | 15 | 477 |
| CLAMS | 33 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 |
| C/W MARS | 159 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 165 |
| FLO | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| HELM | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| MBLN | 3 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 23 |
| MassCat | 5 | 3 | 21 | 11 | 40 |
| Minuteman | 38 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| MVLC | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| NOBLE | 17 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 25 |
| OCLN | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| SAILS | 38 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 58 |