Manchester City Library

With the holiday season just behind us, many of you might have received tablets, e-readers, or smartphones as gifts from loved ones.  Maybe you spent time cozying up on your couch with them, watching movies together, or hid in your room under the covers with a nice print book.  Despite which form of entertainment you prefer, we’re here to tell you that we’ve got them all…for free.

But wait…you say you don’t like waiting for the latest material out there since we only have a couple of copies?  Then we have good news for you!  There are 13 libraries in the surrounding area who may also own copies of what you want, and they’re willing to share those materials with you.  These libraries belong to what we call the GMILCS Consortium, and include Amherst, Bedford, Danforth (New England College), Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Kelley (Salem), Manchester City, Manchester West, Merrimack, Nesmith (Windham), Teti (New Hampshire Institute of Art), and Wadleigh (Milford).

While the circulation policies of these libraries may vary, due to the Common Borrower  program, you are free to borrow materials from all of them, either by visiting any participating location with your active Manchester City Library card, or by asking your Information Staff to request that certain materials to be shipped over to your home library for you.

Don’t forget that one of the benefits of your library being in GMILCS is that you have access to many downloadable e-books, right in the comfort of your home through two digital book services:  New Hampshire Overdrive and the Cloud Library.  To use, simply download the free apps from your app store to your tablet, smartphone, or computer, log in with your library card number, then browse for books and audiobooks.  When you find what you want, click to download, or place a request if the item is out, and you’ll be notified when the item is ready for you.  Do you know what the best part about downloadable books is?  They are automatically returned for you after your lending period, which means, no fines!

So what are you waiting for?  Start browsing our catalogs, and see all that’s awaiting you courtesy of the cooperating libraries of the GMILCS consortium.

Please note that certain restrictions may apply.  The common borrower program excludes museum passes and registration for children’s events.  Likewise, all interlibrary loan requests for items outside the consortium must be made from your home library.  Requested items may take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to arrive, depending on the status of the item, delivery schedule, and participating library hours.