Gone by the wayside are the archaic card catalogs of the past and their mind-boggling arrays of cross-referenced author, subject and title cards. In the 21^st century, the Fort Plain Free Library has access to a digital database of literally thousands of selections available in its own collection and throughout the member libraries of the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS) and Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS).

In order to access the database, one needs only a computer, tablet, or smartphone that can link to the MVLS’s website, http://www.mvls.info/ The catalog search feature appears about halfway down the right sidebar of each webpage.

Type the name of the item, author, or subject in the “Search Catalog” window and click “Go” in order to access a more advanced search feature that allows you to search for materials across the system.

Thanks to technology, it’s possible to check out and receive books and audiobooks from the comfort of your own home.

The Fort Plain Library is able to offer its patrons electronic books (eBooks) through its association with the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS). All you need is an Internet connection and your library card. (If it’s the first time you’ve ever tried to access your online account, you will need to call the Fort Plain Free Library in order to activate it.)

In order to make use of the eBook borrowing option, go to the MVLS website, http://www.mvls.info/, and click on the link in the right sidebar for “OverDrive.” Select the collection that you are interested in (for example, Featured Collections or Nonfiction), and images of book covers that are available in eBook format will appear. Click on the image that interests you. If the selection is available, you will be able to click on the “Borrow” link. If it’s currently out, you can “Place a Hold” in order to reserve your copy.

Enter your library card number. You can read, listen to or play the selection in your browser, or you can download the book to your computer or device.

All digital titles are automatically returned at the end of the 14-day lending period.

If you need assistance with OverDrive or the devices and platforms on which it works, click on the question mark (“Help” link) at the top of the OverDrive webpage.

While the Fort Plain Free Library has a selection of popular magazines onsite, patrons can avail themselves of over 70 rocking titles – both current and back issues – that are available for browsing or for download in digital format through the Mohawk Valley Library System’s (MVLS) Zinio for Libraries app.

The selections are available anywhere, anytime on your personal computer, Mac or mobile device. Magazines about cooking, world news, sports, yoga, health, business, music, beauty, gardening, cars, DIY, and more are at your fingertips. All you need is the Internet and your library card.

Just go to the MVLS website, http://www.mvls.info/, and click on the “Digital Magazines” link on the right sidebar. First time users can establish an account by clicking on the “Create a New Account” link in the upper right corner of the Zinio webpage and entering your library card number. Follow the steps to establish a username and password for future logins at the site.

In order to read selections offline, get the new app for iPad, iPhone, Android, or Kindle by clicking the link at the bottom of the Zinio webpage.

The Mohawk Valley Library System recently added a *free* new feature for people from birth to adult that’s designed to improve their literacy skills. It’s called Beanstack and is located at https://mvlssals.beanstack.org/reader365
How does it work? Beanstack helps families discover books and apps based on their children’s and/or their own ages and interests. While a library card provides greater access to the site’s features, users do *not* need a library card to sign up. All you need is a computer or mobile device with Internet service.

In order to take full advantage of the service, register under one of the four age groups: Early Literacy (birth to age 5), Children (grades kindergarten to 5), Teens (grades 6 to 12), or Adult. Once registered, users are able to log books as they are read. Beanstack will also suggest other librarian-recommended titles that can be ordered through the MVLS online catalog. It’s possible to set goals and track progress through Beanstack, as well.

For more information, check out Beanstack’s FAQ’s page, located at https://mvlssals.beanstack.org/faq