Minuteman Library Network

A consortium of over 40 libraries working collectively to provide excellent service
and value to the communities of  the Metrowest
region of Massachusetts

Our History

The Minuteman Library Network's vision is realized through the Network’s mission to strengthen member libraries through innovative and economical technologies, efficient resource sharing, collaboration and shared expertise.

In 1982, a group of suburban public library directors met in Lexington, Massachusetts to discuss the possibility of automating their libraries and sharing resources in a centralized database. In December of 1983, the Minuteman Library Network was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c) and Chapter 180 of Massachusetts State Law. MLN core values are the critical component of our success. These core values include: a willingness to participate in the Network via its many committees; acceptance of a diversity of opinions; attitudes of respect and open-mindedness; encouragement of consensus-building; and a willingness to take informed risks.

Governance

From the beginning, we embraced a philosophy of a democratically run, member-driven organization as a guiding principle for the organization.

Network decisions and policies are made by member library directors via a nine-member Board of Directors and a 42-member Membership Committee. Each member library reports to a local board of trustees/administration, which make individual library policy decisions including the loaning and requesting of materials and the assessment of fines/fees. The Network hires a staff to manage the computer systems and to implement the decisions made by the Membership Committee. MLN members meet regularly to discuss issues pertaining to Circulation, Reference, Bibliographic Records Maintenance, Technology, Collection Development, Youth Services, and Administration.

Board of Directors

Richard Callaghan

Bedford Free Public Library


Julie McBrien

Lasell University


Clayton Cheever

Morill Memorial Library, Norwood


Jill Mecurio

Newton Free Library


Jamie Jurgensen

Wellesley Free Library


Cathy Piantigini

Somerville Public Library


Jean Maguire

Maynard Public Library


Peter Struzziero

Belmont Public Library


Tina McAndrew

Randall Library, Stow

Funding

MLN is funded through annual membership fees and receives support for telecom and resource sharing through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).

Additional funding for telecommunications comes from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) E-rate program. Grant opportunities exist for hardware and software upgrades from the federal Library Services and Technology Act that is administered through the MBLC.

Interested in becoming a member library with Minuteman?

Are you a library director or trustee?  For information on how your library can join the Minuteman Library Network scroll down.

Our Services

Minuteman provides services both directly to its members and, acting as the agent of those libraries, to library patrons. 

Minuteman libraries share a catalog that offers an easy interface for finding and requesting books, music, movies, and more from our collections.

Collectively, our libraries offer almost six million items for your enjoyment and enrichment. The Minuteman catalog gives you the choice of searching just one library or all libraries in the network at once, and allows you to request items to be delivered to your home library.  

From the catalog, manage your loans from all Minuteman libraries under one account. Renew items, save lists and reading history, pay fines, and manage your requests anytime through the catalog website and mobile app.

As a network, our libraries build rich collections of digital audiobooks, ebooks, movies, and articles for your convenience and savings.

Our main Digital Collection includes ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and video, available to stream or download to your device, with OverDrive and the Libby App. We also offer unlimited articles from the digital New York Times. Many libraries offer even more resources locally.

The Minuteman website and app bring together the digital content provided by each library, the Minuteman network, and the state of Massachusetts. To view all your library’s digital collections, visit the Online Resources section of the website and enter your library card number or username.

Find your next fascinating read (or new hobby) with our lists, reviews, and recommendations. 

Our libraries offer a wide range of materials. Our website features lists of new, critically acclaimed, and trending titles owned by Minuteman libraries. Be sure to check out the Library of Things list for just a sample of the helpful items our libraries collect. 

For in-depth book reviews and suggestions, take advantage of NoveList recommendations. Search results for popular and classic titles in our catalog include a wealth of background information and related titles from Novelist. Visit the Novelist site for more book concierge suggestions.

Minuteman Library Network offers a variety of tools to improve your library experience.

As a network, we are always exploring new ways to make it easier to access your library and account. We offer a custom-built mobile app, email and text message notifications, and more. Visit Services section for details.

As a network, our libraries combine our negotiating power to purchase software and tools that deliver the most efficient services possible.

Our current ILS, Sierra from Innovative, provides automation for day-to-day library operations, including acquisition, cataloging, circulation, and serials management. Member libraries and the Central Site team work together to explore and implement technologies with an emphasis on improving services and saving time. For a comprehensive list of supported software and tools, reach out to us.

Member libraries are provided with internet access and hardware along with a suite of email and productivity tools for library staff.

Our library system requires a dependable, robust telecommunications network, which is managed by the Central Site staff. The network Systems team is constantly monitoring our network capacity to ensure appropriate service to our members and their patrons.

Our Central Site staff provides cataloging services for all titles acquired by member libraries, as well as quality control to keep records accurate.

Members benefit from a range of skilled cataloging services including full description for digital materials, local history & specialty, and world languages including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Russian. In addition, the Central Site team regularly produces collection reports and performs quality control for all records to maintain accuracy, authority and currency. Our goal is to make the rich collections developed by our member libraries accessible and discoverable to Minuteman Library Network patrons.

The network serves as a shared hub for knowledge, policy, and technical expertise.

Central Site staff offer training and advice on best practices, along with maintaining network websites and documentation. Through network interest groups and mailing lists, library staff connect to share expertise and ideas.

The Central Site office is conveniently located near the Mass Pike and Route 9 with ample parking, and includes a large conference room used for meetings and a well-equipped room dedicated to member training.

Our libraries benefit from prepared and self-service reports to assist in evaluating collections and services that are responsive to patrons' needs.

With Sierra ILS and Decision Center, our libraries have a number of hands-on reporting tools to assist with collection development and to evaluate usage. Central Site staff also compile and share data from a variety of sources and vendors, including information needed for the annual ARIS report, and work with member libraries to produce custom reports as needed. 

By the Numbers

A snapshot of Minuteman services and collections

5,437,581

Total Items Owned Within the Network

1,526,953

Total Unique Titles Within the Network

694,449

Total Minuteman Patrons

13,305,075

Total Loans & Renewals in FY2023

2,558,720

Loans Between Libraries in FY2023

Patrons Saved

$5,750,931.36

By Using Minuteman Libraries Last Week

Get In Touch

If you have questions regarding details of your library account (overdue fines, renewals, returned materials, forgotten password), suggestions for purchase or other suggestions or comments, please contact the staff at a Minuteman library near you.


Find quick answers to your questions anytime by browsing our Help Center FAQs.

If you have questions about using the Minuteman catalog, app or other services, find answers in the Help Center.