There are big changes in Saugus Public Library’s online catalog. Along with the other libraries in the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE), we have switched to a new online catalog and circulation system called “Evergreen.”

Evergreen offers many customer-friendly features familiar to users of other online sites. You will be able to create personalized, easy-to-remember usernames, instead of always needing to enter your library card number to check on your online accounts. In addition, you will be able to create and even share personal “lists” of favorite books or books you would like to read, as well as keep track of what you have already read. You will now be able to receive pickup notices for holds via text message or email. Another new feature will be the ability to freeze your requests while away on vacation.

You’ll keep the same library card, and records of items checked out and on hold for you will be transferred to the new Evergreen system. But one thing that cannot be transferred to the new system (because it’s encrypted) is each patron’s personal identification number (PIN). Users will have two options for resetting their PINs. To reset your PIN online, please make sure that the library has your current email address on file, as Evergreen will need your correct email address to send you a link to reset your PIN. The second option is to stop by or contact the library to reset your PIN.

Librarians report that Evergreen is an intuitive, user-friendly system, but library staff will be available to assist users in person and by phone.

Evergreen’s software is “open source,” which means that it is freely available and can be modified and developed by anyone with programming knowledge. This helps NOBLE and its member libraries to control costs because money that would have been spent on expensive licensing of proprietary software can now be used to fund development of improvements to better serve users. NOBLE libraries will also be able to share in developments funded by other library systems at no charge.

Initial customization, improvement and implementation of the new system has been subsidized by a $412,000 federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The grant was awarded to NOBLE and two other Massachusetts library networks, the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) and Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (C/W MARS) working together as the Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative (MassLNC). Cooperatively, the three networks selected the software, prioritized improvements and share training and expertise in order to design a system to meet the needs of their member libraries.

The North Of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) is a non-profit consortium of 28 public, academic and special libraries founded by participating libraries thirty years ago to share resources and improve service and efficiency through shared automation.

Public libraries participating in NOBLE are: Beverly Public Library, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, Everett Public Libraries, Sawyer Free Library of Gloucester, Lynn Public Library, Lynnfield Public Library, Abbot Public Library of Marblehead, Melrose Public Library, Peabody Institute Library of Peabody, Reading Public Library, Revere Public Library, Salem Public Library, Saugus Public Library, Stoneham Public Library, Swampscott Public Library, Beebe Memorial Library of Wakefield and Winthrop Public Library.

Academic libraries participating in NOBLE are: Bunker Hill Community College, Charlestown; Endicott College, Beverly; Gordon College, Wenham; Merrimack College, North Andover; Middlesex Community College, Bedford and Lowell; Montserrat College of Art, Beverly; North Shore Community College, Danvers and Lynn; Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill and Lawrence; Phillips Academy, Andover; and Salem State University.