No, you won't need any surveillance equipment, but you do need a library card from a CWMars library such as Sterling, Holden, Shrewsbury or Worcester. Once you have that, you can search online for materials from libraries across Central Massachusetts. Here's how:

To Search the CWMars Catalog
With your card in hand, click on the link above. Then click the blue "Log In" box. Enter your card number and create a password. You'll need to know that password every time you use this service so make a note of it somewhere safe.

Search - Once you have created your password, you can browse 142 libraries for anything (well almost anything) your heart desires. To go to the initial search screen, click "Start Over" Here you can search by title, author, subject, keyword or title and author.

Results - The Search Results page will open. This will show you all varieties of what you asked for as well as the year the item was published and how many items there are that fit the criteria. There may be similar titles by different authors, so it helps if you know the author as well. Click on the title that matches your inquiry. Once you have the search results, you can narrow your search by clicking the "limit/sort search" button at the top of the page.

Select - Select the title and version you are interested in. The next screen will show you which libraries have the item. On the right side of the screen you may see a link "About This Title". That will give you a summary of the book and reviews when available.

Request - If the item is something you want to check out, click the orange "Request" box at the top or bottom of the screen. The next screen will ask you to enter your library card and password if you are not already signed in.

Location - In the next screen, you will indicate where you would like to pick up what you requested by choosing a town from the drop down menu.

Submit - If all goes well, you will then see a screen that says "You request has been submitted." Usually your request will come within a week to the library you requested it be sent to. Some new items or very popular items may take longer or the lending library may chose not to send them. You can check on the status of your request by logging in at another time or clicking "Patron Record" if you are already logged in. If the item is "In Transit" that means it is in the process of moving from one library to another.

Notification - When the library receives the item you requested, they will call you to let you know it is in. You will need to pick it up within 3 business days. Please pay attention to the guidelines on the item you pick up. There may be fines for late returns or other conditions.