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ALS ILS Committee Recommendation. PDF

OUR MISSION

The mission of ALS is to facilitate equitable access to information and improved library operations to provide cost-effective and responsive services for all users. In support of this collaborative effort, the system is defined as its member libraries, System Staff and the System Board. ALS is not a substitute for local and county planning and financial support.

ABOUT US

Arrowhead Library System was established in 1974 to coordinate and expand Rock County’s public library services. All Rock County residents benefit from enhanced, cost-effective library services through the continued cooperation of ALS and its member libraries.

ALS is a member of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium which was founded in 2001. WPLC’s provides it’s main service, the Wisconsin Digital Library (powered by OverDrive), to all Wisconsin residents with a public library card.

In 2017, Arrowhead Library System joined the SHARE Consortium, which led to the January 2018 introduction of SHARE–the consortium’s massive joint catalog–to Rock County library patrons. As a SHARE member system, public library cards issued by ALS libraries are valid at all public libraries in the counties of Kenosha, Racine, Rock, and Walworth. 

SYSTEM SERVICES

Delivery

Arrowhead Library System maintains its own delivery vans and employs drivers to facilitate delivery amongst its member libraries and SHARE Consortium Hubs five days per week. ALS contracts with a third party for four-day per week regional delivery.

Visit our delivery page for more information.

Consulting

The Arrowhead Library System provides consulting services for the public libraries in Rock County. Services include ADA accessibility issues, budgeting, purchasing and expanding library collections, children’s services, programming for adults, technology maintenance and repair, and services to people with special needs.

Continuing Education

Arrowhead partners with several other library systems to provide at least eight continuing education workshops for library staff. These workshops are designed to improve skills and efficiency of staff and present new concepts in library service.

Watch our Blog/News page for opportunities as they arise. Or follow our Facebook page.

Interlibrary Loan

Arrowhead Library System serves as a clearinghouse and training center for member libraries. An Arrowhead staff person is available to assist member libraries with difficult interlibrary loan transactions, train member library interlibrary loan staff (Reference and Loan staff may provide training instead), serve as a temporary substitute for interlibrary loan staff at member libraries who are ill or on vacation.

Integragted Library System and Technology Support

ALS contracts with Lakeshores Library System to provide full support of the shared integrated library system (ILS) that all ALS member libraries use. Staff and public training are available for the ILS and SHARE, as well as OverDrive and BadgerLink. Technology consulting/troubleshooting is provided for member libraries as well.

Public Relations

Arrowhead provides a full-time Public Information Coordinator (PIC) to handle outreach and marketing for the system. The PIC also consults with and assists the seven Rock County public libraries with public relations, publicity, graphic design, program planning, outreach, websites, and special projects.

OUTREACH SERVICES

Senior Collections

Arrowhead Library System and Hedberg Public Library maintain large-print collections which rotate through more than 15 Rock County nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Jail Library Services

Rock County Correctional Services accepts donations of used books from local libraries and calls upon Arrowhead Library System for assistance selecting and purchasing books.

Outreach Events and Opportunities

ALS staff is available to host an informational booth at community/vendor fairs or to present system programs to community groups/library staff. Contact Tovah Anderson, ALS Public Information Coordinator – 608-868-2872.  
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