Libraries Cooperate

 Libraries and library systems throughout Wisconsin participate in a variety of collaborative and cooperative projects to provide quality service to their customers and training opportunities for their staff members.  The shared services that are offered save time and money, as well as increase the availability of information to all residents, not just those who live in the larger communities. 

• WisLine Web is web-based training provided by Instructional Communications Systems, an academic support unit from the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Madison.  It can be used to present live, interactive meetings and programs on the Web using a browser and a speakerphone.  The speaker presents the program from a remote site.  Those who attend can see the presentation on their computer screen and can communicate with the instructor and/or others via the speakerphone. 

ESLS has used this form of training to train interlibrary loan librarians from all thirteen libraries within the past year. A May workshop on using a newspaper database will use a similar product.  At a WisLine Web session, attendees may either gather at a common location or may log into the session at their home library.  

Use of web-based training can save time and travel costs for both the instructor and the participants. 

• Internet Service ESLS provides Internet service to the 13 public libraries in Sheboygan and Ozaukee Counties at a cost much less than if each library had to secure that service on its own.  Libraries are eligible for discounts on high-speed data lines through the TEACH program from the state of Wisconsin, which subsidizes some of the costs.  ESLS libraries provide 295 Internet workstations for customers.  In addition, ESLS provides Internet service to the 6 libraries in the Manitowoc-Calumet Library System, who pays for its share of the cost.

Library customers at a very small library now have rapid access to as much information and availability of sophisticated services as those who use larger libraries.  In addition, using a library closer to home or business will be more convenient and economical.