LAKESHORE LIBRARY SYSTEM

Bernard Bellin

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

The Lakeshores Library System was established under Wisconsin State Statute 43.15 in January of 1983 by action of the Racine and Walworth County Boards. Only the residents of the 12 towns and villages without their own libraries pay into the County's special levy for library services. The residents of the cities of Burlington and Racine, the villages of Union Grove, Waterford and Rochester, and the town of Rochester are exempt from the County Library Levy because they tax themselves locally at a higher mill rate than that of the County as provided for in Wisconsin Statute 43.64. The Lakeshore Library System Board distributes County tax revenues to provide cash reimbursement to libraries for serving residents located outside their municipal boundaries, to help them expand their collections, and for providing other services to Lakeshores Library System residents. All funds appropriated by the County are distributed to individual libraries in order to lease library services for County-taxed residents. No County funds are used for system administrative or support services. These activities are State funded. This State aid is used to provide services to the system's various member libraries. Services purchased include interlibrary exchange of materials, preparation of computerized card catalogs, delivery services, automation, and continuing education. The Racine Public Library is the system's designated resource library. It provides specialized services on a contract basis.

OBJECTIVES

Adequate County Funds. Continue to renew contracts between system and County boards for library services and funding. Continue multi-year goal of getting County funding levels to be equitable on a use basis. Goal is 40% of operating funds for 40% of library circulation. Cup was half full in 1989, should be 3/4 full in 1999.
Technology Plan. During 1999, revise the system technology plan that outlines the needed technology resources for the system and member libraries. The plan should meet the requirements of the various state and federal grant programs relating to technology plans.
Act 150 Planning. Work with Counties to appoint County planning committees authorized in new statutes. Committees should report in sufficient time to allow for County budget cycle, preferably before July 1999. The planning group should address at a minimum: funding for intersystem circulation, funding for intermunicipal circulation, recommended standards for libraries.

PRIOR YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS

Use Statistics. Libraries loaned an average of over 8 items per person last year. Use has increased steadily in recent years, at a higher rate in the townships than in the cities and villages.
Continuing Education. The system provides training for member library staff. During 1997, it provided training for 137 participants in 9 sessions for a total of almost 500 contact hours. The topics ranged from computer applications to home schooling, reference and the Internet.
Interlibrary Loan. The system coordinates book and other materials lending between libraries in the system and around the state. In 1997, member libraries borrowed over 14,000 items. At a conservative $20 each, libraries would need to spend $280,000 to purchase rather than borrow these materials. That would have added 40% or more to library book budgets.
Children's Story Wagon. System sponsored performance artists draw thousands of youths to system libraries every year. Those children have far better reading scores when they return to school because of the tens of thousands of books they check out to read. In 1997, the system sponsored 90 performances for five different entertainers who drew a total audience of over 10,000.
Technology. The system provides computers to all member libraries for interlibrary loan of materials and for other purposes. A computerized catalog of all member library's card catalogs is produced and distributed. Member libraries can check the listing and then send electronic messages.
Internet. Using both state and federal grant funds, the system has equipped member libraries with dial-up access to the Internet and World Wide Web. At present this is mostly for staff training and use, but some libraries are making it available to the public. Soon it is expected that all will do so.
Automation Planning. Tremendous changes in technology and telecommunications have led to the need for a re-evaluation of system automation activities. The System Board has adopted a strategic technology plan. The plan is laying the ground work now for a future 'linked' system based on new standards rather than building a more traditional 'shared' system.