BEXLEY, Ohio— Bexley Public Library is pleased to announce that on April 9, 2014, it will join the Central Library Consortium (CLC). While continuing to serve the community as an independent library, Bexley Public Library will partner with 13 other central Ohio libraries to offer patrons access to more than 3.8 million items. This transition will also include an update to the catalog, an improved check-out experience, an expanded collection of downloadable books and magazines, and much more.

Detailed information about this collaboration is available in the library and on the library’s website: www.bexleylibrary.org.

Offering cooperative lending with other libraries was one of the commitments the library made during the 2013 levy campaign.  “Joining the CLC will allow us to leverage and extend our funding in order to provide access to an array of resources that we could not offer on our own,” said Library Director Rachel Rubin.  “Not only do we maintain local control over our programs, collections, and services, now we will be able to provide our patrons convenient access to an additional 3.4 million items.”   The library’s current collection stands at about 350,000 items.

Additional benefits of membership in the CLC include text message notifications, a mobile-friendly catalog for use with smartphones and tablets, and the ability to pay fines online.

The library received a $33,000 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services and will use donated funds from the estate of Marilyn K. Limbird to cover the costs of the migration to a new catalog and related updates to the circulation area.

Bexley Public Library will join London Public Library and Upper Arlington Public Library as new additions to the consortium on April 9. Existing members are:  Alexandria Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Fairfield County District Library, Grandview Heights Public Library, Marysville Public Library, Pickaway County District Public Library, Pickerington Public Library, Plain City Public Library, Southwest Public Libraries, Upper Arlington Public Library, Wagnalls Memorial Library and the Worthington Libraries.

More information about this transition is available on the library’s website www.bexleylibrary.org.  Patrons with questions about the new catalog or the Central Library Consortium may also call the library at 614-231-8741.

Bexley Public Library has been serving the Bexley community since 1924. The Library’s mission is to enlighten, engage, and inspire a community of lifelong learners. An extensive collection, knowledgeable and friendly staff, innovative programming for kids and adults, and a welcoming space are all part of what makes our library unique. Bexley Public Library joined the Central Library Consortium (CLC) in 2014 to expand its services and offer patrons access to over 3.8 million resources. Learn more at www.bexleylibrary.org.

The Upper Arlington Public Library (UAPL) is pleased to announce that it will be joining the CLC and switching to Polaris as its new Integrated Library System (ILS).

With the click of a button, UAPL patrons will have access to an expanded collection that is ten times larger than what is currently offered.  An efficient delivery system will deliver most requested material from other locations to UAPL within two to four days.

A mobile friendly catalog, credit card online fine payment and the ability to return items to the UAPL or to any CLC member library are added benefits of this collaboration.

The UAPL has been a standalone library system since its inception.  However, there are multiple factors that make joining a consortium a better option for our patrons at this time.  Our current ILS hardware is at the end of its useful life.  Our existing patron catalog interface will no longer be supported at the end of 2013.  Efficiencies are gained by sharing services with 11 other local library systems.  Buying power can be leveraged on certain products to reduce costs.

The CLC offers all the benefits of shared services with the ability to maintain the UAPL’s individual identity.  The UAPL will still set local policies, purchase items that our patrons want and maintain our great customer services practices.  The CLC offers the best of both worlds and is the right step for the UAPL to take at this time.  Shared services with our new partners will make the UAPL stronger.

The migration to CLC’s Polaris system is expected to be complete by June 2014.