Library Co-operative Services

The County Library Co-operative provides a variety of services to member libraries. The major services are outlined below:

Rotations of Special Collections

The County Library Co-operative rotates collections of large print books, videos, DVDs, books on CD, books on tape, compact discs, CD-Roms and read-alongs to member libraries. Rotations occur two, three or four times per year, depending on the requirements of individual libraries. The County Co-operative delivers the material via the library delivery van.

Leasing Plan

The County Library Co-operative funds a book leasing plan for each member library board in the County. The leasing plan allows libraries to select a specified number of items, on an annual basis, to augment their existing collections. At the end of the lease term, the libraries have the option to purchase the leased material at a discounted rate, or return the material to the vendor.

Electronic Online Databases

The County Library Co-operative purchases annual subscriptions to a variety of online databases. The databases provide unlimited remote access to library patrons from their local library or from home. At present, the County Library subscribes to eight different products: Canadian Reference Centre, Chilton's Auto Repair Center, Consumer Health Complete, Novelist, Science Reference Centre, Small Engine Repair Reference Centre, Home Improvement Reference Centre and CultureGrams.

Reference and Local History Collection

The County Library Co-operative has a substantial reference and local history collection. Titles are available on limited loan to member libraries.

Library Journals

The County Library Co-operative purchases subscriptions to a variety of library journals. These journals are routed to individual libraries based on members' preferences.

Large Print and Video Pools

The County Library Co-operative is responsible for the acquisition, processing, maintenance and rotation schedules for the Large Print and Video Pools. The Pools are owned and funded by those members of the Co-operative who have decided to join the Pools.

Consortium Purchasing

The County Library Co-operative purchases a variety of library supplies in bulk and sells them to member libraries at cost. The County Library also negotiates the bulk purchasing of computer software, such as virus protection. The County Library is able to negotiate much cheaper prices on these types of items than can be obtained by individual library boards.

Library Automation and Systems Administration

The two County Library Co-operative servers host the databases of ten member libraries - Clearview, Coldwater, Collingwood, Essa, New Tecumseth, Penetanguishene, Ramara, Springwater,  Tay and Wasaga Beach - as well as the County Co-operative catalogue. County Library staff administer the Horizon library software program, provide training to the staff of member libraries and troubleshoot any problems encountered with the software.