Library Assistance

Services Provided by SWKLS

  • Cataloging, Interlibrary Loan and Reference Services
  • Consulting
  • General Consulting
  • Automation and Technology Consulting
  • Continuing Education and Training
  • Library Development Standards and Accreditation Program/Grant
  • Library Development Grants

Cataloging, Interlibrary Loan and Reference Services

Cataloging is a service which enables librarians and patrons to gain easy access to books, audio/visual materials, and other information sources housed in their libraries and, through interlibrary loan, in other libraries throughout the United States and the world. The System’s trained professional staff catalog items and add holdings to OCLC. SWKLS administers the SWiftnet VERSO public library consortium catalog and supports access to OCLC’s CatExpress records for participating member public libraries. SWKLS subsidizes CatExpress according to public library service level. Individual libraries will be billed for CatExpress overages. The purpose of interlibrary loan is to make available to individual library patrons materials not owned by a given library. Since it is increasingly evident that it is impossible for any one library to be self-sufficient, interlibrary borrowing and lending is regarded by the libraries as essential to adequate library service. Requests for items not available on KICNET are sent to system headquarters to be processed on OCLC. The access and format of the information may change, with more emphasis on reference work and training of local librarians, but Interlibrary Loan will continue to be a valuable service for library users in Southwest Kansas. Regional interlibrary loan will be facilitated with the use of the SWiftnet consortium catalog. Reference services requiring professional research personnel will be provided using print, non-print and database sources. Internet reference and support is also provided.

Consulting

Onsite and offsite consulting services are provided by the Southwest Kansas Library System‘s professional staff.

General Consulting includes:

  • Assistance with building and facility projects
  • Assessment and development of physical and on-line collections, including assistance with weeding
  • Assistance with fiscal management and budget preparation
  • Development of and assistance in implementing policy in the areas of personnel, collections, and operations
  • Development of Friends groups and volunteer programs
  • Development of foundations and assistance with grants and grant writing
  • Analysis of local community needs
  • Consultation in all areas of library services and programming
  • Consultation in legal and human resource opinions before contacting appropriate entity
  • Consultation in accounting resource opinions before contacting appropriate entity
  • Consultation in contract interpretation and opinions before contacting appropriate entity
  • Effective trustee education
  • Professional resources
  • Interpretation of Kansas Library Law
  • Assessment of ADA compliance
  • Support for statewide library programming
  • Children’s programming materials including activity packets, story props, and StoryWalk packets
  • Coordinate and provide support for summer programming
  • Group purchasing arrangements made by the System
  • Merry Verry Verso – Catalog Clean UP
  • Working group for continued diversity and collection development/content challenges (DEI Task Force)
  • Movie Licensing
  • Weeding of collections (Training and Assistance)
  • STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math) programs in conjunction with Technology Team
  • State Kansas Interlibrary Loan Task Force Representative for SW Kansas
  • Laminating Services

Technology Managing and Consulting includes:

  • Antivirus/Anti-Malware software management
  • Time & Print management software support
  • Deep Freeze software management
  • Backup software, storage solutions, design, monitoring, management
  • Cloud infrastructure design, management
  • CIPA/KS-CIPA filtering software management
  • Wireless Access statistics management
  • Virtual Private Networking (VPN) technologies
  • Website hosting, design, training, management, monitoring
  • Digital archive design and management
  • Network (LAN/WAN/WLAN) design, security, management, monitoring
  • Local server/Virtualization management
  • Telephone and remote desktop support
  • Software licensing management
  • Hardware and Software procurement/vendor relations
  • Operating system and office productivity suite training and support
  • Video conferencing support
  • Google suites/Apps training and support
  • GMail/Email troubleshooting and support
  • Digital signage solutions and support
  • Desktop/laptop imaging and deployment
  • 3D printer training and support
  • Social media platform training and support
  • E-Rate consult/planning
  • Hardware recycling/data storage destruction
  • Emerging technology research
  • IT asset inventory management
  • E-content platform training and support
  • ListServ management and support
  • Technology planning and review, lifecycle management
  • Networked peripherals (printer, fax, etc.) installation, configuration, and support
  • Tablet, iPad, eReader device support
  • Online training
  • Sound/Audio/Recording system support
  • Technology policy consultation
  • Print on demand library cards
  • Patron mobile printing
  • STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math) programs in conjunction with Consulting Team
  • Security camera systems

Continuing Education and Training

Workshops and training are provided by the Southwest Kansas Library System encompassing all areas of library and information management in conjunction with the State-wide certification programs for library staff and trustees. Programs, full-day workshops, online sessions and on-site visits are conducted by system personnel and visiting presenters throughout the year.

Accreditation and Development Program

The Library Development Accreditation Program is intended to encourage and recognize attainment of the standards for public library service in the Southwest Kansas Library System. All fully participating public libraries are invited to participate in the accreditation program. Accreditation will be one of the requirements for eligibility for a Library Development Grant.

Library Development Grants

The Library Development Grant encourages public libraries to achieve service level standards by providing financial assistance to public libraries in counties that levy the System tax. The Library Development Grants are associated with the SWKLS Library Development Standards and Accreditation program.