Services
SJVLS provides a variety of services to our member libraries or to the public on behalf of our members. For questions about these services, please contact your member library.
Library Services
Integrated Library System (ILS): Today, the libraries share an Integrated Library System (ILS) that includes circulation functions as well as most other library management functions such as cataloging and acquisitions. Sharing an ILS both reduces costs for each library and greatly improves resource sharing among members. Library users throughout the entire SJVLS geographic area can search the shared catalog and request that items be sent to their preferred branch. They have access to many more titles and many more copies of high use titles than any one jurisdiction could provide. If the libraries did not share an ILS, each would have to purchase and manage its own automated system and network.
Interlibrary Loan: Most materials owned by member libraries can be requested via ValleyCat for pickup at any other library. Some materials are restricted from inter-library lending as shown in the loan rules chart.
Delivery: The SJVLS delivery service moves over 1 million items per year between the member libraries. Deliveries are made to member headquarters on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Due to the increased volume of requests, sorting backlogs may delay arrival of your material. Delivery between each headquarters library and its branch libraries is provided by the member library.
Online payments of library fines and fees
Databases and Other Electronic Resources: SJVLS helps its members stretch the purchasing power of their budgets by cooperatively purchasing access to online databases and electronic resource collections. See the Database Subscription Chart for databases and participating libraries.
Network Services
Technology Acquisition & Support: SJVLS has a long history of supporting technology in the libraries, starting with the first shared library management system in 1981 and continuing today with cooperative purchasing projects such as:
PCReservation and LPT:One computer and print management software
Email services
PC and peripheral bulk purchases
Software licensing: The data network, including telecommunications, Internet access, Internet content filtering, and traffic management
Other Services
Grant Writing: SJVLS solicits grant funds for cooperative projects when feasible. Past successful grant projects include eCommerce, Putting the Valley to Work (job search database), California Opportunities for Reference Excellence (CORE), CORE Online, Youth Services Resource Sharing Grant (on behalf of the Heartland Regional Library Network), and a cooperative digitization project.