How We Work

Each library is encouraged to have as much autonomy as possible. We rarely demand everyone to accept a single way of doing things unless it is for data integrity or a shortcoming in the software. One area in which we do observe some standards is in the Technical Services arena. That is a have-to case since standards and agreement in method is the backbone of data integrity. With the adoption of Horizon software there are a few items where the software demanded some standardization. This is particularly true in item classes and a few details in circulation. The standardized areas are:

1. The maximum fine is set to 25% of the total cost of the item.
2. Circulation rules are determined by the circulation location (circ point) rather than the owner of the item. In that manner all of your circulation rules will apply to any item checked out at your location regardless of who owns the item.
3. Borrower types codes are prefaced by the location code.
4. All locations share the same collection and item type codes.
5. All locations share the same borrower statistics codes, although the secondary borrower statistics codes are the same, they have a different meaning for each location.

We each have our own cataloging data, patron files, PAC profiles, and circulation terms, print our own overdues and so on. We feel that the degree of autonomy we give allows each library to have and continue with its own particular flavor of service and customization. It allows for accurate data keeping for each entity when doing statistics and lets you do custom data recalls for just your location.

1. We have many "canned" reports, which will provide you with daily, monthly and yearly statistics.
2. We custom create any reports that you need which are not in the list of existing reports.
3. Your library will also have tools to customize existing reports on your own.

The CLC project was first established in 1988 and administered by Fairfield County, but was moved to a new location and administering library changed when the staff at Fairfield elected to go with a union. We wished to remove the CLC from all union activity. Grandview administers the project's finances gratis and Marysville Public Library's director services as the administrator.

We all work hard to make the administration time spent on the CLC minimal. If, in the future, the demands increase, we may begin to charge an administrative fee. So far, each library has done well in helping solve problems, taking care of local concerns without relying too much on staff and keeping requests for paperwork to a bare minimum. Bottom line is that GHPL and MPL are small operations and our time for CLC staff and business concerns is limited.

Each voting member sends the Director to the monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Consortium's office in Lithopolis. At that time, all major business is transacted and the System Administrator gives a monthly report of activities, Horizon issues and any other concerns we need to have addressed. Meetings convene at 10 a.m. and are completed by noon. All late breaking problems needing immediate attention are done via e-mail.