SWAN News – SWAN Libraries

COVID-19 Update

Some SWAN libraries are now open for curbside pickup. Please refer to your local library’s website for more information and details on the curbside pickup process. Find your home library.

Curbside pickup is currently available to home library patrons only – if your library doesn’t offer curbside pickup, you won’t be able to get items from another library that does. In addition, delivery is not available between libraries, so it is not possible to request items for pickup from another library.

This information was last updated May 15th, 2020 – dates are subject to change based on the Illinois Stay-At-Home order and public health recommendations.

Library cards

Is your card expiring?

All cards expiring between January 1 and June 30, 2020 have been extended to July 4th.

No card?

Most SWAN public libraries now offer online cards that will give you access to your library’s digital resources, including eBooks, eAudio, databases, and streaming services.

If your library participates, you’ll see a “Sign Up” button on your library catalog.

Find your library

Online services and collections

Libraries are expanding their online classes, storytimes, and download and streaming offerings.

Visit your library website to learn more about online events, eBook and streaming services, and more – find your library.
Learn more about searching the catalog for downloadable eBooks & Audio.
Learn more about searching articles and databases – handy for personal research and homework help!

Checkouts

Due dates for checked out items from your public library have been extended to June 3rd.
Log into your account to see new due dates – get help with logging in.
Please do not return material to your library until the library reopens.

Holds

You can still place holds, but only for pickup at your home library.
If your library is open for curbside pickup, your holds have been unsuspended.
If your library is closed, your holds are still suspended, and your place in the queue has been saved.

Using Your Library During the Closing

If your library has recently closed due to COVID-19 concerns, you can still use many of your library’s services.

Place holds

You can still place holds on items, and you will be in the queue for them when your library re-opens.

Try eBooks & online resources

If you haven’t yet tried out the eBook, eAudiobook, streaming media, and online research databases offered by your library now is a good time to try them out.

Learn more about ebooks & audio

Learn more about articles & databatases

If you are having trouble using these services, contact your library – many are still providing phone and online help.

What about due dates?

If your library has closed, please do not return items until your library reopens.

Check your account regularly as due dates could change as the situation progresses.

19 Kane, DuPage libraries join SWAN, gain access to nearly 10 million items

Library users from 19 public, private, school, and academic libraries are now part of the System Wide Automated Network (SWAN). The library network combines the collections of 97 libraries into a single, searchable public web catalog of nearly 10 million items. Libraries in SWAN share items with each other through the catalog, with many items available for delivery from one library to another via a State-supported courier delivery system. Library cardholders within the 97 libraries will find it easy to visit nearby library or request items for pick-up at their home library or another library participating in SWAN’s pick-up anywhere service.

Countdown to 19 Libraries Joining SWAN

A West Chicago Public Library Reader shares the excitement of an expanded SWAN catalog.

We are in our final days of preparation and data loading in adding 19 libraries to our SWAN family. Our March press release provided an overview of the extended SWAN network.

As you visit SWAN libraries, we hope that you continue to report on #SWANspotting throughout our extended network of 97 libraries. We’ve got a few more to share from our library visits in the past week.

Glen Ellyn Public Library – Spreading Our Wings

Glen Ellyn Public Library’s website provides an update for library users on joining SWAN. Remodeling circulation and meeting spaces is also underway, making the library extremely busy and exciting. Stop in for a #SWANselfie

One patron found time to relax with a good book and a comfortable reading spot. Happy #SWANspotting!

#SWANspotting

Keep an eye out for inflatable swans. If you follow Twitter or Instagram, consider using the #SWANspotting hashtag.

Residents of St. Charles experienced #SWANspotting on March 10th at the annual St. Patrick’s Parade. The St. Charles Public Library staff greeted the community and announced joining the SWAN network on May 1st. Congratulations to the the Library! They took 2nd prize honors for their entry. Along with SWANs in leprechaun attire, library staff promoted the expanded library network and featured “more of what you love.”

Be on the lookout for inflatable swans at your library. If you see one, take a selfie and announce your #SWANspotting adventure! We will feature your entries on this website.

2018 Membership Map

Check out our updated SWAN membership map, including all 97 of our members in 2018!

Click here to view the full SWAN Map 2018

19 Libraries Joining SWAN in 2018

The following 19 libraries will be joining the SWAN network in April and May of 2018. We appreciate the consideration and care the library leadership and staff took in selecting SWAN to create one of the largest library consortium in the US.

Batavia Public Library District
Bensenville Community Public Library District
Bensenville Elementary School District #2
Bloomingdale Public Library
Carol Stream Public Library
Geneva Public Library District
Glen Ellyn Public Library
Itasca Community Library
Kaneville Public Library District
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
National University of Health Sciences
Oak Brook Public Library
Saint Charles Public Library District
Sugar Grove Public Library District
Theosophical Society in America
Town and Country Public Library District
Villa Park Public Library
West Chicago Public Library District
Wood Dale Public Library District

SWAN Moves to New Location

Since its origin in 1974, SWAN has had a place in the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) Burr Ridge office. This close-knit community has received the benefit of RAILS’ support for everything from financial grants to resource sharing, expertise of RAILS staff, and a place to call home.

In 2016, as a step towards SWAN’s continued strategic operational independence, a lease and build-out agreement were signed and a new facility is finally ready for our staff and membership. We’ve moved in and are excited to share that our new address is:

System Wide Automated Network
800 Quail Ridge Drive
Westmont, IL 60559

SWAN staff are thrilled about the new building, especially the large windows to let in plenty of natural light. We’ve also built out our office to accommodate flexible scheduling, meaning that staff may be working from the building or off location, and there are flex offices to save and share space.

Staff are also able to look out upon a (frozen) pond and we’re located right next to a beautiful forest preserve.

Earlier this month, RAILS threw a going-away party for SWAN staff to celebrate our long history together, as well as wish us luck moving forward in our organization’s future. SWAN has been incredibly fortunate to work alongside RAILS for so long, and we loved the variety of swan cakes and decorations. Check out this coconut cake and this buttercream frosting confection!

SWAN has had a very busy 2016, and we’re looking forward to this coming year and our continued mission of improving library services to our membership. We hope RAILS and SWAN members, as well as others in the library community, will stop by soon to say hello.

Franklin Park Public Library District Joins SWAN

The Franklin Park Public Library District is the newest member of the SWAN community, joining 78 other libraries in promoting resource-sharing and accessing a collective library catalog of more than 8 million items.

Becoming a SWAN member library also means that patrons have a host of different ways to interact with their library accounts: Franklin Park patrons can use their library cards at any of SWAN’s locations and check out materials, select items from the catalog to have delivered to their home library, or can choose to have their items delivered to a member library of their choice (known as “Pick Up Anywhere”).

In addition, patrons can receive email, text, phone, or print notifications about their account, as well as receive these notifications in their language preference, like English, Spanish, Polish, and more.

To get familiar with the new look of the library account and catalog, check out these short video tutorials and other account information.

Being a part of the SWAN community means promoting library accessibility and usability to fit every patron’s unique needs. SWAN is always striving to improve service to our members, and is excited to welcome Franklin Park Public Library District.