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.

St. Charles Public Library Reader
St. Charles Public Library Reader
St. Charles Public Library SWANspotting
St. Charles Public Library SWANspotting

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

Coming Soon - St. Charles Public Library StaffKeep 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.

St. Charles Program Van

 

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

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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.

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

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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!

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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.