On Monday, January 6, the Berks County Public Libraries (BCPL) and Wyomissing Public Library launched a resource sharing partnership to increase access and availability of library materials to cardholders across both organizations. The new borrowing program allows BCPL and Wyomissing patrons to browse the online catalog and request traditional library materials from both groups, expanding the resource pool beyond each separate collection.
“We’re excited to begin this new venture with Wyomissing Public Library and increase the borrowing power of Berks County cardholders,” said Stephanie Williams, system administrator of the Berks County Public Libraries System. “Altogether patrons from both library groups can browse a combined catalog of nearly 1 million items.”
The online catalog will default to the patron’s home library location, but cardholders can change their selection in the Location dropdown to the “Berks-Wyomissing” library group and browse materials from both collections.
The partnership expands borrowing access to most traditional library materials such as books, DVDs, music CDs, and audiobooks on CD. Online databases, specialty materials including Library of Things, museum passes, hotspots/equipment/technology, and electronic books are not available to borrow or access. Current access to Libby materials will not be affected.
Library patrons can learn more about the partnership by visiting www.berkslibraries.org/resource-sharing.
