About SCKLS

The South Central Kansas Library System is one of seven regional library systems in Kansas. Headquartered in South Hutchinson, SCKLS has 149 members representing 73 Public; 55 School District; 14 Academic; and 7 Special libraries in 12 counties.

The mission of SCKLS is to provide grants, consulting, continuing education and cost-effective support services to its 149 member public, school, academic and special libraries in twelve counties.

As specified in K.S.A. 75-255a, the SCKLS Executive Committee shall have authority to set policy, perform legal functions and conduct system business on a month to month basis between meetings of the System Board. To that end the Executive Committee is specifically authorized on behalf of the system board to act upon applications for sytem membership.

The Executive Committee consists of a total of thirteen members. A member of each of the following interest areas shall be provided for: 1) School district libraries; 2) Regents member library; 3) Other Academic member; 4) Gateway; 5) Linking; 6) Service Center; 7) Major Service Center I; 8) Marjor Service Cneter II; 9) Major Resource Center I; 10) Major Resource Center II; 11) Governor's Appointee. Two members shall be elected from the general membership of the System Board and may be from any of the above interest groups.

With the adoption of the annual budget, the System Annual Plan is approved by the SCKLS Executive Committee and the full System Board at the spring semi-annual meeting.

SCKLS encourages communications among all types of libraries, and with other non-library agencies. All libraries within the system service area are encouraged to actively participate as full system members.

SCKLS provides encouragement and assistance to member libraries in designing, managing, and using electronic networks, which provide access to community, regional, state, national and international databases. SCKLS is committed to a statewide multi-type network.

Facilitate access for all system residents to library resources and services.

Provide assistance in the continual development of each member library.

The general standards under which public libraries will be encouraged to operate are set forth in:

Measurements of Quality Public Library Standards, Revised 2000

Member libraries may call 1-800-234-0529 free of charge for information about South Central Kansas Library System services. If you do not have a touch-tone phone or do not know the extension of the person whom you are calling, wait for the SCKLS operator to come on the line or press "0." If the person whom you wish to speak to is not available, please leave a voice mail message. Please remember to speak directly and clearly when leaving a message. SCKLS serves member public, academic, school and special libraries and eligible rural residents of twelve counties including Barber, Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, McPherson, Reno, Rice, Sedgwick, Stafford and Sumner.

Assistance in planning, purchasing and implementing library automation and technology is available from the automation consultant. Consulting and advise about the automation systems, Internet, e-mail, hardware and software as well as workshops and training are provided for member librarians.

An annual summer reading program and a circulating collection of nearly 400 filmstrips, puppets and displays are provided to assist member libraries serve children. Children's books are reviewed in the SCKLS newsletter. A children's consultant is available to advise and visit children's librarians regarding services, programming, collections and weeding.

For children's and young adult consulting, contact Julie Tomlianovich, Ext. 144.

Masters of Library Science level consultants with extensive professional experience are available to answer specialized library questions for librarians and board members. In addition to the consultants for automation and technology, and children's and young adults, a general library operations consultant can assist your library in board development, long-range planning, personnel issues, grant preparation and review, library laws and funding, adult collection development and weeding, and building projects. Many SCKLS department heads can provide training and information in their respective areas of work such as reference, interlibrary loan and processing.

For general library management and referrals, contact Paul Hawkins, Ext. 113.

Monthly workshops and training opportunities along with the April and October annual SCKLS meetings allow librarians to keep informed about important topics. Workshops include online databases, software, book repair, children's services, intellectual freedom and budgeting. Orientation and training are offered at various locations throughout the region as well as on-site at member libraries. A schedule of SCKLS workshop offerings can be found on the SCKLS website.

For program information and workshop registration, contact Nancy Malone, Ext. 149

In 1997, public and academic library members of the SCKLS received more than $466,000 in grants-in-aid. Public libraries receive base grants plus additional funds distributed according to a 60% / 40% formula which takes into account the number of patrons who reside outside of the library's taxing district and the annual number of interlibrary loan materials lent. Academic libraries receive grants-in-aid based on their total full-time enrollment plus the annual number of interlibrary loan materials lent.

School and special library members of SCKLS do not serve large numbers of patrons outside of their institutions. Consequently, school and special libraries do not receive annual grants-in-aid. However, school, special, academic and public library members are all eligible to use the various services that SCKLS offers. SCKLS grants-in-aid are intended to reimburse member public and academic libraries for the patrons they serve who reside outside of their taxing districts and for interlibrary loan service provided to other libraries. SCKLS is funded through a 12-county, 3/4 mil tax on property which is outside of an established public library taxing district. SCKLS libraries pay no fee for membership in SCKLS.

For more information contact Paul Hawkins, Ext. 113 or the SCKLS Business Office at Ext. 120

INTERLIBRARY LOAN AND REFERENCE
SCKLS Contracts with the Hutchinson Public Library for interlibrary loan and reference services. Materials not available in local libraries can be borrowed through interlibrary loan. Annually, nearly 23,000 requests for books and photocopies are filled through SCKLS and the Hutchinson Public Library. OCLC (Online Center for Library Cataloging); KICNET (Kansas Information Circuit); KLC (Kansas Library Catalog); KANFAX, a statewide telefacsimile (fax) network; Pony Express, a statewide courier service; electronic and postal mail all help speed the delivery of information among libraries.

Reference staff at the Hutchinson Public Library provide interlibrary loan and reference assistance to member libraries. Reference staff provide timely and accurate answers to questions from member libraries using a variety of methods and sources. Member librarians can contact the reference staff for service by phone Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. The reference department head is also available as a consultant and trainer.

For consulting and training, contact Dianne Bogle , Ext. 128 .
For reference questions, call Ext. 122 or 137.

Outreach services include Rotating Books and Talking Books services. Every two months, SCKLS staff pick out, deliver and rotate a collection of books among member public and academic libraries. Popular fiction and non-fiction titles are included in the rotating collection. The rotating collection supplements local libraries' collections and about 110,000 books are circulated annually.

After their applications are certified, individuals who have difficulty reading standard print or who are visually or physically disabled are eligible to use the free Talking Books service. Talking Books users have access to over 64,000 recorded books and 100 recorded magazines on audiocassettes. Special audiocassette players are provided to use the recorded books and magazines which are loaned through the service.

For Talking Books service in counties other than Sedgwick, contact Jeanie Armour, Ext. 129.
For service in Sedgwick County, contact Wichita Public Library Talking Books, 316-262-0611.

The SCKLS website at http://skyways.lib.ks.us/sckls/ has the most up-to-date information about programs and services. You may also join the SKCLS ListServ by following the link from the Web page. SCKLS routinely mails announcements of workshops and meetings and other information to member libraries.

SCKLS staff are available to make presentations and provide library-related information to groups such as library staff, boards, Friends and service organizations. Member librarians can also call and schedule a general orientation to SCKLS services.

Volume purchasing allows SCKLS members to take advantage of discounts of 10 - 40% on library materials and supplies ordered through the Baker & Taylor Company and other library vendors.

   For information about ordering contact Janice Tuxhorn, Ext. 133.
   For information about cataloging contact Dianne Bogle, Ext. 128.
   To order supplies, contact Janice Tuxhorn, Ext. 133.
   For information about processing billings, contact Mia Wilson , Ext.120.