The Illinois-Iowa RiverShare Libraries consortium will change after the current fiscal year ends on June 30, 2016. RiverShare Libraries currently consists of 20 public and academic member libraries that share an automated catalog system and facilitate reciprocal borrowing amongst its members. RiverShare Libraries is the most recent iteration of a local bi-state consortium with the long-standing practice of cross border collaboration between libraries in the Quad Cities area, which originated with Quad-LINC in 1966.
After careful deliberation, the governing boards of the eight Illinois member libraries have voted to leave the RiverShare Libraries consortium and rejoin the Illinois-based PrairieCat Local Library System Automation Program (LLSAP), effective July 1, 2016. These libraries include East Moline Public Library, Moline Public Library, Robert R. Jones Public Library (Coal Valley), Rock Island Public Library, Silvis Public Library, Henry C. Adams Memorial Library (Prophetstown), River Valley District Library (Port Byron), and Sherrard Public Library District. PrairieCat, a consortium of 126 member libraries within the state of Illinois, is supported by the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS).
The Illinois and Iowa libraries take great pride in having developed the RiverShare Libraries consortium in 2011. However, the opportunity for the Illinois RiverShare libraries to realize financial and time savings - including grant funding and staff support offered by RAILS - factored significantly into the decision to withdraw from RiverShare. All RiverShare libraries are committed to working to ensure library patrons in the Quad Cities area have access to essential resources and services.
The Iowa RiverShare libraries intend to continue as the RiverShare Libraries consortium and are committed to providing excellent service to its member libraries within the state of Iowa. These libraries include Bettendorf Public Library, Clinton Community College Library, Clinton Public Library, Davenport Public Library, Kaplan University Library, LeClaire Community Library, Muscatine Community College Library, Musser Public Library (Muscatine), Scott Community College Library, and the Scott County Library System.
Questions from the media regarding this transition should be directed to the current RiverShare board president, Brad Wiles, at 563-242-9115 or bwiles@clintonpubliclibrary.us. Patron inquiries should be forwarded to their home library's director. For contact information please visit the RiverShare Libraries website at www.rivershare.org.
