Bergen County Cooperative Library System

Bergen County Cooperative Library System
Name	Bergen County Cooperative Library System
Established	1979
Location	Bergen County, New Jersey
Type	Library consortium
Members	75+ libraries
Website	https://www.bccls.org/

Bergen County Cooperative Library System. The Bergen County Cooperative Library System is a robust library consortium serving the residents of Bergen County, New Jersey. Founded in the late 1970s, it facilitates resource sharing, centralized technology, and collaborative programming among its diverse member libraries. The system operates under the administrative oversight of the Bergen County government and is a key component of the state's New Jersey Library Network.

History

The consortium was formally established in 1979, emerging from earlier local efforts to improve interlibrary loan services among public libraries in Northern New Jersey. Its creation was supported by state initiatives through the New Jersey State Library to enhance regional cooperation. Key early milestones included the implementation of a shared automated catalog and circulation system, which replaced individual card catalogs. The system expanded significantly throughout the 1980s and 1990s, incorporating libraries from municipalities across Bergen County. This growth was often facilitated by grants from federal programs like the Library Services and Construction Act.

Member libraries

The consortium comprises over 75 member institutions, primarily public libraries from nearly every municipality in Bergen County. Notable large members include the Paramus Public Library, Teaneck Public Library, and Ridgewood Public Library. The system also includes several specialized members such as the Bergen Community College Library and the Bergen County Technical Schools libraries. Membership is voluntary, with libraries joining through agreements with the Bergen County Board of County Commissioners. This diverse membership creates a network that serves urban centers like Hackensack and suburban communities alike.

Services and programs

Core services include a universal library card honored at all member locations and a centralized interlibrary loan network that moves millions of items annually. The consortium manages major system-wide initiatives like One Book, One County community reading programs and the Summer Reading Program. It also provides access to shared digital content through platforms like OverDrive and hoopla digital. Professional development and continuing education for staff from member libraries are coordinated through workshops and conferences, often in partnership with the New Jersey Library Association.

Governance and funding

The consortium is governed by an Executive Board composed of library directors from member institutions and representatives from the Bergen County administration. Day-to-day operations are managed by a system director and staff housed within the Bergen County government structure. Primary funding is allocated through the Bergen County annual budget, with additional support from state aid distributed by the New Jersey State Library. Member libraries also contribute through a funding formula based on population and usage statistics, and the system frequently pursues grants from organizations like the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Technology and shared resources

The technological backbone is the shared ILS, currently provided by SirsiDynix, which powers a unified online public access catalog known as BCCLS. This infrastructure supports real-time patron account management and materials availability across the entire network. The consortium maintains a high-density automated materials handling sorting facility to efficiently process inter-library deliveries. It also negotiates and licenses major research databases like EBSCOhost, Gale Databases, and Ancestry.com for all members, providing cost-effective access to premium digital resources.

Impact and recognition

The system is recognized as one of the most active and efficient library consortia in the United States, consistently ranking high in statewide per-capita circulation statistics compiled by the New Jersey State Library. Its model of cooperation has been studied by other regional systems, including the Middlesex County Library System and the Monmouth County Library. The consortium has received awards for innovation from the New Jersey Library Association and the American Library Association. Its resource-sharing network dramatically expands the effective collection available to any resident, supporting lifelong learning, economic development, and community engagement across Bergen County.

Category:Library consortia in the United States Category:Bergen County, New Jersey Category:Organizations based in Bergen County, New Jersey