Woodridge Public Library

The SWAN (System Wide Automated Network) Online Catalog is an online catalog and circulation system shared by 80 members of the Metropolitan Library System.

Facts:

• 80 members
• 75 members are public libraries serving communities with populations ranging from 254 residents to 85,616 residents
• 2 members are special libraries (Morton Arboretum and Brookfield Zoo Libraries)
• 3 members are community colleges
• Number of patrons in the database: over 1.2 million
• Number of separate title records in the database: over 1.2 million
• Number of individual items or volumes in the database: over 7.2 million
• Total annual circulation of all items for all SWAN libraries: over 11 million

The Online Catalog can be accessed from home and offices as well as from inside the libraries. Reserves, or holds, may be placed by patrons from home or work as well as in the libraries, and patrons may check their records to see what they have on hold or checked out at any time. Fines may be paid online as well. Library staff are available in the library or via telephone to explain how to use the catalog most efficiently or how to place a reserve.

Because the members of SWAN are consortium members, each library may have different loan periods, fine structures and policies for circulation. You may ask your library staff about this at any time.

The HELP button on the main SWAN page will answer many questions, but the best resource is the Reference Staff. Do not hesitate to contact them with questions. 

Learn more about using SWAN with our handout.