CAMLS (the Cleveland Area Metropolitan Library System), a consortium of libraries established in 1975, fosters increased access to area library collections and coordinates services among its members. It was created under the provisions of a federal Library Services & Construction Act (LSCA) grant secured by its predecessor, the Library Council of Greater Cleveland, an informal group organized in the early 1960s. Approximately 20 public, academic, and private libraries comprised the original CAMLS, including BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE, the libraries of CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV., the Cleveland Hts.-Univ. Hts. Public Library, the CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, the Cuyahoga County Library System, DYKE COLLEGE, and others.
CAMLS provides interlibrary loan services (members can borrow materials from one another), centralized photocopying of periodical articles, a listing of members' periodical holdings, reciprocal agreements for borrowers in member libraries, job-listing and continuing-education programs for librarians, a radio program, and a clearinghouse for local library information. In 1994 CAMLS received recognition from the American Library Assn. for its Young Adults reading program. In 1995 78 libraries (academic, public, and corporate) were listed as members, covering a 10-county area. Several committees, including those for children's services, reference services, and technical services, assisted an executive director and project librarian. CAMLS continued to be funded by a federal LSCA Title I grant, state funds, and membership fees. In 1995 its offices were located at 20600 Chagrin Blvd., and its executive director was Jacqueline Mundell.
See also LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.