CCS Cataloging Manual:About
Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) provides an integrated automation system for 25 libraries located in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. All are public libraries, and all are members of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS).
CCS was founded in 1975 as the "Cooperative Computerized Circulation System" (CCCS). As the name implied, its original purpose was to provide a shared circulation system. It has evolved into a system that supports libraries' material selection, cataloging, public catalogs, circulation (including payment of bills and fines), interlibrary loan and other resources sharing activities and access to databases inside and outside the library.Access for patrons outside the library is provided through the Web. CCS libraries check out over twelve million items a year using the system, and send hundreds of thousands of books back and forth. Patrons search the catalog, other libraries' catalogs and reference databases covering a broad variety of subject areas. CCS is an Intergovernmental Instrumentality formed under the Illinois state constitution to administer the system on behalf of its member libraries, who fund virtually all its activities.