Mission & History
Mission Statement
The mission of the Manitowoc Calumet Library System (MCLS) is to provide services that support, improve, and promote the member libraries, ensuring access for all residents of the system area. MCLS ensures access to high-quality public library services through the coordination of planning, cooperation, resource sharing, and application of information technologies among member libraries.
About MCLS
The Manitowoc Calumet Library System is a federated library system jointly formed by Manitowoc and Calumet Counties in east central Wisconsin to provide for the improvement of public library services to the residents of those counties. MCLS is organized under the authority of Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. The system comprises six public libraries in east central Wisconsin: Kiel, Manitowoc, and Two Rivers in Manitowoc County, and Brillion, Chilton, and New Holstein in Calumet County.
MCLS serves as a link to improve access to materials and services and to foster cooperation among all libraries in the two counties. (See the Mission Statement.) Manitowoc Calumet Library System is one of 15 public library systems in Wisconsin. It was established in 1973 in Manitowoc County and expanded in 1977 to include Calumet County.
MCLS is funded primarily by state aids, which are used to carry out service requirements set forth in Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes. System services include interlibrary loan, delivery, backup reference, consulting, continuing education for library staff, planning and support for library technology, and other assistance.
MCLS has a separate staff and a board of 15 trustees who are appointed by the county boards. All MCLS member libraries are open to all residents of the two counties. Residents of the six cities that maintain libraries support those libraries with their city taxes. Each county reimburses the city libraries for serving rural residents. Each county has formally agreed to participate in MCLS, and each maintains a plan for library services.
The System assists with county library planning, but county funds are paid directly to the libraries, not to the System. Through MCLS agreements with other Wisconsin library systems, Manitowoc-Calumet residents can also use most other public libraries in the state.