Universes of Library Cards

Until now, I have been writing mostly in this series about the 22-member Westmoreland Library Network and a District Center among 29 under the PA Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The WLN’s patrons are served under a single library card. Westmoreland County is still not a large universe of library cards in comparison to some others, and there are other library universes that serve larger groups of members outside of the world of public libraries. Let me explain by example. The American Chemical Society (ACS) says this of itself: “We provide information, education, career services, professional development and engagement programs to help our members and scientists thrive in an ever-changing global economy.” If that sounds something like library service, it is.…