The current full member institutions include Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch University, Concordia University Wisconsin, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Mount Mary College, Sacred Heart School of Theology, Saint Francis Seminary and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
These private colleges serve a diverse student body from traditional age, on-campus students to adult non-traditional students spanning a number of states and countries.
SWITCH operates an integrated library system with a unified database, providing access to users from multiple locations through the Internet. The Innovative system provides users with a variety of access methods and services. The catalog and circulation system can be accessed through dedicated terminals and desktop computers, through a graphical user interface, and through dial-up modems. The system also provides libraries and users with the following modules: acquisitions, cataloging, circulation control, community information, gateways to other systems and services, interlibrary loan, materials booking, reference databases (locally mounted and through the Internet), reserves, and serials control.
In addition, the consortium manages an inter-institution delivery system; shared electronic databases; Web Server; Internet access; coordinated purchasing; and shared staff development. Flexible response to user and staff needs is the hallmark of consortium activities. The consortium is preparing to expand its LAN/WAN Gateway infrastructure and services in concert with developments at its member institutions.
SWITCH is a separate 501(c)(3) educational non-profit corporation set up in the late 1980's by participating
private colleges in the Milwaukee area. Its stated corporate mission is to facilitate cooperative ventures bewteen its member
institutions. SWITCH exists to allow its member institutions to develop services together that are needed but difficult or
inefficient to develop on an individual campus. While current activities center around shared library resources and technology
services, SWITCH has the capability to expand into other cooperative ventures. If necessary, the framework exists to include
any new institution that desires to participate in an existing service or new shared service program. SWITCH offers the
following:
Organizational Experience:
SWITCH's Official Bylaws can be found here.
Return to the SWITCH Office Webpage.