cooperative computer services

What cooperative computer services does

Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) is an Intergovernmental Instrumentality formed under the Illinois state constitution that operates a shared integrated library system (ILS) for 34 member public libraries in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago. Founded in 1975 as the Cooperative Computerized Circulation System (CCCS) and later renamed, CCS provides core library automation capabilities spanning circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and a public-facing online public access catalog. Member libraries collectively check out more than 12 million items per year and exchange hundreds of thousands of additional items via interlibrary loan, with the patron catalog exposed through the Bibliocommons platform.

CCS's product surface includes the BiblioCore discovery layer, Leap (library management software for cataloging and acquisitions), LX Starter (entry-level system), PowerPAC (patron access catalog), Reporting tools, and a Staff Client. Standardized cataloging practices are codified in the CCS Cataloging Manual Wiki (132 articles), with compliance to OCLC Bibliographic Formats & Standards, LC-PCC Policy Statements, and RDA. Bibliographic records are sent to Backstage Library Works (BSLW) for authority control processing. The organization targets WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility compliance and is governed by a board composed of all active member libraries.

As a member-funded cooperative, CCS generates revenue through membership fees paid by its 34 public-library members, all of which belong to the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS). There is no parent company, venture capital, or public ownership. CCS operates from a single headquarters in Lincolnshire, Illinois, with 1-10 employees disclosed and no marketing channels beyond a member portal, newsletter, and website. Recent activity has been incremental: the addition of two member libraries and the rollout of the BiblioCore discovery layer, both dated July 2026.

Name

cooperative computer services

Legal name

Cooperative Computer Services

Website

https://ccslib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cooperative Computer Services is an Illinois intergovernmental instrumentality that operates a shared integrated library system for 34 member public libraries in Chicago's north and northwest suburbs, processing over 12 million annual item checkouts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Automation Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Library automation software
• Integrated library system
• Interlibrary loan services
• Library catalog management
• Public access catalog

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincolnshire

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cooperative Computer Services provides a shared integrated library system (ILS) to 34 member public libraries in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago. The platform supports circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and online public access catalog functions through modular software products, handling over twelve million annual item checkouts. CCS also delivers training, help desk support, and the CCS Cataloging Manual Wiki as part of its cooperative service offering.

Product overview

Cooperative Computer Services provides an integrated library system (ILS) for 34 public libraries in the Chicago, Illinois area. The system includes core circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, and interlibrary loan functionality, delivered through multiple software modules including BiblioCore (discovery layer), Leap, LX Starter, PowerPAC (patron catalog), Reporting, and Staff Client. The system handles over twelve million annual checkouts. CCS also maintains the CCS Cataloging Manual Wiki as a resource for member catalogers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Library System (ILS) Shared integrated automation system for 34 member public libraries supporting circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and online public access catalogs. Member libraries check out over twelve million items annually using the system.
• BiblioCore Discovery layer product providing public-facing catalog search interface for member library patrons. Enables searching the catalog, other libraries' catalogs, and reference databases.
• Leap Library management software module for cataloging, acquisitions, and other technical services functions. Migration training sessions provided for member staff.
• LX Starter Entry-level library system solution included in CCS's software offerings for member libraries.
• PowerPAC Public-facing online catalog and patron access interface for member library patrons to search holdings and manage accounts.
• Reporting Reporting tools and modules for member libraries to generate purchase alert reports, holds analysis, and other circulation statistics.
• Staff Client Staff-facing client software for library operations including circulation, cataloging, and interlibrary loan management.
• CCS Cataloging Manual Wiki Online wiki resource listing current local cataloging practices and recent decisions of the Catalog and Metadata Management (CAMM) Technical Group. Contains 132 articles out of 369 total pages.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 12 million items checked out annually by member libraries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAILS is the regional library system that all 34 CCS member libraries belong to. CCS is an Intergovernmental Instrumentality that works within the RAILS framework to provide shared library automation services to member public libraries in Illinois.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bibliomation: Connecticut-based library cooperative providing shared integrated library system services to member public libraries. Directly comparable to CCS in mission, cooperative structure, and ILS-focused service portfolio.
• Califa Library Group: California-based library consortium providing shared technology, e-resource licensing, and group purchasing services to member public libraries. Directly comparable regional library cooperative model with similar shared-services mission.
• Marmot Library Network: Colorado-based library consortium providing shared catalog, interlibrary loan, and technology services to member libraries in western Colorado. Directly comparable regional library cooperative model.

Broad incumbents

• LYRASIS: Large nonprofit technology and content services organization serving libraries, archives, and museums nationwide. Comparable in cooperative mission and library technology services, but operates at much greater scale and across multiple verticals.
• SirsiDynix: Major commercial vendor of integrated library systems (Symphony, BLUEcloud) used by thousands of public and academic libraries globally. Comparable product category (ILS) but for-profit commercial model versus CCS's cooperative structure.
• The Library Corporation (TLC): Commercial vendor of integrated library systems (LS2, CARL.X, KOHA) serving public, school, and academic libraries. Comparable ILS product portfolio but commercial rather than cooperative business model.
• Innovative Interfaces (Ex Libris, Clarivate): Major commercial ILS vendor (Polaris, Sierra, Alma, FOLIO) serving public and academic libraries worldwide. Comparable ILS product category and the developer of FOLIO, an open-source ILS platform that could potentially serve as an alternative to CCS's Leap platform.

Others

• OCLC: Global library cooperative providing bibliographic data, WorldCat, and shared technology services to libraries worldwide. Comparable cooperative structure and integral to CCS's cataloging standards framework; serves as both an indirect partner and a broad incumbent in the library technology space.
• Bibliocommons: Vendor of the Bibliocommons discovery platform through which CCS exposes its member libraries' catalogs to patrons. Functions as a technology partner/integration point for CCS's BiblioCore Discovery Layer, not a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Bridges Library System: Wisconsin library system providing shared ILS, continuing education, and resource sharing to member libraries in southeastern Wisconsin. Comparable cooperative/shared-services mission but operating in a different state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cooperative-computer-services

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about cooperative computer services