By Joseph Ruzich, Special to the Tribune

A service through which libraries in Illinois can share books and other resources is at risk of disappearing due to lack of state funding.

But nine library systems throughout the state are making a last-ditch effort to save the delivery service, which many patrons have come to rely on when they can't find something at their hometown library. Five of the systems, primarily in the northern part of the state, may merge into one. Four downstate systems are discussing doing likewise.

The nine groups are part of the Illinois Library Systems, created by state legislation in 1965 to encourage cooperation and resource-sharing among libraries.

The five upstate systems have signed a letter of intent to merge by 2012, according to officials who have been waiting for millions of dollars from the state.

Most of the library systems have gotten only about 57 percent of their money from the state for the fiscal year ending June 30.

Tom Sloan, executive director of the DuPage Library System, said the five systems have created a merger design team that will focus on cost-cutting measures, including consolidation of administrative staff, services and facilities.

"We (the library systems) are running out of money fast," said Sloan. "But we're doing all we can to save the delivery service. Merging is an option, but we have no final numbers on costs and savings (of merging) at this point."

The first meeting of the merger design team will be Wednesday night at the Metropolitan Library System's building in Burr Ridge.

The DuPage and Metropolitan systems would be joined in the merger by the Alliance Library System, the North Suburban Library System and the Prairie Area Library System.

Each system services libraries in its …More