WPLC: Wisconsin Public Library Consortium
The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC), which comprises all public libraries in Wisconsin, was formed in 2001 so library systems could partner on projects that move libraries forward through experimentation and research and development. The main and most popular service the WPLC has developed is Wisconsin’s Digital Library, which is available to every Wisconsin resident who holds a public library card. The digital library provides access for library patrons to digital audio and ebooks as well as other e-content on a wide range of subjects.
The WPLC also recognizes the importance of technology-related collaborations. The consortium has dedicated committees established to foster, maintain, and provide a governance structure for these collaborative technology projects.
WiLS provides the following services to WPLC and its members:
- Fiscal sponsorship
- Governance support
- Meeting management
- Shared collection development
- Project management
- Marketing and communications
- Research
- Building relationships and acting as liaison with peer organizations and vendors
Recent or Current Projects
PreserveWI
The WPLC Technology Steering Committee and the Digital Preservation Workgroup are in the process of migrating participating members’ digital archives to a new vendor. The new project, PreserveWI, is hosted by APTrust and is open to any WPLC partner or member.
Data Use Toolkit
A Data Use Workgroup was formed in early 2026 to create the WPLC Data Use Toolkit. Learning how to use data effectively can help libraries better understand their communities and demonstrate their impact. This comprehensive toolkit provides extensive resources for librarians, including links to local and national data sources, getting started guides, information on how to use data for advocating and marketing, and much more!
Wisconsin Reads!
In early 2026, the WPLC hosted its first statewide digital book club, Wisconsin Reads! The featured book was Still True, by Wisconsin author Maggie Ginsberg. The book club provides ebook and digital audio copies of the title to all Wisconsin library users through Wisconsin’s Digital Library and includes a virtual author interview.
Visit the WPLC website to see all current projects.
