Special Collections

ALS Special Collections - Story Kits, Professional Collection, and more!

The Arrowhead Library System has several Special Collections available for all ALS Member Libraries. Read more to learn about each collection, how to search for the items you want to borrow, and more!

You can reach out to ALS with any questions you might have about any collection. ALS hours are Monday - Friday from 7:30am - 4:00pm, our phone number is 218-741-3840, and our email is als@alslib.info.

ALS Story Kit & Equipment Collection

ALS houses a large collection of kits available for member libraries to borrow for programs and events for all ages. Kits for programming include children’s books, felt board props, puppets, toys and manipulatives, instruments, story strolls, scavenger hunts, board games, robots, and more! Kits are divided into type by the props included, with Story Bins containing the most items per kit.

ALS’s collection also contains special equipment for library use including speakers, projectors, screens, inventory kits and more. For more information, contact the Story Kit Team.

While all ALS Member Libraries can borrow kits, kits can only be sent through library courier and cannot be mailed. In addition, some restrictions on borrowing apply for specific equipment. For more information, contact the Story Kit Team.

To browse the Story Kit collection visually, check out our Flickr Special Collection.

To browse the Story Kit collection with searchable terms, check out our Story Kit Document.

You can also browse Story Kits through our library catalog Enterprise, although all requests must be submitted through our email (found below).

You can reach out to our Story Kit Team with any questions you might have about Story Kits and Equipment! Story Kit Team hours are Monday - Friday from 7:30am - 4:00pm, our phone number is 218-741-3840, and our email is storykit@alslib.info.

Die Cut Custom Art

ALS has access to a wide selection of Ellison die shaped patterns to create decorations and promotional items — we are happy to cut shapes you need, including custom sizes. In addition to our collection of Ellison designs, any art with a strong simple outline can be turned into a Die Cut. You can submit art to create into Die Cuts, or browse our Getty Images collection by connecting with the Print Shop (see Print Shop webpage).

All new Die Cut requests should be submitted through the Print Shop Custom order form. While other Custom Orders incur a charge when printed, Die Cuts are provided at no cost to your library!

Die Cut (Print Shop) Custom Order Form

Need access to fill out the form? Please email ALS at als@alslib.info for assistance.

ALS Professional Collection

ALS has a Professional Collection of resources about a variety of library related topics such as advocacy, collection development, library design and more. The Professional Collection includes items for Public Libraries, School Libraries, Academic Libraries, and Special Libraries. New items added to the Professional Collection are advertised through email lists, the Weekly Weeder and the ALS website blog.

You can browse and request items from the Professional Collection through the online catalog (Enterprise) with your ALS library card, at the link here: https://tinyurl.com/ALVProfessionalCollection. If your library is not automated with Horizon, you may request Professional Collection titles through InterLibrary Loan on the MNLINK website. Items requested through MNLINK will arrive at your chosen public library location. You will need your library card handy to place these requests. 

You can also request Professional Collection items by title or topic by reaching out to Stephanie at stephanie.wichlacz@alslib.info, or by emailing als@alslib.info.