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.

Browse the Flickr Special Collection (photos of all kits)

Browse the Story Kit Searchable Document (searchable tags for contents and themes)

Browse the Enterprise library catalog (items requested by emailing 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.

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 access to a wide selection of Ellison die shaped patterns to create decorations and promotional items — we are happy to cut shapes you need from our colorful collection of construction paper. Die Cuts are plain paper cut outs to use for decor or interactive displays and do not include stickers or other materials other than paper.

Browse the Ellison Die Cut collection

Custom die cuts (not Ellison) can be cut from card stock or regular printer paper and the colors are toner applied, so marker or sharpie is recommended to write on them. 

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 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 Custom Order Form

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