What is SWITCH?
SWITCH, which stands for Southeastern Wisconsin Information Technology Exchange, Inc., is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization incorporated by participating Milwaukee-area private colleges in 1989. SWITCH currently has 7 first-class members and 1 second-class member:
- Alverno College
- Cardinal Stritch University
- Concordia University Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
- Mount Mary University
- Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology
- St. Francis de Sales Seminary (2nd Class)
- Wisconsin Lutheran College
These private colleges serve a diverse student body from traditional age, on-campus students to adult non-traditional students spanning a number of states and countries.
SWITCH facilitates cooperation among its member institutions and investigates, implements, and supports a suite of shared library technologies.
SWITCH implemented its first library automation system in 1991 (Innovative Interfaces being the company). In June 2015, SWITCH migrated to an open-source platform, Koha, with software support by ByWater Solutions. In January 2019, SWITCH migrated to Ex Libris Alma/Primo.
In addition to overseeing an integrated library system, SWITCH manages an inter-institutional delivery system that runs Monday-Friday. SWITCH also configures and maintains remote access for all of its members’ electronic, licensed resources. The organization hosts OCLC’s EZ Proxy web servers on behalf of its Class I members to ensure patron remote authentication.
SWITCH Staff
Katie Utschig: Coordinator of Services – Katie is the contact for office operations, the LSP, staff training, and professional development issues
Jason Palmer: Systems Integration Specialist – Jason is the systems & network administration contact
SWITCH
3401 South 39th Street PO Box 343922
Room FO 237A
Milwaukee, WI 53234-3922