Consortium Loan Services (CLS)/ Automated Fulfillment Network (AFN)

The Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) supports resource sharing among its nine member institutions. One essential component of this work is Consortium Loan Services (CLS), which allows libraries to request, lend, and borrow materials from one another.

All WRLC libraries use the Ex Libris Alma Library Management System to manage their collections and fulfillment workflows. Within Alma, all CLS activity is handled through the Alma Fulfillment Network (AFN). The AFN is the technical structure that routes requests, tracks items in transit, and manages the lending and borrowing process.

As you work through this chapter, keep in mind that the terms CLS and AFN refer to the same overall service. CLS describes the consortium-wide loan program, while AFN describes the system functionality that makes it possible. For clarity and consistency, this chapter will use these acronyms interchangeably.