As libraries across the country search for new ways to stay relevant in an online world, Vineyard patrons have remained dedicated to their small town libraries, and their access to materials in three towns may soon get even easier.

The libraries of Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury have each applied to join the Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing network, better known as CLAMS, a nonprofit cooperative of libraries on the Vineyard, Cape Cod and Nantucket that allows any in-network patron to borrow books and materials from some 36 participating libraries.

Edgartown, Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs libraries are already part of the CLAMS system. If the other libraries are approved by the network’s governing board this month, Islanders would need only one card to gain access to every town library.

The up-Island librarians said this week they hope joining the network will expand their collection without adding new stacks.

“It’s really important for a small library because we can only fit so many books on our shelves, but our patrons’ needs are greater than what we can provide in these walls,” said Chilmark library director Ebba Hierta.

“It makes you a big library in a little library room,” Aquinnah library directory Cathy Thompson said. 

“The idea that someone in Aquinnah could locate a book in the CLAMS network at two in the morning when they’re sitting at home in their pj’s and order it . . . and get it in two days instead of two weeks is a wonderful thing,” she said.

The move to a network would provide up-Island patrons with access to 1.5 million titles in books, DVDs, e-books and other forms of digital media through other CLAMS network participants. 

Initiation fees are $20,000. The Friends of the Chilmark Public Library has stepped forward to fund its town’s system; friend organizations in West Tisbury and Aquinnah have been asked to raise the money, but those boards have not made a decision.

Membership dues are based on circulation numbers — West Tisbury will pay $20,000 a year for a membership, Chilmark dues will be just under $15,000, and Aquinnah’s will be around $4,400. All three libraries will have their fees offset by a $2,500 federal grant.

Up-Island library requests from other libraries in Massachusetts are as of now funneled through the Quincy library and can take anywhere from one to four weeks for delivery. The CLAMS network can turn around a request in two days.

The libraries currently use an antiquated software system purchased in 1996 that is only supported by certain computers and no longer has technical support because the company has gone out of business, Ms. Hierta said. The librarians have been contemplating joining CLAMS since 2005, when they learned about their out-of-date system, she said, but now is the time for the upgrade. 

“This software package is discontinued,” she said. “We have to make a change . . . We’ve been talking about it every year, the time will be here and it won’t be long. This is the time.”

“Everyone will have one library card that’s good at all six libraries,” Ms. Hierta added. “Right now I know so many people now have four library cards. It’ll be a perfect example of regionalization without losing local control.”

The CLAMS database includes online requests, renewals, book reviews and previews and a catalogue of all the participating libraries. Ms. Hierta said the libraries looked at alternatives to the CLAMS network, including a system based in Rhode Island, and considered creating their own network. In the end they decided this network was the most efficient and cost-effective.

She said logistically and financially having three separate CLAMS subscriptions was the most efficient option.

“Because there was no cost advantage to go to another network, we decided we could spend the same money and stick with the geographically desirable CLAMS and be part of the network our neighbors are in,” she said.

West Tisbury librarian Beth Kramer said joining CLAMS will be a huge asset to the most heavily used library on the Island, which is preparing for a large expansion project. If the expansion plans stay on track, next year the library will be housed in temporary headquarters during construction. 

“[The CLAMS system] will be tremendous in the fact that patrons will have such a larger collection at their fingertips, especially with many items in storage,” Ms. Kramer said. “They’ll have access to a much, much larger range of materials.”

“We needed to do it in West Tisbury,” she added. “I’m so glad we’re all doing it together.”