The origins of the SAIL Library Consortium trace back to a pivotal meeting held on February 11, 2020. This gathering marked the beginning of a significant initiative to unite independent municipal public libraries from Camden and Burlington Counties. The primary goal was to foster a collaborative alliance among these libraries to enhance resource sharing and mutual support.
In March 2021, a survey was conducted to select a name for the consortium. The results led to the adoption of the name "SAIL," reflecting the consortium's commitment to navigating the future of library services through cooperation. By December 2021, a draft of the bylaws was presented at a membership meeting, laying the groundwork for the formal establishment of SAIL. During the same year, an unofficial Executive Board was created to advance the alliance's development.
The official formation of SAIL occurred in 2022, with the consortium's Board members assuming key roles: Tanya Finney Estrada as Chairperson, Laverne Mann as Vice Chair, Eric Zino as Treasurer, Dana Nicklas as Secretary, and Wen Gu and Carissa Schanely as Members-at-Large. That year also saw the official launch of the SAIL Library Consortium, which now represents 16 independent municipal libraries serving approximately 314,000 residents across Camden and Burlington Counties.
SAIL's mission is to support, promote, and enhance access to library materials and information resources among its member libraries. The consortium aims to share information, resources, and promote excellent library services while exploring opportunities for technology sharing, training, and programming. SAIL aspires to achieve these goals through collaboration, cost savings, and resource sharing.