The work of a Joint Merger Exploration Committee was utilized to create a final report and system plan for 2023. The primary methods utilized by the committee were presentations and discussions. Nine meetings, of approximately 90 minutes each, with twelve formal members were held to complete the necessary deliberative activities required. Between meetings, significant writing activities and coordination work was required.

The two key deliverables, upon completion, established a knowledge base upon which a Public Library System Merger Guide will be developed. The ultimate criteria for evaluating the success of the materials produced via this project is the successful adoption of the final report and 2023 system plan by the Boards of Trustees of the Lakeshores and Arrowhead library systems.

The intellectual output of the Joint Merger Exploration Committee included agendas, minutes, brainstorming exercises, a master issues list, project principles, issue papers and a number of whitepapers, a final report, and a public library system plan for 2023.