February 2008

State Librarian’s Report
Jo Budler
State Librarian

Digitization and Customer Service

You have all heard this many times: the revolution that we call Internet has changed our customers’ expectations.  Service expectations have changed most dramatically and include (but not limited to): one stop shopping; instant delivery; access anytime, anywhere. 

Digitization – both those items which are “born digital” or which are digitized from print – allows for the user to gain immediate access.  There are issues surrounding digitization, many of which have to do with best practices and standards.  Librarians are familiar with both of these issues.   We have the collaborative nature which allows us to learn from one another and to create “best practices.”  And we certainly have an understanding and appreciation of standards that not all professionals do.  (Here my cataloging background perhaps is coming to the forefront!). 

At the last meeting of the LSTA Advisory Council on February 4th, we discussed the formation of a task force to advise the State Library on statewide digitization.  We are fortunate that we have many groups that have been working on digitization initiatives across Ohio for many years including OhioLINK, OCLC, Regional Library Systems, and many of our academic and public libraries.  Within the next 6 months we will be bringing together individuals who have worked on these initiatives to serve on the task force.  Updates on this process will be posted to our webpage. 

I hope that you find this issue of the State Library Newsletter both interesting and helpful.  Knowing what we do about customers’ expectations and how much we want to provide excellent customer service to all Ohio residents, it is safe to say, this is just the beginning!