Contact: Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
Tel: 614-644-6875
April 27, 2009
Job and Career Resources Workshops to be Held at Seven Libraries in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Civilian Labor Force Estimates show unemployment rates have increased dramatically in most Ohio counties, with some rates above 15.0 percent.Many unemployed workers are turning to public libraries for job search resources and assistance. To help libraries prepare to meet this demand, the State Library of Ohio awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant to the Stark County District Library to conduct free workshops for librarians assisting community members to learn about and apply for jobs. The one-day sessions will include information for libraries about how to identify and target sectors seeking employment, develop community partnerships and sponsors, provide job and career workshops, explore job fairs, offer job and career services, seek marketing promotions, utilize library material resources, feature internet sources and evaluate feedback.
These free workshops are scheduled at seven public libraries around the state during the months of May and June 2009. Renee Williams, MLS, First Assistant Reference Services, Stark County District Library has developed the workshops and will train librarians to help community members who are coping with unemployment.
Libraries hosting the trainings include Warren Trumbull Co. Public Library (Warren), North Ridgeville Branch, Lorain Public Library System (North Ridgeville), Grove City Library, Southwest Public Libraries (Grove City), Wilmington Public Library of Clinton County (Wilmington), Crestline Public Library (Crestline), and North Baltimore Public Library (North Baltimore).
(Revised on May 7, 2009) Workshops will also be held at the Waverly Library Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County, (Waverly), and the Maple Heights Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library (Maple Heights).
For more information and to register for the workshops, go to the WebJunction Ohio Calendar of Training and Events.
April 24, 2009
Governor Strickland Proclaims April 30, 2009 as El Día de los Niños/Day of the Child in Ohio
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has proclaimed April 30, 2009 as El Día de los Niños/Day of the Child in Ohio. The proclamation states, “Frances and I, on behalf of all Ohioans honor the State Library of Ohio and the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs as they encourage libraries throughout the State to participate in events on this special day. Ohio recognizes this important day on behalf of the Hispanic/Latino citizens, one of our fastest growing multicultural communities.”
The April issue of the State Library of Ohio online newsletter features articles and resources related to this special day. Four cities in Ohio, Willard, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus are registered with the National Latino Children’s Institute and official El Día de los Niños (Day of the Child) sites! According to State Librarian Jo Budler, “On El Día de los Niños we raise awareness of the importance of children’s collections, programs, and services for every child regardless of their language or culture. Libraries throughout Ohio have special events planned to honor children with Latin American backgrounds.”
“’El Día de los Niños/Day of the Child’ is a wonderful opportunity to stress the importance of literacy, education, and cherish our state’s children for the future they represent,” said Director of Ohio Latino Affairs Commission Ezra C. Escudero. “Just as Latin American countries have celebrated this great day for generations; we now can weave this wonderful tradition into the American tapestry and make it our own here in Ohio.”
The 2009 El Día de los Niños/Day of the Child in Ohio marks the fifth year that the Governor of Ohio has proclaimed the importance of this day in celebrating literacy education for Hispanic/Latino children in Ohio.
April 16, 2009
Opening History: U.S. History Resources from Libraries, Museums, and Archives
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that Opening History: U.S. History Resources from Libraries, Museums, and Archives is now available through the Ohio Digital and Special Collections sources section of the State Library website. Opening History is a registry of websites nationwide that users may search and browse. The site contains a multitude of fascinating digital content organized for easy access by subject, location, and object type, such as images, manuscripts and three-dimensional objects.
The State Library of Ohio has participated in the Opening History project by surveying library websites across Ohio and identifying those with collections of digital content to incorporate into Opening HistoryExamples of digital content from Ohio include the Lincoln Letters wiki, a project of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; the Digital Shoebox, a collaborative effort of institutions from Southeastern Ohio; and Images in Time, a collection of images created by Toledo Lucas County Public Library.The State Library has also identified websites belonging to cultural-heritage institutions, such as historical and genealogical societies, to be part of Opening History. “We anticipate that the Opening History project will provide increased access and expanded awareness of online digitized content to Ohio institutions of all sizes,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. “For that reason, we are very pleased to offer this service and participate in this exciting project.”
Opening History is a project of the IMLS Digital Collections and Content (DCC) registry. Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the DCC’s purpose is to bring together digital collections funded by IMLS National Library grants. Opening History was created to highlight non-IMLS-funded digital collections. A nationwide Opening History and DCC projects blog, called Sowing Culture, contains highlights of newly-added sites.
April 10, 2009
Choose to Read Ohio to Launch During National Library Week – April 12-18, 2009
Reading can be a profound experience when a book speaks to one’s imagination, provides insight into a common experience, or sheds light on a truth. Reading together can bring families, friends, community groups and others closer as they share literature together. To promote reading across Ohio, the State Library of Ohio is launching a new program called Choose to Read Ohio during National Library Week, April 12-18, 2009.
“The goal of Choose to Read Ohio is to encourage the reading of Ohio literature together across Ohio communities,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. Ohioans of all ages will choose a book to read together, by an Ohio author of their choice, over a six week period anytime between National Library Week and the end of 2010. As part of this shared experience, they will come together to discuss these books in a variety of settings including local public libraries, schools, churches, daycares, or other organizations. Choose to Read Ohio encourages Ohioans to Read Together, Read Ohio, and Read for Life.
The Choose to Read Ohio booklist has four current titles and one classic for the three categories of Children’s, Young Adult, and Adult. Libraries, schools, and other organizations will have the option of utilizing the books and resources throughout the 2009-2010 program year. The Choose to Read Ohio website offers downloadable toolkits for each title as well as resources to support the program. Throughout 2009 resources will be added to the website for educators and librarians to utilize. Tip sheets, author information, and other resources will be included.
The State Library of Ohio began discussing the possibility of a statewide reading project in June, 2008. In partnership with The Ohioana Library, Choose to Read Ohio will be promoted at the Ohioana Book Festival, May 9, 2009. The festival will provide a wonderful venue for meeting Ohio authors and sharing details about this program. Choose to Read Ohio partners also include WOSU Public Media, The Ohio Channel Government Television, Kent State University School of Library and Information Science, and Ohio’s Public Libraries. Together, the partners envision a statewide program that will promote reading and sharing quality literature across the Buckeye state.
April 8, 2009
CAMIO—Catalog of Art Museum Images Online is now available for State Library of Ohio card holders
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that CAMIO—Catalog of Art Museum Images Online is now available for State Library of Ohio card holders for research and educational purposes. CAMIO contains about 95,000 works of fine and decorative art from leading museums around the world. The scope of the collection ranges from 3000 BCE to the present, representing premiere examples of Asian, African, Latin American and Western art. Difficult-to-find contemporary art is one of its strengths. The content includes high-resolution images of photographs, paintings, sculpture, decorative and utilitarian objects, prints, drawings and watercolors, jewelry and costumes, textiles, books, installations, and architecture—plus audio-video and mixed media. Benefits of the interface include downloading high-resolution images, the ability to e-mail images and metadata for further study, and fast, powerful, Web-based searching. All content is rights-cleared for research and educational use. This easy-to-use resource is only accessible for registered library card holders through the State Library of Ohio website at the following link: http://www.library.ohio.gov/PCS/digitalcontent and selecting the CAMIO link.
Sample Lesson Plans, Using Primary Sources in the Classroom, are available for educators at: http://memory.loc.gov/learn/.
If you do not already have a State Library of Ohio card you can register for one at: http://www.library.ohio.gov/PCS/GetACard
For more information about CAMIO contact Jim Buchman, State Library of Ohio Head Patron & Catalog Services at 614-644-6954 or jbuchman@sloma.state.oh.us.
April 8, 2009
Over 50 New and Updated Interactive Practice Tests Now Available on LearningExpress Library
The State Library of Ohio and LearningExpress are pleased to announce new interactive practice tests in the following growing industries and hot areas: Allied Healthcare, GED Preparation (For Spanish Speakers), Commercial Driver's License, and Teaching. A complete list of the new interactive tests and updates are available for download as PDF in the Media Center.
April 6, 2009
The State Library of Ohio Board awarded fifteen federally funded Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants totaling $220,447.
In response to the growing need for library services to assist job seekers, a special training grant for job and career workshops, awarded to Stark County District Libraries, will be used to conduct workshops for librarians to improve job and career assistance for library patrons. According to Stark County District Librarian Renee Williams, “The training will consist of workshops held at six locations throughout Ohio from April 1 – September, 2009. The one-day sessions will include information for libraries about how to identify and target sectors seeking employment, develop community partnerships and sponsors, provide job and career workshops, conduct job fairs, offer job and career services, seek marketing promotions, utilize library material resources, feature internet sources and evaluate feedback.”
“During these difficult economic times an increasing number of Ohio residents are turning to their libraries for help and support.” said State Librarian Jo Budler. “We invited Stark County District Library to submit a grant proposal to provide training for library staff in order to improve services for job seekers throughout Ohio.” The workshops build upon the success Williams has had over the past four years working with various agencies in Stark County to help the unemployed.
In addition to the training grant, thirteen LSTA Minigrants were awarded to the Instructional Technology Services of Central Ohio (ITSCO), Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, University of Cincinnati Libraries, Licking Valley Local School District, The Ohio State University Libraries, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Wright State University Library, Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library, Jefferson Area Local School District, Kate Love Simpson – Morgan County Library, Salem Public Library, Stark County District Library, and LaSalle High School. An LSTA Services to Persons with Disabilities grant was awarded as well to Dublin City Schools.
For more details about the grants download LSTA Grants – April 2009
The LSTA program is funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and administered through the State Library of Ohio.