Contact: Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
Tel: 614-644-6875
November 24, 2009
Matthew Dyer has joined the staff of the State Library of Ohio as Head, Employee Services.
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that Matthew Dyer has joined its staff as Head, Employee Services.
Matthew’s main focus will be the coordination of personnel activities which includes the recruitment, selection, orientation and retention of employees. He will also be the agency’s point person for benefits, collective bargaining/labor relations, disability/workers compensation, EEO, ADA, FMLA and agency/state policies and how these impact State Library staff. Matthew will also be a liaison with other agencies, boards and commissions with a focus on human resource and training issues.
Matthew has dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from Franklin University. He has extensive experience in working in private sector and the State of Ohio. He has worked as a Payroll Officer in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), a Senior HR Specialist at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) and most recently as a Training Program Manager at the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Known for his creative approach to problem solving, Mathew Dyer was recognized as the 2007 Employee of the year at OHFA.
November 23, 2009
Ohio eBook Project (OEP) is open for enrollment
The Ohio eBook Project (OEP) is open for enrollment until December 16, 2009. This multi-type library, statewide project allows Ohio libraries to provide digital materials to their patrons at a considerable savings because the State Library pays the monthly maintenance fees. Visit the Ohio eBook Project website, http://ohdbks.lib.overdrive.com, to view the collection. Libraries that enroll must pay a one-time set up fee and agree to pledge up to 1% of their materials budget to the OEP collection, in addition to a few other requirements. Please see a full list of requirements at www.library.ohio.gov/IT/ebook.
An FAQ is available at www.library.ohio.gov/IT/ebook/FAQ. If you are interested in joining the Ohio eBook Project for a February 1, 2010 launch, please contact Nicole Merriman by Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at oep@sloma.state.oh.us, or call (800)686-1532.
November 20, 2009
Thirty-three Ohio Libraries nationally recognized as Star Libraries
The national recognition is no surprise to State Librarian Jo Budler. “Over the past 4 years, I have visited more than 130 public libraries in Ohio. These ratings reinforce what I have seen for myself in my library visits.”
The number of stars a library receives is determined by the total number of points earned in each area. Seventeen Ohio libraries were honored with 5 stars and nine earned 4 stars. For many this is the second time they have achieved the Star Library status.
Cuyahoga County Public Library earned the highest score in their category with 1,444 points. “We are very proud to have been recognized as a Star Library,” said Cuyahoga County Public Library Deputy Director Tracy Strobel. “This great honor is a testament to our hard working, dedicated staff who provide excellent service every day, and to our customers who have given us such tremendous support.”
Upper Arlington earned 3202 points within its category. “We are thrilled to be recognized again in this way! We thank our community for their loyal support which contributes to our success in rankings such as these,” said Upper Arlington Library Director Ann Moore.
“The Grandview Library strives to be the place where the community connects in all ways,” commented Grandview Heights Library Director Mary Ludlum. “We are thrilled & humbled by this 5 star rating in the LJ Index of Public Library Service, Round 2, and grateful for our patrons' support.” The library scored 6628 points in their category.
Wornstaff Memorial Library located in the village of Ashley, is the only Ohio library indentified as a Five-Star Library in its category. Elizabeth Barker, Wornstaff Memorial Library Director believes that the staff of a small library can provide a personal touch to serving their community. “We do a really wonderful job and are very pleased about the rating,” said Barker. “It’s important to recognize that our excellence is the result of the funding we have had.” Like many Ohio libraries, Wornstaff Memorial will be going to the voters soon to fill the void left by the recent reductions in state funding.
Earlier this year the Hennen’s American Public Library’s Ratings (HAPLR) Report ranked six Ohio public libraries number one in their population categories. “Our Ohio libraries provide great services and needed materials. This in turn makes them the most well-used libraries, their programs the best-attended, and themselves most loved and supported by Ohio residents,” said Jo Budler.
The 2009 Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, Round 2 is based on 2007 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) census of U.S. public libraries data. The following Ohio libraries are included in the Index within their annual expenditure categories.
Five Star Rating
|
($30,000,000 +)
($10,000,000 - $29,999,999)
($5,000,000 - $9,999,999)
|
($1,000,000 - $4,999,999)
($400,000 - $999,999)
($200,000 - $399,000)
($100,000 - $199,999)
|
Four Star Libraries
|
($30,000,000 +)
($1,000,000 - $4,999,999)
|
($400,000 - $999,999)
($200,000 - $399,999)
|
Three Star Libraries
|
($10,000,000 - $29,999,999)
($5,000,000 - $9,999,999)
|
($1,000,000 - $4,999,999)
($400,000 - $999,999)
|