The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that Janet Ingraham Dwyer has joined its staff as the new Youth Services Library Consultant. Janet will be in charge of ongoing youth services activities at the State Library, in particular the Summer Reading Program, Choose To Read Ohio, and Ready to Read. She will also be expanding the role of the Youth Services Consultant position to be more active in the areas of services to teens and outreach.

 

Before joining the State Library of Ohio, Janet worked at Worthington Libraries from 1991-1997 and 2001-2009.  She worked as a Reference Librarian and Electronic Resources Librarian, then in 2005 became Worthington’s first Outreach Services/Volunteer Coordinator. She reviews social science books for Library Journal and serves on Ohio Library Council’s (OLC) Outreach & Special Services Division and previously on OLC’s Diversity Committee and Reference and Information Services Division (RISD).

State Library of Ohio Approves $100,000 LSTA Grant to Address Shortage of Digital Talking Books Titles

 

The State Library of Ohio board recently awarded a $100,000 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) federal grant to the Cleveland Public Library to expand the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (OLBPD) collection of digital books. The grant will be used to purchase specialized Digital Talking Book supplies and equipment to be used for increasing the quantity and selection of digital books currently available for borrowing. All users of the OLBPD service have learning, physical or visual disabilities which prohibit them from using standard print reading materials. The OLBPD provides books and reader services to registered users while the State Library of Ohio provides specialized Talking Book player machines. “The State Library of Ohio remains committed to ensuring that all Ohioans have reading material to enjoy,” said State Librarian Jo Budler.

 

This summer, following years of planning and development, the National Library Service (NLS) started the transition from talking book analog tape machines to digital talking book player machines. The new machine has a USB port and uses flash drives in specialized cartridges that are easy to handle and have enough surface space for print and Braille labels.  “We have received 430 digital players and all of them have been sent to patrons. Starting this month we will receive 500 per month. It will be approximately 20 months before all registered users have a new digital player,” said Jim Buchman, Head, Patron & Catalog Services. Veterans have highest priority for requesting the players.  “Although NLS is supplying an adequate number of digital talking book machines to meet users’ needs, digital books are in short supply.” Budget constraints have delayed the production of digital books.  As of September 1, 2009, the OLBPD received 154 digital books from NLS for patron use, although the quantity of digital titles continues to grow.

 

Concerned about the limited number of titles available for borrowing, the State Library of Ohio came up with a temporary solution and began downloading selected titles from the NLS Braille and Audio Recording Download (BARD) website. “When we realized that the digital talking book machines would be available for distribution but that the digital titles were lacking in number, we devised a plan to create some digital content on flash drives that we had in storage so we might fill the gap,” explained Budler. The small physical size of a flash drive requires a creative labeling process. The State Library records the books onto flash drives and attaches a name badge holder with the book title. Then OLBPD attaches a sticker onto the name badge holder with the title in Braille and adds the books to the OLBPD catalog for borrowing.

 

Although the State Library’s temporary solution has been a success, the collection of digital books remains grossly insufficient for needs of approximately 18,000 individuals and over 1,000 institutions using the service. With this in mind, an LSTA proposal was developed by OLBPD and the State Library of Ohio to escalate production through the purchase of bulk supplies and equipment to download and reproduce a greater number of books quickly.  “The LSTA grant will help to better serve all Ohioans with print disabilities by providing them with an adequate selection of books on digital cartridges,” said Cleveland Public Library Director Felton Thomas.

 

“The State Library is pleased to assist the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled during this time of transition. We believe that this use is a good match for LSTA funds,” said Budler. The State Library of Ohio Board approved the $100,000 LSTA grant for Cleveland Public Library OLBPD to purchase 10,000 512 MB and 2,600 1GB digital player cartridges; 13,000 mail containers; 20,000 cartridge labels; 2 Braille printers to emboss the cartridge labels and 2 printer stands & hoods, 2 USB copy centers; laser print cartridges; and 2 printers with stands.  

The State Library of Ohio recently hosted a Find Help in Tough Times webinar for library staff throughout Ohio. The webinar featured speakers from eight state agencies presenting programs and services to help Ohioans during these tough economic times and beyond. “Our goal was to help state agencies and libraries raise awareness of these resources and provide practical tips on their use,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. The attendees were pleased with the range of services covered in the webinar. Chris Atzberger from Bexley Public Library said, “I liked the very broad scope of the presentation--much more than I had anticipated.” 

 

The presentations included: Michelle Nabors of the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services provided a review of the Ohio Means Jobs website; Anika Chandler with the Ohio Treasurer of State’s office discussed financial help opportunities; Sharon Seiling with the Ohio Agricultural Extension spoke about consumer publications on financial security and mental health in stressful times; Susan Shockey, also from the Agricultural Extension, spoke about Ohioline health and wellness resources for families under stress; Lori Stewart of the Ohio Department of Insurance gave an overview of consumer affairs publications on finding health insurance and locating a long-term care facility; Dana Smith of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency spoke about the many helpful homeownership publications and programs produced by the agency; Jennifer Flatter of the Ohio Department of Commerce pointed out publications & programs for foreclosure prevention at Ohio’s Save the Dream website; and John Ratliff represented the Ohio Department of Aging and highlighted the money-saving Golden Buckeye program, Ohio’s Best Rx program, and the resources of the state’s twelve Area Agencies on Aging.

 

Karen Rothman at Way Public Library said she “will use (the information) to assist patrons with specific questions or needs, such as rental housing or insurance… (and) check out websites for printed materials for handouts or display information.” An overview with links to the presenters’ state agency’s websites is available in the October issue of The News.

Stark County District Library to receive 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service

 

The Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) announced the five museums and five libraries selected for the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service award this week. The honor recognizes Stark County Public Library's vital role and commitment to serving their community. "In these difficult financial times the Stark County District Library has played a crucial role in assisting agencies working with the unemployed and in directly benefiting those who have suffered job

losses," said State Librarian Jo Budler.  

 

For more information visit the IMLS website at: 

http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/100609.shtm