Contact: Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
Tel: 614-644-6875
January 15, 2010
State Library of Ohio Selects Four Projects as Exemplary Programs for the LSTA 2009 Program Report to the IMLS
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that four projects have been selected as Exemplary Programs for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) 2009 Program Report to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The State Library of Ohio staff selected Instructional Technology Services of Central Ohio (ITSCO) for the Literature Lounge Phase II; Ohio Wesleyan University Library to create the digital story of the interrelated 19th century history of the city of Delaware, the Methodist Episcopal Church and Ohio Wesleyan University; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for the Early Learning Express project; and Salem Public Library for the use of satellite library branches in two city parks during the summer of 2009.
During Federal fiscal year 2009 (October 2008 through September 2009), the State Library of Ohio awarded 40 LSTA grants. A total of 55 libraries submitted 71 applications. Forty grants were awarded to 30 institutions.
LSTA was enacted on September 30, 1996 and enables public, school, academic, and special libraries to apply for federal library funds. IMLS, the agency which oversees the LSTA, provides LSTA funds each year to the State Library of Ohio. IMLS is a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning through the support of museum and library programs.
As part of the Report to IMLS, the State Library of Ohio must identify three to six exemplary projects. State Library staff selects these projects based on their relation to LSTA goals, impact of the project on the target population and the ability to be replicated in other parts of the state.
LSTA 2009 Exemplary Programs in Ohio
Ohio Instructional Technology Services of Central Ohio (ITSCO) for the Literature Lounge Phase II. This project broadened a pilot project originally undertaken between ITSCO, Worthington Libraries and Worthington School District. Library staff created and broadcast content to teachers who wanted more age-appropriate language arts content. Phase II expanded the project by creating a professional development model to provide outreach to additional schools and public libraries. Book Talks introduce and review noteworthy books for students and provide teachers with the skills to incorporate emerging technologies into the creation of fun and interesting book studies. The project is now reaching additional areas of the state and is being further expanded.
Ohio Wesleyan University Library to create the digital story of the interrelated 19th century history of the city of Delaware, the Methodist Episcopal Church and Ohio Wesleyan University. Digitized materials include photographs, manuscripts, postcards, published histories, maps, pamphlets, and newspaper articles. This was a collaborative project between the University Library, the Delaware County Historical Society Research Library and the Archives of the Ohio United Methodism. Additionally, the project staff received assistance and support from churches in town, the local school system, the Delaware Gazette and local businesses. This project not only increases accessibility to local historical resources, but it also exemplifies the concepts of cooperation and collaboration.
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for the Early Learning Express project. This project provides educational and literacy support to Type-B in-home care providers, with an emphasis on early childhood literacy intervention for ages 2-5. For the project, 50 certified Type-B in-home care providers were identified and received three visits by library staff. As part of the visits, providers received suggestions on incorporating the six pre-reading skills into their daily activities with children. The Hamilton County Dept. of Job and Family Services and 4C for Children were key partners in the project. An independent evaluation indicated that the project is having an impact on the practices Type-B in-home caregivers use when working with children on literacy development.
Salem Public Library for the use of satellite library branches in two city parks during the summer of 2009. A portable on demand storage container was set up in each park to become the branch structure with each being open two evenings a week. Story times held throughout the summer focused on Every Child Ready to Read principles. Programs were so successful that all registrants could not be accommodated. This project was highly successful—it served the community in a new, meaningful way, brought quality early literacy and school preparedness instruction to area families, enhanced the visibility of the library and introduced library resources to a number of new users. The project also allowed the library to establish a strong partnership with the Salem Parks Department and reinforce its partnership with the Salem City School District.
Additional information about the Ohio LSTA grants program is available at WebJunction Ohio.
January 14, 2010
SEO (Serving Every Ohioan) Library Center Launches Evergreen Evaluation and Demo Database Site
The SEO Library Center and the State Library are pleased to announce the release of an Evergreen Open Source ILS evaluation report and launch of the SEO Evergreen Evaluation and Demo Database site. The report and demo site are part of the Open Source ILS Project. Public libraries are encouraged to use the SEO Evergreen Evaluation and Demo Database site and provide feedback on its functionality, usability, and desirability. The project provides an opportunity for a new centrally managed Open Source ILS consortium for Ohio libraries.
As part of an evaluation process for the project, the Open Source ILS software, Evergreen, was installed at the SEO Library Center. Hardware was purchased and installed and 25% of the SEO Consortium bibliographic data was migrated to the demo database. The migration and support services have been provided by Equinox Software, Inc. This project was funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Services and Technology Act grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.
Results of the evaluation process and necessary information for accessing the demo environment can be found on the SEO Library Center website. The demo site allows the Ohio library community to test and evaluate the Evergreen functionality at a local level. The database will continue to be available and upgraded to include the most current modules and releases when available. Information for accessing and using the test demo database can be found at the following link http://library.ohio.gov/SEO/Evergreen.
The SEO Library Center is determining interest in a possible Ohio Evergreen ILS Pilot. If you are considering a migration to a shared centralized Evergreen ILS, please submit your library’s interest by email to seohelp@library.ohio.gov or contact Dianna Clark at 877-552-4262. The pilot group will be the first libraries in Ohio to participate in a consortial Open Source ILS using Evergreen. This shared catalog will be hosted at the SEO Library Center. In addition, pilot libraries will have the opportunity to significantly contribute to policy development and the creation of functional standards for the Ohio Evergreen consortia.
January 14, 2010
LSTA Special Grant Available: Growing Community – The Library Food Garden
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce the availability of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for a special grant program entitled “Growing Community – the Library Food Garden”.
This special grant program was developed in recognition of the 2010 National Library Week theme, “Communities Thrive @ Your Library”, and the water theme of the 2010 Summer Reading Program. Growing Community encourages libraries to partner with other community entities to establish food gardens on library or school property, or other public land, during the 2010 growing season.
In order to be funded projects must demonstrate community partnerships as well as include library-based activities in the areas of Health and nutrition, Sustainability and ecology and/or Hunger/poverty issues.
Funds may be used to purchase seeds and plants, gardening tools and supplies, copies of materials and titles on gardening in various formats, marketing and promotion of the program, and speaker fees and other costs associated with program activities.
All types of libraries are eligible for this grant program which has a federal request limit of $7,500. A local cash match of 25% of the total project cost is required.
Electronic proposals are due at the State Library midnight on March 1, 2010. Approved proposals will run from May 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010.
The Request for Proposal can be found on WebJunction Ohio at http://oh.webjunction.org/ohlstaspecial.
If you have any questions about this grant program, please contact Janet Ingraham-Dwyer at jdwyer@sloma.state.oh.us, 800-686-1532 or 614-644-6910 or Missy Lodge at mlodge@sloma.state.oh.us, 614-644-6914 or 800-686-1532.
January 7, 2010
State Library of Ohio Announces Availability of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Funds for Full Grant Proposals
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce the availability of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for full grant proposals. Under the full grant program, any type of library may apply for funds in one of the following categories: Technological Innovation, Automation, Targeted Populations, Services to Youth, and Training.
Although there is no limit to the amount of federal funds which can be requested, the State Library anticipates that the majority of funded proposals will be in the range of $50,000 to $150,000 in federal funds. A local cash match of 25% of the total project cost is required.
Proposals are due at the State Library by 4:00 p.m. April 16, 2010. Approved proposals will run from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.
The Request for Proposal, Application Guidelines and other documents to assist with preparing the application can be found on WebJunction Ohio at http://oh.webjunction.org/ohlsta.
If you have any questions about the LSTA full grants or the LSTA program in general, please contact Missy Lodge, Head, Library Programs and Development at mlodge@sloma.state.oh.us 614-644-6914 or 800-686-1532.
January 6, 2010
State Library of Ohio Board Awards $59,335 in LSTA Grants to 13 Libraries for the Choose to Read Ohio Program
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that the State Library Board recently awarded $59,335 in special Choose to Read Ohio LSTA grants to 13 libraries. Choose to Read Ohio, a project of the State Library of Ohio and its partners, is a statewide initiative to encourage the reading of Ohio literature together across Ohio communities. The libraries receiving grants include Cardington-Lincoln Public Library, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library and Schools, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Lane Public Library/Cleveland Elementary School, Way Public Library, Cincinnati Public Schools/Rothenberg Preparatory Academy, Columbus City Schools/Indian Springs Elementary, Licking Valley Local School District, Pettisville School Library, Saint Helen School (Dayton), Urbana University, University of Dayton Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), and Clark State Community College.
The Choose to Read Ohio booklist features 15 titles by Ohio authors: five each for children, young adults, and adults. Ohioans of all ages are encouraged to choose a book and to gather to discuss these books at public libraries, schools, community centers, bookstores, or other settings. The State Library developed Choose to Read Ohio toolkits with author information, discussion questions, and other resources to support communities reading and discussing the books together. “Reading is an essential skill to learning. There is strong evidence that one must read on an ongoing basis in order to develop this skill,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. “We are fortunate to have many excellent Ohio authors and the State Library is pleased to be able to use LSTA funds to encourage the reading of these authors’ works.”
Choose to Read Ohio launched during National Library Week 2009. The program was featured at the Ohioana Book Festival in May. Ohio First Lady Mrs. Frances Strickland introduced Choose to Read Ohio, describing her love for reading and wonderful experiences with children and books. A panel discussion took place with six of the Choose to Read Ohio authors including Jaime Adoff, Louise Borden, Andrea Cheng, Sharon M. Draper, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Ann Hagedorn. The authors discussed the stories in their Choose to Read Ohio books, their writing processes, and current projects. They were also available for readings and book signing opportunities throughout the day.
The Choose to Read Ohio LSTA grant program focuses on the concept of a community read—where libraries promote reading the same book and participating in discussions or other activities around that shared experience. The request for proposals provided the opportunity for a library to select from the booklist and tailor an approach that will build a community of readers with an appreciation of Ohio authors and literature. The grant may be used to purchase copies of the selected title in various formats, purchase additional materials supporting the theme of the chosen book, for marketing and promotion of the program, author visits, honorarium for speakers, and costs associated with title tie-in activities.
Each library receiving this grant will share information about their program with the Ohio library community. The libraries, grant amount, and program activities include:
Cardington-Lincoln Public Library
Title Selected: Trouble Don’t Last, Copper Sun by Sharon Draper and Beyond the River by Anne Hagedorn
Activities: This is a collaborative project between the public library and the school district. The titles selected will support Ohio social studies content standards and programming will occur at both the public library and the schools. Students will be introduced to background material in various subject areas, such as music of the Civil War and the art of quilt making. A six week reading and discussion period will take place in Feb. and March and will be reinforced by student performances, historical presentations, quilt and art displays.
LSTA Grant: $2,984 for books, presenter stipends, and marketing.
Cincinnati Public Schools/Rothenberg Preparatory Academy
Title Selected: Where the Steps Were by Andrea Chang
Activities: All third and fourth grade students will read and discuss the book over a four week period and participate in the following activities: making a timeline of the book, studying and writing free verse poems, and presenting fables. They will also do a Reader’s Theater performance of the book.
LSTA Grant: $1,556 for books and an author visit by Andrea Chang.
Clark State Community College
Title Selected: The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff
Activities: Clark State Community College (CSCC) is partnering with Project Jericho (an arts outreach initiative) and the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center. Jaime Adoff will work with teens on a poetry slam and their original poetry. All participants will receive a bound volume of their individual poetry. Adoff will also hold a public reading for CSCC English students who have read the book. Teens in detention and CSCC students will have pen pal discussions about the novel.
LSTA Grant: $4,029 for author visits by Jaime Adoff, books, journals for students and costs associated with binding the poems.
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library and Schools
Title Selected: The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H.A. Rey by Louise Borden and You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon
Activities: Two books have been selected to align with a school initiative to allow for varied reading levels. The Borden book was chosen because of the Jewish heritage of the area. The library will collaborate with the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage to assist with activities such as speakers and a display of materials focusing on immigration. A bike ride activity and scrapbooking will be used with younger children. Dan Chaon is a resident of Cleveland-Heights. Traditional book discussion activities will take place. This may include intergenerational discussion groups and an online discussion forum. Both authors will conduct writers’ workshops at the high school.
LSTA Grant: $5,211 for author honorariums, books, and promotion.
Columbus City Schools/Indian Springs Elementary
Title Selected: Trouble Don’t Last by Shelley Pearsall
Activities: Fourth and fifth grade students will read the book and complete a variety of projects on the book itself, the history within the book and the author. The unit will culminate with a visit to Kelton House and an author visit.
LSTA Grant: $2,214 for books, transportation and admission costs, and author visit by Shelley Pearsall.
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Title Selected: After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Activities: Entitled R3O: Read, Rap, Record Ohio! This project will provide educators and other adults in the community with the tools to encourage literacy in the tween community by providing them with interactive, multimedia ways to bring the book to life. Activities include an introduction to hip hop culture, book discussions, book trailer creation and an author visit.
LSTA Grant: $9,375 for author visit by Jacqueline Woodson, honorariums/fees for three additional presentations, and video cameras.
Lane Public Library/Cleveland Elementary School
Title Selected: Where the Steps Were by Andrea Chang
Activities: Students at Cleveland Elementary School will read the book in preparation for the demolition of their school. Students will participate in a poetry writing project and in a printmaking project coordinated by Andrea Chang. Student poetry and prints will be bound into booklets. A podcast of the author visit will be posted on the Lane Public Library website.
LSTA Grant: $4,462 for a two-day author visit, art supplies and books.
Licking Valley Local School District
Title Selected: Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
Activities: Four titles by Sharon Draper have been selected for summer reading assignments with one title to be assigned for each grade. Cross-curricular activities will be initiated at the beginning of the school year, including an author visit, presentations by local historical groups, a writing contest and other student contests that connect the summer reading titles to the curriculum.
LSTA Grant: $7,268 for books, author visit and marketing.
Pettisville School Library
Title Selected: Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey and Trouble Don’t Last by Shelley Pearsall
Activities: K-3 students will be read Make Way for Ducklings and see a video about the author. They will then learn about artists/illustrators and the Caldecott Medal and this will be used to as a means to learn library location skills. Eighth grade students will read Trouble Don’t Last as part of their social studies class. A minimum of seven discussion sessions will be held and students will also be asked to do library research on Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
LSTA Grant: $1,127 for author visit by Shelley Pearsall, books, and support materials.
Saint Helen School (Dayton)
Title Selected: Where the Steps Were by Andrea Cheng
Activities: A multidisciplinary five-day lesson plan that addresses vocabulary, math, literature and history will be developed and used with 4th and 5th graders. The students will participate in literature circles, read aloud and create timelines and poetry while studying the book.
LSTA Grant: $1,110 for books, art supplies, and an author visit by Andrea Cheng.
University of Dayton Curriculum Materials Center (CMC)
Title Selected: Trouble Don’t Last by Shelley Pearsall
Activities: As a part of the teacher preparation program, future teachers will work with three urban schools on the project. Students will read the title independently or as a read-aloud and discuss the title in small groups as well as complete activities from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s lesson plans. The program will conclude with a visit by Shelley Pearsall and a tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
LSTA Grant: $7,549 for a two-day author visit by Shelley Pearsall, transportation and admission to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, supplies, and books in a variety of formats (bound volume, audiobook, Braille)
Urbana University
Title Selected: Trouble Don’t Last by Shelley Pearsall and Beyond the River by Anne Hagedorn
Activities: Six public events will be held to promote community discussions and two field trips to three museums will be offered. Education majors will ready the book and create lesson plans to support teaching the book. These will then be used in partner classrooms at local schools. Parents will be encouraged to read the book with their children and participate in the public events. Associated activities will include presentations on the Underground Railroad in Champaign County, photography of Underground Railroad sites and the Champaign County Quilt/Barn Tour. Field trips to the Piatt Castles, Rankin House, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will be offered.
LSTA Grant: $9,980 for books, photographic supplies, a two-day author visit by Shelley Pearsall, and admission fee to museums.
Way Public Library
Title Selected: Beyond the River by Anne Hagedorn
Activities: The library will offer seven book discussions on the book and the Underground Railroad, culminating with an author visit. Book lists for further reading will be developed and distributed and special library displays created.
LSTA Grant: $2,470 for books, an author visit by Ann Hagedorn and marketing.
The current Choose to Read Ohio booklist will be promoted through 2010. A new booklist is in development for 2011 by an advisory committee representing schools, public libraries, booksellers, the State Library, Ohioana, and the Ohio Center for the Book. The new booklist and study guides will be made available in late 2010 for book discussions in 2011.
Libraries that have hosted CTRO programs are encouraged to complete the CTRO Host Survey. Please include your name and email address in your survey response to receive future updates about CTRO. You may also contact Janet Ingraham Dwyer (jdwyer@library.ohio.gov or 614-644-6910) to be added to the CTRO notification list. You will be invited to vote on 2011 titles and will be alerted when the 2011 booklist is ready.
January 5, 2010
Ohio Library Community Members Invited to Submit Applications for Library Leadership Ohio 2010
State Librarian of Ohio Jo Budler sent a letter of invitation to the Ohio library community today inviting applications for 2010 Library Leadership Ohio The mission of Library Leadership Ohio is to develop future leaders for Ohio libraries, to help Ohio library staff become leaders in the communities they serve, and to encourage Ohio librarians to support the mission of the State Library and the purposes of LSTA within their institution.
Library Leadership Ohio is an intensive, residential leadership education program that has developed the talents of emerging library leaders to actively shape the future of Ohio libraries for over a decade. Graduates of the first eight classes have seen their visions manifest within the organizations that they have come to lead. The innovative spirit that was set over a decade ago progresses on to the ninth leadership institute.
The Institute will provide a combination of skills development, knowledge, and networking opportunities to build the participants’ confidence in their abilities. Librarians selected to participate in Library Leadership Ohio 2010 will develop a personal understanding of leadership and their own attributes, enhance specific leadership skills, and strengthen selected management skills.
For more information go to WebJunction Ohio.