State Library of Ohio bids farewell to Deputy Director Roger Verny and Board Member Lucille Hastings

Deputy State Librarian Roger Verny is retiring after fifteen years with the State Library of Ohio. Roger oversaw many projects at the State Library of Ohio during these years, including managing LSTA funds for new and innovative programming throughout Ohio’s library community including the creation of a 24/7 virtual reference service and the automation of 1,556 school libraries. He serves on the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board as well as a number of committees dealing with statewide initiatives. Prior to joining the State Library, Roger served in a variety of senior administrative positions at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

After ten years of service, Board Member Lucille Hastings’s term concludes at the end of 2008. Ms. Hastings’s tenure includes service as President of the State Library Board from 2003 to 2005 and Vice-President from 2001 to 2003 and 2005 to 2006. Board President Dr. George Paulson read the retirement resolution recognizing Hastings for bringing to the State Library Board “superlative experience and expertise from her tenure as President of the Holmes County District Public Library Board of Trustees, member of the Ohio Educational Library Media Association Board, president and founding member of the Mid-Ohio Library Association and chair of the Ohio Pupil Teachers Reading Circle Selection.”

In addition to saying goodbye to Roger and Lucille, the board recognized Cheri Wilks. Cheri is retiring after 24 years of service at the State Library of Ohio. She has held several positions in the library’s Research Services and Library Programs and Development departments including Reference Librarian and Library Consultant.