Feature Stories

AfterDark Virtual Reference Service

Benefits of NEO-RLS Membership

Collaborative Continuing Education via Video Conference

NEO-RLS

North Baltimore Public Library Website

NORWELD

NORWELD & Ohio Memory Project

Professional Development Opportunities

SERLS

SWON Libraries
 

Ohio's Regional Library Systems
State Librarian's Report

I am writing this article on my second day as the State Librarian of Ohio, a position I began on June 1, 2010 with a sense of nervous anticipation.  I arrived at the State Library armed with the experience gained from working in Ohio libraries for 24 years, including serving as the Director of the Portsmouth Public Library System from 1997 to 2010 and working as the Manager of the Lane Road Branch of the Upper Arlington Public Library from 1992 to 1997.  I began my library career at the Medina County District Library, where I was first a Reference Librarian and then the Manager of Reference and Adult Services from 1986-1992.

My educational background includes earning a Master of Public Administration degree in 2009 and a Master of Library Science degree in 1986 from Kent State University. I also have a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Akron.  I am a past President of the Ohio Library Council, have been a member of the Board of Directors of the Scioto County Law Library Resources Board, and have served as a member or chair person to numerous local, state, and national committees.

As State Librarian I will work with the State Library staff and Board to continue to build and expand library services to all types of libraries and to Ohio residents regardless of their geographic location.  One of the ways the State Library of Ohio accomplishes this is by working with the four Ohio Regional Library Systems:  NEO-RLS, NORWELD, SERLS, and SWON Libraries.  Each Regional Library System (RLS) serves a different geographic area of the state, helping libraries of all types to build their capacities to provide services to library users.

Since my library experience has involved working in libraries located in different parts of the state, I have had the opportunity to work with, and benefit from, the programs and services offered by several Regional Library Systems.  Most recently, as the Director of the Portsmouth Public Library, I had the opportunity to work with SERLS – the Southeast Regional Library System.  The staff at SERLS works hard to develop programs and services of specific interest and benefit to the libraries of Southeast Ohio.  The continuing education classes offered by SERLS have been especially beneficial to the Portsmouth Public Library.  These classes, developed using input from member libraries, help train library staff on a wide variety of topics such as effectively utilizing technology to better serve patrons, keeping current on trends and issues affecting libraries, and developing innovative program ideas. 

The partnerships between the State Library and the Regional Library Systems help Ohio’s libraries provide the best possible service to all.

Beverly Cain
State Librarian of Ohio

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