The State Library of Ohio is a state agency that serves state government and all types of libraries.

Our vision

       A Smarter Ohio

The vision of the State Library of Ohio is a Smarter Ohio where every Ohioan can access the necessary resources to be engaged citizens, excel at their jobs, participate in the workforce, and pursue their passions and interests.

Our mission

The State Library of Ohio ensures a smarter Ohio by managing the delivery of services through three channels:

• Directly, by building and managing quality collections and providing hands-on service to state government
• Cooperatively, through collaborative efforts and information sharing networks within the library community
• Virtually, through online and on-the-go access to expert assistance, digitized resources, and a vast selection of electronic materials

Strategic Plan [1]

The State Library of Ohio provides the following services:

Services to State Government

• Provides work-related research and reference services to state legislators and state employees
• Serves as Ohio’s only full regional depository for federal documents and the depository for Ohio state agency documents
• Provides interlibrary loan services
• Provides meeting space and a computer training lab at no cost
• Provides instruction on use of library resources

 Services to Ohio Libraries

• Oversees the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program
• Administers Ohio Libraries Share: MORE, a statewide resource sharing system of 101 public and school libraries
• Supports an automation consortium of 76 library systems at more than 175 locations through the Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) Library Center location in Caldwell
• Coordinates the statewide delivery network
• Maintains statistics about Ohio libraries for analysis, long range planning and comparison
• Assists in developing programs for staff and customers
• Assists in facilities planning

 Specialized Services to Ohio Residents

• Coordinates the Ohio Talking Book program for Ohio’s blind and physically handicapped residents
• Answers general reference questions
• Provides electronic database access
• Provides Internet training through local libraries via the Mobile Technology Training Center
• Provides virtual reference service through KnowItNow

About Our Collection

Patrons use the State Library of Ohio to research information about congressional hearings and reports, U.S. and State of Ohio legislative history, statistics, facts about the state of Ohio, geological information, military rosters, state institutional and agency reports, census data, and more.

The State Library is the only regional federal depository in Ohio and is also a depository for state information.

We also carry daily newspapers, journals, and magazines. There are some computers available for public use of library resources.

When visiting the library you will find:

 Congressional Records
 House and Senate Journals (proceedings of action taken each day in session)
 Maps: Complete set of United States Geological Survey (USGS) Topographical Maps
 Military Rosters: Spanish-American, Civil War (known as War of the Rebellion at the time), WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam
 Ohio Administrative Code (O.A.C.) (rules)
 Ohio Agricultural Reports (includes history of Ohio State Fairs)
 Ohio Executive Documents (i.e. reports of auditor of state, institutions, agencies)
 Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C) (laws)
 Presidential Papers (i.e. speeches, proclamations)
 Reference Materials: example: Statistical Abstracts (reports with data)
 State of Ohio documents
 U.S. Patents

Holidays

Business Hours: 8am-5pm Monday - Friday.