May 8, 2012
Statewide Delivery Update

We are into the fourth week of service with the new statewide delivery vendor and we know that it has been a challenging transition.  The new vendor encountered a large backlog of materials that had been building around the state.  The combination of the additional library materials along with the labels from the prior vendor has caused a number of delays in processing materials.  We are seeing steady progress being made, but there is still work to do.  We greatly appreciate the hard work that everyone is doing to help this migration along.  We would not be where we are today without the efforts of everyone who is involved.

Some reminders that we would like to pass on.

1. Service Issues – We are asking that all libraries complete the Statewide Delivery Customer Service form on the Statewide Delivery page of our website to report issues such as missed deliveries, lost or damaged items, and closures.  The statewide delivery vendor uses the output of the form to assign issues to appropriate staff around the state and will also be using the contact information to reach out to library staff, as appropriate.  The State Library reads all forms and is in constant communication with the vendor about the problems that are submitted.  These forms help us to keep track of outstanding issues, as well as identify trends or problem areas.

2. Lost items (previous vendor) – The service contract with U.S. Cargo ended April 13, 2012.  Please compile a list of items lost from your collection prior to Monday April 16, 2012 and submit the list directly to U.S. Cargo with a copy to Steve Updegraff at the State Library.  U.S. Cargo should email or fax a copy of their claim form to you to complete. The State Library wishes to retain a copy of your list for documentation purposes only. The claims will be handled directly between the local library and U.S. Cargo. In order to allow ample time for the missing items to work through the system, please wait to file your claims until May 14, 2012.

The U.S. Cargo contact responsible for handling claims is:
Tami Schroeder
Customer Service Representative
513-242-7050 – office
513-242-9180 – fax
tschroeder@us-cargo.com

3. Rumors – The State Library has heard from multiple sources recently in the library community that we (State Library) cancelled the delivery contract with U.S. Cargo.  This is false.  As has been identified in multiple messages throughout this process, U.S. Cargo chose to end the contract and they provided written notice of their decision to stop doing delivery service.  Unfortunately, it appears that in some cases, the former U.S. Cargo drivers were either given the wrong information or misinterpreted the information that they were given and this may be contributing to the general misunderstanding.  To repeat, U.S. Cargo chose to end the contract and stop doing this work.

Once again, we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we all work through this process.

Please contact Steve Updegraff, the statewide delivery project manager, directly at supdegra@library.ohio.gov with questions or if you need additional information.

May 7, 2012
State Library of Ohio Bids Farewell to Reference Librarian John Bittel

Reference Librarian John Bittel has retired after more than thirty years with the State of Ohio including 24 years at the State Library of Ohio. The State Library Board recently recognized him for his dedication and service. The board resolution stated, “John had an impeccable attendance record and reputation for reliability, and steadfast level of professional reference service to state government employees, the Ohio library community, and Ohio residents.”

Library technology and services have changed dramatically since John Bittel began his library career at the State Library in 1988. News of the day included plans for the first Telefacsimile Directory of Ohio Libraries; State Library of Ohio Document Specialist, Clyde Hordusky received the first “Clyde” award for his outstanding service to the depository libraries of Ohio; job openings in Ohio libraries were posted on the electronic bulletin board system SLOLine; and 121 public libraries voluntarily participated in the Libraries Ohio Access Network (LOAN) which provided walk-in borrowing privileges of print materials to any resident in Ohio—precursor to statewide resource sharing via Statewide Delivery, OPLIN, OHIOLink, INFOhio, and the Ohio Web Library.

Prior to attending Kent State University for his MLIS, John worked six years at the Ohio Department of Health.

 

May 1, 2012
Krista Taracuk Joins the State Library Board

The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that the State Board of Education of Ohio has appointed Krista Taracuk to the State Library Board and she was sworn in at the April 19, 2012 State Library Board meeting  in Cleveland.  Afterward Krista said, "I am honored and privileged to accept the appointment to the State Library of Ohio Board where I will continue to focus my energies, passion, and commitment to libraries at all levels."

Krista retired in 2010 after 26 years of service to the Worthington City Schools where she was Head Library Media Specialist at the Thomas Worthington Hills High School. Prior to that, she was the Library Media Specialist for four years in the Cardington-Lincoln Local Schools and served five years as an 8_^th and 9_^th grades English teacher for Copley-Fairlawn City Schools. In addition to her work in public schools, Krista was an Adjunct Professor for 12 years teaching in the Ohio Dominican University’s undergraduate library science program. She has held many library leadership positions and served on an abundance of committees, advisory councils and task forces for the Ohio Education Library Media Association (OELMA), INFOhio, and the Worthington City Schools. On the national level she has served on numerous committees and task forces for the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Krista Taracuk fills the unexpired term of former State Library of Ohio board member F. Ward Murrey. The State Library of Ohio is governed by a five member board whose members are appointed to five year terms by the State Board of Education. Under the Ohio Revised Code, section 3375.01, members of the board cannot be recent members of the State Board of Education and cannot serve on the Board of Trustees of any other library while on the State Library Board.  When a position becomes available on the Board the State Library sends out a call for nominations to the Ohio Library Community and then forwards three recommendations to the State Board of Education for their consideration.