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On March 15^th the State Library of Ohio Board approved a $1,500,000 federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) LSTA grant to The Ohio State University for Libraries Connect Ohio to purchase one year of statewide online access for the Ohio Web Library core set of subscription-based databases. “Supporting the Ohio Web Library with IMLS LSTA funding is one way the State Library Board works to ensure that all Ohioans have access to high quality, relevant, and reliable online resources, at no cost to Ohio’s libraries, schools, universities, and residents,” expressed State Librarian Beverly Cain. “The Libraries Connect Ohio partnership, now in its 14th year, leverages federal LSTA and state dollars in order to set high standards for library collaboration, resource sharing, and cost efficiency.”

In addition to the $1,500,000 in federal LSTA funding for Libraries Connect Ohio, OhioLINK will contribute $991,249; OPLIN will fund $1,000,000; and INFOhio will provide $500,000 to purchase the core collection of subscription-based databases. These databases are available to all Ohioans through the Ohio Web Library. INFOhio also provides PreK-12 students and educators with access to the databases through their website, and OhioLINK does the same for users in higher education.  The databases include full-text digital magazines and journals; general reference resources such as encyclopedias, almanacs, statistical information and resources for developing new skills and enhancing personal development; scholarly humanities and science resources; and an online platform for language learning.

“It’s more important than ever that all Ohioans have ready, on-demand access to reliable and credible information,” said Don Yarman, Executive Director, OPLIN. “Their success in business, education, and everyday life depends on it.”

The State Library of Ohio, OhioLINK (Ohio Library and Information Network), OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network), and INFOhio (Ohio’s PreK-12 Digital Library) formed Libraries Connect Ohio in 2003 as an initiative to define and deliver a statewide collection of databases to provide a common set of information resources. The partnership exemplifies the value of collaboration. Libraries Connect Ohio improves the buying power and breadth and scope of information resources available to all Ohio residents regardless of where they live or go to school. The savings affords libraries and library networks the ability to build on the core collection in Ohio Web Library by purchasing additional resources to meet the needs of their patrons.

“All Ohio residents will now have access to a spectrum of valued resources at significant cost savings through the use of LSTA grants and the groundbreaking collaboration between OhioLINK, OPLIN, and INFOhio,” said OhioLINK Executive Director Gwen Evans. “And due to adept negotiations by OhioLINK Deputy Director Amy Pawlowski, the cost of selected resources was reduced by more than three million dollars—allowing for the inclusion of even more resources than projected.”

“The LCO partnership makes it possible for all Ohioans to share a rich collection of digital instructional content, ensuring each citizen has opportunities to make his or her life better through lifelong learning in the library,” said Theresa M. Fredericka, Director of INFOhio, Ohio’s PreK-12 digital library and an LCO partner. “Classroom teachers of all subjects and grades will find something in this collection that will help their students meet Ohio’s Learning Standards and master those essential future-ready skills.”

LSTA grants can only be awarded for one year at a time. Libraries Connect Ohio has used LSTA funding since 2003 to purchase a core collection of information resources for the Ohio Web Library, benefiting all Ohioans.  Pending signatures of contracts, starting July 1, 2018, the Ohio Web Library collection will include:

The EBSCO core collection includes many thousands of full-text magazine and journal titles organized into a variety of sub-collections: Academic Search Premier, Alt Health Watch, Biography Reference Bank, Business Source Premier, Computer Source, Consumer Health Complete, ERIC, Health Source: Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Literary Reference Center, MAS Ultra School Edition, MasterFILE Premier, MEDLINE, Middle Search Plus, Newspaper Source, Points of View Reference Center, Primary Search, Professional Development Collection, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Regional Business News, Religion and Philosophy Collection, Science Reference Center, Sociological Collection, Topic Search, and Vocational & Career Collection. New editions for this package include Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center, Home Improvement Reference Center, and Small Business Reference Center. This continues to be the central product in the Ohio Web Library collection.

The World Book package includes the most popular World Book products from the current subscription: Early World of Learning, World Book Kids, World Book Student, World Book Advanced, L’Encyclopedie Decouverte (French), and two Spanish-language encyclopedias  – Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos and Gran Hispanica. It includes Timelines, World Book Mobile access, read-aloud functionality, and translation. Discontinued products include Reference Center, Info Finder, and Academic World Book.

Oxford Research Encyclopedias (from Oxford University Press). This product is a new offering from Oxford University Press and is written for today’s researcher. It is designed to be an authoritative resource of reference content in a wide array of academic fields, including the humanities, social sciences, and science.

Very Short Introductions (from Oxford University Press) is an excellent way to get a quick authoritative and accessible overview of a subject. It currently includes over 500 titles and is rapidly growing. Like Oxford Research Encyclopedias, it is a new product from Oxford University Press.

Transparent Languages (from Recorded Books) is a web-based language-learning database. There are over 100 languages currently offered including French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. There’s also an ESL component that provides English language learning to speakers of over 25 different languages. 

Chilton’s Auto Repair Manuals (from Gale) provides quick online access to repair, maintenance and service information on popular cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. This product contains more than 50 years of information provided in step-by-step procedures. Work on the engine, chassis, electrical, drive train, suspension, and more is made easier for mechanics of any experience. 

Kids InfoBits (from Gale) is an easy-to-use digital resource featuring age-appropriate, reliable, curriculum-related content covering a broad range of educational topics. The modern design and simple navigation make it easy for users to explore content and gain comfort with database searching.

The Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) provides broadband internet connections and related information services to Ohio public libraries. Their primary mission is to ensure that all Ohio residents have fast, free public internet access through the 251 independent local public library systems in Ohio, as well as the use of high-quality research databases not freely available online.

OhioLINK is a consortium with 120 libraries as full members. These libraries are distributed among 92 different Ohio colleges and universities. OhioLINK membership includes the State Library of Ohio, 16 public university libraries, 52 independent college libraries, 23 two-year college libraries, 16 branch campus libraries, 8 law school libraries and 5 medical school libraries. Library and other academic partners work collaboratively with OhioLINK to offer the greatest breadth and depth of resources to their patrons at substantial savings to the State of Ohio.

INFOhio transforms student learning by providing equitable access to quality digital content and cost-effective instructional and technical support for each student, educator, and parent in Ohio. INFOhio is optimized by the Management Council.

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