The Library Programs & Development (LPD) department is charged with providing leadership and partnership in the development of library services throughout Ohio. LPD strives to provide library information and services to individual libraries and enhance library services statewide. See the many programs coordinated by the LPD and other State Library of Ohio departments available to libraries in Ohio.
Choose to Read Ohio
Choose to Read Ohio connects Ohioans of all ages through the experience of sharing books by Ohio authors. A project of the State Library, in collaboration with the Ohioana Library Association and Ohio Center for the Book, Choose to Read Ohio encourages libraries, schools, families, and others to build a community of readers and an appreciation for Ohio literature.
Digitization
As a partner in Ohio Memory and Ohio Digital Network (DPLA), the State Library houses a state of the art digitization lab and is available to assist public libraries with their digitization initiatives.
Guiding Ohio Online
Guiding Ohio Online is a State Library administered competitive LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant. The purpose of the grant is to allow libraries in rural Ohio to hire a dedicated technology trainer for their library.
Ohio Digital Library
The Ohio Digital Library provides access to eBooks, digital audiobooks, music and videos to all Ohio residents. Click the button below to learn how your library can enroll in this program.
Ohio Collections Analysis Initiative
The Ohio Collections Analysis Initiative provides library staff an opportunity to explore the relationship between their community needs and the children’s and young adult books in their collections and displays. This original, self-paced, interactive program enables library staff to tailor collections to best meet the needs of their readers.
NASA@ My Library
As a NASA@ My Library Partner the State Library lends circulating STEM kits to public libraries in Ohio. Click on the button below to learn more about the available kits, and how to request one for your library.
Strategic Planning
We strongly encourage all libraries have a strategic plan. Strategic plans are helpful tools for libraries because they can focus the library’s programs and services and help with decisions on allocating resources based on community needs and how the library can meet those needs.
Summer Library Program
Our Summer Library Program page is a resource center for public libraries planning local summer reading programs, particularly – but not exclusively – those using the annual Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) theme.
Talking Book Program
The Talking Book Program provides free recorded books, magazines and playback equipment to approximately 15,000 eligible blind, visually impaired, physically disabled and reading disabled Ohio residents.
Youth Services
While we do not provide direct services to children and teens, we offer a variety of resources to support Ohio’s library youth services staff and activities. Click on the button below to view the resources we offer to support Ohio’s youth.
Connecting to Collections
Connecting to Collections is a call to action to initiate grants for collaborative planning partnerships among libraries, museums, archives and other statewide organizations to address recommendations made by the Heritage Heath Index.
The banner photo is from a Reimagining School Readiness workshop at the State Library in June 2019. ShaRell Webb, Lunar Planetary Institute (left foreground) , watches participants experiment with tennis and ping pong balls to experience how supernovas are created. Kelsey Holmes, Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, and Christiana Congelio, Marysville Public Library, (right background).