Ohio Library Collaboration and Sharing

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We’re working together to provide the best library service to all Ohioans.

The State Library maximizes the use of public funds by facilitating resource and information sharing among Ohio’s libraries through programs such as the Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) Library Consortium, which includes 98 library systems (268 locations)  in 49 Ohio counties, sharing a catalog of nearly 8 million items.  Other programs include:

The Statewide Delivery System, which supports statewide resource sharing by delivering more than 9 million books and other library materials to Ohio library users each year.

The Ohio Web Library, which makes a collection of thousands of digital publications and research materials available to all Ohio libraries, schools, universities, and residents, at no cost to them.

The Ohio Digital Library, which provides downloadable eBooks and other digital content to library customers. 181 libraries have joined together to provide Ohioans with access to the more than $40 million worth of digital content available in the Ohio Digital Library.

The Ohio Digital Network is Ohio’s service hub for the Digital Public Library of America  (DPLA). Ohio Digital Network (ODN) is working to make digital collections from all Ohio Digital Network Cultural Heritage Institutions freely accessible to the world.

Click here to learn more about the legal types of public libraries in Ohio

View an information flyer listing the Ohio Library Community.

LCO is a partnership of Ohio libraries and library organizations that are working together to build and provide a core collection of information resources and library services that will help all Ohioans compete in the global knowledge economy. This collection of resources, called the Ohio Web Library, supports quality education, a skilled workforce, business growth and lifelong learning in Ohio. 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.

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 Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK), is Ohio’s statewide academic library consortium, serving 117 libraries at 88 institutions plus the State Library of Ohio. Delivering both IT infrastructure and content negotiation, OhioLINK provides students, faculty, researchers, and staff with access to valuable digital research collections at a fraction of the cost if those collections had to be purchased by individual institutions.

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.

Ohio Web Library

  • ALAO – Academic Library Association of Ohio
    A membership organization for private and public colleges and universities including higher-education libraries like medical and law school libraries.
  • ARLIS/NA Ohio Valley – Art Libraries Society of North America – Ohio Valley
    A membership organization for art + design information professionals and students  in the Ohio River Valley region of the US.
  • CO-ASIS&T – Central Ohio Chapter, American Society of Information Science and Technology
    Membership organization of researchers, developers, practitioners, students, and professors in the field of information science and technology
  • INFOhio
    INFOhio supports and enriches teaching and learning by providing equitable access to quality resources for Ohio’s PreK-12 community of students, educators and parents.
  • KSU-iSchool – Kent State University School of Information
    The only ALA accredited Master of Library and Information Science program in Ohio
  • Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians
    NOTSL exists to provide opportunities for Technical Services Librarians to exchange information, ideas and experiences in Technical Services.
  • OELMA – Ohio Educational Library Media Association
    Membership organization for school librarians and teachers
  • OHIONET
    Membership organization for academic, public, school and special libraries in Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania.
  • OHSLA – Ohio Health Sciences Library Association
    Membership organization for Ohio health information professionals in academic, hospital, and other environments
  • OLC – Ohio Library Council
    Membership organization for Ohio’s public libraries, trustees, Friends, and public library staff.
  • OPLIN – Ohio Public Library Information Network
    Provides broadband Internet connections and related information services to Ohio public libraries.
  • ORALL – Ohio Regional Association of Law Libraries
    A chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries that includes libraries in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
  • Regional Library Systems – State Chartered
    All libraries, of all types, are considered “associate” or “core” members of the Regional Library System service area within which it falls geographically.
  • Serving Every Ohioan (SEO)
    The SEO library center is a satellite location of the State Library of Ohio.
  • SOA – Society of Ohio Archivists
    The SOA mission is to exchange information, coordinate activities, and improve professional competence in Ohio’s archives and manuscript repositories.
  • SLA (Special Libraries Association ) Chapters/Communities in Ohio
    Central Ohio The Central Ohio chapter of the Special Libraries Association (CO-SLA) is a professional association committed to providing networking and career development opportunities for library and information professionals in the Central Ohio area.
    Cincinnati Chapter: Information Professionals Navigating the Changing Tide
    SLA Cleveland Chapter – Celebrating more than 90 years!

Ohio has many consortia, or associations established by formal agreement, for the purpose of resource sharing. These consortia share collections, data, facilities, equipment, personnel, and more, for the benefit of their users and to reduce expenses. Consortia in Ohio include:

Ohio Regional Library Systems are member-driven, multi-type library organizations that coordinate and facilitate the development of professional development events and other innovative services for Ohio academic, public, school and special libraries.

There are four Regional Library Systems in Ohio:

Map of Ohio divided into four regions

Funding

The State Library of Ohio’s total amount allocated the Regional Library Systems for each fiscal year is $500,000. Each regional receives $125,000.

These state dollars are to be used to fund the basics: provide a director, clerk treasurer, CE coordinator, facility rent, utilities and provide technical support to libraries through the Regional.

Services

The primary function of the Regional Library Systems is to provide library continuing education. Click here to see the statewide CE Ohio calendar.

Special services and products have been developed by individual organizations and Regional Library Systems.  Regionals are encouraged to develop new models for sharing these services and products which might be of interest to libraries across the state.

Membership

All libraries, of all types, are considered “associate” or “core” members of the Regional Library System service area within which it falls geographically. These libraries have access to core services provided by the State Library and delivered through the Regional Library Systems.  Any additional library services and discounts are available through membership in the Regional Library Systems.