by Marsha McDevitt-Stredney, State Library of Ohio

State Librarian Jo Budler hit the road to visit 27 libraries this year. Of special note was her trip to Portsmouth Public Library which marked her 100th Ohio public library visit since coming to Ohio in 2004. The visits provide Jo the opportunity to talk with librarians, staff, and administrators; tour the libraries; and to engage in dialogue about ways to work together to ensure quality library service for all Ohio residents.

After each trip she writes a summary in a visit journal that is posted, with pictures, to the State Library’s website. Entries include comments on collections, services, and outreach. For example, after visiting Wornstaff Library in Ashley, Jo wrote, “The collection supports the needs of the community, paying particular attention to homeschoolers who use the library a great deal. In addition, the library offers DEMCO Discovery Packs which include multi-media on a specific subject (e.g. a pack on farms might include toy tractors and toy animals, books, a video, and a CD on farming).” 

The September journal describes her visit to Avon Lake Public Library.  This Library, “offers a great variety of programming aimed at kids, teens, and families, but also at adults, and they are not just reading programs. They have a whole series on environmental issues co-sponsored by the City Council Environmental Committee and the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board. I wish that I lived closer to this library so that I could take advantage of programs like “Rain Barrels” and “Organic Lawn Care”, not to mention the “Erie Lights & Lighthouse Lore.”

In addition to her public library visits, Jo visited the Columbus Dispatch Library and the Denison University Library. 
To read about Jo’s library visits or to schedule a visit to your local library, see her online journal at www.library.ohio.gov/Marketing/Visits