As the current fiscal year draws to a close, the Southeast Regional Library System (SERLS) has been busy working on a strategic plan for the 2009/2010 fiscal year that responds to the needs of libraries in southeast and central Ohio with some new and innovative services, while at the same time continuing to provide the core services libraries of all types in our area have come to rely upon.

 

During the 2008/2009 fiscal year, SERLS increased the number of CE workshops offered, and held these workshops in a variety of locations to allow more library staff members to attend without traveling long distances. They also began offering professional development courses online through a program called Wimba, provided by the State Library of Ohio. These online courses allow library staff to receive continuing education credits conveniently from their own library and at a fraction of the cost. These online workshops proved so successful that SERLS has created a series of online trainings called “SERLS Summer Shorts” on a variety of topics that will be offered all throughout the summer.

 

In addition, SERLS applied for and received a grant that will allow them to resurrect the circulating “Reading Adventure Treasure Chest Kits,” each containing popular picture books, puppets, props and craft ideas organized by theme that can be used for story times or outreach to daycares and other community events. Finally, they continued to work with vendors to offer their members discounts on consortium purchases, including insurance benefits.

 

In planning for the future, SERLS first and foremost took into account the difficult economic situation in Ohio. Libraries in southeast Ohio have been hit particularly hard, and in response SERLS made the decision not to increase their membership fees for the upcoming year. In addition, they spearheaded the effort for a grant recently awarded to the Regional Library Systems of Ohio by the State Library of Ohio intended to help subsidize membership costs for libraries interested in purchasing a new membership or renewing their membership from last year.

 

Other benefits SERLS will offer libraries that purchase or renew their membership this year include a deeper discount of 75% on continuing education workshops, a new voucher account system of “CE Bucks” that can be used to pay workshop fees, more consortium purchase options and vendor discounts, discounted printing and copying services and use of Ellison Die Cuts and machines at members’ libraries.

 

The staff at SERLS looks forward to continuing their support of libraries of all types and sizes throughout central and southeast Ohio, and would invite you to find out more by visiting their website at www.serls.org or contacting them toll free at 1-800-759-1537.