The State Library of Ohio and OPLIN meets with libraries to discuss Open Source software.
The State Library of Ohio and OPLIN held a meeting in Columbus on April 24 for all library staff interested in discussing the recent decision by SirsiDynix to discontinue development of Horizon 8.0. The meeting was well attended, with approximately 85 individuals at the State Library and with several others participating via video conference. Fifty-one libraries were represented, in addition to representatives from OHIONET, OCLC, and 3 of the Regional Library Systems. Several library consortiums were also represented, including SEO, CACL, CLEVENET, CLC, Search Ohio, Discovery Place, and Ohio Libraries Share:MORE. Liblime, a support provider for the open source ILS Koha, was also present.
Open source ILS software was a major topic of discussion as an option to the proprietary ILS vendors. A brief FAQ and some background information can be found here.
Please click here for the minutes of the meeting.
Additionally, it was discussed at this meeting that a blog would be helpful to enable communication between all the participants of this meeting. You can reach the ILS Options Blog by clicking here.
The State Library of Ohio is seeking nominations for appointment to the State Library Board.
The State Library of Ohio is seeking nominations for appointment to the State Library Board. Board Member Jacquelyn K, O'Brien recently resigned from the Board leaving a vacancy. The appointed candidate will complete Ms. O'Brien's term which expires on December 31, 2009.
To ensure adequate geographic representation the State Library Board is particularly interested in candidates from the Southeast area of the state. The nominated candidate should have experience in at least one of the following areas:
-As a board member or an employee of a public organization or institution.
-As a board member or employee of a public, school, academic or specialized library.
-In the development of equal access to information for all Ohio residents.
-Changing technologies and their impact on libraries.
The State Library Board consists of five members appointed by the State Board of Education. The Board ordinarily meets for a two-day retreat in February and then monthly March through July and again in September, October and December. For information on the specific powers and duties of the State Library Board, please see Chapter 3375.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Current or past board members or employees of public, school, academic or special libraries will be given first consideration for nomination. However, it should be noted that a person cannot serve on a public library board and on the State Library Board concurrently.
The State Library Board has identified the following top strategic goals for FY 2007:
Target 1: The State Library will provide high quality library and information services and products to all organizational units of state government.
Target 2: The State Library will serve as a resource to the library community by providing training, consultation and statewide projects which will enhance library service to Ohio residents.
Target 3: The State Library will be a statewide resource in partnership with local libraries to provide library service to Ohio residents. Our emphasis will be on "virtual" information to meet the anytime, anywhere needs of Ohio residents.
Target 4: The State Library will provide support to its internal customers in the areas of fiscal administration, employee relations, information technology, marketing, building services and delivery.
Send nominations, plus supporting information, by May 15, 2007 to:
Bill Morris, Executive Assistant to the State Librarian
State Library of Ohio
274 East First Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Email
State Library of Ohio Genealogy Collection is moving to Columbus Metropolitan Library
The entire genealogy collection at the State Library of Ohio is scheduled to be transferred to the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Genealogy, History and Travel Department (96 South Grant Avenue across from Grant Hospital) on April 19. The collection will be unavailable April 20-24. It will reopen to the public at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library's Genealogy, History & Travel division on Wednesday April 25, 2007. For information about CML library go to their website at www.columbuslibrary.org. Russ Pollitt, Genealogy Subject Specialist at the Columbus Metropolitan Library will oversee the collection and services. Russ can be reached through email or by phone at: 614-645-2275.
According to State Library of Ohio Genealogy Specialist Paul Immel, "By the 'passing of the torch' from the State Library of Ohio to the Columbus Metropolitan Library, this collection will maintain its integrity and its theme, 'Ohio, the Gateway to the West,' while providing the services and resources the genealogical public deserves." The Columbus Metropolitan Library's hours include nights and weekends making the collection more accessible for patrons. " While the State Library will no longer serve walk-in or corresponding genealogy patrons, it will continue promoting genealogy virtually. The library plans to offer researchers access to genealogical and local historical information through digitization of Ohio items from its collection."