April 26, 2008
State Library of Ohio Board approves LSTA grant to purchase databases
The State Library of Ohio Board approved a $1,467,414 federal Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant request from the Libraries Connect Ohio partners to fund the purchase of databases for the Ohio Web Library. The Libraries Connect Ohio partners include OPLIN, OhioLINK, INFOhio, and the State Library. A library database is an electronic catalog or index containing information and resources such as full text journals, reference materials, newspapers, art, test prep and online courses. LSTA grants can only be awarded for one year at a time. Libraries Connect Ohio has used LSTA funding for the past five years to purchase databases to enhance the basic EBSCO databases and it is the intention of the State Library of Ohio Board to continue supporting the subscription of the suite of databases for a total of five years.
A task force of fifteen librarians and additional staff members from OPLIN, INFOhio, OhioLINK, and the State Library was formed with the goal of providing the best service to all library users throughout Ohio. The task force reviewed and selected the suite of databases in the grant request. The grant will be administered through the OhioLINK fiscal agent, Wright State University. The new and renewed databases will be available July 1, 2008.
The Ohio Web Library will use the LSTA grant to purchase the following databases:
Access Science will be replaced with Facts on File's Science Online
Encyclopedia Britannica will be replaced with World Book
Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated will be upgraded to Wilson Biography Reference Bank
American National Biography will not be continued
Learning Express Library will be upgraded to include the Learn2 package of computer tutorials
EBSCO MasterFILE Premier, Newspaper Source, Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, Regional Business News, Student Research Center, and Consumer Health Complete will continue as before. Public libraries will also have access to NoveList through OPLIN.
NewsBank newspaper package will continue as before.
Oxford Reference Online Premium will continue as before.
The ART Collection will continue as before.
The American and English full text literature collections will continue as before. (LCO actually owns this content now.)
April 21, 2008
State Library of Ohio Research Services Librarian Paul Immel awarded Silver Medal for Citizenship and Service by Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution
State Library of Ohio Research Services Librarian Paul Immel was recently awarded the Silver Medal for Citizenship and Service for his contribution to genealogy in Ohio by the Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). The presentation ceremony took place at the State Library with Tony Robinson, Ohio Society SAR Second Vice-President and member Steve Kelly presenting the medal and certificate. (pictured left to right - Steve Kelly, Jo Budler, Paul Immel, Tony Robinson)
The Silver Good Citizenship Medal was authorized in 1939 and recognizes outstanding service that is at the state level. It recognizes extensive service—which is to preserve history, genealogy, or perpetuate the memory of patriots of the revolution.
“Paul Immel met all three” said Tony Robinson, Ohio Society, SAR Second Vice-President. “The Medal may be presented to a Governor, U.S. Representative, Senator, High Ranking military officer, or some similar post which has allowed him to perform outstanding service to his state or country. In addition, persons who have performed similar outstanding service as a member of the professional or religious community may be considered.”
Immel has worked in libraries for four decades including 29 years at the State Library as a genealogy librarian. “One of the keys to success as a genealogy librarian is to see it as a perpetual learning experience. Often, you will learn more from your patron than they will from you” said Paul. “To study great historical events is exciting, but to trace one’s own flesh and blood in those events is sublime.”
“Paul‘s love of history, his genuine desire to provide excellent customer service, and his natural curiosity make him the perfect librarian to work on genealogy,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. “Over the years, genealogists have come to realize this and have sought him out to assist them. It would be impossible to say how many people Paul has helped to trace their ancestry. It is wonderful to see him recognized by such an esteemed group as the Sons of the American Revolution.”
“In his years of service at the State Library Paul Immel has assisted thousands of individuals in their discovery of family history. His service has been always been focused on the individual,” said Steve Kelley, member of the Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution. “He has adapted his library skills to the new media. His genealogy blog reaches out across the entire state and makes the State Library of Ohio a more valuable resource to its residents.”Kelley continued, “In my case, Paul directed me to the proper Pennsylvania Historical Documents Volume to verify the County militia service of my eighth generation grandfather during the American Revolution. Paul listened and with his vast knowledge directed me to the proper document. Years of searching were condensed to an afternoon of productive research. With that certified document I had the proof that was required to become a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.”
Established in 1817, the State Library of Ohio, located in Columbus, has three priorities: lead and partner in the development of library services throughout Ohio, promote and enable resource sharing among libraries and library networks, and provide access to information for Ohio's state government.
April 18, 2008
The State Library of Ohio expands access to library resources in Ohio and around the world with WorldCat local
On Monday April 28th, 2008 the State Library of Ohio will begin offering a simplified interface to search its library catalog. This Google-like search box, known as WorldCat Local, will allow users to search and place requests for library materials owned by the State Library, OhioLINK and other libraries worldwide through interlibrary loan. Results are grouped based on availability and location of requested materials.
According to State Librarian Jo Budler, “The State Library is rich in resources and we are always looking for ways to assist our users in locating relevant resources. But as rich as our collection is and as beneficial as our membership in OhioLINK is, we know that we cannot possibly own everything. With WorldCat Local, a user’s search does not end with our collection but rather expands to include libraries worldwide through WorldCat. It is our hope that our users will find WorldCat Local as easy to use as Google but with more focused and authenticated results being returned to them.”
"The State Library of Ohio is the first state library in the country to implement WorldCat Local. “WorldCat Local will improve our service to state employees by expanding the number of resources we can bring to them and by making it easier to request those materials,” said Jim Buchman, Head of Patron & Catalog Services.
The new search box will be available on the State Library of Ohio’s website at www.library.ohio.gov starting April 28th. Users not wanting to use this new interface will still be able to search the State Library’s catalog and OhioLINK directly by selecting 'library catalog' on the front page of the website.
For more information on using this service, contact Jim Buchman, Head of Patron & Catalog Services at jbuchman@sloma.state.oh.us or by phone at: 614-644-6954.