Library Leadership Ohio (LLO)Partnering with the State Library of Ohio and OLC, OHIONET collaborated to bring about the 2012 Library Leadership Ohio Institute last July. LLO has been “an opportunity to develop future leaders for Ohio libraries, and to help Ohio library staff become leaders in the communities they serve.” The 2012 experience was developed by alumni, former mentors, and the organizational partners to include projects, which cover seven themes and will culminate in June 2013.

“As we moved forward with LLO 2012, the relationship evolved into a true partnership defined by shared responsibilities, constant communication, and mutual respect. I am looking forward to working together on LLO 2014 as well as additional ventures.”

– Missy Lodge Associate State Librarian for Library

Development, State Library of Ohio

Embracing eBooksWe are excited about our partnership with the State Library and OLC on Embracing eBooks, which will be held in July 2013. The daylong event will provide opportunities to listen to other professionals discuss best practices, learn the legal ramifications of circulating eReaders, hear about the work being done with publishers to widen the library eBook market, and network with colleagues about their successes and failures.

“Through their work, OHIONET has made a valuable contribution to the issues that affect the day to day reality of their members. Without their flexibility and good humor, this project would have not have been the success that it is.”

– Mandy Knapp Library Consultant, State Library of Ohio and

Embracing eBooks Chair

By the numbers 2012-2013

1500 West Lane AvenueColumbus, Ohio 43221-3975

614-486-2996 n 800-686-8975fax 614-486-1527 n www.ohionet.org

ohionEtK-12 Partnerships through InFOhioWe have partnered with INFOhio since 1998, helping them develop cataloging solutions for K-12 libraries in Ohio, which resulted in the popular OCLC CatExpress product used by many libraries throughout the United States. The current partnership confers Premium Member status on all K-12 libraries within the state, which means many librarians have benefited from free training opportunities at OHIONET and tremendous savings through group purchasing programs. It has also meant a channel for increasing communications between K-12 librarians and their counterparts in academic and public libraries.

“OHIONET provides wonderful services that keep school libraries on an equal par with academic, public and special libraries, which is important to our community. Access to top-notch training keeps K-12 librarians up-to-date on current trends and technologies. Amazing discounted pricing for important equipment and supplies stretches tight budgets, and the annual preview of databases really helps students research and learn.”

– Terri Fredericka ExecutiveDirector,INFOhio

Board Members theresa M. Fredericka (2013)Executive Director, INFOhioBoard Chair

Chris taylor (2014)Director, Upper Arlington

Public LibraryBoard Treasurer

thomas Klingler (2013)Assistant Director, Technical

ServicesLibraries and Media ServicesKent State UniversityBoard Secretary

Don W. Barlow (2015)Director, Westerville Public LibraryPast Board Chair

Douglas Anderson (2014)Director of the Library,

Marietta CollegeLegacy Library

Suzette Burlingame (2015)Associate Director Library

TechnologiesStark County District Library

Sheila Campbell (2015)Library/Media SpecialistColumbus Zoo and Aquarium

Library

Douglas Kaylor (2013)Director, Sinclair Community

College

Joseph Palmer (2014)Director, Mansfield Richland

County Library

Stevo Roksandic (2013)Director, Mount Carmel

Health Sciences Library

Lois Szudy (2015)Director, Courtright

Memorial LibraryOtterbein University

Lisa Wood (2014)Curator, Audio/Visual

CollectionsOhio Historical Society

Innovative servicesConsortium of Ohio Libraries (COOL)We’re especially pleased with the progress and development of COOL, a recently established consortium of Ohio public libraries, and of our partnership with the group. As with OPAL and OSLS, we manage the integrated library system used by the COOL libraries. But in contrast to those systems, which use commercially licensed software, the COOL libraries selected the Evergreen open-source library system.

To date, eight members have migrated to the catalog, including the Community Library, Germantown Public Library, Selover Public Library, Mt. Gilead Public Library, Cardington-Lincoln Public Library, Worch Memorial Public Library, Blanchester Public Library and Wornstaff Memorial Library. Arcanum Public Library is set to migrate in August. In May, two more libraries were approved as the newest members to the consortium: J.R. Clarke Public Library plans to migrate to the COOL-CAT in August; Marvin Memorial Library is planning to migrate later in the fall.

“If it weren’t for OHIONET’s commitment and expertise, COOL would have never flourished and become the vibrant consortium into which it has developed. Above all, OHIONET is committed to customer service, which makes partnering with them a delightful and rewarding experience.”

– Chauncey Montgomery Director, Community Library (Sunbury) and COOL

President

Everyday AdvocacyWe have worked together with librarians from around the state to present Everyday Advocacy in April 2013. A day-long event that was part hands-on workshop and part best practices conference, Everyday Advocacy was a unique experience for librarians to share conversation about their common goal of moving their library’s mission forward in challenging times.

“Kudos! Fantastic! Important topic!”

– Michelle Ramsell Director, Tuscarawas County Public Library

n Over 300 members

n 130 academic libraries

n 118 public libraries

n 69 special libraries

n All of the K-12 libraries in the State of Ohio, through INFOhio

n 24 academic libraries saving time and money in OPAL

n 11 public libraries saving time and money in COOL

n 8 academic libraries saving time and money in OSLS

n Over $600,000 in savings thorough eResource group purchasing, an average savings of more than 34% from the list price

n Nearly $100,000 in savings through equipment and supply group discounts, which does not even count standing offers through catalog or contract negotiations

n Over 650 attendees at OHIONET continuing education events

n Over 40 partnering events hosted at OHIONET for INFOhio, ALAO, OhioLINK, Ohio Preservation Council, Libraries Connect Ohio, and other library organizations.

n Over 180 library jobs posted on our website

Transformative collaboration

ParticiPation Valueengagement

from the DirectorAs we prepare for a new membership year, it gives me great pleasure to share with you the accomplishments of 2012-13.

December 2012 marked OHIONET’s 35th anniversary. We think that our secret to looking young is that we are still fulfilling our charter purpose every day to “facilitate the availability and sharing of bibliographic and other library information and resources, to and among its Members and the citizens of Ohio; encourage and facilitate the institution of cost-effective operational practices and procedures by its Members, by means of statewide library cooperation.”

The past year has seen some changes in our relationship with a key partner from OHIONET’s early years: OCLC. We are pleased to continue working with OCLC as a marketing and training partner, bringing news to you about the latest trends in the cooperative and access to research in the information field. We are looking forward to an expanded role in facilitating that access to research and trends through the Collective Insight speaker series.

Library cooperation has taken many shapes over the past 35 years at OHIONET, and we continue to strive to be a preeminent library service organization. We remain focused on supporting the needs of libraries through transformational collaboration and innovative products and services. This report highlights the outcomes of that focus. We will continue to use that mission as a guiding principle in the years to come as well.

Thank you for your continued support of OHIONET, and for the opportunity to work with you to facilitate sharing and cooperation.

– Michael P. Butler ExecutiveDirector/CEO

from the Board PresidentIt is an honor to serve as Board Chair for OHIONET, an organization focused on bringing value to all types of libraries. INFOhio and OHIONET have a history of collaboration built on the belief that working together to improve services to all school libraries impacts greatly in a positive way on the larger library community.

OHIONET’s work to reduce costs through economy of scale and use of innovative technology translates to success for all libraries. It is an outstanding partner to all in the library community, serving side-by-side with the State Library of Ohio, public and private academic libraries, traditional and online school libraries, all public libraries, and special libraries representing numerous professions. OHIONET’s unique focus of serving all audiences coupled with an intense focus on the wider community needs, provides an excellent opportunity for networking and sharing of ideas and solutions that are for the most part not available through any other organization in Ohio.

As we look forward to 2014, I believe OHIONET’s vision of assisting “members in acquiring, implementing and using technology solutions to manage operations and resources to meet end user needs,” will keep libraries not only viable, but thriving in our rapidly changing information based economy.

– Theresa M. Fredericka INFOhio

Ohio Private Academic Libraries (OPAL)Since its formation in the late 1990s, we’ve provided systems management, training and support services to the OPAL consortium and its 24 academic member libraries. Many of those services have centered on the coordination, maintenance and technical support for the group’s shared Innovative Interfaces library management system. Beyond their ILS, we also manage proxy servers for each OPAL library to support the remote access to the libraries’ increasingly electronic collections. Over the past year, OHIONET and OPAL libraries marked a major milestone with the migration to Innovative’s new Sierra platform in December 2012.

“OHIONET is an excellent partner for OPAL. Technology Services’ consistent, competent, and comprehensive management of our shared Innovative system has provided our member libraries significant opportunities. Our partnership has allowed OPAL members to focus on collaborative projects, resources, and services that deliver additional value to our students and faculty. It would be challenging to deliver the same set of resources and services locally, without the benefit of the expert support provided by the team at OHIONET.”

– AndrewWhitis Director of Shafer Library, University of Findlay

Ohio Shared Library Server (OSLS)We continue the foundation of success established in our work with OPAL with the management of another shared library system, OSLS. As part of the OSLS project, eight colleges and universities share hardware and networking infrastructure for their Innovative Millennium ILS while retaining separate instances of the Innovative software, including discrete OPACs and bibliographic and patron databases. This arrangement allows them to reduce the administrative and maintenance overhead without sacrificing their independence in the process, allowing the library or campus IT staff to focus on other areas. The OSLS added Terra Community College as its 8th member in February 2013.

“If not for the shared server and all services offered by OHIONET, Southern State Community College’s four campus libraries could not begin to offer our patrons the level of service they deserve. By utilizing OHIONET’s shared server, our students are not inundated with complicated facilitation for locating information; there is a single path for them to follow to find what they need. This in turn provides the student with self-confidence and assurance that they can be successful.”

– Carissa Thatcher South Campus LRC Manager,

Southern State Community College

eResource GroupsOHIONET’s negotiations offer discounted pricing on a wide range of eResource products to meet the needs of academic, public, school, and special libraries. The group opportunities are open to individual libraries and to consortia; working through OHIONET groups has meant significant savings in cost and staff time for participating libraries. Dozens of new group opportunities were added in 2012-13 to the hundreds that have already been negotiated.

“The OHIONET eResources program saves us substantial time, trouble, and money. We don’t have to negotiate licenses; we don’t have to negotiate with vendors for prices one resource at a time; and, we get simple, consistent billing. We save far more each year than the cost of our Ohionet membership! What’s not to like?!”

– Tom Klingler Assistant Dean for Systems,

Collections&TechnicalServices,Kent State University Libraries

Equipment and Supply GroupsOur members tell us time and again that they find their membership more than pays for itself with discounts on the basics. We continue to work with library catalog vendors such as Demco, Gaylord, Kapco, The Library Store and Vernon—as well as Staples—to bring the power of our consortium to bear on pricing for everyday supplies. In addition, we work with vendors of patron cards, barcode labels, and scanners to bring our members the best

Supporting the needs of libraries

prices possible on circulation necessities. And we are always looking for new opportunities to save our members money. In short, make sure to ask OHIONET first before making your purchases…you might just be surprised how much we can save your library.

“If it wasn’t for the discount on some pieces of equipment, we couldn’t afford or consider purchasing some things. As a case in point, if it were not for the nearly $1,000.00 discount off each AWE machine from OHIONET, replacements would not have been on our list.”

– Alison Gibson Director, Union Township Public Library

Continuing EducationOHIONET was pleased to continue to offer most of our continuing education to our premium members at no additional charge this year. This member benefit, which began in 2011, has been paired with an increasing number of online CE events to minimize barriers to learning. We continue to expand opportunities to learn more about RDA, and we are starting to engage with OCLC on a new series of trend-seeking events called Collective Insights; the first programs are scheduled for June 2013.

“The instructor is very knowledgeable and is a good presenter.”

“Excellent review of audiovisual cataloging.”

“For the first time, I understand all the parts of LibGuides and how they come together.”

“The information was presented in a way that helped make RDA make sense.”

– VariousOHIONETworkshopattendees

Financial statementOHIONET runs on a July 1 fiscal year. We look forward to sharing a formal report of our financial stewardship of our member resources, which will be available in the fall of 2013. To view our most recent statement, please visit http://bit.ly/11Zi2Rj