News Monthly Newsletter March 2003	Contents: The Library Organizer! - Cindy McLaughlin State Library Board Report Minigrants for Computer Labs - Missy Lodge Libraries & Community Organizations Have A Big Impact - Jan Haines

The Library Organizer! Supporting the development of library programs in Ohio

Cindy McLaughlin Deputy State Librarian for Library Services

In 1908 there were 200 public libraries in Ohio and the Board of Library Commissioners directed the State Librarian to hire a "Library Organizer." At first thought, the image that comes to mind is a combination of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Martha Stewart. This was and is not the case.

The first Library Organizer was hired to: promote and start new libraries, reorganize old libraries according to modern methods to insure greater efficiency, gather statistics of Ohio libraries, give advice and assistance in planning library buildings. The first Library Organizer was Mary E. Downey.

In 1909 the Board requested a report on the feasibility of formulating a standard for libraries in towns and cities of Ohio. While 200 may seem like a large number, much of rural Ohio was still un-served. Little is known of the specific activities of the position but it continued to be filled throughout the years.

In 1912, Ella Louise Smith was appointed to the position. In 1916 the Library Organizer reported that she was working out plans for a Summer Library School. Classrooms at Ohio State University along with the State Library facilities were used to conduct summer programs for library training.

In the minutes of the June 30, 1917 Board meeting the Library Organizer reported making visits to new libraries, including Pataskala and Ripley. She also reported that a library was opened in the State Reformatory for Women and district meetings conducted by the Ohio Library Association (OLA) had an attendance of 220. The district meetings were "arranged to provide for an informal conference of librarians and trustees to consider practical everyday topics relating to progress and daily needs of the libraries of the state."

In June of 1917 J. Howard Dice was appointed as Library Organizer. Mr. Dice's efforts were focused on the War Library Service Fund that was a national program to raise funds for books for soldiers in the camps throughout the country. The two camps in Ohio, in Columbus and Chillicothe, were the focus of the Ohio program. Mr. Dice enlisted in the army in 1918 and the work of the Library Organizer's office was carried out on a very limited basis. Mr. Dice's position was held for him. There is no indication that Mr. Dice returned to the State Library.

In 1921, Mary Reagh was appointed as Library Organizer. From that point forward little documentation exists regarding the activities of this position or any other at the Library. Limited space and limited budget were the major concerns of the Board. There was much turnover in the position of State Librarian, as well as other staff. From 1927 to 1933 the Library seemed to be in a great state of disarray.

However, in June of 1933 the Board, on the verge of moving to the new State Office Building (65 S. Front Street), reorganizing the library, and hiring a new State Librarian, proposed plans for the future of the Library along the "serious lines of greater usefulness as a state-wide project." The State Library was about to take on a new role in statewide library development and the Library Organizer would play a key role in the program.

Paul A. Noon began his job as State Librarian, January 1, 1934. The State Library became "a clearinghouse for information on budget, legal and financial matters pertaining to libraries." The Directory and Statistics of Ohio Libraries were published for the first time since 1926. Public Library Laws of Ohio was also published.

In 1934 a plan to help libraries resulted in the initiation of the state aid program. In 1935 Mildred Sandoe was hired as the Library Organizer. In December of the same year Ms. Sandoe reported to the Library Board that she had been surveying counties for library services. The county extension program was developed and 69 county extension centers were established between 1935 and 1936. The surveys resulted in recommendations for awarding state aid funds for further development of library service. The Library Organizer, the OLA State Aid Committee, and the State Librarian made up the group that reviewed the surveys and made the formal recommendations to the State Library Board. By 1944 there were 272 public libraries in Ohio.

In 1952 Mildred Sandoe left the State Library to work at the Cincinnati Public Library as it was then named. State aid and the development of library service in Ohio had been the focus of the Library Organizer's office. In 1953 Faith Stoughton was hired to replace Sandoe and in 1956 the Library Services Act, a federal program for extending library services to rural areas, provided the basis for significant change in the Library Organizer's job.

By 1963 there were three "library consultants." The name had been changed and one of them was a children's consultant. Another was a library career consultant. Now that library service was more wide-spread the need for well-trained and professional librarians was one of the State Library's focuses. By 1967 the federal program had changed to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) and there were four consultants working with the various programs of LSCA along with the other State Library programs.

In 1968 a new division was formed at the State Library. The Library Development Division included consultant services, LSCA, and field operations. A consultant for institutional library services was added to work with the state institutions. A staff development consultant and a consultant for services to the handicapped followed.

Throughout the next thirty years the consultant program continued with the same premise of supporting the development of library programs in Ohio, changing as the needs of the libraries themselves changed. Consultants were added as the new programs were developed. In some cases, as programs fulfilled their goals or became a routine library service with local support, consultant efforts were redirected to address new needs and new programs.

Today's State Library consultant must be prepared to respond to a wide array of challenges in response to daily concerns as well as long term planning and development. In the next issue of NEWS we will look at the many opportunities today's consultants have to assist library development in Ohio.

State Library Board Report

At the March State Library Board meeting, a public hearing was held on proposed rule 3375-3-01 Depository Libraries for Materials Incorporated by Reference. The rule would allow state agencies to incorporate by reference certain text or materials which would otherwise be too lengthy to include in administrative rules they adopt. The State Library Board would designate five depository libraries around the state to house any materials incorporated by reference into a rule. In addition to the State Library, the four depository libraries would be the Toledo Public Library, the Cleveland Public Library, the Public library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the Athens branch of the Nelsonville Public Library. No testimony was given at the public hearing. The proposed rule now goes before the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) before it can finally be adopted.

The Board approved 31 federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) mini-grants, totaling $458,282. The State Library received 55 eligible proposals totaling more than $871,000. A detailed summary of the funded projects can be found at http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/lstafunded.html.

David Miller, Board member, attended the LSTA Team Leader meeting. He was impressed by the number of grant proposals that had been turned down last year, who returned and were approved this year.

Carl Stich, Board member, asked Paul Pormen, Executive Director of NOLA Regional Library System, about the NOLA video conferencing experiences. Mr. Pormen said NOLA uses it for meetings and had a 9 site young adult reading program workshop that went well.

The Board was concerned that the minigrant recipients felt pressured to attend the Board meeting. Several grant recipients assured the Board they were happy to attend the meeting at which they would get a grant. Mr. Miller asked that in the future, minigrant recipients be told if they can not attend, to please provide a contact person name and phone number in case there are questions.

The Board approved the appointment of Lois Szudy, Director, Courtright Memorial Library, Otterbein College, to the LSTA Advisory Council for a three year term.

Michael S. Lucas, State Librarian, updated the Board on the current status of the State Library budget. After the March 4 hearing before the House Budget Committee, the State Library compiled information to answer questions that the Committee had raised. We also met with Representative Dr. Shawn N. Webster (R) to discuss the functions of certain accounts.

The Board approved the revised State Library Public Terminals Acceptable Use Policy. It can be found at http://winslo.state.oh.us/usepol.html. The policy incorporates changes suggested by the Attorney General's office.

The Board moved that the reduction in State FY 2003 General Revenue Funds (GRF) be implemented, as directed by the State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) through the following adjustments to the funds for the Regional Library Systems:

The Board also moved that the reduction in State FY 2003 GRF be implemented, as directed by the OBM through the following adjustments to the funds for the Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped:

The Board passed resolutions upon their retirements thanking Angie Morris and Doris Henderhan for their many years of service to the State Library.

The next State Library Board meeting will be held Thursday, April 24 at 1:00 pm at MOLO Regional Library System in New Philadelphia.

For the minutes of the State Library Board meeting, go to http://winslo.state.oh.us/boardmin.html.

Minigrants for Computer Labs Training is a need in many Ohio libraries

Missy Lodge Library Programs Administrator

At the March State Library Board meeting, the Board approved funding for 31 LSTA minigrants. Of particular note this year was the number of proposals, eleven, for a computer lab. Eight of those 11 projects were for wireless labs using laptop computers.

The need for training opportunities, for staff and customers, is the underlining thread in all of the proposals, for both schools and public libraries. Why wireless laptop labs? Once again there is a commonality between the school and public library proposals. Wireless laptop labs address the issues of space (or lack of space) and training locations.

The needs statements for most of the proposals stated the library has no space to accommodate additional computers, particularly enough computers to form a lab type setting.

The public library proposals cited recent customer surveys or focus groups that indicated a need for additional computer classes. But, for these public libraries, additional training is not possible because the only computers available for training are those in the "open library" setting. This type of setting is distracting for training and when training sessions are taking place, computers are not available to other customers.

Wireless laptop computers solve this problem because they can be used for training in a meeting room and then taken elsewhere or stored when not in use.

One LSTA recipient, Franklin Public Library, intends to lock the laptops onto computer tables when they are not being used for training. Thus, the project will also increase the library's total number of public access computers.

Libraries are increasingly recognizing the need to reach out to their customers and to provide services outside of the library. Portable, wireless training labs allow libraries to do just that. In schools, portable training labs will allow the library to go to the classroom where the media specialist can conduct information literacy training to a class. Having the media specialist in the classroom also has the added benefit of strengthening the relationship between the teacher and the media specialist. As the proposal from Springfield Local Schools stated, "the portable lab will extend the scope of the media center outside its doors enabling it to become the learning hub of the school."

Using a wireless laptop lab, public libraries can take training "on the road." The Coshocton Public Library proposal underscores this premise by stating, "In addition to training within our own facilities, we realize it is important for us to take computer training out into the community to places where people, specifically seniors, gather." Public library proposals indicate the intent to do training at senior centers, veteran organizations, local businesses, social service agencies and the Chamber of Commerce. Many of the proposals also include the purchase of large screens and mice to provide a traditional desktop experience.

LSTA grants continue to address individual library service needs. This year's minigrant round shows that customer training is a need in many Ohio libraries. A brief synopsis of all FY03 minigrants can be found at: http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/lstafunded.html

In many towns and villages around the state, libraries are quietly going about their business while working with other groups in their communities to make big impacts on their citizens. Partnerships and connections can be seen between these libraries and a myriad of agencies. Canvassing the state the authors found many librarians willing to share ideas and events from their libraries.

Educators are natural partners for libraries. Children's services folks at Sabina Public Library are happy to be working with the East Clinton Family Living Class. As part of a class project, the students prepared story time programs under the supervision of their teacher and library staff. The high schoolers have shown themselves to be creative and flexible in creating these programs.

The Swanton Public Library enjoys a close relationship with the schools in their community. SPL sends a newsletter, "Teacher's Link" to all elementary teachers. The goal is to improve communication and keep educators informed of the services available. This newsletter has not only succeeded in reaching its goal, but has opened the door for other cooperative ventures between the library and the school system.

A variety of computer classes including "So You Got a Computer for Christmas! Now What?" are offered to all community members at the local high school though a partnership of the Richwood-North Union Public Library with the North Union Local School District. The library pays class instructors from the high school; the director serves as the instructor's aide; and students can take home class materials provided by the library.

Teacher boxes containing library materials on various topics can be checked out for a 6-week period from Columbiana Public Library. Subjects include the Solar System, Ohio, Colonial America, Middle Ages, and the weather.

Community agencies make wonderful partners for libraries. The Henderson Memorial Public Library teamed with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and Ashtabula Jobs and Family Service to assist life-long learners in Jefferson, Ohio. A three part lecture series was put together on jobs and small business. Residents were able to take advantage of information on many topics, including starting a small business, using the Internet to locate job opportunities and marketing strategies.

As a "neighbor helping neighbors," Mechanicsburg Public Library has asked community members to join staff members in knitting or crocheting small sections or entire afghans for the Champaign County Chapter of the American Red Cross and other local organizations to distribute to people in need. The project is part of the Craft Yarn Council of America's Warm Up America! Program. Patrons can pick up supplies at the library and either work at home or in the library.

While lots of small libraries have "food for fines" programs, Mechanicsburg PL also accepts donations of personal necessities during the holiday season. A local IGA loans grocery carts to the library to decorate and use for the event. Items, including those from people without library fines, are donated to the shelter and soup kitchen of Champaign County Caring Kitchen.

Community members donate new hats, gloves, scarves, mittens, earmuffs, and socks to help fill the "cars" of Sylvester Memorial Wellston Public Library's Mitten Train each November. The cardboard train is mounted on a bulletin board in the juvenile area of the library and donations are given to Secret Santa of Jackson County.

The Swanton Public Library has joined with the Fulton County Humane Society to offer area pet owners a chance to purchase certificates for spay and neuter procedures for cats and dogs at a discount.

Delta Public Library partners with the Ohio State University Extension office of Fulton County to provide Parenting Enrichment Classes for parents of children of all ages, childcare providers, parents-to-be, and those considering parenthood. Clyde Public Library and other small and rural libraries also partner with OSU Extension for a variety of program offerings.

Sandusky-Ottawa County Master Gardeners present a series of programs in the spring at the Clyde Public Library. Clyde area gardeners discuss all aspects of planning and planting a garden from choosing a location to plant care and maintenance.

These are just a few examples of public libraries working with other local organizations to make a difference in their communities. Next month we will share examples of such cooperation from more Ohio libraries.