October 2005 Newsletter

[ pdf version ]

Services to Patrons with Disabilities

Approximately 10% of our population has some sort of disability that may affect their use of the library. An estimated 194,000 Ohio residents are legally blind, according to the 2004 Annual Report of the National Federation of the Blind, Ohio. As our population ages, these percentages will go up. How can libraries meet the information and recreational needs of this growing group of patrons?

As one of the most democratic and open institutions in the nation, libraries have worked hard to ensure that all resources are accessible to all patrons. The lack of assistive services in libraries can often be traced to lack of funding. One of the goals of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program - to provide grants to support services to the underserved and to individuals with disabilities - seeks to address that issue. Libraries are also working to become more aware of patrons' needs and to learn about the means available to meet those needs.

Highlighted in this issue are the efforts of two public libraries to meet the needs of patrons with disabilities, suggestions on how to market to patrons with disabilities, and information about a state agency that helps patrons with disabilities find jobs.

State Librarian’s Report

"In an ideal world, what would regional library systems look like?"

Many Ohio librarians realize the benefits of membership in a Regional Library System: Listen Ohio project, Tech Connections, Group Health Insurance, Performers Showcase, the Digital Shoebox, Youth Services Symposium, the Library Leadership Academy and more.

Many Ohio librarians also realize the financial difficulties which have challenged the Regional Library Systems in the past few years due to cuts in State funding. This, coupled with other challenges, led to a series of meetings arranged by the State Library and including Regional Library System directors, board members, and librarians who are currently not members of any Regional Library System.

At a meeting on April 4th the question was asked: "In an ideal world, what would regional library systems look like?" In order to answer this question, the State Library created two task forces – Funding and Services – and convened a meeting with each of these groups. Based on the recommendations of these two task forces, the State Library has created a plan for the future of Regional Library Systems. These recommendations can be found at http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/rlsrecommendations.html

In brief the plan calls for:

• The creation of four Regional Library Systems;
  
  
• The inclusion of all libraries, of all types, as geographic members of the Regional Library Systems;
  
  
• All members (i.e. all libraries, of all types) receiving core services at no charge;
  
  
• All members being given the opportunity to become paying members in order to receive additional services.

There will be a session at the OLC Conference on Thursday, October 6 about the Regional Library Systems. This will be a perfect opportunity to discuss the plan and give input.

Should you have any questions or comments about the recommendations of this plan, please send them to Joseph Weitz, Executive Secretary to the State Librarian, at jweitz@sloma.state.oh.us. He will gather these so that they may be collectively addressed through FAQ format or individually with a personal email. Thank you in advance for your interest and input into this process.