Readers' Advisory: Why not let our readers advise?
A month ago someone told me about LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/), a website service that allows one to catalog one’s library. It then takes the information that is submitted, adds it to the information others have added when cataloging the same titles and makes recommendations regarding similar titles, tells you what other titles are owned by those who own this title, and presents the ratings given to this title
I have also discovered Gurulib (http://www.gurulib.com/) – another web tool that allows one to catalog one’s personal library. This site is not as multifaceted as the LibraryThing but does allow one to add titles and to make comments about the book. Where LibraryThing allows the user to assign subject headings, Gurulib attaches subject headings for the user.
LibraryThing allows one to write reviews of books they add to their library and Gurulib has the field for comments. Both are great tools for organizing one’s library (but I have been told by non-librarians that few outside the library community really want to do that!) but more importantly these Internet sites are great for letting a reader know what other readers with their interests are reading. Isn’t that what we want a readers’ advisory to do? Wouldn’t it be great if we could link these to our own library catalogs so readers could advise one another?
If anyone is doing something like this, please let me know. I am hoping that someday our automation systems will be versatile enough to allow for us to implement tools like these – Readers’ Advice given by the readers themselves!
Sincerely,
Jo Budler, State Librarian
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July Message
Four new Regionals bring a brighter future
On June 22, 2006, four new Regional Library Systems (RLS) were chartered anew or created by amending prior documentation. At this same State Library Board meeting, the State Library Board allocated the funding to the new Regionals.
These Regionals cover the entire state of Ohio and are truly multi-type, including all Ohio libraries as “geographic” members. This was the final step in the implementation of the plan introduced in Sept. 2005 and which grew out of the question asked at the Regional Library Planning Meeting on April 4, 2005: "In an ideal world, what would regional library systems look like?"
The new Regional Library Systems – SWON (Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries), NORWELD (Northwest Regional Library System), NEO-RLS (Northeast Ohio Regional Library System) and SEORLS (Southeast Ohio Regional Library System) – are entering a new realm of possibilities. The Directors will hold their first meeting on August 2, 2006 to talk about services offered at each Regional and to share ideas on how they might spread services across regional lines to all libraries.
It has been a long time since the RLS have seen an increase in funding – in fact over the past few biennia they have realized a decrease of more than 44%. This change in their number was necessitated by this decreased funding. But with this change, which was done through a lot of hard work and with sadness in losing three Regional Library Systems, Regionals can begin to work ever more collaboratively to improve services to all libraries, regardless of type or geography. I believe that we can expect a bright future when we are able to achieve this.
We will be creating stronger Regionals through increased services. Increased funding is sure to follow.
Sincerely,
Jo Budler, State Librarian
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June Message
Change has been key to the State Library's successes
As the fiscal year winds down, I cannot help but think of all that has changed and is changing. Change can sometimes be difficult to handle but is often necessary for the sake of progress. I thank everyone who has been part of the following changes over the last year.
- In response to budget cuts over the past few biennia, we have gone from seven Regional Library Systems (RLS) to four RLS. This has been a painful but necessary metamorphosis. The four new RLS will cover the entire state (whereas the prior seven left some areas unserved by a Regional) and will include all types of libraries as geographic members who will receive core services. Libraries who choose to be dues paying members will have a variety of services from which to choose.
- The State Library created a business plan last spring and began to implement it in earnest in January 2006. We have completed many (but not all) of the objectives we established for ourselves last spring. We are now embarking on a second and revised business plan building on the successes of our first. This plan should be ready to share shortly after the new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2006.
- The TEL amendment was placed on the ballot during the last fiscal year and, more importantly, it appears that it is going to be removed.
- And on a lighter note, Elvis (See a photo of the State Library's Elvis.) has joined the State Library because the State Library joined Libraries Very Interested In Sharing Union List Group (LVIS).
And there is more change and success yet to come ...
Sincerely,
Jo Budler, State Librarian
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May Message
The state of the Statewide Resource Sharing
In preparing the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the Statewide Resource Sharing Commission, we took a quick inventory of the consortia around the state and marveled at the growing number and the variety of adopted resource sharing models. Couple this with the growing opportunities for new and innovative programs and the options can be overwhelming!
As we evaluate the current and future options, it is important to keep in mind what our customers want most: quick and simple, one-stop shopping. Nothing turns me away faster from a Web site than having to navigate a multitude of steps in order to do business. When that happens, I look elsewhere for the service. This is what companies that do business online know about online customers.
This also is why companies such as Google and Amazon are so successful. They have reduced the barriers to the customers desired end result. Think about the online companies in which you did business recently and why you chose to do business with them above all of their competitors. You probably chose them because of their excellent customer service and that customer service probably included ease of use, promptness and responsiveness.
Ultimately, online retailers give us the most significant examples of how to best serve online customers. We can gather many lessons from them.
We are always scanning the environment for new ways to provide quality library service to our residents. Your input is vital if we are going to be successful in this endeavor. Most recently we have been debating the value of having libraries included in the search results in Google and Yahoo since this is where so many begin their search for information on the Internet.
What are your thoughts on this? Please let me know at jbudler@sloma.state.oh.us. Use “Statewide Resource Sharing” as your e-mail subject line.
Sincerely,
Jo Budler, State Librarian
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April Message
National Library Week reflects State Library’s efforts to change people’s lives
Almost everyone has a story about how a library or a librarian has made a difference to them in their lives. Many of us remember the librarian who introduced us to a treasure trove of books and then allowed us to delve into that treasure chest introducing us to the magic of reading as children. In college, many of us found not only academic support from the librarians at our academic libraries, but also a place where we could find quiet study areas.
Perhaps the greatest joy to a person who knows the value of libraries is to pass this onto one’s children. When they were small, my own two children nearly clapped with joy when we were going to visit the library. The hunt for reading treasures always resulted in leaving laden with armloads of books. There is no greater pleasure than this for a librarian!
In our work lives the library plays a significant role with many of the same elements: providing material, research and a place to work. This is what the State Library of Ohio offers to all state workers.
We have a cadre of reference librarians who have access to a vast amount of online and print material. They will research any topic and deliver the results of their research to the desktop of any state employee. In addition, the State Library offers a Current Awareness Service which allows individuals to identify topics of interest on which they want to receive current information on an ongoing basis. This service is totally customizable to meet our customers’ needs.
The State Library also provides meeting rooms for state employees and library groups as well as study space and public access computers. As a member of OhioLINK, the State Library offers access to hundreds of databases from inside the library as well as remote customer access. A state employee may access the resources from a computer at work or home. It is our goal to provide information when our customers need it, regardless of where they are or when they seek it.
When I remember my first experience in a library, I picture a storefront on the corner of 130th Street and Liberty Ave. in Queens, New York. What I found there was a world waiting to be explored and a wonderful person who was willing to be my guide. While the library of today has a different fate because of technological advances, it still is the portal to the world of information. The need for guidance may be even greater because of the vastness of the resources we have at our fingertips. The State Library of Ohio and its staff stand ready to be your guide!
Sincerely,
Jo Budler, State Librarian
