The State Library of Ohio is a state agency that provides services to state government and all types of libraries to ensure that all Ohio residents, rich or poor, rural or urban, receive the best possible library service and are able to engage in lifelong learning which strengthens the economic health of Ohio. The State Library is governed by a five-member board. The Board members are appointed by the State Board of Education and each member serves a five-year term of office. Under the Ohio Revised Code, section 3375.01, the State Library Board is responsible for the State Library of Ohio and a statewide program of development and coordination of library services.
History
Governor Thomas Worthington established the State Library of Ohio in 1817 as the Ohio State Library. It was established with the purchase of 509 books. Initially it was not used by the public but by legislators. The public was able to use the library beginning in 1853. However it was not until 1896 that people were allowed to borrow materials. In June 1927, a lack of funds caused the library to close. Due to volunteer efforts it reopened a few months later but did not have state funding until the next year. In December 2000, the State Library moved from the Ohio Departments Building into the Jeffrey Mining Corporate Center, a converted factory that produced mining machinery.
Services
Today the State Library of Ohio collaborates with many state agencies and Ohio libraries to provide services.
Administers the Serving Every Ohioan Library Center & Consortium that is composed of 76 library systems with more than 175 locations. The SEO Library Center houses, maintains and supports a centralized shared catalog database that includes over 6 million items with a patron database of 700,000+ borrowers. The power of this consortium resides in resource sharing among consortia members allowing small and rural library systems to have access to millions of items for their patrons free of charge.
Promotes statewide resource sharing through the Ohio Libraries Share: MORE program
Collects statistics about Ohio libraries for analysis, long range planning and comparison
Assists in developing programs for staff and customers
Provides Mobile Training Lab for on-site Internet training.
Collaborates with the Ohio Public Library Information Network and other training partners in providing online & face to face Internet and Library Resource training for library employees
Services to Ohio Residents
Coordinates the Ohio Talking Book program for Ohio's blind and physically handicapped residents
