[OPLINLIST] Former State Librarian Richard M. Cheski Passes

[McDevitt-Stredney, Marsha]

[cid:image001.png at 01D12DA6.7CD6D490]Please excuse multiple postings...
It is with sadness that the State Library announces the death of former State Librarian Richard M. Cheski on November 20, 2015. Mr. Cheski retired in 1995 after 17 years serving as the State Librarian of Ohio. Mr. Cheski led the State Library during times of major reductions in funding but successfully managed resources to improve services and access to vital resources for state government, libraries, and Ohio's residents. State Library newsletters and annual reports chronicled significant changes in library operations, resource sharing and collaborations, and use of technology during his tenure. Much of what we take for granted today at the State Library began as a result of his innovative leadership on initiatives such as the beginning of automation, replacing the card catalog with a computerized system shared with Ohio State University Libraries, implementing a LAN (local area network) for internal operations and email systems, providing access to electronic databases, and access to legislative materials online through the Government Print Office (GPO). The State Library participated in the development and was a founding member of OhioLINK, which at the time of his retirement was a growing network linking 40 Ohio academic libraries and the State Library.
He presided over the formation of the SEO consortium for shared circulation in 1986, the move to and later purchase of a building for SEO, and the development of the Ohio Shared Catalog-a CD-ROM based catalog developed by the Technical Services Staff at the State Library that linked 24 small public libraries by 1992. Another initiative, the Internet Access Project enabled public libraries with data telecommunications to provide their patrons access to the Internet via the State Library's server named WINSLO (World Wide Web Information Network - State Library of Ohio).
In addition, there were changes in the funding basis for Ohio's public libraries when Intangible Tax was replaced by the Library and Local Government Support Fund and shifts in areas of focus for federal IMLS LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) programs and grants. Examples of Mr. Cheski's involvement for the State Library on the national level included being the Chair of COSLA (Chief Officers of State Libraries Agencies), an appointment by Governor Richard Celeste to be the state official responsible for planning the Ohio White House Conferences at the Second National White House Conference on Library and Information Services for Literacy, Productivity and Democracy in 1991, as well as hosting the National Bookmobile Conference in 1994.
Prior to becoming the State Librarian of Ohio, Mr. Cheski was the Director of the Colorado State Library and Assistant commissioner of Library Services at the Colorado State Department of Education. He was Director of the Oceanside Public Library (NY), Alliance Public Library (OH), and Assistant Director of the Columbus Public Library (OH).
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated December 7, 2015 at 9:00 at St. Thomas More Newman Center, 64 W. Lane Ave. Burial will be in Sarasota, Florida at a later date. To read the obituary go to: http://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/Richard-Cheski/#!/Obituary<http://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/Richard-Cheski/#%21/Obituary>.

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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney, Ph.D.
Public Information Officer
Director, Marketing & Communications
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Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614-644-6875
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