Did you know that = SOMACS is going away?

How will this = affect your library? What will happen = next?

And, uh… what’s a SOMACS?

Find out all of = this and more at the 2004 OPLIN Stakeholders = Meeting! The deadline for registering is = October 20^th. This year’s theme is THIS WAN WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME. This year, attendance is FREE, and you can register online by filling out the = webform at http://www.= slocem.lib.oh.us/description.asp?ID=3D325 (NOTE: the registration site belongs to the State Library). =

For additional information, directions to the meeting, and more, please visit the OPLIN website at http://www.oplin.org/stakehold= ers. The agenda for the meeting is = as follows:

8:30 = am	Registration & = Continental Breakfast
9:00 = am	Where We've = Been
10:00 = am =	Morning Breakout = Sessions
11:00 = am =	Lunch (On Your = Own)
12:30 = pm =	Where We = Are
2:00 = pm =	Afternoon Breakout = Sessions
3:15 = pm =	Where We're = Going

WHERE WE'VE = BEEN

The state of our shared network is healthy - and it's growing! Start = the day with a perspective on our most recent network management challenges. OPLIN Director Carol Roddy will discuss Where We've = Been.

MORNING BREAKOUT = SESSIONS
Blended Networks (That LAN = is Your LAN)
	Each library manages its own local network = to meet specific local needs. But what you choose to do also impacts the = network as a whole. DSL, Cable, VPN, T1... a panel of libraries will discuss their solutions and how they interface with OPLIN. Don Nuss will = moderate.

Your Content, My Content, Our = Content
	Libraries Connect Ohio (LCO) funds a shared core collection of databases, while OPLIN’s general funding provides others. Libraries also group = together in formal or informal consortia to fund even more. KnowItNow blurs the = edges between us. Carol Roddy will provide an update on existing database acquisition arrangements and future = plans.

Removing = Barriers
	Don Yarman will demonstrate OPLIN Self = Service, which allows libraries to enter and track requests they make to the = OPLIN Support = Center via a web interface. He'll also present an update on the OneSearch = service and plans for remote patron authentication.

WHERE WE ARE
Connecting the Dots: = Applying the OCLC Environmental = Scan
	The 2003 OCLC Environmental Scan provided one of the most extensive looks = at how library customers are changing. George Needham, OCLC Vice President for Member Services, = will focus on what the study means, and how public libraries can apply some = of the trends the study uncovered. George previously served as State Librarian of Michigan, Executive Director = of ALA's Public Library Association, Member Services Director for the Ohio = Library Association, and Director of the Fairfield County District Library in = Lancaster, Ohio.

What's All This = Traffic?
	Journey through the network watershed with OPLIN's resident expert guide (Don = Yarman) to see why the trickle of information flowing to and from your = smallest branch becomes a river before it reaches the = Internet Ocean.

The 4th Annual OPLIN Award for = Innovation
	Help OPLIN award the most innovative among = us!

AFTERNOON = BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Life After = SOMACS
	OhioR= 17;s contract with SBC for circuits at postalized rates expires in February = 2006. We’ve already seen profound changes in pricing and options. = What's next? Carol Roddy and Don Nuss will update you.

Removing Barriers
	Encore presentation! Don Yarman will demonstrate OPLIN Self Service, which = allows libraries to enter and track requests they make to the = OPLIN Support = Center via a web interface. He'll also present an update on the OneSearch service = and plans for remote patron authentication.

KnowItNow24x7: Behind the = Reference
	OhioR= 17;s libraries work together to bring our richest shared resource - our = librarians - to where Ohio’s information consumers are - on the Internet! Joel Husenits will = introduce the staff who make KnowItNow24x7 = live reference happen.

WHERE WE'RE = GOING
	Keeping our shared network healthy means looking over the next = mountain. A security audit, firewalls, E-rate refunds, and state budgets are all = lurking in the woods and valleys. Join us for an afternoon snack and a quick = roadmap for the next year. And at this time, libraries are invited to = "take their best shot" at the OPLIN = Director!