[OPLINLIST] State Librarian of Ohio To Retire

[Jane Byrnes]

State Librarian of Ohio To Retire

Michael S. Lucas, State Librarian of Ohio, has announced his retirement from
the position effective June 30, 2004.

An employee of the State Library since 1978, Mr. Lucas has served as State
Librarian of Ohio since April 1996. Prior to his appointment as State
Librarian, Mr. Lucas had been the Deputy State Librarian for Library
Services, responsible for planning and directing the operations of the
Research Services, Automated Loan Services and Technical Services
Departments.
	
When he accepted his appointment Mr. Lucas said, "It is an honor to be
chosen by the State Library Board to lead the State Library during this, the
most exciting and challenging time ever seen by the Ohio library community.
During the next several years, Ohio's libraries have the opportunity to
develop a model of library service and cooperation that can be copied, and
envied, by every other state in this country and by every country around the
world."

During the eight years of his tenure, the State Library  accomplished much:

*	The transition from the federal Library Services and Construction
Act (LSCA) to the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program; 
*	The use of LSTA funds to automate more than one thousand school
libraries; 
*	The start-up of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
which provides Ohio residents free Internet access, as well as the use of
high-quality research databases through their local public libraries; 
*	The initiation of the statewide resource sharing project (MORE)
which includes 135 libraries of various types; and, 
*	The move of the State Library from its location for 65 years to a
new building.

A national search will be conducted to fill the State Librarian position.