[OPLINTECH] Libraries Connect Ohio & the Ohio Web Library Unveiled

[OPLIN Managing Editor]

Libraries Connect Ohio & the Ohio Web Library Unveiled

Today Ohio libraries and all Ohioans have unlimited access to more than 50 =
electronic research resources thanks to Libraries Connect Ohio, a =
collaborative effort of Ohio's library organizations.=20

Libraries Connect Ohio has recently launched two new Web sites. The first, =
www.ohioweblibrary.org, provides a list of available resources and =
background information about the Ohio Web Library. It also provides a =
gateway to help Ohioans connect to the electronic resources via INFOhio, =
OhioLINK, OPLIN and the State Library of Ohio. The second site, www.librari=
esconnectohio.org, provides detailed information on the way Ohio's =
libraries and library organizations are working together to provide =
valuable resources to Ohioans. Both sites link to a "for librarians" page =
that features a promotional toolkit of bookmarks, brochures, Web logos and =
buttons, a news release template and more.

The LSTA grant that helps fund the Ohio Web Library is a temporary funding =
measure and will expire on June 30, 2008. Without this funding, statewide =
access to the Ohio Web Library's wide array of resources is in jeopardy. =
Therefore, it is imperative that we find a stable funding resource for the =
Ohio Web Library.

Libraries Connect Ohio has developed a plan to find permanent funding for =
the Ohio Web Library resources. In order for this plan to be successful, =
Ohio's entire library community must be involved, including: the three =
statewide library networks, the library associations, the State Library of =
Ohio, as well as public, school, academic, special, law and medical =
libraries.

To help the cause, you and your library can:

1. Read a detailed article about these efforts at http://www.librariesconne=
ctohio.org/PR/OWLarticleforlibs.pdf.

2. Incorporate as many of the suggested activities as possible in the LCO =
Funding & Communications Plan at http://www.librariesconnectohio.org/PR/LCO=
fundcommplanweb.pdf.

3. Educate your community about the Ohio Web Library and its benefits. A =
toolkit is provided at http://www.librariesconnectohio.org/promo.htm to =
help you.

4. Report successes, needs, questions and stories of how the Ohio Web =
Library benefits you and your patrons to ohioweblibrary@oplin.org.

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Joel Husenits
Managing Editor

Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
2323 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 130
Columbus, Ohio 43204

Phone: (614) 728-5252
Fax: (614) 728-5256
E-mail: editor@oplin.org
Web: www.oplin.org
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