BlogJunction Ohio has a new location. Please go to http://library.ohio.gov/blog to keep up with the latest posts.

The Public Library Association announced that Turning the Page online is available free to all American Library Association members.  This interactive, web-based training guides participants through the creation of an advocacy plan.

Learn how to create and tell the library’s story, deliver effective presentations, develop a compelling case for support, enhance your project management skills and build and sustain partnerships through this self-paced, interactive and entertaining advocacy training.

Turning the Page online is composed of dynamic slides and interactive exercises, culminating in the completion of a 10-part Advocacy Work Plan. It typically takes four-five hours to complete, but can be stopped and resumed as needed. From library directors to trustees—Turning the Page online is appropriate for anyone interested in making a difference for your library.

Turning the Page was developed by the Public Library Association with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Ohio libraries participating in The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Opportunity Online Hardware Grants attended this training in 2009.

For more information, visit http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/pla-offers-free-online-library-advocacy-training

and

http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaadvocacy/turningthepage/index.cfm

http://olc.org/expo.asp

Registration is now open for the 2010 OLC Expo on Sept. 10 at the Ohio Expo Center’s Lausche Building in Columbus. The Expo is full of opportunities to meet with vendors showcasing money-saving products and services, hear top-notch speakers, network with your peers, and win fabulous prizes. Plus, attendees get all this for FREE – talk about “striking it rich”!

This year’s featured speakers include:

• Narrator Johanna Parker, the voice of Sookie Stackhouse in the recordings of Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire books that are the basis for HBO’s series “True Blood” (sponsored by Recorded Books, LLC)
• Scott Brown, President, Foundations of Service, who has 20 years experience in customer service and leadership management (sponsored by BayScan Technologies)
• Zach Price, Library Planner, TRIAD Architects, who will share the five critical steps to assessing your library and planning for change (sponsored by TRIAD Architects, Ltd.)

Check out the Expo section of the OLC website for more information on the OPLIN Stakeholder’s Meeting, the OLC Annual Business Meeting, vendor product demos, OLC Connects! and, of course, how to get free books. Attendance at the 2010 OLC Expo is free but registration is requested for entry in the door prize raffle. Register today and make plans to connect with your colleagues from across the state.

The following email is posted for the Ohio library community with permission from the sender.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering free library subscriptions to care ADvantage, a quarterly publication for caregivers and individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses.

Each issue of care ADvantage presents articles written by top experts in their respective fields, offering valuable information and insight into a wide range of timely topics from the medical and practical to the emotional and inspirational.

Over 200 public libraries nationwide have subscribed thus far, and we would love to extend an invitation to you join them in providing this magazine so patrons who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses can have greater access to the information and support that is available to them. We would also greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word to other libraries across the nation, if possible.

Every library in your system can each receive one free issue per quarter, with no end date to their subscription. Please call 866-AFA-8484, Ext. 111 or email me at mausten@alzfdn.org to subscribe or to request a sample copy of the magazine.

Thank you so much!

Melissa Austen
National Events Coordinator
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
322 Eighth Avenue, 7^th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Ph: 866-232-8484 ~ Fax: 646-638-1546
Email: mausten@alzfdn.org
www.alzfdn.org

www.afacareadvantage.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010

IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

Department of Labor Press Contact
202/693-4661
Lina Garcia, garcia.evangelina@dol.gov

Department of Labor Provides Guidance to Workforce Agencies on Partnering with Libraries

Washington, DC-On June 29, 2010, the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) officially encouraged its state and local workforce investment boards, state workforce agencies, and One-Stop Career Centers to partner with public libraries to extend their career and employment services to job seekers and unemployed workers. The ETA’s Training and Employment Notice (TEN) cements a partnership between the ETA and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that was announced on June 25, 2010, at the American Library Association annual meeting.

“Thirty million people used library computers in 2009 to meet their workforce needs. Libraries offer Internet access, welcoming spaces, convenient hours and locations, and, most importantly, librarians to serve as information navigators,” said IMLS Acting Director Marsha L. Semmel. “The public workforce system offers a strong network of dedicated professionals with the resources and expertise to help job seekers. Our partnership at the federal level is an important catalyst to partnerships at the state and local level.” Read Marsha L. Semmel’s full remarks at http://www.imls.gov/news/speeches/062510.shtm

ETA Assistant Secretary Jane Oates said, “Permanent partnerships between public libraries and One-Stops are a long overdue effort at the federal level, although we are delighted that this is something that has been taking place informally across the country. These partnerships have been extremely useful and we hope they continue to strengthen and grow.”

The TEN provides examples of partnership activities including co-locating One-Stop Career Centers and libraries; collaborating to train library staff about in-person and virtual employment and training resources available through the public workforce system; and training public workforce system staff about the value of partnering with libraries.

While the IMLS-ETA partnership encourages library/One-Stop Center collaborations in states that haven’t yet made these connections, it seeks to strengthen alliances that already exist. Linda Strong, JobLink Unit manager with the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Development, and Mary Boone, the State Librarian of North Carolina, have worked closely to address employment issues. For example, they held nine, one-day workshops to connect public library staffs and people from the local job link centers to explore how they could work together to help people find jobs.

“People may not have heard about One-Stops, which breaks my heart, but they do know about libraries,” Strong said. “Some of the benefits that One-Stops derive from this partnership include longer library hours that allow access beyond One-Stop office hours, better and more technological access, and the fact that parents can work on their job search while children are engaging in productive activities. We consider libraries to be extensions of One-Stops in North Carolina.”

Sari Feldman, president of the Public Library Association, a division of ALA, and executive director of Cuyahoga County Public Library in Ohio, also has ample experience in partnering with a workforce agency. Since 2007, her library has offered Cuyahoga Works, a Web site with direct access to resources and assistance available to job seekers within Cuyahoga County that was developed in partnership with local Employment Connection Centers run by the City of Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board.

“This year, we’ve seen extraordinary growth in our career center counseling, programs, and job club offerings. As one customer put it, ‘The library was always my trusted friend and was there for me when I lost my job,’” Feldman said.

An estimated 3.7 million Americans have found work with support from their public libraries, said Semmel, citing a March 2010 study conducted by the University of Washington and sponsored by IMLS and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The report also found that:
* More than 77 million people over the age of 14 used a library computer last year.
* 30 million people used library computers to help address career and employment needs in the last 12 months.
* Among these users, 76 percent reported they searched for jobs online.
* Among job seekers, 68 percent went on to apply for a job or submit a resume.
* 23 percent used library computers to receive job-related training.

Other IMLS/ETA activities include sharing of career and training information and tools of the two systems and dissemination of information about workforce-library partnerships via webinars. ETA will host a webinar on July 19 to talk about the IMLS-ETA partnership at Workforce3One. On August 11 at 2 p.m., ETA staff will also participate in a webinar hosted by Project Compass, an initiative made possible by and IMLS grant to WebJunction. The webinar will provide an overview of the public workforce system and present the electronic tools most helpful to library staff that assist unemployed workers. For more information, please go to Helping Job Seekers: Using Electronic Tools and Federal Resources. For more about the IMLS grant, click here http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/091009.shtm. Visit the Public Libraries and the Workforce page on the IMLS Web site for additional resources at http://www.imls.gov/about/workforce.shtm.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration The Employment and Training Administration funds and supports a network of nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers that address the employment needs of job seekers and businesses in every community across America.  One-Stop Career Centers draw from a vast array of community resources to make a multitude of services available to address employment challenges including job search and placement assistance; skills assessments; career assistance and counseling; free training services for eligible individuals; English as a second language; and assistance with Pell grants and student loans. To learn more, please visit www.workforce3one.org.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
On June 12, 2010, USCIS launched a National Children’s Art Project. The art project is for children 5-12 years old. The theme of the project is “We Are America”.

This project asks children to draw pictures that answer the question “People have come from all over the world to become Americans. Why does that make us great?” Art submissions can be mailed or dropped off at the local office through August 16, 2010. USCIS will display submissions in offices across the country and will recognize participants during the 2010 celebration of the “September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

Download Flyer & Application

The State Library of Ohio will be hosting two FREE National Library of Medicine workshops on August 5 & 6, 2010 for library staff working in Ohio.

Prescription for Success: Consumer Health on the Web
Thursday August 5, 2010   8:30 – 11:30 am
Location: State Library of Ohio, computer training room
Limit 20

Course Description
This hands-on introduction to consumer health information will cover the information-seeking behaviors of consumers, the basics of MedlinePlus.gov, DIRLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov and other reliable web pages such as those from professional medical associations and advocacy groups. It will cover sites devoted to pharmaceutical information for consumers, drug-interaction databases and herbal information.

Healthy Aging at Your Library: Connecting  Older Adults to Health Information
Thursday August 5, 2010    12:30 – 4:30 pm
Friday August 6, 2010    8:30 – 12:30 am
Location: State Library of Ohio, computer training room
Limit 20

Course Description
This “train the trainer” class is designed to help librarians assist their older adult patrons find health information. Discover techniques for teaching older adults to use computers and to find health information on the Internet, learn what makes a website senior-friendly; plan library programs on senior health topics; and find out about some recommended health websites for older adults.

For more information, including details about Medical Library Association Continuing Education Credits, and to register go to: http://host6.evanced.info/ohio/evanced/eventcalendar.asp and select the workshops on the August calendar.

For more information contact Connie Ostrove at 614-466-1710.

The State Library of Ohio congratulates the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) for the honor of being selected as the 2010 Library Journal/Gale Library of the Year. CML received the prestigious recognition because of its leadership and dedication to serving all in their community with innovative and successful programming and services.  CML’s commitment to efficient and effective service encompasses steadfast planning based on market research on the needs of their community, adaptability to changes in culture and technology, and establishing priorities based on customer behavior. “The success of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is built upon its unwavering commitment to planning and delivering services that are responsive to community needs.  That focus on community needs is what drives them,” said State Librarian of Ohio Beverly Cain.

The recognition is cause for celebration for both CML and the library communities of Ohio. The Library Journal/Gale Library of the Year awards began in 1992 with a goal to celebrate achievement and recognize libraries with outstanding service, creativity and innovation in coping with the changing needs of their public, and leadership in the field. Three Ohio libraries have received the Library of the Year honor: Medina County District Library, 1998; Worthington Libraries, 2007; and Columbus Metropolitan Library, 2010. In addition, Ohio libraries have received Special Mention eight times: Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 2000, 2001; Worthington Libraries, 2002, 2003, 2006; Cleveland Public Library 2005, 2006; and Columbus Metropolitan Library, 2009.

Libraries in Ohio have consistently received national recognition with top rankings and awards. “Ohio’s public libraries, large and small, have set the bar for measuring excellence in library programs and services.  It is very rewarding to see the outstanding work of Ohio’s libraries consistently being recognized on a national level,” said Cain.  CML received a five star rating and thirty-two other Ohio libraries were identified as Star Libraries in the 2009 Library Journal Index of Public Library Service Round 2.

Five libraries were ranked number one, and an additional twenty, including CML, were ranked in the top five in their respective population categories in the 2010 HAPLR report. Libraries with the number one ranking in their population categories included: Cuyahoga County Public Library (500,000), Washington-Centerville Public Library (50,000), Westlake Porter Public Library (25,000), Twinsburg Public Library (10,000), and Columbiana Public Library. Twenty-five percent of all top-rated libraries over the past ten years have been in Ohio. Columbus Metropolitan Library and Twinsburg Public Library have made it into the top ten of all ten editions of the HAPLR. In overall scores, Ohio has been ranked number one in the country in every report. The 2010 HAPLR rankings are based on reports from libraries filed in 2008 with data from 2007 and prior to major budget cuts seen in the past two years.

Although changes in funding in Ohio are having an impact on the breadth and scope of programs and services, the foundation for success of Ohio libraries is built on more than money. CML Executive Director Pat Losinski expressed it this way in the June 15, 2010 issue of Library Journal, “We always talked about state funding as the reason for Ohio library success. What really made Ohio libraries so successful was also independent governance. The 251 libraries in Ohio that are not part of city government have much more self-determination. State funding made us think of them as a state resource rather than as a local community resource. That creates a whole different dynamic.”

Choose to Read Ohio (CTRO), a project of the State Library, was initiated in 2009 and has one main goal: to encourage the reading of books together across Ohio communities.  CTRO is a framework to spotlight Ohio authors and promote reading across the state. The State Library, in partnership with Ohioana Library, developed this initiative to encourage Ohioans of all ages to share literature by authors native to, residing in, or associated with Ohio.

Choose to Read Ohio encourages Ohioans to Read Together, Read Ohio, and Read for Life.

Book titles for 2011 can be found at: oh.webjunction.org/ohctrointro, Discussion questions and additional resources for each book, and promotional items will be posted by the end of the summer.

This special Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program will provide funds to libraries to implement a 2011 Choose to Read Ohio program in their community.  The RFP for the Choose to Read Ohio grant can be found below at:  oh.webjunction.org/ohlstactro

The three page proposal must be submitted electronically to Missy Lodge by midnight on September 15, 2010.  Funded proposals will run from January 1, 2011 – September 30, 2011.

Questions should be addressed to Missy Lodge or Janet Ingraham-Dwyer or at 800-686-1532.