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.”

Each year, the Ohio Historical Society’s Ohio Historic Preservation Office recognizes achievements in historic preservation by presenting awards in two categories: Public Education and Awareness, and Preservation Merit. People, organizations, businesses, and public agencies are eligible for the awards.

Anyone may submit a nomination for the awards. Nominations must be postmarked by June 1. A selection committee comprising members of the governor-appointed Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board and Ohio Historic Preservation Office staff will choose recipients in each category. Awards will be presented at the Ohio Historic Preservation Office Awards luncheon in the fall.

For a nomination form, click here, call (614) 298-2000, or write Ohio Historic Preservation Office Awards, Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Ohio Historical Society, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2497.

Click here to see our winners.

To enter, simply complete the entry form and upload a photo of one or more of your staff with three books in your collection by Sisters in Crime members.  You can find a list of our members who are authors by clicking here, or by navigating to our left side menu under Resources, SinC Authors.

After the random drawing on the last business day of the month, the winning library will be contacted and announced.  All branches within a larger system may enter; however, once a library in the system has won, no other libraries within that system can win the grant.  Those not successful in one month will automatically be entered for subsequent drawings.  Grants must be used to purchase books and may not be used for general operating expenses.  Book purchases are NOT restricted to the mystery genre nor to those by Sisters in Crime members. There is no cost or obligation other than allowing us to post winners’ photos on our website.

All libraries are welcome to enter. If you have Sisters in Crime author mysteries in your collection we would love for you to enter this money giveaway.

We at Sisters in Crime LOVE our libraries and want to see them thrive. Enter for your library’s chance to win beginning January 1, 2010 at www.sistersincrime.org.

During Federal fiscal year 2009 (October 2008 through September 2009), the State Library of Ohio awarded 40 LSTA grants. A total of 55 libraries submitted 71 applications.  Forty grants were awarded to 30 institutions.

LSTA was enacted on September 30, 1996 and enables public, school, academic, and special libraries to apply for federal library funds. IMLS, the agency which oversees the LSTA, provides LSTA funds each year to the State Library of Ohio.  IMLS is a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning through the support of museum and library programs.

As part of the Report to IMLS, the State Library of Ohio must identify three to six exemplary projects.  State Library staff selects these projects based on their relation to LSTA goals, impact of the project on the target population and the ability to be replicated in other parts of the state.

LSTA 2009 Exemplary Programs in Ohio

Ohio Instructional Technology Services of Central Ohio (ITSCO) for the Literature Lounge Phase II.  This project broadened a pilot project originally undertaken between ITSCO, Worthington Libraries and Worthington School District.  Library staff created and broadcast content to teachers who wanted more age-appropriate language arts content.  Phase II expanded the project by creating a professional development model to provide outreach to additional schools and public libraries.  Book Talks introduce and review noteworthy books for students and provide teachers with the skills to incorporate emerging technologies into the creation of fun and interesting book studies.  The project is now reaching additional areas of the state and is being further expanded.

Ohio Wesleyan University Library to create the digital story of the interrelated 19th century history of the city of Delaware, the Methodist Episcopal Church and Ohio Wesleyan University.  Digitized materials include photographs, manuscripts, postcards, published histories, maps, pamphlets, and newspaper articles.  This was a collaborative project between the University Library, the Delaware County Historical Society Research Library and the Archives of the Ohio United Methodism.  Additionally, the project staff received assistance and support from churches in town, the local school system, the Delaware Gazette and local businesses.  This project not only increases accessibility to local historical resources, but it also exemplifies the concepts of cooperation and collaboration.

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for the Early Learning Express project.     This project provides educational and literacy support to Type-B in-home care providers, with an emphasis on early childhood literacy intervention for ages 2-5.  For the project, 50 certified Type-B in-home care providers were identified and received three visits by library staff.  As part of the visits, providers received suggestions on incorporating the six pre-reading skills into their daily activities with children.  The Hamilton County Dept. of Job and Family Services and 4C for Children were key partners in the project.  An independent evaluation indicated that the project is having an impact on the practices Type-B in-home caregivers use when working with children on literacy development.

Salem Public Library for the use of satellite library branches in two city parks during the summer of 2009.  A portable on demand storage container was set up in each park to become the branch structure with each being open two evenings a week.  Story times held throughout the summer focused on Every Child Ready to Read principles.  Programs were so successful that all registrants could not be accommodated.   This project was highly successful—it served the community in a new, meaningful way, brought quality early literacy and school preparedness instruction to area families, enhanced the visibility of the library and introduced library resources to a number of new users.   The project also allowed the library to establish a strong partnership with the Salem Parks Department and reinforce its partnership with the Salem City School District.

Additional information about the Ohio LSTA grants program is available at WebJunction Ohio.

For more information visit the IMLS website at:  http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/100609.shtm

Program to Help Generate $3.7 Million in Local Funding for Public Technology Access in 11 States

SEATTLE – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today $6.5 million in grants to help public libraries in 11 states increase and sustain free, quality public access to computers for their patrons. These Opportunity Online hardware grants will help libraries upgrade and add public computer workstations for patrons in communities with high concentrations of poverty and where a library’s public computers are at risk of becoming outdated with limited capacity for users. For more information go to: http://library.ohio.gov/Marketing/PR/2009/July#Gates

The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. Connecting to Collections is a national initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for our treasures, and to underscore the fact that these collections are essential to the American story. The Bookshelf is a collection of resources chosen by conservation and preservation experts to help libraries and museums care for their collections.

The State Library of Ohio is one of 907 museums, libraries, and archives to be selected. This was the third and final installment of the Bookshelf program, which has distributed 2,751 sets of books, online resources, and a user’s guide to institutions in every part of the country. “The Connecting to Collections Bookshelf will become part of the State Library’s reference collection.  As such, it will be available not only to those within the State Library for preservation of our collection, but also to anyone within the state who wishes to use the Bookshelf,” said State Librarian Jo Budler. “The State Library has a network of library development consultants who will use the collection and refer librarians to it when working with individual libraries.  Additionally, consultants work together to offer workshops to public libraries and libraries with special collection needs.”

Read more…

Library Journal has named Ohio University Business Librarian Chad Boeninger to the “Innovators” category of their “Movers & Shakers 2009″ list.  Launched in 2002 to identify librarians and others who are ’shaping the future of libraries,’ the list represents a “Who’s Who of creativity and library trends in the field.”  Read more about Chad and the other movers and shakers at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6642687.html.

Robert J. Rua

Communications Coordinator

216.749.9496

mbrookshire@cuyahogalibrary.org

About Cuyahoga County Public Library
Cuyahoga County Public Library consistently ranks as one of the nation’s ten busiest and best library systems. Its 28 branches serve 47 communities. The Library’s mission is to be at the center of community life by providing an environment where reading, lifelong learning and civic engagement thrive. For further information, visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org.

“Sari’s initiatives to promote play . . . have been invaluable to the Children Service’s staff in Cuyahoga County,” said USA-TLA President James Rancilio, “and it is for that reason that we nominated her for the prestigious Player of the Year award.”

“As we know,” said Feldman, “play is critical to learning. The work with toys and play that librarians do is important in the lives of the children and families we serve. We hope to continue to make the connection between toys and early learning at Cuyahoga County Public Library.”

About Cuyahoga County Public Library

Cuyahoga County Public Library consistently ranks as one of the nation’s ten busiest and best library systems. Its 28 branches serve 47 communities. The Library’s mission is to provide our community open access to resources that inform, entertain and enrich. For further information, visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org.

CONTACT: Robert J. Rua

Communications Coordinator

216.749.9496

mbrookshire@cuyahogalibrary.org