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 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.”

The Poster Contest

• Grab your colored pencils, markers, crayons, finger paints or watercolors and design a handmade poster showing how you and your family benefit from the freedoms embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
• Use an 8 ½” x 11″ paper to create your design
• Your poster can feature any aspect of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights & other Amendments
• Make it colorful! Be creative!

Questions about the Constitution?

• The National Archives www.archives.gov
• The National Constitution Center www.constitutioncenter.org
• ABA Conversations on the Constitution www.abanet.org/publiced/conversations/constitution/home.html
• GovDoc Kids Group www.govdocs4children.pbwiki.com

Sponsored by the Gov Doc Kids Group: Kansas Government Documents Roundtable, Johnson County (KS) Library, Muskingum

University, Visiting Librarian Service (OH), National Archives at Kansas City, Wichita State University, University of Kansas, Kansas

State University, Kansas State Library, State Library of Ohio, Government Documents Round Table of Ohio, Government Documents Roundtable (GODORT), a division of the American Library Association

National corporate sponsor: ConstitutionFacts.com, Naperville, IL | Government Partner: Defense Commissary Agency

For more information and to download the entry form visit: http://oh.webjunction.org/ohconstitutiondayposter

For one year only, Library Advocacy Day will replace National Library Legislative Day (NLLD).  On June 29, 2010, library advocates from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. will meet at Upper Senate Park on the U.S. Capitol grounds.   The event, which will begin at 11 a.m., will feature guest speakers, photo ops, and a chance to cheer on libraries!  After the Rally, participants will meet with their elected officials and their staffs.

This is a great opportunity to show our congressional representatives how important libraries are to Ohio and their particular Congressional District.  To register for the event please click on the register now button on the ALA Library Advocacy Day page at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/libraryadvocacyday/index.cfm

Bill Morris, Governmental Affairs Coordinator for the State Library, will be working with each Congressional Office to schedule appointments on behalf of those attending the Rally and will be providing key talking points and supporting materials to attendees.  Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTFBG8D before May 14, 2010 if you are planning on attending the Rally and visiting your congressional office that afternoon.  If you’re uncertain which congressional district you live in enter your ZIP + 4 here to find out: http://www.house.gov.

It’s appropriations time, and there are two main issues we need to action on.  The deadline is March 12, so please act fast!  We only have 48 hours to make a difference.

LSTA

Congress is currently busy drafting up the federal budget for fiscal year 2011.  It has never been more important than now that Congress fully funds the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the only annual source for federal funding to public libraries.   As Congress writes next year’s budget they need to understand that dollars from the state and local levels are at an all time low and libraries can not continue to do their important work with out this funding.

There is a letter circulating around the House of Representatives urging the Appropriations Committee to include $300 million in funding through LSTA in the FY2011 budget.  Please contact your representative’s office and tell them about work your library does in the community.  It is always a good idea to stress what programs and resources your library provide to help build the local economy, help kids with their homework, and so much more.  After you have explained how libraries are an incredibly valuable investment, please ask your representative to sign onto the “Dear Colleague” letter supporting LSTA.

School Libraries
In his FY2011 budget, President Obama consolidated Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with five other literacy programs.  This would mean that school libraries will have to directly compete with other programs to receive federal dollars under the President’s plan.  However, Congress is busy drafting up their own budget for FY2011 right now, and there is no word yet if they will go along with President Obama’s recommendation of consolidation.  Congress needs to hear from their constituents NOW about the important role that school libraries play in today’s schools.

Right now there is a letter circulating around the House of Representatives urging the Appropriations Committee to specifically appropriate $100 million for Improving Literacy Through School Libraries.  This amount means that this program will be available to every state, rather than the current competitive grant program.  Please contact your representative’s office explaining to them how important having a school library can be in a child’s education.  Please ask them to sign on to the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries “Dear Colleague.”

Once your representative or their staff confirms that they would like to sign on to the funding “Dear Colleagues,” please ask them to contact the staffers below depending on their party affiliation:

Democrat

Ask them to contact Joseph Mais in Rep. Grijalva’s office and ask them to sign onto the Dear Colleague.  His email address isjoseph.mais@mail.house.gov and his phone number is (202) 225-2435.
Republican

Ask them to contact Rachel Fenton in Rep. Vernon Ehlers’ office and sign onto the Dear Colleague.  Her e-mail address isRachel.Fenton@mail.house.gov and her phone number is (202) 225-3831.

It is of the utmost importance that you contact your Representative today and urge them to sign on to these letters!  We need to keep the pressure on our elected officials until the deadline for signatures on these critical letters expires.  Grijalva and Ehlers plan to send the letter on Friday, March 12, so time is of the essence.

You can find your legislator’s contact information at http://capwiz.com/ala/home/.

Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association – Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, First Floor
Washington, D.C., 20009-2520
Phone Number: 202.628.8410
kmurphy@alawash.org

Questions about the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act?  Go to www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus

Public and school (K-12) libraries are invited to apply online through January 29, 2010 at http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf. A single application may be submitted on behalf of multiple libraries within a library system, school district or community. Individual branch and school libraries are also encouraged to apply.

In spring 2010, NEH will award 4,000 libraries a collection of 17 classic hardcover books for young readers, related to the theme, “A More Perfect Union”, as well as the option to receive Spanish translations of three titles, and bonus materials for readers of all ages. Successful applicants will also receive accompanying materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks and posters.

For programming ideas and tips, access to the guidelines and application, book titles, and further details, visit http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf. With questions, contact publicprograms@ala.org.

******************************

ALA Public Programs Office

www.ala.org/publicprograms

publicprograms@ala.org

October 21-23, 2009 – Columbus Convention Center

Special Offer: OLC members may attend the conference at the OELMA member rate.

The conference will feature nationally known speakers, such as David Loertscher and Nancy J. Keane (who was listed as one of Library Journal’s 2009 Movers & Shakers) and other great authors including Betsy Lewin,  Pete Hautman, Lauren Myracle, and Tony Abbott. We are also very excited to have Ingrid Law, author of Savvy, which was selected as a 2009 Newbery Honor book as well as Mike Sullivan an expert on boys and reading.  In addition to sessions, Sullivan will be the featured speaker at the OELMA Author and Awards Luncheon taking place on Friday, Oct. 23. Go to: http://www.oelma.org/Conference/2009/authors%20flyer.pdf to learn about ALL of the featured authors/speakers who will be attending the OELMA Conference.

In addition to authors, the OELMA Conference will host over 65 different educational sessions including ten featured authors and speakers that are sure to inspire.  Go to http://www.oelma.org/Conference.htm to access links to the Thursday and Friday sessions. Two preconference sessions will be held at the State Library of Ohio on Wednesday from 4-7pm (a box lunch will be provided): The Tech Savvy Booktalker with Nancy Keane and What’s New with New Literacies? with William Kist . The OELMA Conference is also a great time to visit with various library vendors.

On Thursday evening OELMA will host our fourth annual AuthorPalooza event from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Authors from around the state will be on hand to sign and read from their books, offer Q&A sessions and discuss their work.  AuthorPalooza admission is INCLUDED in registration for the OELMA Conference, so register today.  Guests can also attend AuthorPalooza by paying $10 at the door (check or cash only). AuthorPalooza is a great way to see local authors that can be booked economically for public library programs, too. Participating authors include:  Betsy Lewin, David Loertscher, Tony Abbott, Pete Hautman, Ingrid Law, Lauren Myracle, and Shelley Pearsall, among others.

Register today at (https://www.tandmservices.com/oelma2009/ )

The Long Island Coalition Against Censorship is an association of 22 educational and community organizations (16 are public libraries and professional library organizations). The purpose of the Coalition is to defend challenges to the First Amendment rights of public and school libraries when there are efforts by individuals or groups to censor books and other materials

In planning an exhibit for Banned Books Week in the fall, you might wish to consider displaying the new edition of our exhibit, “Censorship in Schools and Libraries.”

The 2009 edition of the exhibit presents 32 illustrations of censorship each one approximately 11″ x 14″ with accompanying text that is 11″ x 14.” The history of censorship in public libraries and schools highlights incidents of censorship that have occurred nationally during the last 150 years. Included are descriptions of the censorship of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, In the Night Kitchen, The Catcher in the Rye, and the novels of Judy Blume and Chris Crutcher. The censorship of Susan Patron’s novel, The Higher Power of Lucky, which was awarded the Newbery Prize, is in the new edition. U.S. Supreme Court decisions including the landmark Island Trees book banning case are part of the exhibit.

Quality copies have been reproduced which may be readily presented on posters or bulletin boards in your library and then retained by you as a reference source. If your space is limited, we suggest that you rotate the incidents of censorship during the time the exhibit is on display. Excerpts from the exhibit are on our web site www.the-licac.org. Click on Exhibits, “Censorship in Schools and Libraries” (for a description of the exhibit) and then Selected Cases. You may order the exhibit by e-mail or sending a purchase order to the LI Coalition Against Censorship, PO Box 296, Port Washington, N.Y.11050. The cost of the exhibit including mailing charges is $40.00. We request payment by check within 30 days after you receive the exhibit. If you need any additional information our e-mail address is coalcen1@verizon.net or call (516) 944-9799.

 Donald Parker, Co-coordinator, LI Coalition Against Censorship

7/20/09 OLC Cancels 2009 Convention & Expo

On Friday, July 17, the OLC Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2009 Ohio Library Council Convention & Expo, Oct. 21-23, in Cleveland. This decision was unanimously supported by Tom Adkins, Convention Chair, as well as the Planning Committee Chairs – Cindy Lombardo, Program Chair; Andrew Mangels, Local Arrangements Chair; Jamie Mason, Expo Chair.

The Convention & Expo is considered to be the signature event of the Ohio Library Council. However, OLC staff learned last week in a survey of library directors that very few libraries will have the funds to send library staff to this event. In light of the recent developments in the state’s public library funding and the drastic adjustments that all libraries have been making to their operations, the OLC made the most fiscally-responsible route for both members and the organization.

As the OLC moves forward, members will receive more information about how the OLC plans to restructure its education programming to respond to members’ needs in the challenging times ahead. The OLC staff is exploring several different education alternatives, including regional and electronic options.

The board and the OLC staff truly regret that this decision had to be made and the OLC’s focus continues to be on meeting members’ needs. The needs of library staff are changing so the OLC is evaluating the best ways to continue providing the services that are most important to OLC members.

The OLC board and staff would like to thank everyone who has volunteered many hours to plan this event.

Please direct questions regarding the cancellation of this event to olc@olc.org.

Boys Read.org is an organization of parents, educators, librarians, mentors, authors, and booksellers dedicated to making boys lifelong readers. Periodically, they feature an extraordinary author on their home page. Currently, they have selected Watt Key’s Alabama Moon and Fran Cannon Slayton’s When the Whistle Blows as summer reading picks. 

Information and a link have been posted on the WebJunction Ohio Youth Services section. Check it out! The Youth Services section features a lot of unique resources available for you and we would appreciate hearing from you about successful programs or projects at your library that could be replicated around the state.