From the State Library

From Diversity to Inclusion: How to Audit Your Collection and Why
Wednesday, December 15, 11:00 AM – Noon ET
Online via Zoom
Register: www.surveymonkey.com/r/tristate_FDtI

Join Kymberlee Powe, Children and YA Consultant for the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development, as she dives into the makeup of the publishing industry. You will learn how to identify the difference between a diverse collection and an inclusive one, and walk through the logistics of performing a diversity audit of your collection. The examples and resources provided in this session will focus on youth collections; however, the methodology of performing a diversity audit, and the reasons to do so, are universal to all collections.

This free presentation is brought to you by the Connecticut State Library, in collaboration with the Indiana State Library, the Library of Michigan, and the State Library of Ohio, so join us and exchange ideas with library staff from across our three states.

The State Library of Ohio Board has awarded a $100,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant to Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK) to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) e-book collection with unlimited access for its member libraries. Federal ARPA funds, received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will be used to purchase a consortially curated and shared DEI collection. Increasing the depth and breadth of available e-books will strengthen engagement with under-represented communities and broaden education for the majority population, as well as provide critical scholarly materials to support curriculum and research.

“Our statewide group of collections librarians recognized the need for more representative materials that better reflect our users,” said Amy Pawlowski, Executive Director of OhioLINK, which is the statewide consortium of academic libraries. “The majority of OhioLINK’s library directors have experienced budget cuts related to COVID-19 and are struggling to find funds with which to build these DEI collections. Investing in a shared digital collection is a cost-effective use of ARPA funds that leverages OhioLINK’s strengths in selecting, purchasing, and sharing library materials. Students and faculty across Ohio will be able to easily access and use the DEI e-book collection for research as well as assigned course materials.”

Once the publisher has been selected through a Request for Proposal process, OhioLINK’s statewide team of collection development librarians will curate the selection of titles. The collection should be available for use spring semester 2022.

“ARPA has given a once in a lifetime opportunity for libraries of all types to implement creative and inventive ways to better serve their patrons,” expressed Wendy Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio. “The systemic inequalities that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic only served to highlight Governor’s DeWine’s declaration of racism as a public health crisis. Providing greater access to materials for all our higher education institutions to share with their communities will support their important work in this area.”

“The State Library of Ohio is committed to allocating ARPA funds for statewide initiatives that benefit all types of libraries,” stated Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. “I want to express my gratitude to the State Library Board for supporting this proposal from our academic library colleagues, as it will have a true statewide reach. I’m excited to see the launch of this impactful collection.”

The State Library of Ohio Board recently awarded a $60,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant to Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) to provide statewide access at public libraries to a digital literacy training program. Federal ARPA funds, received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will be used to purchase licenses to Northstar Digital Literacy for all Ohio public libraries.

Northstar Digital Literacy begins with assessments, identifying the necessary competencies that individuals should meet concerning different digital tools and tasks. Those competencies are supported by instruction, whether online or in a classroom setting, depending on individual learning styles and needs. After guided study, learners can take proctored tests to earn certification showing mastery of the necessary competencies. The program then guides each learner through building on what they’ve learned, encouraging continued learning.

“To succeed in the information age, people need the digital skills to make use of online services and computer resources, and public libraries have long worked to meet the particular needs of their communities,” said Don Yarman, OPLIN Executive Director. “Northstar will be a valuable resource, helping library staff develop their expertise and confidence, providing proven resources for in-person and on-line instruction, and empowering each library to reach out to its community as a leader in digital literacy education.”

To ensure successful implementation within libraries, OPLIN will utilize an open staff position to hire a program manager. OPLIN will also fund web-based training sessions by Northstar Digital Literacy for local public library staff at the onset of the program launch in early 2022. Additional training will be conducted by OPLIN staff.

“The program manager will help local libraries integrate Northstar into their current services,” Yarman said. “Each community has different needs, and the program manager will help libraries use Northstar’s many resources in ways that are most productive. Ohioans will be able to participate in Northstar learning at the library or remotely through library websites, whichever is most convenient for them.”

“While libraries have worked to bridge the digital divide for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered the depth of the divide in Ohio,” said Wendy Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio. "Using ARPA funds to provide the tools of Northstar Digital Literacy to all of the state’s public libraries will bolster the great work already being done by so many and provide a proven framework for implementation throughout the state."

“The State Library of Ohio is committed to allocating ARPA funds for statewide programs that benefit all types of libraries,” stated Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. “I want to express my gratitude to the State Library Board for supporting this proposal, geared toward the public library sector, as it will have a true statewide reach. I’m excited to see the launch of this digital literacy initiative—it dovetails well with our Governor’s broadband/workforce development initiatives, while serving as a nice complement to the State Library’s own Guiding Ohio Online program.”


From the State Library From Diversity to Inclusion: How to Audit Your Collection and Why Wednesday, December 15, 11:00 AM – Noon ET Online via Zoom Register: www.surveymonkey.com/r/tristate_FDtI Join Kymberlee Powe, Children and YA Consultant for the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development, as she dives into the makeup of the publishing industry. You will learn how to identify the difference between a diverse collection and an inclusive one, and walk through the logistics of performing a diversity audit of your collection. The examples and resources provided in this session will focus on youth collections; however, the methodology of performing a diversity audit, and the reasons to do so, are universal to all collections. This free presentation is brought to you by the Connecticut State Library, in collaboration with the Indiana State Library, the Library of Michigan, and the State Library of Ohio, so join us and exchange ideas with library staff from across our three states. The State Library of Ohio Board has awarded a $100,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant to Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK) to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) e-book collection with unlimited access for its member libraries. Federal ARPA funds, received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will be used to purchase a consortially curated and shared DEI collection. Increasing the depth and breadth of available e-books will strengthen engagement with under-represented communities and broaden education for the majority population, as well as provide critical scholarly materials to support curriculum and research. “Our statewide group of collections librarians recognized the need for more representative materials that better reflect our users,” said Amy Pawlowski, Executive Director of OhioLINK, which is the statewide consortium of academic libraries. “The majority of OhioLINK’s library directors have experienced budget cuts related to COVID-19 and are struggling to find funds with which to build these DEI collections. Investing in a shared digital collection is a cost-effective use of ARPA funds that leverages OhioLINK’s strengths in selecting, purchasing, and sharing library materials. Students and faculty across Ohio will be able to easily access and use the DEI e-book collection for research as well as assigned course materials.” Once the publisher has been selected through a Request for Proposal process, OhioLINK’s statewide team of collection development librarians will curate the selection of titles. The collection should be available for use spring semester 2022. “ARPA has given a once in a lifetime opportunity for libraries of all types to implement creative and inventive ways to better serve their patrons,” expressed Wendy Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio. “The systemic inequalities that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic only served to highlight Governor’s DeWine’s declaration of racism as a public health crisis. Providing greater access to materials for all our higher education institutions to share with their communities will support their important work in this area.” “The State Library of Ohio is committed to allocating ARPA funds for statewide initiatives that benefit all types of libraries,” stated Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. “I want to express my gratitude to the State Library Board for supporting this proposal from our academic library colleagues, as it will have a true statewide reach. I’m excited to see the launch of this impactful collection.” The State Library of Ohio Board recently awarded a $60,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant to Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) to provide statewide access at public libraries to a digital literacy training program. Federal ARPA funds, received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will be used to purchase licenses to Northstar Digital Literacy for all Ohio public libraries. Northstar Digital Literacy begins with assessments, identifying the necessary competencies that individuals should meet concerning different digital tools and tasks. Those competencies are supported by instruction, whether online or in a classroom setting, depending on individual learning styles and needs. After guided study, learners can take proctored tests to earn certification showing mastery of the necessary competencies. The program then guides each learner through building on what they’ve learned, encouraging continued learning. “To succeed in the information age, people need the digital skills to make use of online services and computer resources, and public libraries have long worked to meet the particular needs of their communities,” said Don Yarman, OPLIN Executive Director. “Northstar will be a valuable resource, helping library staff develop their expertise and confidence, providing proven resources for in-person and on-line instruction, and empowering each library to reach out to its community as a leader in digital literacy education.” To ensure successful implementation within libraries, OPLIN will utilize an open staff position to hire a program manager. OPLIN will also fund web-based training sessions by Northstar Digital Literacy for local public library staff at the onset of the program launch in early 2022. Additional training will be conducted by OPLIN staff. “The program manager will help local libraries integrate Northstar into their current services,” Yarman said. “Each community has different needs, and the program manager will help libraries use Northstar’s many resources in ways that are most productive. Ohioans will be able to participate in Northstar learning at the library or remotely through library websites, whichever is most convenient for them.” “While libraries have worked to bridge the digital divide for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered the depth of the divide in Ohio,” said Wendy Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio. "Using ARPA funds to provide the tools of Northstar Digital Literacy to all of the state’s public libraries will bolster the great work already being done by so many and provide a proven framework for implementation throughout the state." “The State Library of Ohio is committed to allocating ARPA funds for statewide programs that benefit all types of libraries,” stated Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. “I want to express my gratitude to the State Library Board for supporting this proposal, geared toward the public library sector, as it will have a true statewide reach. I’m excited to see the launch of this digital literacy initiative—it dovetails well with our Governor’s broadband/workforce development initiatives, while serving as a nice complement to the State Library’s own Guiding Ohio Online program.”
Template 11 - NEO-RLS News-October 12, 2021