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1998 - 1999  Annual Report

NEW DIRECTIONS

The NOLA Regional Library System is a multi-type library agency that coordinates and facilitates the development of services of its members libraries for all of their constituents.  NOLA is a membershiop-driven organization that seeks to strengthen library services and to promote the continued improvement of libraries in Ohio.

NOLA Board of Trustees

Donna Wall                               Ashtabula County District Library                           President
Susan Weaver                          KSU, East Liverpool                                                Vice President
Mary Frances Burns                 Morley Library                                                           Secretary
Cheryl Bugnone                        Kinsman Free Public Library           
Phyllis Cettomai                       Reed Memorial Library
Nancy Currie                             MacKenzie Memorial Public LIbrary
Carol Davis                               Leetonia Community Public Library
Donna Fried                             Geauga County Public Library
Peter Kozup                              Bloomfield-Mespo Local School District
Ruth Mizik                                  Hubbard Public Library
Paul Rohrbaugh                        Youngstown State University, Maag Library
Nancy Simpson                         Lepper Library
Lois Wynkoop                           Newton Falls Public Library

Staff and Consultants

Millie Fry, Executive Director
Anne Hoerig, Clerk Treasurer
Brad Stephens, Technology Coordinator
Melissa Lattanzi, Continuing Education Coordinator
Bonne Tyler, Administrative Assistant
Elaine Casterline, Office Assistant CE/YS
Rose Marie Pecchio, Office Assistant/Administration

Lori Putt, Network Consulting
Carol Shantz
Sue Nespeca

Board Meetings and Committees
The Board conducted business at twelve regularly scheduled meetings.  The minutes of these meetings are on The Desktop for the membership to peruse.  There were eleven Board Committee meetings during 1998-1999 (Personnel, By-laws/Long Range Planning, Finance, Legislative, Membership, Nominating, Policy).  Regional Library Systems in Ohio were created in the early 1970's to assist their members in improving the quality of service provided to library users throughout the state.  IN 1998-99 the NOLA Regional Library System had 86 member libraries - 32 public, 6 academic, 7 special, 41 school - in eight counties in northeastern Ohio.

Funding for Ohio’s RLSOn June 30, 1999, Governor Bob Taft signed HB 283, the biennial budget, which includes increased state funding for the seven Regional Library Systems (RLS) in Ohio. In fiscal year 2000, the bill will add $1,009,881 to the current level of state funding. These additional dollars will "replace federal dollars that will be eliminated due to the expiration of the Library and Services Construction Act." Replacement dollars will account for about 90% of the LSCA funding previously received by the RLS. The NOLA Regional Library System submitted a state funding proposal to the State Library of Ohio (SLO) on June 11, 1999 for $340,856 for SFY 2000. The SLO Board will vote on the proposals at their July 29^th meeting. The NOLA Board, the Legislative Committee, member libraries, and the other six RLS in Ohio worked very hard this past year to secure increase state funding.

Return on Investment
On the average, NOLA members received a 366% return on investment (ROI) during 1998.  Check out the report on the website.

Team NOLA's Grand Slam Planning Retreat
Because Niles has the new Scrappers baseball team, we selected "Help NOLA Hit a Grand Slam" as our theme for the May 6th NOLA Spring Planning Retreat.   Participants enjoyed eating hotdogs with stadium Mustard, peanuts and Cracker Jacks and also having their photographs taken while at bat.  Mary Merrill once again facilitated the strategic planning process and 54 members gave very valuable guidance for the future.  The Board will vote on the updated Strategic Plan at their August 17, 1999 meeting.

Membership Meetings
The theme for this year's three meetings was Tomorrow's Trends / Today's Libraries.  Program topics included:  Cutting Edge Human Resources and Management Trends, The New 3 Rs - Retooling, Retraining, Revitalizing:   Transforming Ourselves for the Future, and A Glimpse into the Future:  The Opportunities and Challenges for Tomorrow's Libraries.  Total registration for these three programs was 129.

Job Listing Service
NOLA posted approximately 275 professional and support staff positions on the Job Listing site on our Desktop during the past year.   There were 25, 092 hits to this page during that same time period.

Renovation of Office
The NOLA office was completely renovated in the fall of 1998. All rooms were painted and carpeted and a door was cut in the wall separating the two sides of the office. The office of the Technology Coordinator was moved so he could be nearer the computer lab and digital center.

Leadership
NOLA was a co-sponsor of Library Leadership 2000, a one week program to develop new leaders, which was held in Holmes County in September, 1998. NOLA librarians selected to participate included: Gretchen Persohn (Carnegie Public Library in East Liverpool) and Beverly Willis (Rootstown Local Schools). An Advanced LL2000 was held for 1993 and 1995 graduates and Laura Hogg Casey (McKinley Memorial Library in Niles), Katherine Kendall (Mentor Public Library) and Bruce Jeppesen (formerly with the Council of Ashtabula Libraries) attended from the NOLA area.

Vendor Discount Program
During 1998 our members saved $683,444 by using the NOLA Vendor Discount Program. The Catalog, listing over 60 vendors offering discounts to NOLA members, is available on The Desktop. The vendor categories are as follows: Audiovisual, Books, Educational Materials, Library & Office Supplies/Equipment, Reference/Encyclopedias/ Dictionaries, Promotional Materials, Printing Services, Technology, and Subscription Services.

Group Health Plan
Using its purchasing power, NOLA offers members a negotiated group-health insurance plan thus saving them 5%. During 1999, The Health Insurance Advisory Committee recommended the selection of a new agent of record.

RefLinks Project
The Ohio RefLinks Project was designed to provide the library community with accurate and accessible reference information via the Internet. The sites listed have met criteria develped by library staff for the Project. Twenty librarians from Ohio have selected 1700+ web sites and are adding more each month. 

Youth Services Book Look
NOLA developed three Book Looks (six days) during the year attended by 172 persons. Members received free books valued at $26,527 during 1998.  Our Youth Services Consultant presented Book Talks and in June librarians facilitated two Pop & Pizza luncheon discussions about favorite books.  The Youth Services Advisory Committee recommended enhancing the Book Look sessions by adding materials for young adults during 1999-2000.

Youth Services Listserv
During the past year, NOLA contracted with a Youth Services Consultant who sent information to children's librarians in member libraries twice a month.

Kids Connect
A quarterly newsletter published for our youth services librarians that offers information about upcoming events and programming ideas.

Interlibrary Loan Network
NOLA's participation in AccessOhio provides a wide range of resources to member libraries.  During the past year 28,839 items were borrowed by NOLA members who participate in AccessOhio.

The Daily Delivery Service
NOLA contracted with U.S. Cargo this past year and service has improved.  Ten schools in Ashtabula County were added to the delivery in February.  During the first quarter of 1999, NOLA libraries shipped 9,404 containers to 8,937 points.  We accounted for 9.1% of the statewide library delivery system.

Reference Back-up
Member libraries are using the Statewide Reference Back-up program funded by the State Library of Ohio. Libraries call the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County with reference questions they are unable to answer using resources in their facility. NOLA contracts with the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) to provide members libraries with medical reference back-up service.

 Technology Consulting Service
NOLA provides a significant amount of technology consulting for member libraries. Brad Stephens, the NOLA Technology Coordinator, assisted members with the following projects since his arrival in October:

• Development of digital image collections
• Implementation of streaming media services (audio and video)
• Implementation of e-mail and web services
• Custom web programming and development
• Firewall/network security consulting and implementation
• Advanced network implementation
• Purchasing advice

Members should feel free to contact the Technology Coordinator with their technology questions and difficulties. Most consulting services are free of charge to NOLA members. We will do special consulting projects for members for a fee.

Remote Access
NOLA developed a system that permits public libraries to allow their library card holders remote access (from home or the office) to the OPLIN databases.

Digital Collection Service Center
NOLA received an LSTA mini-grant and developed a Digital Collection Service Center. Digitization workshops are offered and the Technology Coordinator works with members who are digitizing photos, maps, and documents. Libraries will be digitizing more materials as we move closer to Ohio’s Bicentennial in 2003.

Continuing Education Tracks
NOLA was the first Regional Library System to devlop Continuing Education Tracks.  Persons can complete their track over a two-year period.  Tracks include:  Management, Technology, Public Services-Youth Services, Public Services-Adult Services, and Support Staff.

Workshops
NOLA developed and conducted 79 workshops/technology training/quarterly meetings during 1998-1999 and 1027 persons participated in these programs.  Special programs included:

*Tech Connections - a two-day technology conference attended by 152 persons from across Ohio.  Developed by the Regional Library Systems, the State Library and OPLIN.

*A Touch of Class attended by 76 support staff.

*Everything You Wanted to Know about Networking but were Afraid to Ask for Library Directors.

*Writing Winning Grants with Susan golden and other nationally known speakers.

*10th Annual Youth Services Symposium attended by 25 NOLA members.  Total registration for the program was a record breaking 90.

*Evaluating Training:  The Four Levels by Dr. Donald Kirkpatrick - a program for continuing education providers in Ohio.

*Digitization workshops - added a two-hour session with the Technology Coordinator for each library registered for the workshop.

*Microsoft Call Back Classes - Registrants can return for a two-hour session and bring materials they are developing and receive individualized assistance. 

Interest Groups
NOLA facilitated 15 Interest Group (Public Relations, Technical Services, Bookmobile, Children & Young Adults, Clerk-Treasurer, Reader’s Advisory, Reference and Technology) meetings attended by 127 participants. Participants exchange ideas, network, discuss common problems and plan programs.

Staff Development Programs for Members
NOLA is happy to assist members when planning Staff Development Day programs. For a fee, our CE Consultant can conduct Team Building programs. During the fall of 1999 we will develop a listing of program topics for staff development programs and NOLA can contact the speakers and make arrangements for you for a fee.

NOLA Regional Library System
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Warren, OH 44483

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Revised: 08/31/99 09:29:10 AM
URL: http://www.nolanet.org/information/annualreport.htm