Press Release

Findlay Schools Library Media Coordinator Receives INFOhio Leadership Award

COLUMBUS – INFOhio, the state’s virtual library and information network for PreK-12 public and nonpublic schools, recently presented Debbie Reynolds, Library Media Coordinator for the Findlay City Schools, with the INFOhio Hugh Durbin Leadership Award for 2006.

Established in 2001, the award honors the memory of Ohio educator Hugh Durbin, who spent his career engaged in providing quality library media programs and resources for all students. It is presented annually to practicing library media center personnel who take an active leadership role in promoting the use of the technology and electronic educational resources available through INFOhio. Today, with technology being used to teach, motivate, captivate and transform ordinary classrooms into multi-dimensional learning experiences, students and teachers alike need to be aware of and know how to use all the tools available to them.

Ohio school libraries currently have more than 40 million books and non-print resources. INFOhio provides the standardized software to put school library card catalogs online. With this single, Web catalog, Ohio PreK-12 students and teachers can access their own school library as well as any other automated school library throughout the state.

According to INFOhio’s Executive Director, Theresa Fredericka, Ms. Reynolds was recognized for her commitment to her students and teachers, as well as to INFOhio. “We applaud you on your fine efforts to provide just the right resources to the right students at the right time by promoting INFOhio resources through a comprehensive plan,” said Ms. Fredericka.

Ms. Reynolds explained that her first year as a library media specialist at Findlay High School was a learning experience regarding INFOhio resources. "I came just assuming that the students and teachers, being a large school district with multiple librarians in the past, had been using INFOhio on a regular basis. That was not the case, In fact, none of the 150 teachers at Findlay High School had been using INFOhio's resources," Reynolds said. Working with two influential colleagues was the key. "I taught them about INFOhio's resources and they took that information and promoted the resources to their students. When they brought their students to the media center for their research papers third quarter, the students were excited about the process and appreciated learning new uses for Internet-based research."

The word spread, and now, "On a daily basis, students come to the media center to begin their research with INFOhio," Reynolds explained. "My goal is to make Findlay High School an INFOhio-rich school, and we are well on our way!"

Becky Pfaltzgraf, English Department Chair at Findlay High School, praised Ms. Reynolds for her "knowledge and passion for the utilization of INFOhio. She is the perfect candidate to receive the Hugh Durbin Leadership Award. She has sparked literally thousands of students and a multitude of staff members into making INFOhio their first choice when in need of a credible resource," Ms. Pfaltzgraf explained.

The INFOhio Hugh Durbin Leadership Award was established in memory of an Ohio educator who spent his career engaged in providing quality library media programs and resources to students from pre-kindergarten children to adults in prison. He supported the professional growth of his colleagues through leadership in OELMA and by sharing his vision for the future of school library media programs in articles and presentations. His professionalism and personal commitment serve as an example for all in the field today.

INFOhio, established more than 10 years ago, is managed by the Management Council of the Ohio Education Computer Network (MCOECN). Its services are delivered through 23 Information Technology Centers using the existing school telecommunications infrastructure that links school libraries statewide. INFOhio allows every primary and secondary school in the state – regardless of size, location or fiscal resources – to access a core collection of electronic resources.

For additional information about this award and applications for 2007, contact:
INFOhio Central Office
35 E. Chestnut Street, 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-485-6731
Fax: 614-752-2940
E-mail: central@infohio.org
Web: http://www.infohio.org/LibraryStaff/grants.html