Since 1998, the State Library of Ohio (SLO) has used almost $12 million in Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) funds to automate K-12 school libraries in Ohio. The State Library chose Greg Byerly, TIP Associates, to evaluate the use of these funds as part of its 5-Year LSTA Evaluation Report. The complete document [PDF 63 pgs] is available on the SLO Web site. A five page Executive Summary is near the beginning of the document.

To evaluate K-12 school library automation, Byerly used document reviews, electronic surveys,
interviews and focus groups. The following highlights were prepared by INFOhio Project Coordinator Cynthia DuChane:

The automation of over 1,400 school libraries has had major positive impacts on Ohio K-12 education:

Access to information is more equitable. Students are learning important searching skills through the online catalog. Teachers demonstrate higher respect for librarians in automated libraries. Students are better prepared to continue their education and/or become lifelong learners.

Some differences that stand out between automated and non-automated libraries include:

Librarians are more unified, more likely to work together professionally, and are more committed to collaborative relationships. Teachers and administrators have improved perceptions of libraries and librarians, are more aware of the materials in the library, and have a different and better relationship with the librarian. Students with more equitable access to information have improved learning and they have more positive opinions about both the library and the librarian.

Librarians and others working in Ohio’s schools feel strongly that INFOhio has been and continues to be a highly effective agent for change for school libraries.   More information about SLO's LSTA grant program... Sample press release to promote your library automation project [MS Word 2 pgs]