Acceptance Remarks

INFOhio Spence White Service Award recipient for 2006 Dave Savastone (left) discusses his success automating OME-RESA libraries through INFOhio with former INFOhio Governing Advisory Board co-chair John Myles during the SirsiDynix reception at the eTech Ohio Technology Conference in February 2007.

Picture credit: Tony Marshalek

I am very honored to receive the Spence White Service Award in the presence of my colleagues and friends. I cannot, however, take full credit for this award, because there have been so many people who have contributed to my success.

First of all, I thank my parents, for they instilled in me a strong work ethic and also taught me that the greatest joy I could have in life was to use the talents God bestowed upon me to help people in some way. I have always tried to live by their teachings, and at the end of each day I can feel satisfied that I have given my all to make some small impact on someone’s life.

I wish to thank Terri Fred, our INFOhio director, the Governing Advisory Board, INFOhio staff and consultants, the fantastic Lima Tech staff and all the INFOhio providers. You should be proud of the jobs you do to enrich the lives of so many. I am honored to be associated with such a caring, giving group of professionals. You have enriched my life and have always been there to share your knowledge, your advice, and most of all, your friendship.

I also wish to thank the Jefferson County ESC staff and the OME-RESA staff. It is a pleasure to work with such fine group of professionals, and I thank you for helping and supporting me for the last eight years.

I cannot forget to thank all the OME-RESA librarians, paraprofessionals and technology coordinators because, if not for you, I would not be here today receiving this award. You should be commended for your work in providing quality library programs for your staffs and students as you deal with shrinking budgets and staff cuts. It is an honor to work with such a fine group of professionals. I hope in some way I have made your work somewhat easier.

In conclusion, I honor the memory of Spence White. I can remember the first Technical Roundtable I attended in Columbus. I didn’t travel to Columbus on a frequent basis, so, in order not to be late for the meeting, I left Steubenville early for that two-plus hour trip to OHIONET. Needless to say, I did arrive at the meeting site early and, after asking the receptionist, found my way to the meeting room. The only person there was a gentleman who immediately came over to introduce himself and offer his welcome. That person was Spence. Although I did not have the opportunity to know him as long as some other providers, I found him to be a very caring, giving person, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to further the goals and vision of INFOhio. I feel honored to receive this award today, and I hope, in some small way, I can continue to contribute to the vision he had for INFOhio.

Again, I thank you all for this most prestigious award. God Bless you!