Core Collection benefits from LCO/SLO actions

The State Library of Ohio Board recently approved use of LSTA funds to continue and increase support for the Ohio Web Library. INFOhio provides these resources as part of its Core Collection of Electronic Resources. All current Core Collection resources will continue for the 2011-2012 school year. In addition, the following resources will join the Core Collection in July: World Book's Early World of Learning Mango Languages ProQuest Ancestry Library Edition

The current home access username/password will apply in 2011-2012. Read more...

Discovery Portal retained for 2011-2012
INFOhio's Discovery Portal, the next generation of SchoolRooms currently available to all students, parents and educators who use INFOhio's CAT and CAT Jr. as their online catalogs, will continue to serve patrons of INFOhio automated libraries through June 30, 2012. Portal costs are already included in current automation fees. Read more...

The Discovery Portal is a feature of the online catalogs provided by INFOhio to more than 2,400 buildings participating in our library automation program. Information and teaching/in-service/promotional materials for the Discovery Portal are provided at Help Resources for INFOhio's Discovery Portal. Check out the recently published May Spotlight that provides in-depth tips for Language Arts and English Language Learners (ELL).

INFOhio survey results being analyzed The recent online survey of INFOhio community members received wide-spread attention from almost 2,800 individuals who responded to all or part of the instrument. INFOhio appreciates the time spent to help determine the strengths and weaknesses of the information network for Ohio schools. INFOhio Governing Board members, Users Council representatives, staff and ITC providers will be evaluating the data to help set priorities for 2011-2012 and beyond. Some salient data points:
	About half the respondents were classroom teachers and another third consisted of school librarians and library assistants.
	Almost 75% of respondents said their districts would not be able to fund any of INFOhio's Core Collection with local funds.
	More than half of respondents were unaware of INFOhio services such as the Research Project Calculator and the ICoach program.

Important News, Stories and More Links New interface for Digital Video Collection - INFOhio Executive Director Theresa M. Fredericka recently announced changes to the online interface for the OAIMC Digital Video Collection. "The new interface has many new features designed to make the collection more valuable for Ohio's K-12 students, parents and educators," Fredericka explained in her E-List posting. The older interface will be available only through June 30, 2011. Read more... Closed Captions are now available on approximately 80 full-length titles in the Digital Video Collection when the videos are streamed. The captioning is only possible due to an LSTA grant that was awarded the by State Library of Ohio and matching contributions from INFOhio and the Ohio Area Media Centers. We are hoping to add even more captions before the grant concludes this fall. Durbin Award deadline extended to September 9 - The goal of the INFOhio Hugh Durbin Leadership Award is to encourage and support greater involvement in the leadership of INFOhio by practicing library media center personnel by identifying potential new leaders and facilitating their participation in INFOhio sponsored activities. More information and application/nomination forms are available. Muskingum University offers free workshop on 21st century learners - Cherie Bronkar, Muskingum University Librarian and member of the INFOhio/OhioLINK Transition Task Force, is coordinating the third annual 21st Century Learners Workshop. This free, half-day event will be held on Thursday, June 16, 1-4 p.m., at the university library in New Concord. The workshop will focus on Essential Things 4-7 from INFOhio’s 21st Century Learning Commons. Featured presenters will discuss mobile technology, e-readers, e-books and technology in the library and classrooms. For a fee, graduate credit can be obtained. A flier with more information and registration details is linked from our Professional Development Opportunities page. INFOhio presents at national Internet2 conference - Paula Deal, INFOhio consultant and Internet2 training project manager, Ann Zimmerman, manager of client services at OARnet, and Paul La Rue, social studies teacher at Washington Court House City Schools, presented a session about their joint effort to produce the interactive videoconference What Does Freedom Mean to You? A Veteran's Oral History Project at the national Internet2 conference in Arlington, Va., April 18-20, 2011. Read more... INFOhio Donate Now! program supplements funding - With the on-going threats to the state and federal funding received by INFOhio for many of our products and services, the INFOhio Governing Board has established the Donate Now! program to receive contributions from individuals, groups and foundations. Introduced in early April 2011, the effort has received several tax-deductible contributions. INFOhio will use all donations to enhance our existing program – following guidelines established by the Governing Board – always striving to benefit the greatest number of Ohio PreK-12 students, parents and educators. Donors may send checks or use the PayPal service to pay with credit cards. Any contribution – small or large - will make an impact on Ohio's PreK-12 community. Please Donate Now!