Some of the Ohio Web Library vendors provide MARC records that can be loaded into a library's catalog, so their online resources will appear in catalog search results. These MARC records will contain a link to the resource in the 856 field of the record (subfield u); however, for people outside the library, these links will not allow access to the resource, because they do not pass through the user authentication associated with our statewide subscriptions.

To fix this, the URLs in the 856 fields must be modified in two ways:

1. Add this to the beginning of each link:
   https://auth.oplin.org/?url=
2. Replace every "&" in every link with "%26" (percent-encoded ampersand)

For example, a link to Consumer Reports in the MARC record downloaded from EBSCO might have "https://search.ebscohost.com/direct.asp?db=f5h&jid=%22CRP%22&scope=site" in the 856u tag, and that would need to be changed to "https://auth.oplin.org/?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/direct.asp?db=f5h%26jid=%22CRP%22%26scope=site".

One easy way to make these modifications is to use Terry Reese's MarcEdit tool (free download). Open the MarcEditor, open the file of MARC records downloaded from the vendor, and from the "Tools" menu choose "Edit Subfield Data." In field 856, subfield u, look for field data https:// and replace it with https://auth.oplin.org/?url=https://. Repeat this process, looking for & and replacing it with %26. Save the edited file and it should be ready for importing into your catalog.

The vendors below currently provide MARC records for Ohio Web Library databases:

EBSCO

A large selection of MARC record files can be downloaded from the EBSCO Administrator interface. (If you don't know your login credentials, contact OPLIN Support.) Navigate to "Database Title Lists" and click on the "MARC 21" tab.

World Book

World Book provides some very general MARC records from their Training & Support site.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning MARC records require access to the LinkedIn Learning administrator interface. Contact OPLIN Support for assistance.

 

African American Heritage is a digital resource exclusively devoted to African American family history research. This collection was created in partnership with leading African American genealogists and recognized leaders in genealogical information to develop a comprehensive mix of resources, records, and tools specifically pertaining to African Americans. It provides users a dedicated, user-friendly resource that not only brings together records critical to African American family research, but also connects them to a community of research experts, whose mentoring and assistance can frequently be the difference between research success and futility.

Go to African American Heritage now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/africanamericanheritage

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Getting Started Guide (PDF) This one-page guide created by OPLIN is designed to get your patrons started.
• Proquest's Guide to African American Heritage This extensive online guide from ProQuest include helpful tips, training, and downloadable resources.

Tutorials and Presentations

• Ongoing and Recorded Webinars. These approximately hour-long webinars are conducted by Proquest's training team. Trainings include African American Heritage as well as other Proquest products.

Other Helpful Links

• ProQuest.com Genealogy Research Tools Page

The American & English Literature Collections contain many works of poetry, drama, and prose from the 16th through 20th centuries. It includes the complete text of more than 200,000 poems, 2,000 plays, 100 works of prose, 11 major editions of Shakespeare’s works, and 21 editions of the Bible.
 
Use this resource to

• Access full-text of more than 200,000 essential works of English and American literature.
• Look for a specific work by author or title.
• Search for a word or phrase within one book, within one collection, or across all the literature.

Go to American and English Literature Collections now: http://www.ohioweblibrary.org/literature

Ancestry Library Edition delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more from countries all over the world. It's resources cover the United States and the United Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada, Europe, Australia and other areas of the world.

ProQuest Ancestry Library Edition includes:

• U.S. collections – hundreds of millions of names from sources such as the federal census; birth, death, and marriage records including the Social Security Death Index; and U.S. border crossing and trans-ocean ship records.
• Military collections – more than 150 million records from the colonial to the Vietnam era, including World War I and II draft cards, POW records, and casualty records.
• Multimedia collections – millions of files ranging from family and gravestone photos to postcards and newsreels.

Remember, Ancestry Library Edition can only be used inside the Library. Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/ancestry

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Proquest's Guide to Ancestry Library Edition This extensive online guide from ProQuest include helpful tips, training, and downloadable resources.
• Ancestry.com's '10 Census Questions that Lead to More Answers' (PDF) This tip sheet from Ancestry details how a patron can take take the information contained in the Census data and use it to find out more information from different sources.

Tutorials and Presentations

• Ancestry YouTube Channel. Browsing the Ancestry YouTube channel is a great place to get inspired about using Ancestry Library.
• Ancestry's 5 Minute Finds. These short, focused, 5-minute YouTube videos from Ancestry.com show interesting ways to explore Ancestry's collections.
• Ongoing and Recorded Webinars. These approximately hour-long webinars are conducted by Proquest's training team. Trainings include Ancestry Library Edition as well as other Proquest products.

Other Helpful Links

• Ancestry Library Edition Blog
• Ancestry Library Edition LibGuide
• Genealogy Marketing Toolkit
• ProQuest's Ancestry Library Edition Product Information Page

Biography Reference Bank contains articles about more than a half-million people, living and dead, from around the world. Contents include a robust collection of biographies from such notable sources as Biography Today and Biography Magazine.

Use Biography Reference Bank to:

• Research and study notable individuals worldwide.
• Access both concise and/or detailed biographies.
• Search for biographies by gender, occupation, nationality, etc.

Go to Biography Reference Bank now: https://www.oplin.ohio.gov/biography-reference-bank

Tutorials and Presentations

• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Business Source Premier offers information from business publications as well as tens of thousands of company profiles.  It contains news and journal articles on marketing, management, accounting and more. Also included are company profiles, industry and marketing reports and company financial data.

Go to Business Source Premier now: http://www.ohioweblibrary.org/business

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new EBSCOhost user interface
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Chilton Library provides access to repair, maintenance and service information on the most popular cars, trucks, vans and SUVs on the road today, as well as, many new vehicles. This continuously updated resource provides step-by-step repair procedures, troubleshooting guides, diagnostic trouble codes, photos, illustrations, diagrams, and multimedia (videos and animations) to simplify even the most complicated tasks.

Go to Chilton Library now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/chilton

Use Chilton Library for:

• Step-by-step instructions that provide a one-stop source for automobile repair answers.
• Videos and animations that show how to complete repairs.
• Close-up photos and images to enhance understanding of the text.
• Wiring diagrams to help explain system operation.
• Troubleshooting and diagnostic information that help pinpoint searches.
• Maintenance and specification tables that highlight key information.

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Recorded webinars and tutorials from Gale
• Communication Templates, Printables and Digital Assets

Consumer Health Complete can help you better understand key topics across the health and wellness spectrum — from mainstream medicine to complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. It contains more than 450 journals and magazines with complete articles on thousands of health topics, more than 2,400 full-text evidence-based health reports, nearly 350 up-to-date health reference books, more than 300 animations with audio narration, as well as consumer health pamphlets and leaflets from the CDC, FDA, NIH and others.

Go to Consumer Health Complete now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/health

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Consumer Health Complete Handout (PDF). This one-page flier from EBSCO can assist in promoting this resource.

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface (target transition date = July 2024)
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Explora for Public Libraries provides easy-to-use features and reliable content from the world's leading magazines and reference books, grouped into easy-to-browse categories. Explora provides research collections on thousands of topics to help them find the information they need quickly and easily. You can search hundreds of professional journals, popular magazines, reference books, images, primary sources, and more by keyword or by topic.

Go to Explora for Public Libraries now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/ebsco-explora

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions
• Explora Promotion Kit - Everything Explora-related all in one spot

Fold3® Library Edition is the premier collection of historical military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served from the Revolutionary War through recent conflicts. It contains millions of records from world-class archives, many of which are exclusively available on Fold3 Library Edition.

Go to Fold3 now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/fold3

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Proquest's Guide to Fold3 Library Edition This extensive online guide from ProQuest include helpful tips, training, and downloadable resources.

Tutorials and Presentations

• Fold3 Library Edition - Short Introduction - A 2-minute, high-level overview of all that Fold 3 Library Edition covers for you and your patrons.
• Fold3 Library Edition - Video Library - These 3-minute YouTube videos created by ProQuest Training are a good place to start learning about Fold3 Library Edition. Topics include searching, the catalog, understanding the image viewer and the interactive viewer.

Other Helpful Links

• Genealogy Marketing Toolkit

Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center offers detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast. Full text is provided from leading hobby and craft magazines.

Content Includes:

• Full text for nearly 2,000 magazines and books
• More than 720 videos
• More than 180 hobby profiles
• More than 10,000 recipes

Go to Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/hobbies
 

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface (target transition date = December 2023)
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Home Improvement Source features full-text content from leading home improvement magazines, images not found anywhere else online and videos of popular home repair projects. All of the content is organized in a robust, easy-to-use interface so that users can quickly find the information they need.

Content Includes:

• More than 130 full-text reference books, including major reference works from Creative Publishing International
• More than 40 full-text magazines and trade publications
• 35,000 images not available anywhere else online
• Nearly 100 videos of popular home repair projects

Go to Home Improvement Source now: https://ohioweblibrary.org/db/ebsco-home
 

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface (target transition date = December 2023)
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Literary Reference Source provides you with abroad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across time and literary discipline.
 
Literary Reference Source contains:

• Plot summaries, synopses, and work overviews.
• Nearly 100,000 pieces of literary criticism.
• Author biographies and interviews.
• More than 693,000 book reviews.
• Full-text poems and short stories.

Go to Literary Reference Source now: http://www.ohioweblibrary.org/literary

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface (target transition date = July 2024)
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

EBSCOhost delivers articles from more than 6,000 magazines and newspapers, most in full text, ranging from children's magazines to professional research journals. Different interfaces designed for specific age groups and curricular areas make EBSCOhost easy to use for all researchers. Magazine and journal articles are contained in two databases: MasterFILE, which is primarily popular magazines, and Academic Search Premier, which is primarily academic or scholarly journals.

Go to all EBSCO resources now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/ebsco

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new EBSCOhost user interface
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Northstar Digital Literacy defines basic skills needed to perform tasks on computers and online. Online, self-guided modules assess the ability of individuals to perform tasks based on these skills. Included are basic computer digital literacy standards and modules in three main areas:

• Essential Computer Skills - Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows OS, Mac OS
• Essential Software Skills – Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs
• Using Technology in Daily Life - Social Media, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, Supporting K-12 Distance Learning, Your Digital Footprint.

Northstar was developed in response to the needs of job seekers who may lack the digital literacy skills needed to seek, obtain, and retain employment, as well as to perform other tasks in daily life. Northstar allows end users to freely take the assessments from anywhere via our homepage, but individuals can instead go to an approved testing location and obtain the Northstar Digital Literacy Certificate when they pass assessments. Certificates provide an important credential for employment, as even entry-level jobs increasingly require basic computer skills. Certificates also certify end user ability to complete computer skills needed in higher education, and demonstrate their ability to use social media and online information thoughtfully. If individuals do not pass, personalized assessment results provide a roadmap to relevant instruction, allowing them to retake the assessment once they have mastered the necessary skills. Northstar also includes learning resources to support adult learners to master the standards outlined. Learning resources include classroom curriculum that can be used in person or remotely, and Northstar Online Learning, which provides self-directed instruction and practice for individuals.

Northstar is used by over 2240 Adult Basic Education programs, colleges, nonprofits, workforce centers, government agencies, and businesses.

Go to Northstar Digital Literacy now:  http://www.digitalskillsohio.org

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Northstar Manual
• Quick Start Guides
  • For Staff
  • For Proctors
  • For Site Administrators
• FAQs
• Northstar Curriculum, including
  • Teacher Guide
  • Northstar Tips for Remote Teaching
  • Sample Agenda for First Virtual Class Meeting
  • Curricula by Topic
    • Curricula for Essential Computer Skills
      • Basic Computer Skills
      • Internet Basics
      • Using Email
      • Windows 10
      • Mac OS
    • Curricula for Essential Software Skills
      • Microsoft Word Office 2016
      • Microsoft Excel Office 2016
      • Microsoft PowerPoint Office 2016
      • Google Docs
    • Curricula for Using Technology in Daily Life
      • Social Media
      • Information Literacy
      • Careers Search Skills
      • Supporting K-12 Distance Learning
• Northstar Online Learning (NSOL) Teacher Guide
• Proctor Resources
  • Proctor Training
  • NSOL Curriculum Standards
  • Proctor and Learner Codes of Conduct
• Other resources, including branding guidelines, sample flyers, & press releases from Northstar, can be found in the admin portal
  • (Admin) Login > Resources > Other Resources
• See the Ohio-specific marketing resources in the Marketing Materials section at the bottom of this page

Tutorials and Presentations

• Northstar webinars for Ohio public libraries
  • October 28, 2021 -  View the introductory webinar, "Closing the Digital Literacy Gap with Northstar"
    • Watch the recording here
    • View the slides here
  • November 30, 2021 - View the webinar for Site Administrator Training
    • Watch the recording here
    • View the slides here
  • December 9, 2021 - View the webinar for General Staff Training
    • Watch the recording here
    • View the slides here
  • December 15, 2021 - View the webinar for Learner Perspective Training
    • Watch the recording here
    • View the slides here
  • December 22, 2021 - View the webinar for Proctor Training
    • Watch the recording here
    • View the slides here

• Northstar recorded tutorials
  • Recommended Video Playlist
    • https://www.oplin.ohio.gov/services/northstar/libraries#quick_start_training
  • Video Tutorials by Topic
    • Video Tutorials - Overview
      • What is Northstar? (3 min, 55 sec)
    • Video Tutorials - Northstar Online Learning (NSOL)
      • Meet Northstar Online Learning (44 sec)
      • NSOL Navigation, Part 1 (1 min, 24 sec)
      • NSOL Navigation, Part 2 (1 min, 25 sec)
      • NSOL Navigation, Part 3 (1 min, 54 sec)
    • Video Tutorials - NSOL Learner Accounts
      • Creating and Managing Learner Accounts (2 min, 34 sec)
      • Viewing Learner Progress (1 min, 36 sec)
      • Viewing Leaner Usage Reports (1 min, 35 sec)
      • Organizing Learners Using Tags (2 min, 20 sec)
    • Video Tutorials - Assessments
      • Opening a Northstar Location's Launch Page (1 min, 45 sec)
      • Public vs Proctored Assessments (1 min, 53 sec)
      • Invalidating an Assessment (38 sec)
      • Viewing Missed Questions (51 sec)
      • Downloading Assessment Results (1 min, 05 sec)
    • Video Tutorials - Proctoring Assessments
      • Passwords and PINs (1 min, 27 sec)
      • Proctored Assessment - Using Proctor PIN (1 min, 13 sec)
      • Proctored Assessment - By Test Taker Request (1 min, 08 sec)
      • Claiming Badges (42 sec)
      • Printing a Certificate (52 sec)
      • Merging Certificates (1 min, 16 sec)
      • Changing the Name on a Certificate (55 sec)
    • Video Tutorials - Admin Portal
      • Managing Staff Accounts (2 min, 12 sec)
      • Editing Location Info (2 min, 00 sec)

Points of View Reference Center is a comprehensive full-text database that provides a series of essays that present multiple sides of today’s most controversial scientific, social, economic, and political issues. There are over 500 topics, each featuring four main essays:

• Overview–an objective background description.
• Point –the arguments supporting one side of the issue.
• Counterpoint –the arguments supporting the opposing side.
• Guide to Critical Analysis–questions and tips to help you analyze the issue in-depth.

In addition, Points of View Reference Center lets you easily search leading political magazines from both sides of the aisle, newspapers, radio and TV news transcripts, primary source documents, and reference books for more information. POV is updated twice a day.

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/viewpoints

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface (target transition date = July 2024)
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

 
You can use this collection to:

• Locate the residences and workplaces of ancestors.
• Understand the significance and historical evolution of buildings.
• See what your town looked like in the past and how it has changed over time.

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/sanborn

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Getting Started Guide (PDF) This one-page guide created by OPLIN is designed to get your patrons started.

Helpful Links

• About the Sanborn Map Collection. This guide from the Library of Congress is a detailed guide to Sanborn Fire Insurance colors, keys and symbols.

EBSCO’s Science Reference Center provides easy access to full-text, science- oriented content appropriate for middle and high school students. Science Reference Center contains full text for hundreds of science magazines, journals, encyclopedias, reference books and other reliable sources. In addition, the database includes a vast collection of images from sources such as UPI, Getty, NASA, National Geographic and the Nature Picture Library.

Go to Science Reference Center now: http://www.ohioweblibrary.org/scienceref

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's Science Reference Center in the new Explora platform
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Small Business Reference Center offers exclusive full text for many top consumer small business reference books, as well as tools to address many small business topics. It includes business videos, a help and advice section and details on how to create business plans.

Go to Small Business Reference Center now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/ebsco-smallbusiness

Tutorials and Presentations

• OPLIN Sneak Peek webinar (May 2023) - A first look at EBSCO's new Explora user interface (target transition date = December 2023)
• EBSCO Academy - Check this complete listing of videos, self-guided eLearning paths, and instructor-led tutorials

Other Helpful Links

• EBSCO Connect - This website is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your EBSCO questions

Very Short Introductions provide intelligent and serious introductions to a huge range of subjects. In this digital resource, hundreds of titles can be searched at once, opening up new pathways across subjects. Students can use Very Short Introductions to con sider study options, embark on a new module, topic, or essay, or revise a particular subject.  Teachers and other educators can assign chapters, or whole books to students. Adult learners can also gain new insights through an introduction to a topic.

Go to Very Short Introductions now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/veryshort

Quick Start Guides & Tip Sheets

• Letter Size Customizable Flier. This flier from Oxford University Press has a space for libraries to enter their own information.

Tutorials and Presentations

• Top 10 Things You Should Know From Very Short Introductions. This YouTube series from Oxford University Press highlights 10 takeaways from Very Short Introductions.

Other Resources

•  VSI Product FAQ Answers to a number of frequently asked questions

Banco de Contenidos aulaPlaneta is a comprehensive Spanish-language database designed for native Spanish speakers, bilingual students, and ESL/ELL program participants. From the world’s largest and most respected Spanish-language publishers, aulaPlaneta includes more than 140,000 articles, 8,000 web links to additional information, and 9,000 images, videos, animations, sounds, and interactive media.

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-his

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on Banco de Contenidos aulaPlaneta.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos is the optimal beginner’s Spanish-language reference tool.  The site offers all the best elements of World Book Kids—thousands of easy-to read articles packed with stunning illustrations, videos, interactive maps, and a wealth of engaging games and activities—designed to build key language and research skills throughout their education.

Go there now: https://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-spa

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

L'Encyclopédie Découverte, World Book's French language encyclopedia, features two interfaces: one aimed at grades K through 4 and one for older students and adults.

L'Encyclopédie Découverte has many features to help reach learners at many different levels. It is perfect for native-speaking researchers, advanced bilingual users, and ELL students. It is also fully integrated with World Book Kids, so users can toggle back and forth between French and English. Additionally, L'Encyclopédie Découverte features interactive games and activities for beginning learners.

Go there now: https://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-french

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on L'Encyclopédie Découverte.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

World Book Advanced, one of the resources available through World Book, is great for ages 14 and up. World Book Advanced offers a wealth of vetted articles supplemented by thousands of original source documents, fosters advanced research and critical thinking skills, and prepares students for continued growth.

World Book offers a number of accommodation tools in World Book Advanced, including

• a built-in Double-click Dictionary for in-article definitions
• Read-aloud with options for faster or slower, as well as a variety of narrators
• a Translation Tool option to translate any article into one of over 100 languages

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-advanced

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on World Book Advanced.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

World Book Early World of Learning, one of the resources available through World Book, is great for ages 3-7. Developed with experts in early childhood education, this re-designed database offers rich resources to help young learners build their vocabulary, comprehension, phonics, and reading fluency.

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-early

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on World Book Early World of Learning.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

World Book Kids, one of the resources available through World Book, is great for ages 6-10. This go-to resource is chock-full of fun activities, hands-on science projects, and age-appropriate articles, and offers image-based navigation to help young learners find information quickly and develop necessary digital literacy skills.

World Book offers a number of accommodation tools in World Book Kids, including

• a built-in Double-click Dictionary for in-article definitions
• Read-aloud with options for faster or slower, as well as a variety of narrators
• a Translation Tool option to translate any article into one of over 100 languages

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-kids

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on World Book Kids.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

World Book Student, one of the resources available through World Book Online, is great for ages 10-14. Tailored specifically for students, articles include multimedia and related resources to engage students, biographies, and supplemental tools to support cross-curricular studies.

World Book offers a number of accommodation tools in World Book Student, including

• a built-in Double-click Dictionary for in-article definitions
• Read-aloud with options for faster or slower, as well as a variety of narrators
• a Translation Tool option to translate any article into one of over 100 languages

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-student

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on World Book Student
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

World Book Timelines, one of the resources available through World Book, is great for ages 14 and up.  Explore more than 650 pre-made timelines with over 14,000 individual events, or create your own timelines!

Go there now: http://ohioweblibrary.org/db/worldbook-timelines

Tutorials and Presentations

• Recorded training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)
• Presentation slides from training for Ohio libraries (August 8, 2023)

Other Helpful Links

• Recommendations by topic from World Book - a quick guide for which resource to use when
• Online Help. A website from World Book designed to help and train libraries and educators on World Book Timelines.
• Social Media Posts from World Book. Features a variety of timely topics, product specific, and feature specific images for posting.

NOTICE

The next meeting of the Content Advisory Committee will be on March 30, 2023, at the OPLIN Office and online.  Contact Christine Morris, christine@oplin.ohio.gov, for more information, including meeting link and agenda.

Charter

In keeping with the purpose and goal of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) as defined in Ohio Revised Code 3375.64, OPLIN acquires access to electronic information resources, and develops electronic resources, for the use of all residents of Ohio. To assist in the selection of these information resources, the Board hereby charters a Content Advisory Committee.

I. Purposes

The committee is created for the purpose of working with the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Public Library Information Network to offer recommendations and provide information relevant to the electronic information resources purchased by OPLIN and shall limit its activities to advising on those matters only. It is the role and sole prerogative of the Board to enact policy regarding electronic information resources. The specific purposes of the Committee may include the following responsibilities:

• Review current information resource needs;
• Prioritize content for retention, weeding or replacement;
• Prioritize content for possible addition;
• Recommend configuration of content for delivery via the World Wide Web;
• Recommend changes to OPLIN and/or vendor support of information resources, including statistics.

II. Membership

The advisory committee shall consist of ten (10) members and may not include any OPLIN Board members. Members serve voluntarily at the invitation of the OPLIN Director and will constitute a cross-section of the Ohio public library community including reference and public service managers in public libraries. Members shall be recruited from library systems that invest in content beyond what OPLIN provides. Membership will be reaffirmed by the OPLIN Board at the discretion of the OPLIN Director.

III. Relationship to Libraries Connect Ohio

This committee nominates five (5) of its members to be part of any Libraries Connect Ohio advisory committee, which would also include five members from OhioLINK and five members from INFOhio. Such a committee will meet as needed to define the core Ohio Web Library collection.

The OPLIN Board recognizes that purchasing information resources statewide through the Libraries Connect Ohio partnership (http://librariesconnectohio.org) is the most economical way to provide a core collection of information resources and library services that will help all Ohioans. The Board also recognizes, however, that the information needs of public libraries sometimes differ from the needs of libraries supporting the curriculum of a school or college. This committee will therefore define any additional information needs of public libraries, despite the fact that funding for resources in addition to the resources purchased for the Ohio Web Library may not exist at the time. Committee recommendations regarding the content of the Ohio Web Library collection will be used to inform the work of committee members serving on any Libraries Connect Ohio advisory committee.

IV. Procedural Rules

Meetings: Because this committee may make recommendations to the OPLIN Board regarding purchases, it may be considered a "public body" under Ohio's Open Records and Open Meetings laws; committee meetings will therefore be open to the public and conducted under section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code and any applicable temporary law. Notices of meetings will be posted on the OPLIN website in accordance with Ohio's Open Records and Open Meetings laws.

Quorum: A gathering of six or more members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

Minutes: Minutes of each meeting shall be created by OPLIN staff attending the meeting. After review by the committee, they will be posted on the OPLIN website.

Recommendations and Reports: Committee recommendations and reports will be submitted to the OPLIN Board through the OPLIN Director. Recommendations will include both suggested action and justification for suggestions.

V. Review

This charter shall be reviewed at the request of the Board of Trustees or the Executive Director of the Ohio Public Library Information Network.

Adopted by the OPLIN Board October 11, 2013.

Amended by the OPLIN Board February 11, 2022.

Libraries Connect Ohio (LCO) is a partnership of Ohio libraries and library organizations that work together to build and provide the Ohio Web Library core collection of information resources. The principal partners are:

• INFOhio, the statewide cooperative school library and information network, supporting and enriching teaching and learning by providing equitable access to quality resources for Ohio's PreK-12 community of students, educators, and parents.
• The Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK), a consortium of 120 Ohio college and university libraries and the State Library of Ohio, that work together to provide Ohio students, faculty, and researchers with the information they need for teaching and research.
• The Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), providing internet connections to Ohio public libraries and contributing to the Ohio Web Library.
• The State Library of Ohio, a state agency serving state government and all types of libraries.

1. What is Libraries Connect Ohio?
2. Who are the Libraries Connect Ohio partners?
3. How does Libraries Connect Ohio benefit the state?
4. Why license and provide these resources statewide?
5. What resources does LCO currently provide?
6. Why does LCO provide these resources when the internet is free?
7. How are LCO activities funded?
8. Will LCO's funding be sustained?
9. Who can I contact for more information?

What is Libraries Connect Ohio?

Libraries Connect Ohio (LCO) is a partnership of Ohio libraries and library organizations that work together to provide a core collection of information resources and library services that will help all Ohioans compete in the global knowledge economy. This collection of resources, called the Ohio Web Library, supports quality education, a skilled workforce, business growth, and lifelong learning in Ohio. By providing resources statewide, LCO can cost-effectively provide necessary information resources to all Ohioans, regardless of their location, age, education, or economic status.

Who are the Libraries Connect Ohio partners?
Libraries Connect Ohio is a collaborative effort of Ohio libraries and the following organizations:

• INFOhio (virtual library and information network for all Ohio PreK-12 schools)
• Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK)
• Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
• State Library of Ohio

How does Libraries Connect Ohio benefit the state?
The Ohio Web Library provides all Ohioans with access to the authoritative, educational resources that are necessary for life in the information-intensive 21st century, and ensure that:

• Every school, public, and academic library throughout the state—regardless of size, location, or fiscal resources—has equal access to available online materials.
• Ohio students have a consistent set of online resources to use, at home or at school, as they move through primary, secondary, and higher education.
• Educators across the state have access to a broad range of online materials to support curricula and to meet core competencies and proficiencies.
• Ohio business owners, entrepreneurs, government officials, state employees, and workers have instantaneous access to the vital information necessary to do their jobs, make decisions, develop the workforce, and promote economic growth.
• All Ohioans are provided tools for lifelong learning, and for improving the quality of their personal lives through more informed decisions.

Why license and provide these resources statewide?
As a democracy, it is critical that access to necessary information resources be provided to all citizens. Historically, in print and even now via the internet, the highest quality information is sold commercially. Libraries have traditionally provided the means of providing information access to the masses. By working together and purchasing authoritative, commercially-provided reference and research resources at the statewide level, Libraries Connect Ohio is able to provide all Ohioans with access to the resources necessary for life in the information-intensive 21st century. Comprehensive individual purchases by libraries across the state are not affordable, and thus statewide access is not assured. If every school, college, university, and public library were to purchase these resources individually, either in print or electronic forms, the cost would be in the multi-millions of dollars. With ever-tightening local budgets, few libraries can afford these resources on their own, let alone the space to store them. Electronic access also allows for more convenient, faster, and cheaper information sharing.

What resources does LCO currently provide?
Via the Ohio Web Library, Libraries Connect Ohio provides instant access to thousands of online publications and research resources. The current Ohio Web Library includes: popular magazines, trade publications, scholarly research journals, encyclopedias, dictionaries, speeches, poems, plays, maps, satellite images of Ohio, and more. For more information about the Ohio Web Library, read the FAQ.

Why does LCO provide these resources when the internet is free?
It is a myth that the authoritative information Ohioans need for school, work, and lifelong learning is available for free on the internet. Authoritative information has never been and will never be free. When you need reliable, authoritative resources for school assignments, business research, or lifelong education, turn to the Ohio Web Library for trusted information.
While the free internet can also be useful in the research process, you have to watch out for broken links, unverified information, questionable results from search engines, and fees for full-text materials. The Ohio Web Library goes beyond the internet and provides you with access to subscription-only resources. Ohio Web Library resources are verified by editors and scholars, are created by reliable sources, and are acceptable for class assignments.

How are LCO activities funded?
As a taxpayer, you fund the Ohio Web Library through a combination of state and federal taxes. Specifically, the Ohio Web Library is funded by a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant through the State Library of Ohio, which provides about $1.5 million per year for five years. In addition, the three LCO library networks—INFOhio, OhioLINK, and OPLIN—provide about $2.5 million in state funds each year from their current budgets.

Will LCO's funding be sustained?
There is no permanent funding in place to sustain these resources, let alone expand them. The LSTA grant and matching funds that support the Ohio Web Library are likely to continue as long as funds are available and Ohio libraries/residents continue to see the value in the collection.

Who can I contact for more information?
Please send questions about Libraries Connect Ohio to director (at) oplin (dot) org. If you need help finding information or using the Ohio Web Library, please contact your local public library, academic library, or school library for assistance.

Preliminary FAQ

The current contracts for Ohio Web Library content run through June 30, 2023. This means that the Libraries Connect Ohio (LCO) group will engage in an Intent to Negotiate (ITN) process in 2022.

Interested vendors may have questions about that process now. Here are answers to a few that have come up already.

What is the timeline for the ITN process?

The LCO group expects the upcoming process to follow this general timeline; specific dates will be announced in the fall:

• September 2022 - ITN documents posted
  • Released on September 21
• September 2022 - bidder conference (real-time Q&A session)
  • 1pm on September 27 via Microsoft Teams; connection details in Ariba
• October 2022 - deadline for written clarifying questions from bidders
  • Question due date is October 10
• October 2022 - bids due; evaluations begin
  • Close date is October 18
• November 2022 - committee determines bids for further negotiation
• December 2022 to January 2023 - OhioLINK leads negotiations with prioritized bids
• February 2023 - final selections
• March 2023 - request for LSTA funds from State Library Board

What will the ITN look like?

The LCO group is expecting that the upcoming ITN process and documents will be very similar to the ones used in 2017-18. For reference, copies of those documents are available now:

• 2017 Request for Proposal (RFP)
• 2017 Vendor Response Form

Can you tell me more about the ITN process?

The ITN will be sponsored by The Ohio State University, which is the fiscal agent for OhioLINK. Their procurement process uses the Ariba Discovery service. More information about the procurement process is available at https://busfin.osu.edu/buy-schedule-travel/purchasing/suppliers/doing-business-ohio-state.

Can you tell me more about the LCO partners?

The LCO partners are comprised of INFOhio, OhioLINK and OPLIN. These organizations represent all PreK-12, academic, and public libraries in the state, respectively. Details about each constituency can be found in Section 3.7 of the 2017 RFP (Program Profiles).

Additional information about Ohio public libraries can also be accessed via the State Library of Ohio.

Publicly available details on OhioLINK membership can be found at https://www.ohiolink.edu/members.

Can you tell me more about the content that the LCO partners are seeking?

The 2022 ITN will have additional details about the types of resources and the subject areas desired. In the meantime, you may refer to Section 8 of the RFP (Specifications) to see what was requested in the previous bid.

Can you tell me more about the accessibility and authentication requirements for the proposed content?

The 2022 ITN will have additional details about the measures of accessibility and types of authentication required. In the meantime, you may refer to Section 9 of the RFP (Service Elements) to see what was requested in the previous bid.  For more information about W3C WCAG 2.0 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, you may wish to refer to https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref.

Will there be an opportunity to share a trial?

Similar to section 4.22 of 2017 Vendor Response Form, the evaluation committee may request a trial for your product. The Vendor Response Form will ask you for a contact in case of a need for a trial.

Will there be an opportunity to share a demonstration?

Similar to section 4.23 of the 2017 Vendor Response Form, the evaluation committee may request a demonstration. The Vendor Response Form will ask if you can provide a demonstration with a two week notice.

When the RFP is open, who can I contact for help?

If you have any questions about Ariba, the procurement software used for this RFP, please refer to the Help link at the upper right corner of the Ariba website.  Clicking the Help link will enable you to login and make specific requests for help with your account; the Help link will also enable you to register, reset a username, or reset a password.  Please do not contact OSU procurement with questions requiring Ariba support.

If you have any questions about the RFP process or documents after September 21, please contact Jeff Ulrich from The Ohio State University Purchasing Department at ulrich.78@osu.edu. 

Note: updates will be made to this FAQ as additional questions arise; the official ITN documents and FAQ will be posted in September 2022.