29 August 2002
Ohioans Gain Access to Millions of Articles Online
Every person in the state of Ohio can now access a collection of online journals, magazines, and research databases.
The collection, 22 databases from EBSCO Publishing, includes full-text articles from over 6000 different titles, including 3000+ journals, 1900 periodicals, and 240 other news sources.
It forms the basis of the Statewide Core Electronic Information Collection (SCEIC), which is a priority of Libraries Connect Ohio (LCO). LCO is a collaborative effort between Ohio's three statewide library programs and the State Library of Ohio.
The three library programs are INFOhio, the state's virtual library and information network for K-12 libraries; the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK), the program for college and university libraries; and the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN).
LCO provided $2.5 million in combined state funds to purchase access to the collection. Had every school, college, university, and public library purchased this access individually, the cost would have been more than $18 million. With ever-tightening local budgets, many libraries could not have afforded these resources on their own.
"This set of resources provides a strong base for the SCEIC, but does not fulfill all the needs of Ohio's schools in science, math, history, and literature," explained Theresa Fredericka, INFOhio's executive director. "Tomorrow's knowledge economy workers need access to a diverse set of quality information resources in their classrooms today."
The participation of Ohio's public libraries ensures seamless access to this collection for every Ohioan. The collection is available at all Ohio public libraries, as well as at home for public library cardholders. It also includes a number of consumer resources, easy access to health information, and provides an access point for small businesses and adult researchers that are not affiliated with a college or university.
|
News Stories 
