Advisory Council

Charge & Organization

A membership organization is no stronger than its connection to the members it serves. To gather input for the development of new member products and services, OHIONET utilizes Advisory Councils drawn from member libraries and Ohio organizations.

OHIONET has had a long history of utilizing Advisory Councils to guide services. The members of past Advisory Councils have both strengthened OHIONET and themselves as they have gone on to serve in advisory capacities to other Ohio library organizations such as INFOhio, OhioLINK, and OPLIN. Such cross-pollination of ideas has yielded cooperative ties that have been invaluable to these individuals and organizations alike.

OHIONET is expanding upon these successes in its new Advisory Councils. The purpose of the new OHIONET Advisory Councils is to consult with OHIONET staff to identify products, services, and trends of interest to the membership. This information is used to formulate both large scale (strategic) and small scale (quarterly) planning. The process of consulting is the productive output of the Advisory Councils.

There are three individual Advisory Councils, each of which works with OHIONET staff on specific topics. The Councils are: Reference and Resource Sharing, Technology, and Training. Members of these councils serve for one-year terms. Each Council meets two to three times per year, usually at the OHIONET offices. Additional meetings may be added for work on special projects.

The composition, number, and charges of the Advisory Councils are subject to change as the needs of OHIONET's membership changes.

Questions, comments, or interest regarding the Advisory Councils may be directed to Christine Morris at christinem@ohionet.org or 800-686-8975, ext. 29.

Reference & Resource Sharing Advisory Council Members

(Term Ending June 30, 2006)

Chris Tucker	SEO Library Center
Lynda Hartel	Prior Health Sciences Library, Ohio State University
Nathan Hellmers	Learning Resources Center, Sinclair Community College
Brian Hickam	Carlson Library, University of Toledo
Carole Hinchcliff	Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University
Jerry Newman	University Libraries, University of Cincinnati
Patty Rothermich	Courtright Memorial Library, Otterbein College
Sally Kramer	Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
Mark Mabelitini	Tipp City Public Library
Elizabeth Nace	North Coast Educational Media Center
Debbie Tavenner	Ohio Legislative Service Commission

The Reference & Resource Sharing Council meets to discuss topics relating to reference & resource sharing in academic, public, school, and special libraries. The Reference & Resource Sharing Council is comprised of ten to fifteen members representing all of these types of libraries. These members have been invited to participate by the Electronic Services Coordinator and the Member Services Representative. The meetings are led by the Member Services Representative. The Electronic Services Coordinator is present and participating in the meetings, and other OHIONET staff may also be invited to attend the Advisory Council meetings as needed. A specific duty of some of the members of this Advisory Council will be to consult on reference databases used and desired by our members, particularly new offerings and/or new vendors. Minutes from each meeting will be shared with Reference & Resource Sharing Council members and other members of the OHIONET staff, Board, and other Advisory Councils to promote awareness of current and future issues.

Technology Advisory Council Members

(Term Ending June 30, 2006)

Robert Kairis	Stark Campus Library, Kent State University
Corey Seeman	Carlson Library, University of Toledo
Bruce Jeppensen	Cleveland State University Library
Carrie Phillips	Musselman Library, Bluffton University
Susan Allen	Worthington Public Library
Kristen Hewitt	Westerville Public Library
Karen Perone	Rodman Public Library
Sara Klein	Upper Arlington Public Library
Julie Sigrist	Clermont County Public Library
Kathy Schnell	Cuyahoga County Public Library
Laura Solomon	Cleveland Public Library

The Technology Council meets to discuss topics relating to technology in academic, public, school, and special libraries. The Technology Council is comprised of ten to fifteen members representing all of these types of libraries. These members have been invited to participate by the Director of Consortium and Technology Services and the Member Services Representative. The meetings are led by the Director of Consortium and Technology Services and/or the Director's designee(s). OHIONET staff, especially OHIONET technology staff, may also be invited to attend the Advisory Council meetings as needed. Minutes from each meeting will be shared with Technology Council members and other members of the OHIONET staff, board, and other Advisory Councils to promote awareness of current and future issues.

Training Advisory Council Members

(Term Ending June 30, 2010)

Jay Burton	State Library of Ohio
Sharon Bressert-Purtee	University Libraries, University of Cincinnati
Margaret Maurer	Kent State University Libraries & Media Services
Kristin Shelley	Worthington Libraries
Cynthia DuChane	INFOhio
Arleen Leslie	Marysville Public Library
Tom Adkins	Garnet A. Wilson Public Library
David Topoleski	Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
Roger Miller	Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Jami Miller	OHIONET
Rita Bennett	OHIONET

The Training Council meets to discuss topics relating to training in academic, public, school, and special libraries. The Training Council is comprised of ten to fifteen members representing all of these types of libraries. These members have been invited to participate by the Director of Library and Member Services and the Member Services Representative. The meetings are led by the Director of Library and Member Services. Other OHIONET staff may be invited to attend the Advisory Council meetings as needed. Minutes from each meeting will be shared with Training Council members and other members of the OHIONET staff, board, and other Advisory Councils to promote awareness of current and future issues.