About Reference Databases

A picture of a man and the word find

OHIONET offers a wide range of reference database products to meet the needs of academic, public, school, and special libraries. The database program is open to individual libraries and to consortia and offers significant savings in cost and staff time. As a member of the National Alliance of Library Networks, OHIONET helps libraries get the best price on nationally aggregated deals, such as McGraw Hill's AccessScience and The Oxford English Dictionary.
 

For All Libraries

OHIONET brings opportunities to libraries in a variety of ways:

  • We arrange trials and provide product descriptions and details on our website.

  • We negotiate on your behalf with publishers to get the best subscription price.

  • We coordinate group purchases: substantial savings can best be achieved when a group of libraries is interested in the same reference database. Groups can be as small as 2 or 3 libraries, depending on the database, or as large as statewide.

  • We cooperate with other Alliance networks across the country to negotiate nationwide deals for the best pricing and terms.

  • We facilitate special publisher offers and national deals.

  • We disseminate information about databases, including information about demonstrations and training, through Communiqué, e-lists, web pages, and newsletters.

Academic Libraries

Since 2000, OHIONET has worked closely with OhioLINK's CIRM (Collection and Information Resource Management) committee to help OhioLINK libraries use their budgets effectively and improve access to reference resources.

OHIONET's role with OhioLINK is to Administer "Pay to Play" elective database subscriptions for libraries at discounted or consortium pricing. OHIONET helps to negotiate database agreements, processes subscriptions, sends vendors the IP addresses, and handles billing and renewals.

OHIONET has a special web section for the Academic Libraries Program - including OhioLINK offers, pricing, CIRM reports and updates.

Mary Conroy, Electronic Resources Coordinator, is available to answer any questions about databases for academic libraries at maryc@ohionet.org or 800-686-8795, ext. 16.

 

Public Libraries

Since 2005, OHIONET has worked closely with OPLIN to host the annual Spring Public Library Database Preview. In 2005 & 2006, OHIONET offered a wide variety of individual database discounts in addition to OPLIN's group contract offerings.

In 2007, the process was simplified: OPLIN continues to supply a core number of databases to all public libraries at no charge through the Ohio Web Library and the OPLIN reference database interface, but libraries that want to preview and obtain additional databases, either individually or under a group contract, can work directly with OHIONET. All of these databases - whether provided free through OPLIN or purchased separately through OHIONET - will be supported by OPLIN.

Public libraries may contact OHIONET about database discounts at any time throughout the year, in addition to the Spring Preview period.

Christine Morris, Member Services Representative, is available to answer any questions about databases for public libraries at christinem@ohionet.org or 800-686-8795, ext. 29.

 

School Libraries

OHIONET works with INFOhio to add discount opportunities to the annual INFOhio preview. School libraries may contact OHIONET about database discounts at any time throughout the year, in addition to the INFOhio preview period.

Christine Morris, Member Services Representative, is available to answer any questions about databases for school libraries at christinem@ohionet.org or 800-686-8795, ext. 29.

 

Special Libraries

Mary Conroy, Electronic Resources Coordinator, is available to answer any questions about databases for special libraries at maryc@ohionet.org or 800-686-8795, ext. 16.