June Member Spotlight: Consortium of Ohio Libraries
Formed in 2012, the Consortium of Ohio Libraries (COOL) is a group of 10 independent public libraries located across Ohio who work together to better serve their communities through shared technology, collaboration, and support. The current COOL member libraries include:
- Arcanum Public Library
- Blanchester Public Library
- Cardington-Lincoln Public Library
- Community Library
- Greenville Public Library
- J.R. Clarke Public Library
- Selover Public Library
- Wilmington Public Library
- Worch Memorial Public Library
- Wornstaff Memorial Library
While each library serves its own unique community and maintains its own local identity, being part of a consortium allows members to share resources, exchange ideas, and work together on solutions that benefit both staff and patrons.
One way COOL does this is through its use of the open-source Evergreen integrated library system and the Aspen Discovery layer. Open-source software gives libraries more flexibility and allows them to actively participate in shaping the systems they use every day. Instead of relying entirely on prepackaged solutions, libraries can collaborate with developers, vendors, and other library groups to improve workflows and create tools that better fit the needs of their communities.
Chauncey Montogomery, Director of Community Library and current chair of COOL, adds how this approach benefits patrons, “The money we save by using open source software gets redirected into resources instead of the management of those resources. Our patrons also benefit from the development that occurs in an open source environment. As other libraries and consortia develop features for the software, they get included in the software, which in turn gives our patrons access to features at no additional cost to the library.”
Behind the scenes, COOL partners with OhioNet to help support and coordinate these shared systems. OhioNet assists with everything from troubleshooting daily issues to coordinating larger projects, upgrades, and system improvements that help libraries continue providing reliable services to patrons.
A big part of that support comes from Cori Hundley, OhioNet’s Library Systems Coordinator. Cori works closely with COOL member libraries both individually and as a group, helping staff navigate technical challenges, coordinating with vendors and development communities, and finding ways to improve the systems libraries rely on every day.
For Cori, the work is deeply personal. “I’ve been a lifelong library lover, having used the library from a young age. I also have a degree in library science and a strong passion for the mission of libraries. I love being able to help bring resources to libraries and their patrons. Libraries are one of the great equalizers because anyone can use the library regardless of background or status. I see librarians as some of the ‘helpers’ Mr. Rogers talked about, and I thoroughly enjoy helping the helpers.”
As libraries continue adapting to changing technology and community needs, COOL and OhioNet continue working together to build flexible, collaborative solutions that help libraries focus on what matters most: serving their communities.
