Member Spotlight: Ohio Private Academic Libraries (OPAL)
For nearly three decades, the Ohio Private Academic Libraries (OPAL) consortium has demonstrated the power of collaboration among independent academic libraries. Founded in 1998 with OhioNet, OPAL was created by a group of private college and university libraries seeking a way to share resources, reduce costs, and gain access to new technologies and services. What began as an innovative idea has grown into a vibrant community of libraries working together to serve students, faculty, and staff across Ohio.
Several library system migrations later, the impact of this collaboration remains significant as OPAL members continue to benefit from cost optimization, cooperative projects, and a network of inter-organizational talent. Most importantly, these efficiencies enable librarians to dedicate more time to supporting research, teaching, and learning.
Through its longstanding partnership with OhioNet, OPAL libraries gain access to technology expertise, training, and strategic guidance needed to deliver high-quality library services that would be difficult for many institutions to sustain independently. Behind the scenes, OhioNet’s Technology Services Team works closely with member libraries to develop tailored solutions, support operational efficiencies, and ensure continuity, reliability, and innovation across the consortium. In many ways, the team functions as an extension of library staff; a role they understand well, as each member of the team previously held roles at one or more OPAL libraries.
Beyond technology, OPAL has always been defined by the relationships that connect its members. OPAL Executive Committee Chair Carrie Phillips of Bluffton University describes the consortium as a trusted community of colleagues who understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing private academic institutions. That cooperative spirit is evident in the way members regularly share expertise, compare approaches, and work through common challenges together. One current area of collaboration involves AI applications, with members sharing campus guidelines, discussing how AI is changing research and teaching, and exploring ways libraries can support both faculty and students as expectations and technologies continue to evolve.
The group’s strong sense of community was also captured by recently retired OPAL library director, Rebecca Quintus of the University of Findlay, who reflected on long-term involvement with the consortium. While highlighting the value of shared resources and OhioNet’s technical expertise, she noted what she would remember most were “the special people I’ve gotten to know” through OPAL and OhioNet. “The camaraderie, support, and shared commitment to library service helped make challenges easier to navigate and successes more meaningful to celebrate.”
As higher education and library technology continue to evolve, OPAL remains a compelling example of what can be achieved through a collective approach toward common goals. Together, OPAL and OhioNet provide both the technology framework and community that allow member libraries to focus on what matters most: supporting student success, advancing scholarship, and enriching the educational mission of their institutions.
