What is OhioLINK?
The Ohio Library and Information Network, OhioLINK, is a consortium of 88 Ohio college and university libraries, and the State Library of Ohio, that work together to provide Ohio students, faculty and researchers with the information they need for teaching and research. See the What Is OhioLINK page for more details.
Members
OhioLINK serves more than 600,000 students, faculty, and staff at 89 institutions. OhioLINK’s membership includes 16 public/research universities, 23 community/technical colleges, 49 private colleges and the State Library of Ohio. A list of members is available.
Governance
OhioLINK was formed by the Ohio Board of Regents as a consortium under section 3333.04(U) of the Revised Code. A governing board was authorized to oversee the OhioLINK program. Effective May 29, 2008 the OhioLINK Executive Director is chosen by, reports to, and serves at the pleasure of the Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. An advisory committee on education and technology has been formed to advise the Chancellor on OhioLINK and other programs related to the intersection of technology and education.
For more information, see Ohio Board of Regents Directive 2008-007 dated May 29, 2008.
History
1987 – The idea for OhioLINK began when the Ohio Board of Regents’ library committee recommended that "the state of Ohio implement, as expeditiously as possible, a statewide electronic catalog system."
1992 – OhioLINK services officially began this year when six universities install OhioLINK systems and began the ongoing process of building the OhioLINK Library Catalog.
1999 – OhioLINK receives Council of State Government’s Innovations Award for the Electronic Journal Center.
2000 – OhioLINK receives Academic Excellence and Cost Management Award from American Council on Education
Access
Anyone can search the OhioLINK Library Catalog and the world-accessible Digital Resource Commons collections. A complete list of publicly accessible databases is available. Access to other OhioLINK services, such as online borrowing, the research databases and the Electronic Journal Center, is limited to current students, faculty and staff at OhioLINK affiliated institutions.
Benefits
Employees
OhioLINK has 12 full-time employees. Numerous volunteers from member institutions serve on committees, task forces and the OhioLINK Advisory Board.
Leadership
Financial
OhioLINK is funded by the state of Ohio. The operating budget for fiscal year 2008 was $7.39 million. The total capital budget for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 is $8.9 million.
Primary OhioLINK Services & Resources
Last Update: February 2012