Fast Facts: OhioLINK In General

What is OhioLINK?

The Ohio Library and Information Network, OhioLINK, is a consortium of 86 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 87 institutions. OhioLINK’s membership includes 16 public/research universities, 23 community/technical colleges, 47 private colleges and the State Library of Ohio. A list of members is available.

Governance

The OhioLINK Governing Board is authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents to oversee the program. The Governing Board approves OhioLINK’s budget and provides strategic direction for the program. The board consists of university and college provosts and other OhioLINK participants as appointed.

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 Media Center 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

The purchasing efficiencies of OhioLINK have resulted in expanded access to the latest scientific research across the state. The effectiveness of and quality of research has improved as a result.
The average annual journal cost increase for journals in the EJC for OhioLINK libraries was only 2.9% in 2006 versus 2005, compared to 8.0% for the average typical academic research library.
Though combined operating and capital funding for OhioLINK has increased only 118% since 1994, the levels of information delivered to serve the needs of Ohio’s research institutions has grown astronomically, specifically: 8803% (e-journal articles delivered), 1128% (filled interlibrary loans), 694% (research databases provided), and 211% (number of institutions served).

Employees

OhioLINK has 17 full-time employees. Numerous volunteers from member institutions serve on committees, task forces and the OhioLINK Governing Board.

Leadership

Tom Sanville, Executive Director
Anita Cook, Director of Library Systems

Financial

OhioLINK is funded by the state of Ohio. The operating budget for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 is $7.39 million per year. The total capital budget for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 is $8.9 million.

Primary OhioLINK Services & Resources

Last Update: March 12, 2008