Jo Budler Opens TechConnections 7

Jo Budler, State Librarian of Ohio, kicked off the conference today. She gave a brief overview of the status of the Regional Library Systems and their upcoming changes.

Jo highlighted two points that libraries need to embrace, if they wish to succeed:

1) Libraries need to be among the results on search engines. Instead of treating Google like the enemy, libraries need to find ways to become more visible via the search giants. People want one-stop shopping and that's what Google does.

2) Libraries need to be available 24/7. Web sites were a good first step and services like KnowItNow take it further. LibrariesConnect is also helping by brining different types of libraries together to provide consolidated services. Finally, state-wide resource sharing is needed to make all of Ohio's collections available ever citizen.