Ohio University, OhioLINK Awarded LSTA Grant

Ohio University, in partnership with OhioLINK, has received a $46,207 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant for a pilot project geared toward the next generation of mass print storage.

This pilot project will use data analysis to identify, select and preserve unique print materials from Ohio’s Southeast Regional Depository (SEORD) to relocate approximately 40,000 unique and uncommonly held print monographs. 

“Ohio University Libraries is very happy to be awarded this LSTA grant and to be partnering with OhioLINK on such an important project,” said Scott Seaman, dean of University Libraries. “Identifying unique monographs in the Southeast Regional Depository is an important first step to better preserve rare library materials and, potentially, lead to a pilot of the next generation of off-campus storage.” 

Preserving access to unique content held in depositories is central to the mission of the state of Ohio’s academic libraries.  

“OhioLINK is so pleased to partner with Ohio University Libraries to refine methods of ensuring long-term access and preservation of print materials,” said Gwen Evans, director of OhioLINK, “OhioLINK's shared collection needs to support the research and information needs of OhioLINK’s scholars and students into the future. This is an innovative approach to managing high-density book storage and we expect this pilot to benefit other national networks of shared print beyond OhioLINK."

The project and grant are especially critical as cost per retrieval of depository items is on the rise. OhioLINK’s depositories hold more than 8.5 million important monographic and serial volumes. Using the Online Computer Library Center’s (OCLC) Sustainable Collection Services (SCS), OhioLINK and Ohio University will be able to identify unique items from SEORD and relocate them to OHIO’s Alden Library. The next phase will be determining the workflows that will lead to the most efficient use of depository space in a sustainable, cost-effective storage and retrieval model for legacy print scholarship.

The State Library of Ohio Board approved $200,080 for six Ohio LSTA grants during its December meeting. Ohio University and OhioLINK, the sole academic library proposal, joined five public libraries in receiving grant approval. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded by the State Library of Ohio. IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning and cultural and civic engagement. For the past 20 years, IMLS grant-making, policy development and research have helped libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.

Objectives of the grant include:

• Identifying unique monographs using data created by OCLC’s Sustainable Collections Solution;
• Designing and testing optimal workflow analysis for identification, removal and relocation of monographs;
• Providing project management and analysis of practicality and suitability for future projects.