Ohio Library Council-->Divisions, Chapters, & Committees Overview

Divisions, Chapters, & Committees Overview

Divisions
There are currently 16 divisions in OLC. Each is aimed at an employment specialty, a type of library, or a special interest. Officers are elected by division members and consist of a coordinator, assistant coordinator, secretary, and other officers as required by the division by-laws. These officers hold office as stated in the division by-laws.

Membership interests may be carried out through task forces, chapter conferences, the annual conference, workshops, publications, informal interest groups, or other meetings of a specific nature.

OLC membership includes two division affiliations with membership. Affiliation with the division generates targeted workshop information, newsletters, division information, etc.

OLC's Divisions

Adult Services Division - The purpose of the Adult Services Division is to provide information regarding library services for adults to all library staff, directors, trustees, and Friends. This division, in conjunction with OLC, provides a forum for discussion of the issues and concerns relating to adult services work.
Audio Visual Division - The purpose of the Audio Visual Division is to allow OLC members, with interest and expertise on the topic, to address changes in such areas as technology, format, copyright, policies, etc., and to share that information with the profession through various program efforts.
Children's Services Division - The Children's Services Division is devoted to assisting children's services providers in their development as professionals and in helping all children achieve their highest potential through the use and enjoyment of library services.
Human Resources and Trainer Development Division - The purpose of the Human Resources and Trainer Development Division is to strive, in a collaborative way, to enhance Ohio library excellence through training and human resource development of all library personnel.
Information Technology Division - The Information Technology Division serves library IT staff by creating opportunities to learn about, explore and promote the use of information technology and its evolving impact on library services.
Library Accounting Division - The purpose of the Library Accounting Division is to address the special interests and continuing education needs of clerk-treasurers, bookkeepers, accountants, directors, and others interested in the accounting function within the library; to update the Ohio Public Library Clerk Treasurer's Handbook as needed; to work with the State Auditor's office on problems and issues in library accounting; to provide workshops and publications on areas of interest.
Library Services to the Institutionalized Division - The purpose of the Library Services to the Institutionalized Division is to represent the interests and needs of librarians serving institutions in Ohio. These are librarians, library assistants, and outreach service providers whose responsibility is providing quality library services to people in institutions including jails, prisons, community-based correctional facilities, mental health facilities, juvenile correctional institutions and detention centers, and facilities for the developmentally disabled.
Management and Administration Division - The purpose of the Management and Administration Division is to serve its members by creating opportunities to exchange ideas and information; and to build skills and knowledge in the following areas: Leadership, Planning, Management Principles, Trends, and obtaining and allocating funds.
Marketing and Public Relations Division - The purpose of the Marketing and Public Relations Division is to provide for each member a means of sharing and developing new ideas and techniques in the fields of public relations and community education.
Outreach and Special Services Division - The purpose of the Outreach and Special Services Division is to identify and assess outreach opportunities and give guidance for service to populations including disabled, aged, institutionalized, disadvantaged, children and other groups.
Reference and Information Services Division - The purpose of the Reference and Information Services Division is to provide a forum for the discussion and dissemination of reference service issues and concerns and to provide continuing education and training opportunities for Ohio's reference librarians and reference support staff so that they can better assist all of Ohio's library customers in the effective use of online and traditional information and reference services.
Small Libraries Division - The purpose if the Small Libraries Division is to represent the interests of, and provide a forum for administrators, staff members, and trustees of small libraries on issues of particular concern to small libraries in Ohio.
Subject and Special Collections Division - Ohio's subject and special collections assemble and preserve document, manuscript, photograph, and oral history collections that support research and study. It is the primary goal of the Subject and Special Collections Division of the Ohio Library Council to promote and develop Ohio's subject and special collection services.
Supportive Staff Division - The purpose of the Supportive Staff Division is to provide for the exchange of ideas and the assessment of employee concerns. In addition the division desires to provide educational and networking opportunities in the areas of interest to the membership. Members of supportive staff include, but not limited to, circulation services, information services, technical services and office personnel.
Technical Services Division - The purpose of the Technical Services Division is to gather, organize and share among the division members and with other OLC members, information concerning the acquisition, cataloging, processing, and preservation of all types of library materials, giving particular attention to new technology which may affect the technical services area.
Young Adult Services Division - The purpose of the Young Adult Services Division is to focus on the interests of library staff serving young adults.

Chapters
There are six regional chapters of the Council:

Membership in Ohio Library Council automatically confers membership in a chapter with no further payment of dues. Membership in a chapter is determined by the member's mailing address.

Each chapter has an action council, which is elected by the members of the chapter. Chapter action councils make arrangements for spring chapter meetings as well as encourage and promote OLC membership.

Committees
Committees promote the generation of qualified group judgments, continuity of activities, and a cross section of member knowledge and experience. An active committee provides constructive guidance and direction to Council officers. The responsibility of service on a committee aids in the development of future leadership. The association has both standing committees and ad hoc committees. All committee chairs report to the OLC Board of Trustees.

Each committee has a stated purpose. The OLC Board of Directors can alter the committee's purpose to meet changing needs and abolish committees when no longer needed. In addition, the OLC strategic plan, developed by the OLC Board of Directors, is used as the charge for the work of committees during the coming year.

OLC's Current Committees