COLUMBUS — The State Library of Ohio Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) Service Center is celebrating a significant milestone with the addition of its 100th consortium member, Marvin Memorial Library in Shelby, Ohio.
This addition marks a momentous occasion for the consortium, which encompasses a vast collaborative group of libraries that share their resources within one catalog, enabling each library to benefit more than any single library could on its own.
The SEO Service Center, based in Caldwell, is a division of the State Library of Ohio. Its dedicated staff and state-of-the-art technology support a consortium of now 100 library systems, providing services at 286 different locations throughout 51 counties in Ohio via the OPLIN network. With Marvin Memorial Library joining the consortium, SEO’s reach and impact are further expanded.
“While the addition of Marvin Memorial Library as the 100th member of the SEO Library Consortium is a landmark moment, it’s essential to recognize that the strength of this consortium lies in the collective contributions of each and every member,” said John Stewart, SEO Director of Technology and Operations.
“Each library, whether the first or the hundredth, plays a critical role in enriching the shared resources, expanding access, and enhancing the services available to communities across Ohio. Together, we achieve more, ensuring all Ohioans benefit from a robust, interconnected library system.”
A Massive Collection and Robust Services
The SEO Service Center manages a centralized catalog database shared by the consortium that boasts over 8.1 million items. This extensive collection is available to nearly one million users, contributing to an impressive annual circulation of over 15 million items. Such a comprehensive system ensures that patrons across Ohio have access to a wealth of resources.
SEO provides extensive support to its member libraries. They handle technical and software needs, offer library policy-related services, and manage integrations with third-party vendors. This support alleviates the burden on individual libraries, allowing them to focus on serving their communities without the need to manage specialized technology and software functions.
“I applaud the efforts of the SEO Service Center team members and the staff of the Marvin Memorial Library to expand access to resources for local library users through the SEO Library Consortium,” expressed Beverly Cain, Interim State Librarian.
“A project like this required a true partnership between the two organizations, and I look forward to watching this already strong partnership continue to grow to provide even greater benefits for the community.”
Looking Ahead
The combined contributions of the consortium members, along with the support of the SEO team, create a network of invaluable resources that empower libraries across the state to thrive as essential community hubs. Together, they ensure that every Ohioan has access to a wealth of knowledge, services, and opportunities that only a collaborative effort of this scale can provide.
The consortium has agreements in place that will expand membership to 104 library systems across 52 counties, with over 290 service points by June 2025.
