Ocean State Libraries

Ocean State Libraries is a consortium of public libraries and academic libraries in Rhode Island, providing access to a wide range of resources and services to its members, including Brown University, University of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island College. The organization is affiliated with the American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries, and its members participate in OCLC and Library of Congress programs. Ocean State Libraries also collaborates with the Rhode Island State Library and the New England Library Association to promote library services and information literacy in the region, including Providence Public Library and Newport Public Library.

Introduction

Ocean State Libraries is a non-profit organization that aims to promote library cooperation and resource sharing among its member libraries, including Community College of Rhode Island and Johnson & Wales University. The consortium provides a range of services, including interlibrary loan and cataloging support, to its members, which include Westerly Public Library and Cranston Public Library. Ocean State Libraries also partners with other organizations, such as the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Newport Historical Society, to provide access to unique historical collections and archival materials, including the John Carter Brown Library and the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology. Additionally, the organization works with Rhode Island Department of Education and Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services to support library development and information technology initiatives, such as E-rate and Library Services and Technology Act.

History

The history of Ocean State Libraries dates back to the 1970s, when a group of librarians and library directors from Rhode Island came together to form a consortium to share resources and expertise, including Providence Athenaeum and Redwood Library and Athenaeum. The organization has since grown to include over 50 member libraries, including University of Rhode Island Library and Brown University Library, and has expanded its services to include digital collections and online resources, such as JSTOR and EBSCO. Ocean State Libraries has also played a key role in the development of library technology in Rhode Island, including the implementation of integrated library systems and discovery layers, such as Ex Libris and OCLC WorldShare. The organization has worked with other state and national organizations, such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Library of Medicine, to promote library innovation and community engagement, including Rhode Island Library Association and New England Archivists.

Services

Ocean State Libraries provides a range of services to its members, including cataloging and classification, interlibrary loan, and digital repository management, using systems such as OCLC Connexion and Digital Commons. The organization also offers training and professional development opportunities for librarians and library staff, including workshops and conferences, such as American Library Association Annual Conference and Library and Information Technology Association events. Additionally, Ocean State Libraries provides consulting services to its members on topics such as library planning and technology implementation, including library assessment and strategic planning, using tools such as SWOT analysis and balanced scorecard. The organization has partnered with other organizations, such as the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the Newport Art Museum, to support arts and cultural programming in Rhode Island libraries, including Providence Public Library and Westerly Public Library.

Membership

Membership in Ocean State Libraries is open to all public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries in Rhode Island, including Community College of Rhode Island Library and Johnson & Wales University Library. The organization has a diverse membership, including large research libraries such as Brown University Library and University of Rhode Island Library, as well as small public libraries such as Newport Public Library and Cranston Public Library. Members of Ocean State Libraries participate in committee work and task forces to shape the organization's services and policies, including collection development and technology planning, using frameworks such as ACRL Standards and NISO Standards. The organization also has partnerships with other state and national organizations, such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress, to support library development and information technology initiatives, including Digital Public Library of America and HathiTrust.

Collections

Ocean State Libraries provides access to a wide range of digital collections and online resources, including e-books, e-journals, and databases, such as JSTOR and EBSCO. The organization also supports the development of local digital collections and institutional repositories, using platforms such as Digital Commons and DSpace. Members of Ocean State Libraries can access shared collections and cooperative purchasing programs, including OverDrive and ProQuest, to support collection development and resource sharing. The organization has partnered with other organizations, such as the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Newport Historical Society, to provide access to unique historical collections and archival materials, including the John Carter Brown Library and the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology.

Programs

Ocean State Libraries offers a range of programs and services to support library development and community engagement in Rhode Island, including author readings and book discussions, such as National Book Festival and Rhode Island Book Festival. The organization provides grant funding and technical assistance to support library innovation and technology implementation, including Library Services and Technology Act and Institute of Museum and Library Services grants. Ocean State Libraries also partners with other organizations, such as the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services, to support library services and information literacy initiatives, including Every Student Succeeds Act and Common Core State Standards Initiative. Additionally, the organization has worked with other state and national organizations, such as the National Library of Medicine and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to promote health literacy and digital inclusion initiatives, including National Health Observances and Digital Inclusion Week.