News & Announcements

What you can do to get ready for the changes coming soon to eZone and the online catalog.

May 1, 2023

Upgrade to the Libby app for eZone reading on your mobile device.  help.libbyapp.com

The Overdrive app will no longer work after May 1. You will no longer be able to transfer files to an MP3 player. May 18-21, 2023

The online catalog will be on pause while we migrate to our new system.  catalog.oslri.net

Wednesday, May 17: Last day to place holds, renew materials, update your record, and extend due dates in the old online catalog. Your Reading History will carry over to the new system. My Lists, Preferred Searches, and Linked Accounts will NOT transfer to the new system. Four Things You Can Do Now Update your library record with your current address, email address, and phone numbers. Start using the OSL mobile app where you can manage multiple cards. oslri.org/mobileapp Export My Lists: Login to the catalog. Click on My Lists and choose a list. Click Export List and choose Brief Display. Choose where to send your list. Save Preferred Searches: Write down your Preferred Searches with pen and paper OR Export your Preferred Searches using a screenshot: Print Screen (prt scn) on PC. Shift+Command+3 on Mac. May 22, 2023

Your new catalog will be up and[...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2022

Ocean State Libraries is delighted to announce that its members have selected Koha and Aspen Discovery as its next ILS and discovery solution after more than a year of product explorations and evaluations.  Koha and Aspen Discovery work together to power behind-the-scenes operations and patron-facing discovery of library resources.

Koha and Aspen Discovery are open-source solutions with strong communities and growing adoption by libraries and library consortia around the United States and the world.

Stephen Spohn, Executive Director at Ocean State Libraries, commented: “We are very excited about our new partnership with ByWater Solutions and eager to join the Koha and Aspen Discovery open source communities.  With help from ByWater, we hope to transform the discovery of library resources for all Rhode Islanders.”

Ocean State Libraries and ByWater Solutions will begin the process of data migration and training this fall in hopes to go live in May 2023.  OSL’s current contract with Innovative Interfaces, Part of Clarivate, ends in June 2023.

Nathan Curulla, CRO at ByWater Solutions, recently commented: “We are beyond thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Ocean State Libraries for their implementation of Koha and Aspen Discovery. I have a long held personal connection to Rhode[...]

Ocean State Libraries seeks responses to its RFP from vendors who are able to meet its unique needs.  Responses are due April 30.  See the full OSL ILS RFP document for details.

 

April 28, 2022

Attached please find questions and answers between OSL and respondents. Since we were a little late getting this out, let us know if you need a few extra days to send in a submission. If you notify us to expect a response we will allow until May 6th.  ILS RFP Q&A[...]

OSL is proud to support the 2022 Rhode Island Library Association legislative agenda.  This year, their agenda is focused on strong funding for public libraries, digital equity, and resolving challenges faced by libraries in the ebook marketplace.  Interested readers may learn more about the legislative agenda on the RILA website[...]

Join our team! We have an opening for our Cataloging and Training Librarian. This is an exciting time to come on board! As a member of our team, you’ll play a critical role in ongoing and future projects including our exploration of the emerging BTCat cataloging service, our member-driven effort to decolonize and create more inclusive access in the library catalog, and the open procurement for our next integrated library system. View the full posting.<[...]

Contact Information: Ocean State Libraries Stephen Spohn sspohn@oslri.net 401.738.2200 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2020 

Ocean State Libraries Receives Grant to Expand Free “Parking Lot” Wi-Fi at Rhode Island Public Libraries 

Ocean State Libraries (OSL) has been awarded $85,000 to expand external “parking lot” Wi-Fi to public libraries statewide.  The grant comes from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the Rhode Island Governor’s “Take It Outside” initiative to expand access to outdoor resources and services to Rhode Islanders.  This generous funding, along with equipment donated from the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, will be used to expand this service to 40 additional library locations.  OSL recognizes its partnership with OSHEAN which will be essential to this exciting project. 

Due to the pandemic, many public library buildings across the country temporarily closed.  For those who normally relied on public libraries for Internet access and the many others who faced job loss, business closings and other economic tragedies, these closures left them without any reliable means to access the Internet.  People were unable to apply for unemployment, apply for relief funding, search and apply for jobs, and more.  External “parking lot” Wi-Fi will allow library customers to take advantage of broadband Internet access regardless of whether libraries are open or closed, and to do so while safely social distancing.  This provides a valuable service for those who have no or limited Internet service at home, are experiencing a residential[...]

Contact Information: Ocean State Libraries Stephen Spohn sspohn@oslri.net 401.738.2200

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2020

High Demand for Digital Library Services in Rhode Island

Libraries are busier than they’ve ever been right now.

While public library buildings are closed, Rhode Island’s public libraries continue to offer vital 24/7 digital services to their communities.  Through their public libraries and AskRI, public libraries have access to digital books, magazines and newspapers and a wealth of online learning tools.  From the comfort of home, Rhode Island residents have full access to:

125,000+ ebooks and digital audiobooks in Ocean State Libraries’ eZone. Encyclopedias for all ages, including English and Spanish editions in AskRI Millions of full text articles for students and online learners in AskRI. Online learning tools to learn a language or to prepare for a test in AskRI

Access all these resources are more via the Ocean State Libraries website: www.oslri.org.

Library card sign-ups have increased by 167%!  Prior to this crisis, OSL received an average of 9 applications each day.  Since public library buildings closed, this average has grown to 24 applications each day with a recent high of 55 applications on March 23!

Ebook and digital audiobook use has increased by 23%!  Ocean State Libraries’ eZone is seeing a large spike in new users and ebook use.  Comparing[...]