Spring 2025 Director’s Desk & Newsletter

Warm greetings from OhioNet—emphasis on warm! The transition from winter to spring is the perfect time to recharge and renew our commitment to the important work we do.

We are mindful of the dynamic environment our member colleagues are currently navigating. Be assured that OhioNet will continue the work that supports our collective values and is poised to evolve with our members’ emergent needs.

As such, I am excited to share the framework for OhioNet’s Strategic Action Plan 2025-2028:

As we approach 50 years of service to Ohio libraries, OhioNet commits to engage, empower, and evolve for a stronger library community. Our Strategic Action Plan (see below) was informed by conducting an environmental scan and engaging with stakeholders via survey and discussion that included members, staff, and key partners from October 2024 to January 2025.

The action plan exemplifies an innovative, emergent approach. Rather than plotting a multi-year plan before the needs of the future are fully understood, each year we will set specific, intentional initiatives to achieve the foundational goals outlined here.

This process will allow us to keep our plan front of mind and will align us to best support our members’ evolving needs. I look forward to sharing the initiatives, and the progress toward them, in each quarterly newsletter moving forward.

This emergent approach also allows us to remain deeply engaged with our members, which is a key goal of our plan. OhioNet is a consortium supported by, and in service to, our members. Now more than ever, there is power in our bond as a consortium.

As a fun first step, I invite you to join me for “Coffee with Katy”—a virtual, casual conversation from 10 to 11 a.m. on the last Wednesday of every month. This standing meeting will give us a chance to share our work, generate ideas, and support one another. My Ohio library colleagues have always energized me, and I know our monthly chats will bring plenty of inspiration and joy. I look forward to connecting with you as we face the dynamic future together.

Katy Mathuews, Executive Director & CEO

P.S.: View the rest of our Spring 2025 Newsletter here.