The OPLIN Support Center can assist you with obtaining circuits under state contracts ("Contracts" tabs) as well as other connectivity services. There are currently several state contracts with several telecommunications vendors that offer a wide variety of services, prices, and options. You can contact OPLIN Support at 614-728-5252 (888-966-7546), support@oplin.ohio.gov, or at the OPLIN Support website to receive assistance with finding the connectivity package that is best for your library.

The OPLIN Board has negotiated a contract with Umbrella by OpenDNS to set up a statewide Internet content filtering system that will be available to all public libraries. OPLIN is charged by the Ohio Legislature "...to help local libraries use filters to screen out obscene and illegal internet materials." For many years, OPLIN fulfilled this requirement by distributing individual grants to libraries, but the earmarked funds were never enough to provide assistance to more than about 40-50 library systems. Clearly, a "central" filtering system available to all libraries would be better.

After several unsuccessful tests over the years, OPLIN finally identified Umbrella as a filtering solution which can effectively provide content filtering for all Ohio public libraries, while still allowing each library to have complete control over how, or if, the filter is to be used in their library system.

How it works

OPLIN purchases licenses to Umbrella for all Ohio public libraries. This provides libraries with free usage of Umbrella's web filtering capabilities, which each library can easily manage and customize by using a relatively simple interface. Ohio public libraries of all sizes have been able to adapt Umbrella to their individual needs. Just contact OPLIN Support to request access to your Umbrella license.

Service objectives:

• Incident Response: OPLIN staff will respond within one hour to malfunctions of the Internet filtering during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding State of Ohio holidays. Contact us through the OPLIN Support site.
• Incident Resolution: OPLIN staff will attempt to resolve every Internet filtering malfunction within 4 business hours of Incident Response.

More technical information:

Rather than filtering content using a proxy based or span port appliance, Umbrella is a filtered Domain Name Server (DNS) service. You set up an account and associate IP address blocks with said account, and then you can control what types of content you want your users to see much like a traditional content filter. For any request to access a website that falls outside what you deem appropriate, Umbrella returns the IP of one of their block servers, instead of the IP for the real web server. The block can be bypassed on a per session basis by inputing a ticket code you create in the web admin interface. This ticket creates a cookie in the user's browser, which the block server detects and proxies the user to the content. Unless a ticket code is in use, the user is never proxied, so there is no worry of interfering with IP authenticated resources. There are also quite a few other options for how you can specify which machines are held to which rules.

In addition, since Umbrella does not have to handle the actual traffic after the initial DNS request, you do not have to worry about bottlenecks like you would with an appliance. 

If you have questions about our free, statewide filtering, please contact OPLIN Support.

See our Steps for obtaining an OPLIN-paid Umbrella account document for more information.

Let OPLIN do the work to connect your library branches to the internet.

OPLIN will contract with a service provider to deliver one gigabit service to each branch; we will pay the charges and file for E-rate reimbursements. Once a year, the library will get a bill for $2,000 per branch.

Get started by filling out the form.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Will the $2,000 per circuit be billed monthly or annually?

OPLIN's fiscal year is July 1 – June 30, and we will bill libraries annually, probably in January. If service starts later than July 1, the invoice will be pro-rated.

 

What speeds can libraries expect from these new circuits?

One gigabit per second is the minimum desired broadband speed for "community anchor institutions" such as library buildings. That should be sufficient for most library branch needs, but if a location is exceeding that capacity, OPLIN will work with the library for an upgrade.

 

Can the library receive E-rate discounts on the $2,000 bill from OPLIN?

No. OPLIN is filing for E-rate discounts for the circuit we provide you. The cost to the library is based on the average cost of gigabit-service and the average E-rate discount statewide. Since the average statewide discount is about 65%, this means libraries with higher discount rates (80–90%) will pay more for an OPLIN-managed connection than they would by contracting directly with a vendor and filing for E-rate. It is up to each library to decide whether the convenience is worth the cost. 

 

Do these circuits connect directly to OPLIN, or can they connect to my main library's network?

The initial form asks whether you want the circuit to connect to your central/main library or to the OPLIN core.

• Connect your branch to your main library. Your branch's network will be a layer 2 extension of your main library's network. Both buildings will receive Internet access through the OPLIN router at your main library.
• Connect your branch to the OPLIN core. Your branch will connect directly to the internet through OPLIN's network, independent of your main library's network.

OPLIN staff will work with you and your IT provider to determine which option fits best in your environment.

 

Can I substitute OPLIN's service for my current contract?

Most vendors will charge libraries an early termination fee (usually about 50% of the remaining months on the contract) to cancel their current service.

 

Whom do I call for support or to resolve issues?

You would contact OPLIN Support to resolve issues. As a major customer of the service providers, OPLIN has access to elevated technical support.

 

Wondering what the process is for getting an OPLIN Website Kit? Details, below:

1. Phone conference. The process starts with a phone conference, generally between OPLIN and one or perhaps two contact people (see How to Make Your Website Kit Process Easier for more information about Website Kit liaisons).  We will send you a list of questions to consider beforehand. We'll discuss what you like (or don't like) about your current site, and what you'd like in a new one. You'll be asked to choose a design template. We'll also make recommendations based on your needs and goals.  
2. Cost estimate.  After the phone conference, OPLIN will send you an itemized cost estimate for your project, based on what was discussed in the initial phone conference.  You'll be asked to review and to note any changes. 
3. Contract.  Once we have a finalized cost estimate, your library will be sent an official contract. When we have received the signed copy, work on your new Website Kit will be in earnest.
4. Site architecture.  We'll put together a site architecture, which will  map out the hierarchy of your content, based on the phone conference and on the site's existing content.  We'll then ask you to make revisions (such as removing pages no longer used or re-arranging the order of any pages).  OPLIN will review your proposed changes for any potential usability issues. Once we have something we're all happy with, you'll sign an Architecture Approval form. Keep in mind that any changes requested to this architecture,  after signing,  will incur additional charges, with a minimum charge of $150.00.
5. Design. Based on the specifications laid out in the phone conference and the approved site architecture, OPLIN creates a design prototype (mockup) of your library's site, using your chosen template.  We allow up to three drafts; that means that, after the original version, you'll have two (2)  more drafts available for tweaks or changes.
6. Construction.  This is when OPLIN actually builds your site. 
7. Review. When the site build is nearly complete, we'll send you a link to it on a test server to look at, and ask you to fill out an approval form for various design elements. Any issues should be noted at that time.
8. Training. When  all design regions are fixed and approved, we'll schedule training for you and/or your designated staff. The training will cover how to input various types of content, as well as any administrative functions native to the site. Training typically takes approximately two (2) hours; we allow up to three (3) as part of your project. 
9. Launch. Launch occurs when you tell us that all necessary content has been migrated to the new site.  OPLIN will will work with your library to manage any DNS changes for domains related to your website.

How to Make Your Webkit Process Easier

1. Ditch “design by committee.” As tempting as it is to have a team of some sort, in our experience, this almost always leads to either delays and/or disasters. You can never make everyone happy! Feel free to gather your staff’s input prior to your first phone call with Laura, but we strongly recommend that only 1-2 (MAYBE 3) people from your library should be involved in the actual phone conference. Because it is difficult to please everyone, typical Web Kit projects that are managed by committees tend not to only run longer, but can be more expensive because of constant revisions. To save your library time and money, designate 1-2 people to be in charge of the process and who can step in to make a decision as needed.
    
2. Remind your staff/board who the site is for. In our experience, library staff or board members don't always recognize that the primary (and only) audience for a public website is the public! Attempts to include resources specifically for the reference desk or to organize content just so it’s easier for the staff will generally be opposed by OPLIN. Remind your staff, when seeking input, that patrons not only come first, but are the entire audience for your new site.
    
3. Filter the input from your staff. If you are collecting suggestions from your staff, please filter the list (or have your designated liason/leader do so) to just those things that are things you would actually consider. For example, if a staff person suggests that the site should primarily be orange and the library’s branding scheme is primarily blue, remove this from the list. It will save a great deal of time for everyone involved.
    
4. Changes to an approved site architecture will cost money.  The site architecture is typically the first step in planning your new Webkit. Once your library has signed off on that, any changes will incur additional charges, at the custom work rate.  Keep this in mind when you are looking at the first design draft; changes to the top level navigation or side blocks, for instance, after the approval was already signed, will increase your library's cost.  This is why it is important to make sure you're happy with the architecture, before you sign it.
    
5. Remember that your library gets three (3)  design drafts—total. Although this is almost always mentioned in the initial call with OPLIN (and is on our website, too), it’s worth mentioning again. As part of the standard Website Kit, your library gets 3 design drafts—total. Beyond that, the custom rate is charged per hour of work. Asking for a sample website in your color scheme will be counted as one of the drafts, as will any tweaks requiring the creation of a new image. If you’re not sure what will be counted, please ask! We’d much rather save you the money.
    
6. Don’t use print copies of the design drafts to make decisions.   When you get a design prototype from OPLIN, it can be very tempting to print it out to show to other staff. However, most printers automatically scale things to fit the paper. This means that you will not see it in the same way you will see it on a computer monitor. Be sure to pull up the .jpg OPLIN sends you in a browser so you can see it on your monitor!
    
7. Understand that part of OPLIN’s job is to educate. We focus strongly on current best practices in usability and accessibility, as well as site navigation and site design. If we veto something, we’ll always explain WHY and often provide you with third-party resources where you can learn more about current standards.  
    

The OPLIN Webkts depend on a standardized software installation and design template that allows us to keep the cost low. We do offer limited customization, but some changes "break" our standardized model. For example:

• Changes that require modifications to a Drupal module or the Drupal code;
• Changes that require any special server configuration;
• Changes that require custom scripting that accesses web resources outside of OPLIN's control;
• Requests for designs beyond the templates that OPLIN provides.

When a library customer requests such changes, we suggest that it consult with an outside vendor.  OPLIN is not able to accommodate these types of development needs.

Legacy templates (those built before 2024) are not eligible for design changes. Please contact OPLIN to update to a newer template.

Webkit Manual

Welcome Packet

Mail Relay

OPLIN offers Ohio public libraries access to an authenticated mail relay. 

Public libraries are welcome to relay email from ILS, appliances, cloud platforms, or other sources. OPLIN's mail relay requires SMTP authentication, encryption, and accepts mail for relay from any source. Older cipher suites and TLS/SSL versions are supported to enable libraries to send email from older appliances and devices with embedded firmware that is incompatible with modern cloud email services.

OPLIN's mail relay supports custom configuration, including rate limiting, unique accounts per source, large attachments, and monthly statistics and deliverability reports.

If a library wishes to send SMS notifications from a cloud-hosted mail solution, use of OPLIN's mail relay is required. 

OPLIN can also provide guidance about configuring the library's DNS records to improve email deliverability. 

For more details and a relay account, please email support@oplin.ohio.gov.

DMARC Report Analyzer

What is DMARC?

Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) is a DNS-based standard for email authentication that enables email administrators protect their domain from spoofing. In the past, DMARC was considered an optional feature. Now, configuring and maintaining SPF, DKIM and DMARC is essential for organizations that send mail to external recipients.

Starting in early 2024, Google and Yahoo enforced best practices for email sent to Gmail and Yahoo recipients. Google has published detailed guidance for ensuring your library's email is delivered to Gmail inboxes successfully. Without valid SPF, DKIM and DMARC configured, libraries cannot successfully deliver email to the majority of recipients.

OPLIN Provides DMARC Report Analyzer

Configuring DMARC for the library's email domain provides you with visibility into how recipient mailservers handle the library's mail by providing DMARC deliverability reports. Reviewing DMARC reports can help find misconfigurations of your SPF and DKIM records, among other issues. 

OPLIN hosts an instance of the open-source DMARC analyzer parsedmarc to help libraries manage and easily review DMARC reports. Parsedmarc summarizes DMARC reports for easy review in a Kibana dashboard and weekly CSV summaries. To add an account for your library, please email support@oplin.ohio.gov.

If you would like assistance with configuring valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your library's email domain, please email support@oplin.ohio.gov.

Resources for Configuring DMARC

MXToolBox SuperTool: Check your email domain's DNS configuration

Demystifying DMARC: Sean Whalen explains configuring SPF, DKIM and DMARC in depth

Learn DMARC: Send an email to an interactive tester that analyzes your email domain's configuration in real time

This chart contains the current E-rate discount percentage for Ohio library systems with branches. The average monthly recurring cost for a 100 Mbps Ethernet circuit is approximately $400, and the chart shows what that would cost a library after E-rate discounts are applied.

OPLIN seeks EPL, EVPL or ELAN leased lit fiber circuits to connect a minimum of 69 library branch locations with their main/central library, the State of Ohio Computer Center, or existing OARnet/vendor NNI. Further details about the bid request, Form 470 #250007259, will be posted here, including an FAQ response for bidders.

Questions are due in writing to branchcircuits@oplin.ohio.gov by December 31, 2024.

Answers will be posted here, for the benefit of all bidders.

Bids are due by 8:00 AM EST on Friday, January 17, 2025, unless otherwise posted here.

Let OPLIN do the work to connect your library branches to the internet.

OPLIN will contract with a service provider to deliver one gigabit service to each branch; we will pay the charges and file for E-rate reimbursements. Once a year, the library will get a bill for $2,000 per branch.

To get started, fill out and submit the form below by October 1, 2025. Submit a separate form for each branch needing service.

Questions? Email branchcircuits@oplin.ohio.gov.

OPLIN provides information about technology and trends through many different communication tools, including:

• Blogs –What Does This Mean to Me, Laura?
• Newsletter – [OLD VERSION] The OPLIN Circuit (No longer in production; this links to the archive. See below to subscribe to current version)
• Social media – Facebook,  YouTube, and Instagram
• Also see the OPLIN reports

OPLIN hosts a number of listservs. The most popular listservs are listed at the bottom of this page – click on the list name for more information.

OPLINLIST and OPLINTECH are also searchable using standard Internet search engines. Using Google, for example, add site:lists.oplin.org after your search term.

Service objectives:

• Incident Response: OPLIN staff will respond within one hour to malfunctions of the listservs during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding State of Ohio holidays. Contact us through the OPLIN Support site.
• Incident Resolution: OPLIN staff will attempt to resolve every listserv malfunction within 4 business hours of Incident Response.

OPLIN also provides library administrators with two publications dedicated to Ohio government news, which are distributed through listservs: the Hannah Report, and the Gongwer Ohio Report. Email the OPLIN Director to have your address added to these lists.

How can I subscribe (or unsubscribe) to one of the OPLIN e-lists?

OPLIN public email lists can be found here. From here you can subscribe or unsubscribe to a particular list, and access list archives and rosters of subscribers.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, simply click on the list which interests you. On the next page, follow the instructions to subscribe to your selected list. You will need to enter a password to create and manage your list subscriptions.

Can OPLIN host an e-list for my library?

Yes. Contact OPLIN Support for more information.

I am trying to send an attachment to the members of OPLINLIST or OPLINTECH, but they never receive it. What's wrong?

To help prevent the spread of viruses and worms, messages to the list are limited to 2 MB (2,000 KB) in size. Some attachments are larger than that, so the messages will be blocked. However, you can still send attachments directly to individual email addresses.

Digital literacy has been a part of library service since the first public computers were installed nearly 40 years ago. Public health concerns limited access to both library computers and face-to-face interaction with patrons in 2020.  In the meantime, patrons were pushed into situations requiring new levels of digital literacy: working from home, applying for new jobs or new benefits, and supporting online learning for family members.

Libraries are and have been engaged in the work of digital literacy, whether they have formally recognized that work or not. For many library staff, this work may feel like something “extra” that they have to do, especially if they don’t feel supported in that work. For library administrators, it is often difficult to find the resources to support their staff the way they would like. Northstar can and will be that support.

FAQs

How is Northstar different from LinkedIn Learning?

When does my library have to "go live" with Northstar?

Your library can go live whenever it works best for you. Please take your time to get as comfortable as everyone needs before rolling it out. We will be checking in with libraries in January to see how you are doing, where you are, and what you need to get to where you want to be.

What does it mean to "go live" with Northstar?

That is up to your library and your community. We believe strongly that Northstar can be an effective resource on many levels, and we think that it will save you and your colleagues time and effort with the digital literacy work you are already doing. Here are some ways that you might implement Northstar at your library:

• Your library may choose to promote Northstar for your patrons to do self-assessment and self-directed learning via your website.
• Your library may choose to use Northstar to guide your interactions with patrons.
  • You can start with the digital literacy Screener, available to staff among Other Resources in the Northstar staff interface.
  • You can use the Northstar Curriculum to guide your interactions with patrons in one-on-one or group settings.
• Your library can offer Proctoring Services or partner with local community groups to provide proctoring services to your patrons, resulting in digital literacy certification that they can use for job searches and personal satisfaction.

As you prepare to go live, you may find this checklist helpful.

Which URL should we use when we go live?

There are two options to consider. 

When can library staff get Northstar accounts?

Your local Site Administrator will be able to answer your questions about how & when your library will begin setting up staff accounts

What functions do Learners have in Northstar?

Learners can take assessments and save their scores. Learners can also access the practice lessons for questions that they missed on the assessments.

Do we have to add tags to Learner accounts?

No, whether or not to add tags and which tags to add are entirely up to your library.

Can Learners see tagging on their account?

No, tagging is only for the benefit of library staff, and it is only visible to staff.

Can Learner reports be sorted?

Yes, reports can be filtered by tags or date range, and the reports can be downloaded as a spreadsheet for further analysis.

Do Learners need an email address to set up an account?

Yes. That is the way the Northstar uniquely identifies each Learner. Each Learner must have a unique email address. That may be challenging for folks who are not yet firm in their digital literacy skills.  One way to deal with that is to follow your local processes for setting up patrons with personal email accounts.  Another way may be to set up an alias email and route it to your library, until the patron feels comfortable setting up their own email.

For example, Gmail has a built-in alias function. Multiple accounts can funnel to a single email address by using the + symbol and descriptive text afterward. Using that feature, one account (i.e. somelibrary@gmail.com) can become many email addresses (i.e. somelibrary+JohnDoe@gmail.com, somebody+JaneDoe@gmail.com, etc.). As far as Northstar is concerned, these are each unique email addresses, and Learners can update their email address when they are comfortable doing so.

Does my library have to proctor Northstar for our patrons?

You certainly don't have to proctor Northstar assessments, and there may be many reasons you choose not to do so.  But one of our goals with this grant is to have at least one library in each county that is willing to offer proctoring services.  It may be that you choose to offer proctoring for one or two hours per week by appointment, and even that can be a great service for your community.

How can I review the Northstar proctor training?

When you have been designated as a proctor, you will be prompted to complete a proctor training session in the Northstar system.  Once you have completed that training, the prompt will not return, but you can go back to review the training again.

Why can't I see my proctor PIN?

Until your library edits your Location Info to indicate that you are offering proctored assessments and certificates to your users, you will only be able to see your Proctor PIN on  your Personal Profile page.

How can my library proctor test takers in a group setting?

To do group proctoring, you would verbally instruct the test takers to make a request to start a proctored assessment from their account, and then you would approve the request in your Admin portal. Full instructions.

How can my library proctor remotely?

Remote proctoring is very similar to group proctoring. Northstar has created a couple of best practice resources for remote proctoring, including a full instruction guide and a handy checklist to use each time you work with a remote test-taker.

Can my library deputize volunteer proctors?

Yes, your library can set up volunteers as proctors, especially if your staff do not have capacity to take that on. You may find volunteer interest among a variety of civic groups. You can add the proctor volunteers in the Admin portal, and they will receive an email invitation to undertake the training.  Once they complete the training, they will have a Proctor PIN, and you can coordinate a proctor schedule with them.

Can community partners (like Ohio Means Jobs sites) get the results of their clients from the library?

There are confidentiality considerations to make in responding to that request.  The simplest solution would be to print out two copies of assessment results or certificates for the clients to share one copy with the partner organization.

Can Learners get Northstar certificates without proctoring?

No; the proctoring process ensures that the assessment was completed according to Northstar standards for certification.

Can a Learner be checked in without a photo ID?

No; Northstar protocol requires a photo ID, but if you have specific concerns about a Learner without a photo ID, please create a Support Ticket with Northstar to discuss the situation.

Are the Northstar certificates recognized?

The Northstar certificates are not an industry credential, but they are becoming more widely recognized as documentation of digital literacy skill.

How frequently are assessments updated?

The assessments are reviewed annually for needed updates, and they are also reviewed after the release of major software updates.

Why does Northstar not recommend using the assessments for pre-employment screening?

There are several reasons why Northstar does not recommend using the assessment to screen job applicants.

First and foremost, the Northstar philosophy is one of empowerment - they do not want Northstar to be used to 'screen people out' of employment, but to help individuals identify skills that might need improvement, so they can take appropriate action.

Secondly, Northstar was not developed as an employment screening tool, so they cannot vouch that it meets legal requirements as such. There are a number of requirements regarding assessments and test validity from the US Department of Labor and the EEOC that should be considered before using any tool for pre-employment screening.

Can we use Northstar for our library staff training?

It is possible to use Northstar to help improve digital literacy skills among your own library staff. There are many local considerations to make in doing so, but there are libraries that have found success. One example is from Heights Libraries.

How can I help Learners after they take an assessment?

Almost all of the assessment topics have NSOL practice modules. These are the assessment topics that have built-in lessons:

• Basic Computer Skills (English and Spanish)
• Internet Basics (English and Spanish)
• Email (English and Spanish)
• Windows 10 (English and Spanish)
• Windows 11 (English and Spanish)
• Mac OS (English and Spanish)
• MS Word (English and Spanish)
• MS Excel (English and Spanish)
• MS PowerPoint (English and Spanish)
• (Google) Docs (English and Spanish)
• Social Media (English and Spanish)
• Information Literacy (English and Spanish)
• Career Search Skills (English and Spanish)
• Your Digital Footprint (English and Spanish)
• K-12 Distance Learning (English and Spanish)
• Telehealth (English and Spanish)

There is no answer key. 

Never fear! The Learners will receive a report after taking the assessment. That report will refer to the Northstar standards they need to address. Those standards are addressed in the curriculum, which you can use in a class setting or in a one-on-one consultation with the Learner. You can also use the curriculum to suggest resources for self-guided learning.

How many administrators can my library have for Northstar?

Each library can have up to three administrators.  We recommend that you consider having at least two, so that there is a backup in place at your library. If you want to have three administrators, please re-assign the OPLIN account for your library to have Admin Portal Access only.

Where can I see the recordings of the previous training sessions?

We are recording all of the training sessions, and those sessions are posted on the OPLIN YouTube Channel. The slides are also available. The introductory session, hosted by OLC, can also be viewed..

Can I learn about Northstar in less than an hour?

Yes! The recorded trainings are a great resource, but sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day.  Here is a way to get ready in less time:

If you have 15 minutes:

If you have 30 minutes, all of the above plus:

If you have 45 minutes, all of the above plus:

And if you need an Admin overview:

What other resources are available to my library for Northstar?

Please remember that there is a lot of support available to you in the Resources tab of the Admin Portal of Northstar. Additionally, we have prepared some resources specific to our grant that you may find useful, including flyers, bookmarks, sample press releases, and digital assets.  

Which libraries are "live" with Northstar now?

There are a number of libraries that have implemented Northstar locally, and they are great examples of the many ways that Northstar could be used in your community:

• Adams County Public Library
• Akron-Summit County Public Library
• Ashland Public Library
• Ashtabula County District Library
• Athens County Public Libraries
• Bexley Public Library
• Bluffton Public Library
• Briggs Lawrence County Public Library
• Brown County Public Library
• Burton Public Library
• Canal Fulton Public Library
• Cardington-Lincoln Public Library
• Champaign County Library
• Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library
• Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
• Clark County Public Library
• Cleveland Public Library
• Columbiana Public Library
• Columbus Metropolitan Library
• Coshocton Public Library
• Cuyahoga County Public Library
• Cuyahoga Falls Library
• Dayton Metro Library
• Defiance Public Library
• Delaware County District Library
• Delphos Public Library
• Dr Samuel L Bossard Memorial Library
• East Palestine Memorial Public Library
• Elyria Public Library
• Euclid Public Library
• Fairfield County District Library
• Fairport Harbor Public Library
• Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
• Galion Public Library Association
• Geauga County Public Library
• Girard Free Library
• Grandview Heights Public Library
• Greene County Public Library
• Henderson Memorial Library Association
• Heights Libraries
• Hubbard Public Library
• Huron County Community Library
• Huron Public Library
• Jackson City Library
• Kate Love Simpson - Morgan County Library
• Kaubisch Memorial Public Library
• Kent Free Library
• Kingsville Public Library
• Kirtland Public Library
• Lakewood Public Library
• The Lane Libraries
• Lebanon Public Library
• Logan-Hocking County District Library
• Lorain Public Library System
• Louisville Public Library
• Mansfield-Richland County Public Library
• Marvin Memorial Library
• Mary Lou Johnson - Hardin County District Library
• Marysville Public Library
• Mechanicsburg Public Library
• Medina County District Library
• Meigs County District Public Library
• Mentor Public Library
• Midpointe Library
• Milton-Union Public Library
• Monroe County District Library
• Montpelier Public Library
• Morley Library
• New Carlisle Public Library
• Newton Falls Public Library
• Norwalk Public Library
• Oberlin Public Library
• Pemberville Public Library
• Perry County District Library
• Pickerington Public Library
• Portsmouth Public Library
• Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
• Putnam County District Library
• Reed Memorial Library
• Rocky River Public Library
• Rodman Public Library
• Sandusky Public Library
• Selover Public Library
• Shaker Heights Public Library
• St. Paris Public Library
• Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
• Tiffin-Seneca Public Library
• Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
• Troy-Miami County Public Library
• Tuscarawas County Public Library
• Upper Arlington Public Library
• Upper Sandusky Community Library
• Way Public Library
• Wayne County Public Library
• Westerville Public Library
• Westlake Porter Public Library
• Williams County Public Library
• Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library
• Wilmington Public Library of Clinton County
• Worthington Libraries
• Wright Memorial Public Library

What comes next after Northstar?

Northstar is a tremendous resource for your library and your community, but it might be just the start for your community.  Many libraries are building on their long-standing commitment to closing the digital divide by working towards digital equity and digital inclusion.

Digital Equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy.

Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies.

Digital Inclusion requires

• Affordable, Robust Internet Service
• Internet-Enabled Devices
• Digital Literacy Training
• Quality Technical Support
• Applications & Content

Digital navigators can help people with many of these aspects.

Digital Navigators are trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices. Digital navigation services include ongoing assistance with affordable internet access, device acquisition, technical skills, and application support.

There are several ways to think of digital navigation. Digital inclusion researchers have suggested four archetypes of digital navigation work:

• Intervention Specialists - people who provide others with quick answers, basic support, and network referrals
• Digital-Inclusion Specialists - people who are dedicated trainers to whom intervention specialists make referrals
• Social-Change Agents - people who have trusted community relationships and a deep understanding of the systemic issues for their community
• Functional-Skill Builders - people who align skills training with specific goals and outcomes

Many library staff find themselves in the roles of intervention specialist or digital inclusion specialist. Your library may want to partner with other community agencies to connect patrons with social-change agents and functional-skill builders.

Here are some other resources and potential partners for you to consider as you plan next steps in helping your community achieve digital inclusion for all:

• National Digital Inclusion Alliance - Digital Navigator Model
  • Find out what it takes to become a digital navigator.  Here's everything you need to start.
• RemoteEDx Connectivity Champions
  • Interested in partnering with K-12 colleagues to connect families with resources to support online learning?  These folks are here to help.
• National Digital Navigator Corps
  • Eighteen organizations received national grants to establish a digital navigator corps.  Two are in Ohio.
• Guiding Ohio Online
  • Curious about the time-tested grant program for funding technology trainers?  Applications are open each spring.

At its September 2021 meeting, the Board of the State Library of Ohio approved $60,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support licenses to Northstar Digital Literacy for all of Ohio’s public libraries through OPLIN. The purpose of acquiring Northstar is to

1. help individuals assess their current level of digital literacy,
2. provide tools for individuals to develop competencies,
3. provide optional curriculum for library staff to assist in developing digital literacy skills among their patrons, and
4. provide an optional certification process for libraries that are interested in helping their patrons gain credentials.

OPLIN is implementing Northstar statewide for all library sites simultaneously, but adoption at a local library level will be up to the libraries. Based on current interest, we are expecting at least half of the 251 public libraries in Ohio will go live with Northstar by early January. First-round training started in late November and will conclude in late December.

Additional training will take place in early 2022 for second-round adopters.

Libraries will have the opportunity to self-select with regard to assessment proctoring and certification. Our goal is to have at least one proctoring library in each county by September 30, 2022.

Additional updates for Digital Literacy Partners will be posted here as they become available.