[Libs-Or] Connections: Your Link to the State Library of Oregon (February 2026)

Fri Feb 20 10:44:55 PST 2026

    ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

View this email in your browser<https://mailchi.mp/slo/connections-your-link-to-the-state-library-of-oregon-february-1601241?e=fbb0837c50>
[Connections: your link to the state library of Oregon newsletter header]<https://www.oregon.gov/>
Volume 36, Issue 6 - February 2026
In This Issue:

  *   118 Years of Access and Transparency: The Oregon Documents Depository Program Part One
  *   Braille-on-Demand for Patrons of Talking Books : Favorites at Their Fingertips
  *   Jey Wann, the Backbone of Library Support
  *   Note from the State Librarian
[https://mcusercontent.com/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/04f9b5a8-9b40-5cec-949e-6b14a1b9ab15.jpg]

118 Years of Access and Transparency:
The Oregon Documents Depository Program Part One

By Elke Bruton, Program Manager, Government Information and Library Services
“It is a basic right of citizens to know about the activities of their government, to benefit from the information developed at public expense and to have permanent access to the information published by state agencies.” - ORS 357.001(5).
For 118 years, the State Library of Oregon has collected publications of Oregon state government as outlined in Oregon Revised Statute 357.001. This means that, since 1907, our team at the State Library has collected, cataloged, shared, and preserved state agencies’ public documents so that citizens have access to those documents regardless of how long ago they were created. This is Part One of a series about how state agencies and the Oregon Documents collection partner to bring information about state work to the people of Oregon!
As part of ORS 357.001, all state agencies participate in the Oregon Documents program<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=0661053ab1&e=fbb0837c50> to ensure documents that meet the collection criteria are submitted to the State Library for preservation. Up until the early 21st century, state agency publications were printed first through the state’s Publishing and Distribution office in Salem. When printed, 10 additional copies of all publications were automatically sent to the State Library for the Oregon Documents collection. But, times have changed. In general, most documents today are “born digital,” which means they are not physically printed but instead shared directly with the public through agencies’ websites. Ideally, the State Library works closely with each agency to identify a documents liaison to assist in getting publications to the library and to answer clarifying questions about documents.
The State Library retrieves agencies’ publications through a web crawler called the Repository Acquisitions Tool, that reviews all of Oregon.gov every day to identify newly added documents. Our staff reviews the new documents flagged by the tool to determine which ones make the cut and which ones do not meet the collection criteria. Some documents seem to qualify, but upon closer inspection and after contacting the agency, it’s determined by mutual agreement that the document is not an “Oregon Document.” As documents are identified for the collection, they are passed on to cataloging specialists to process and add to the Library’s collection.
In Part Two of this series, we’ll talk more about what the State Library specifically collects from state agencies and retrieving publications when an agency does not use the Oregon.gov domain.
[https://mcusercontent.com/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/7f9eabcb-1619-d43f-a4f7-4bb34dfbd982.jpg]
Shelf of Oregon School Directory publications 1974-1997

Braille-on-Demand for Patrons of Talking Books : Favorites at Their Fingertips
By Max H. Robinson, Administrative Specialist and Recording Studio Coordinator, Oregon Talking Book & Braille Library
[https://mcusercontent.com/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/7667ac95-0d41-e062-b6ae-0c0cafe0507b.jpg]
An employee of the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired labels NLS Braille-on-Demand books; a shelf with Braille-on-Demand books; a Braille-on-Demand on display.
Readers often revisit their favorite books. From collections of poetry or fairytales, literary classics, or beloved children’s stories, to grandma’s stained-from-decades-of-love cookbook, there is comfort in the familiar and joy in revisiting our favorite things.
Unfortunately, this experience is not universal. Readers with print disabilities often struggle to access reading materials and build personal collections. Audio books are increasingly accessible but can be cost prohibitive, have limited availability, and are sometimes subject to long wait times through local libraries. For Braille readers, cost, availability, and space concerns can limit access even more.
The Oregon Talking Book & Braille Library reduces these barriers for Oregonians who have a print disability. Our library patrons have access to their favorite books at their fingertips. Through the Braille-on-Demand program, patrons can request up to five books a month in hardcopy Braille to keep indefinitely for personal use. They can choose from any of the tens of thousands of Braille titles available in the national Talking Books catalog.
Some of the most popular titles requested by patrons include:

  *   Cooking Without Looking
  *   Fairy Tales from Hans Christian Andersen
  *   Green Eggs and Ham
  *   I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
  *   Little Women
  *   Merchant of Venice
  *   Nothing Fits a Dinosaur
  *   Pride and Prejudice
  *   Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems of Shel Silverstein
Whether it’s a childhood favorite, a classic, or learning a new skill Oregon’s Talking Book and Braille Library is here so that all may read. Learn more about the Oregon Talking Book & Braille Library online<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=984275491c&e=fbb0837c50>.
Jey Wann, the Backbone of Library Support

By Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager, Library Support and Development Services

The Library Support division welcomed Jey Wann, a familiar yet new face, in 2025. Jey joined our team as the newest Library Support Specialist after a retirement.

While new to Library Support, Jey has worked at the State Library for several years, primarily in the Government Information and Library Services division. Among many other tasks, Jey coordinated the Oregon Documents Depository Program<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=f4dbe580be&e=fbb0837c50>, which ensures permanent public access to information published by state agencies in Oregon.
[https://dim.mcusercontent.com/cs/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/6fdc48e0-4655-97bd-b273-887e4577b8a1.jpg?dpr=2&rect=296%2C0%2C835%2C836&w=174&h=174]
Jey Wann among the vines

We are ecstatic that Jey moved her desk and skills over to us! As Library Consulting and Program Support Specialist, she is the backbone of our division. She makes sure division staff<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=a4bcd06d43&e=fbb0837c50> have the resources, supplies, and administrative support they need to serve Oregon’s 1,900 academic, public, school, special, and Tribal libraries.

Jey’s impact can be seen throughout Library Support’s work. Does your community have a new library director? Chances are Jey introduced them to Library Support’s services. Do you attend early literacy or summer reading events at your library? Jey makes sure that every public library in the state receives their annual Ready to Read grant<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=f084f3a051&e=fbb0837c50>. Are you or someone you know looking for a job in libraries or recruiting to fill a library position? Jey keeps the State Library of Oregon Jobline<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=9bd5c8aaf3&e=fbb0837c50> posting site up to date.

These duties are just the tip of the iceberg for everything Jey does for our division and Oregon!

When she’s not at the State Library, Jey enjoys reading, spoiling her cat Serendipity, and playing Renaissance-era music. Jey is an excellent song writer. She brings joy to the whole State Library staff with her annual holiday song parodies, performed with Jey’s able leadership by the State Library of Oregon We Can’t Sing But That’s Never Stopped Us Choir.

Please join us in welcoming Jey to her new position and division!
Note from the State Librarian

Federal FY2026 Funding Approved for IMLS
Earlier this month, the House passed—and the President signed—the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. The legislation includes funding for our nation’s primary federal library agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) received a modest increase overall, with funding directed to Grants to States:

  *   Grants to States: $181,400,000 (+$1.4 million over FY2025)
  *   Native American Library Services: $5,763,000 (level funded)
  *   National Leadership Grants: $15,287,000 (level funded)
  *   Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program: $10,000,000 (level funded)
  *   Total LSTA: $212,450,000 (+$1.4 million over FY2025)

The increase is entirely within Grants to States, the core funding stream that supports statewide library services.

What This Means for Oregon
LSTA funds are distributed based on state population. We expect Oregon’s FY2026 LSTA allocation to remain very close to the FFY 2025 grant award of $2,593,238.
These federal funds will support Oregon’s state fiscal year 2027 activities, beginning July 2026 and ending June 2027.
What’s Next
The next steps include receipt of the official Award Letter, likely in March, followed by review and signature of the LSTA Grant Assurances forms.
This marks an important milestone. We appreciate your continued advocacy and support that make these investments in libraries possible
[https://mcusercontent.com/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/2704d93a-41dd-3ec2-6955-71e52d13426f.jpg]
Library Support & Development Services Manager
Buzzy Nielsen<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3486

Talking Book & Braille Library Supervisor
Jen Robinson<mailto:jen.robinson at slo.oregon.gov?subject=&body=>, 503-378-5391

Government Information & Library Services Manager
Elke Bruton<mailto:elke.bruton at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3509

Chief Operating Officer
Susan Westin<mailto:susan.westin at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-5435

State Librarian
Wendy Cornelisen<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-4367

Mission
The State Library of Oregon cultivates, preserves, and delivers library and information services to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.

[Facebook icon]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=b1f4c82e38&e=fbb0837c50>
[Instagram icon]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=96d4181b1a&e=fbb0837c50>
[Twitter icon]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=720e16ab1d&e=fbb0837c50>
[Website icon]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=edd6cc3ddf&e=fbb0837c50>

This email was sent to monica.davidsen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:monica.davidsen at slo.oregon.gov>
why did I get this?<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/about?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=2d606569a5&e=fbb0837c50&c=0d616af695>    unsubscribe from this list<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=2d606569a5&t=b&e=fbb0837c50&c=0d616af695>    update subscription preferences<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/profile?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=2d606569a5&e=fbb0837c50&c=0d616af695>
State Library of Oregon · 250 Winter St NE · Salem, OR 97301-3929 · USA

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20260220/daad3b9d/attachment.html>