Introduction to State Library Services for State Employees

But the State Library Can't Help Me:

Real Life Concerns from State Employees

1. But it costs too much money:
   • Odds are high that your agency already pays us as part of a biennial assessment. Might as well use what you've already bought.
   • Also good odds that even if we do not own something we can get it for you using InterLibrary Loan-- no need to buy every resource!
2. But I don't do research at my job:
   • No worries-- we have practical classes on topics like citation management software, finding data, keeping up in your field, and many others.
   • Online tutorials, books, and streaming video focusing on practical skills like learning to use Excel better or how to work in MySQL.
   • Subscriptions-- newspaper subscriptions, professional association journal subscriptions, scholarly journal subscriptions, statistical data subscriptions, ebook subscriptions and more
3. But I deal with the public most of the time:
   • Are you trying to figure out how to handle a hot button issue? We have materials on customer service and PR.
   • Does the public keep calling you to ask about the same topic? Did a news source cite your publication without linking to it?
     • The good news is we have most of the publications your agency has published!
4. But I don't know if a librarian can help me with this:
   • Ask your librarian even if you aren't sure-- every single agency, board, and commission has a librarian assigned to them. Just find your librarian.
5. But I'm not anywhere near Salem:
   • Not a problem. The Library is physically located in Salem, but we send materials all over the state, have resources and classes online, and are happy to travel.
     • So far we've sent librarians to:
       • Portland
       • Hermiston
       • Eugene
       • Newport
       • Pendleton
       • Bend
       • Your office could be next!