SEO Consortium

Did you know that Ohio has one of the highest rates of library visits per capita, with each resident averaging nearly 6 visits per year? That number is more than 50% above the national average. With so many Ohioans accessing libraries across the state, it is beneficial for libraries to form a consortium - a vast collaborative group of libraries that share their resources within one catalog. Pooling resources together in a library consortium enables each library – and its patrons - to benefit more than any single library could on its own. Tiffin-Seneca Public Library is a proud member of the Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) library consortium. Based in Caldwell, Ohio, the SEO Service Center is a division of the State Library of Ohio. SEO supports a consortium of 100 library systems, providing services at 286 different locations throughout 51 counties in Ohio! Together, SEO consortium members are ensuring that Ohioans benefit from a robust, interconnected library system as each library enriches the shared collection of resources available in our communities. The combined contributions of the consortium members, along with the support of the SEO team, create a network of invaluable resources that empower libraries across the state to thrive as essential community hubs. The SEO Service Center manages a centralized catalog database that boasts over 8.1 million items. This extensive collection is available to nearly one million users, contributing to an impressive annual circulation of over 15 million items! Such a comprehensive system ensures that patrons across Ohio have access to a wealth of free resources. As a Tiffin-Seneca Library patron, what does this mean for you? With just a library card, you too have access to the materials housed in the 100 libraries in the SEO system. The best part is that you do not have to travel far to access these materials! If you are searching for a title that Tiffin- Seneca Public Library does not have on-hand, a hold can be placed through our catalog. Once the hold is placed, the owning library will be alerted that their item has been requested at our location. Working with cargo delivery drivers, we receive approximately 60 to 90 packages of library materials each weekday. Public Services staff members work together to unpack and process these holds. Once the hold is processed, you will choose to receive a phone call, text message, or email letting you know that the item is available for pick-up. The item will be held for 7 days so that it can be checked out at your convivence. To place a hold, visit the online Library catalog at tiffinsenecalibrary.org, download the SEO Libraries app, or speak with a Library staff member. Popular items often have a waiting period, but, with many libraries purchasing popular titles, the wait list moves fairly quickly. If you place a hold for an item that is readily available, the item should arrive at our location within one to two weeks. If you are unsure about the wait time for your hold, Public Services staff members are happy to review the progress of the title and provide an estimated timeframe. Don't have a library card? Stop in to apply today! Adults require a state issued ID and proof of current address to register. Please note that children under the age of 18 require the presence of a legal guardian at registration. Public Services staff members are excited to welcome you into this extended library community! Our dedicated team is here to help you navigate the wealth of resources provided by the SEO consortium.