Registration Now Open for Ohio Library Week

The Ohio Library Council’s Legislative Day will be presented in a different format this year due to the pandemic. OLC will transition to online programming and grassroots efforts by hosting a virtual Ohio Library Week — April 5-9, 2021.

On April 5, library advocates across the state will join together virtually for the start of Ohio Library Week. OLC will host a virtual session on Mon., April 5 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. to officially kick off the week and provide an update on the state budget process and advocacy efforts at the Statehouse. Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine will join OLC’s Executive Director Michelle Francis and OLC’s Director of Government and Legal Services Jay Smith during the virtual presentation.

The OLC will host three other virtual sessions during Ohio Library Week in the morning each day. We will welcome Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) on Tues., April 6, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee Senator Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) on Thurs., April 8, and Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) and State Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) on Fri., April 9. These sessions are free for OLC members, but you must register to attend. Registration is available through the OLC website.

Whether you are a library staff member, trustee, or friend – every member of the library community has a voice during Ohio Library Week. It’s the perfect time to share the essential work your library is doing. We are asking library advocates to leverage their social media networks April 5-9 by sharing messages on specific topics each day. For example, on Monday, we are asking you to share what your library is doing to promote early literacy in your community. Sample social media posts and advocacy tools are available on the OLC website. Although this year’s event will take a different form, your engagement is essential to making our voices heard.

On March 22, the OLC hosted a webinar on the state budget, talking points to use with legislators, and ways to make the most of Ohio Library Week. If you missed the live presentation, a recording and additional resources are available at libraryfunding.olc.org.