The OLC will host an online discussion forum for IT library staff to ask questions, exchange ideas and share best practices for handling technology’s evolving impact on library services. Grab your favorite hot beverage and join the OLC’s IT Division for an informal discussion.

Send questions and discussion topic suggestions in advance to rswanson@olc.org.

FREE – for OLC IT Division members only.

Register now

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the discussion group.

Sponsored by the Information Technology Division.

This is a hybrid event. Participants can attend in person at the OLC office in Dublin (Northwest Columbus) or online with the same access to workshop content. Workshop will be recorded and available to registrants for 30 days.

Map to OLC office
NOTE: For those attending the workshop in person, please note that the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the same day. There will be open access to the OLC office from Metro Place South.

Registration Deadline: 3/2/24

NOTE: When registering for this workshop, please indicate whether you will be attending in person or online.

Registration Fees: Member $95 | Non-member $190
*Individual members or staff/trustees of OLC institutional member libraries. Fee includes access to in-person or virtual option. Select “in-person” or “virtual” when registering at my OLC.

Overview: This workshop will focus on what every library trustee needs to know, including boardmanship, legal issues, library funding, working with your director, and library finances. The program will also take a look at Intellectual Freedom issues as well as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in public libraries. You will also learn about services that the OLC offers to its member libraries and their trustees. This is important training for new library trustees as well as those with years of experience.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to be an effective Board member and how to work with your library’s director and staff.
• Make sense of your library’s finances and understand how libraries are funded in Ohio.
• Get updates on the latest legislative issues at the Statehouse including the Public Library Fund (PLF).
• Gain a better understanding of the legal questions library trustees often ask.
• Understand Intellectual Freedom as well as EDI in public libraries.
• Learn more about the services that OLC provides to trustees.

Intended Audience: Any member of a public library Board of Trustees. The OLC encourages new trustees as well as current trustees to attend this educational event.

What’s Included: Morning coffee, light refreshments and lunch will be provided for those who attend at the OLC office. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online through the OLC app. Print them prior to the workshop, view them from your personal device during the event or view/download them after the event. The handouts will be available on the OLC app for 30 days following the program. Attendees will also receive a free digital copy of the Ohio Public Library Trustees’ Handbook.

Agenda

8:45 a.m. | Join the Zoom Classroom/Onsite Registration & Refreshments

9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Ohio Library Council Overview

Presenter: Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

9:30 a.m. | Boardmanship

Presenter: Chad Seeberg, Former Trustee, Marysville Public Library

10:30 a.m. | Break

10:45 a.m. | Demystifying Library Finances

Presenter: William Shkurti, Trustee, Upper Arlington Public Library

11:30 a.m. | State Funding and Other Legislative Issues for Ohio’s Public Libraries

Presenter: Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council

12:15 p.m. | Lunch Break

12:45 p.m. | Legal Issues – What Trustees Need to Know

Presenter: Jason Elvers, OLC Legal Counsel, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

2:00 p.m. | Break

2:15 p.m. | Intellectual Freedom & Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Public Libraries

Presenters: Kacie Armstrong, Director, Euclid Public Library and Meredith Wickham, Director, Southwest Public Libraries

3:45 p.m. | The Importance of the Director/Board Relationship

Presenter: Tony Howard, Director, Pickerington Public Library

4:30 p.m. | Adjourn

Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council and Ohio Department of Education & Workforce

FREE* for OLC members only.

*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.

When registering, click “Finalize This Transaction” instead of “Pay Now” as there is no cost to participate.

Register at my OLC | Registration deadline: 3/12/24

Webinar Overview:
OLC is happy to announce that we are partnering with the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce on the Science of Reading. We are hosting a series of webinars over the next three months to provide OLC members with specifically tailored training on the Science of Reading.

As a reminder, the changes in state law are requirements for school districts and not for public libraries. However, several of our members have contacted OLC and are looking for ways to incorporate the Science of Reading into library programs and materials. This webinar series is designed to help you stay abreast of the changes in classroom reading instruction.

We strongly encourage participation in the live webinars. However, if you are unable to attend this live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

The first webinar in this series will provide a general overview of the Science of Reading, including the recently approved core instructional materials and intervention materials from the Ohio Dept. of Education & Workforce.

Presenters:

• Dr. Melissa Weber-Mayrer, Chief of Literacy, Ohio Dept. of Education & Workforce
• Michelle Francis, Executive Director, OLC

Intended Audience: All library staff, especially those who work with children.

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar, and/or access to the recording and resources provided by the presenters.

NOTE: Webinar access information will be sent via e-mail the day prior to the webinar. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.

Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 3/21/24

Registration Fees:  Member*: $50   | Non-Member: $100

*Trustees and staff of OLC Institutional member libraries

This event is an opportunity for library trustees and administrators to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for Ohio’s public libraries.

Topics include:

• The Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform
• Public Library Fund (PLF) distributions and forecasts
• Current Intellectual Freedom issues and recent book banning tactics
• Latest news from the Statehouse

8 p.m. | Adjourn

Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council and Ohio Department of Education & Workforce

FREE* for OLC members only.

*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.

When registering, click “Finalize This Transaction” instead of “Pay Now” as there is no cost to participate.

Register at my OLC | Registration deadline: 4/9/24

Webinar Overview:
OLC is happy to announce that we are partnering with the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce on the Science of Reading. We are hosting a series of webinars over the next three months to provide OLC members with specifically tailored training on the Science of Reading.

As a reminder, the changes in state law are requirements for school districts and not for public libraries. However, several of our members have contacted OLC and are looking for ways to incorporate the Science of Reading into library programs and materials. This webinar series is designed to help you stay abreast of the changes in classroom reading instruction.

We strongly encourage participation in the live webinars. However, if you are unable to attend this live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

The second webinar in this series will provide specifically tailored professional development for Ohio’s public libraries on the Science of Reading.

Presenters:

• Carolyn Turner, Ohio Literacy Lead, Ohio Dept. of Education & Workforce
• Michelle Francis, Executive Director, OLC

Intended Audience: All library staff, especially those who work with children.

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar, and/or access to the recording and resources provided by the presenters.

NOTE: Webinar access information will be sent via e-mail the day prior to the webinar. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.

Webinar Series on the Science of Reading for Public Libraries

OLC is happy to announce that we are partnering with the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce on the Science of Reading. We are hosting a series of webinars over the next three months to provide OLC members with specifically tailored training on the shift to the Science of Reading in Ohio’s schools.

As a reminder, the changes in state law are requirements for school districts and not for public libraries. However, several of our members have contacted OLC and are looking for ways to incorporate the Science of Reading into library programs and materials. This webinar series is designed to help you stay abreast of the changes in classroom reading instruction.

We strongly encourage participation in the live webinars. However, if you are unable to attend a live presentation, each webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

Webinars:

1. 1. Overview of the Science of Reading in Ohio Webinar Recording
      (Originally presented March 14, 2024)
   2. Professional Development for Ohio’s Public Libraries on the Science of Reading Webinar
      April 11, 2024
      1-2 p.m.
   3. Science of Reading Office Hours for Public Libraries Webinar
      May 9, 2024
      1-2 p.m.

Each webinar is FREE* for OLC Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.

Register at my OLC

NOTE: Webinar access information will be sent via e-mail the day prior to each webinar. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.

Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 4/4/24

Registration Fees:  Member*: $50   | Non-Member: $100

*Trustees and staff of OLC Institutional member libraries

This event is an opportunity for library trustees and administrators to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for Ohio’s public libraries.

Topics include:

• The Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform
• Public Library Fund (PLF) distributions and forecasts
• Current Intellectual Freedom issues and recent book banning tactics
• Latest news from the Statehouse

8 p.m. | Adjourn

FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional member libraries

Register at my OLC | Registration deadline: 4/10/24

When registering, click “Finalize This Transaction” instead of “Pay Now” as there is no cost to participate.

NOTE: Webinar access information will be sent via e-mail one day prior to the webinar. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.

OLC’s Legislative Day will be held Wed., April 24 at the Sheraton on Capitol Square across the street from the Statehouse.

The OLC is hosting a free webinar to help you prepare for this important advocacy event. Jay Smith, OLC’s Director of Government and Legal Services will outline key steps to take before Legislative Day, including making appointments with legislators and using the advocacy tools on the OLC website.

The webinar will also provide the latest information from the Statehouse and talking points to use with legislators.

The agenda and more information is available at 2024 Library Legislative Day.

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar and/or access to the archived version at a later date.

The webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.