Sponsored by OLC’s Government Relations Committee

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.

Register at my OLC  | Registration Deadline: 11/22/22

Registration Fees:  Member $65* | Non-member $130
*Individual members or staff of OLC institutional member libraries. Fee includes access to in-person or virtual option.

Workshop Overview: Is your library considering going on the local ballot with a new levy, renewing an existing levy, or possibly modifying a levy that’s been in place for some time? This virtual workshop will provide the information you need as you prepare for your ballot initiative, including:

1. determining the need and public support for your library levy;
2. legal process for placing the issue on the ballot;
3. developing the campaign message;
4. running the mechanics of a library campaign;
5. connecting with the media and developing message strategies; and
6. coordinating a lawful campaign

The format of this workshop will address each of these six points and allow time to answer questions.

Intended Audience: Directors, trustees, public relations staff, and other staff who will be involved in the library’s levy education effort.

What’s Included: Lunch will be provided for those that attend in person. Handouts as provided by the instructors will be available online. Attendees will also receive a free digital copy of the OLC publication, Ballot Issues Handbook  – Campaigns 101: The Nuts and Bolts.

Continuing Education Credits: For those working toward their Ohio Public Librarian or Ohio Public Library Staff re-certification, this workshop counts as four (4) contact hours of credit.

Ohio Public Library Core Competencies addressed in this workshop: Fundraising and Strategic Planning

Agenda: 

9:45 a.m. | Registration

10 a.m. | Levies – The Basics

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

11 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m. | How We Did It!

Presenter: Cheryl Kuonen, Executive Director, Mentor Public Library

12:30 p.m. | Lunch

1:00 p.m. | Nuts & Bolts of a Successful Levy

Presenter: Galen Schuerlein, Of Counsel / Director of Public Affairs, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP