Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 8/2/24

Registration Fees:  Member $85* | Non-member $170

*Individual members or staff of OLC institutional member libraries.

Program Overview: Gather successful collaborative ideas from colleagues and share your library’s successful outreach initiatives with others. Come prepared to refresh, rejuvenate, and revitalize your library’s outreach programs and services!

Intended Audience:  All library staff members interested in outreach services.

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

What’s Included: Morning refreshments and lunch. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online through the OLC app. Print them prior to the retreat, view them from your personal device during the event or view/download them after the event. The handouts will be available online for 30 days following the program.

Ohio Public Library Core Competencies Addressed: Patron Awareness, Customer Service, Community Engagement

Hotel Accommodations: The OLC has secured a discounted room rate at the nearby TownePlace Suites Columbus Dublin, 5155 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Reserve your room online to receive 15% off the best available Studio Suites. Availability not guaranteed.

Agenda:

9:30 a.m. | Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking

9:55 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions

10 a.m. | Re-Imagining Library Services for New Americans: Outreach and Language Access

Presenters:

• Brooke Meyer, Life Skills Coordinator, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library
• Gabriela Pickett, Newest American Specialist, Dayton Metro Library

We know that libraries are safe spaces that welcome all people. Places that can be particularly helpful for refugees and new Americans to come for resources and support. Public libraries are at a unique advantage to reach underserved adult ESL learners. It’s already happening. Libraries are hosting ESL conversation groups, citizenship classes, and language tutoring. But how do we best increase our effectiveness and reach? In this session, we will discuss how partnering with local non-profit organizations and schools will help your library provide responsive and meaningful outreach and programming to immigrants and refugees. Join us to learn more about the different ways libraries can adapt to fulfill the growing needs of English language learners in our Ohio public library systems.

11 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m. | Services to Rural Communities and the Amish

Panelists will focus on outreach ideas, programs and tips that libraries have used to better serve rural and Amish communities. This session can beneficial for libraries that service patrons in remote areas as well.

Panelists:

• Jamie Hubler, Bookmobile Manager, Wayne County Public Library
• Michael Limer, Director, Guernsey County District Public Library
• Lacy Bartley, Mobile Services Supervisor, Tuscarawas County Public Library System and Action Council Member, OLC’s Outreach and Special Services Division

12:15 p.m. | Lunch and Networking

1 p.m. | They’re More Afraid of You Than You Are of Them: Connecting with Teens through Outreach Services

Daycares? Check. Preschools? Check. Senior centers and retirement homes? Check. Teens? Are teens an underserved population in your Outreach Services? Is your staff nervous or uncomfortable at the thought of engaging with teens? If so, join Rachel Rausch of OLC’s Teen Services Division as she speaks about ways to reach your community’s teens where they are and how to successfully connect with them when you do.

Presenter:

•  Rachel Rausch, Youth Services Librarian, Delaware County District Library

2 p.m. | Break

2:15 p.m. | Strategies for Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout

The line between stress and burnout is a blurred one, and it’s often difficult to see where one ends and the other begins. This interactive session will discuss the difference between stress versus burnout and ongoing change in the workplace, compassion fatigue and what we can do about it. We will identify practical coping skills that can benefit you both professionally and personally. Audience participation is encouraged as we will borrow strength and real-life suggestions from each other.

Presenter:

• Helka Casey, LPCC-S, Real Talk Presentations, LLC

3:15 p.m. | Wrap-up and Adjourn