Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council

Registration opens in February 2023

Registration Fees:
Member: $150* | Non-member: $300

*In order to qualify for the member rate, the registrant must be an Individual member of the Ohio Library Council.

Conference Overview: This conference is an opportunity to have focused conversations on library services for children and teens, including ways to address learning loss caused by the pandemic, how to bring more families into the library, and ways to build relationships with kids, parents/caregivers, teachers and other community partners.

What’s Included: Morning refreshments and lunch. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online.

Continuing Education Credits: For those working toward their Ohio Public Librarian or Ohio Public Library Staff re-certification, this conference will count as six (6) contact hours of credit.

Hotel Accommodations: To reserve a room for Wed., March 29, please call the Salt Fork Park Lodge directly at 740-435-9000, mention that you are attending the OLC conference, and receive a special rate of $120/night (plus fees and taxes). Reservation Deadline: March 8, 2023.

Agenda

9:30 a.m. | Registration and Continental breakfast

10 a.m. | Welcome

• Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council
• Kelsey DeCoste, Conference Chair, Lorain Public Library System

10:10 a.m. | General Session — Panel Discussion

Addressing Challenges Through Collection Development and Program Policies

The panel will share how they have handled recent material and program challenges and updated collection development and program policies to help with future challenges. Panelists will also have time to take questions related to challenges and policies from attendees. Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the Ohio Library Council will moderate.

• Nick Tepe, Director, Athens County Public Libraries
• Chaz Carey, Youth Services Librarian, Worthington Public Library
• Sandra Hedlund Tunnell, President, Ashland Public Library Board of Trustees

11 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Taking Teen Programming to the Next Level

(A) Early Literacy & Speech Delays Post-Pandemic: How Librarians Can Help Foster Speech Development in Storytime

(C) Generations Together

12:15 p.m. | Lunch and networking by table topics

1 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Redefining Teen Volunteering Post-Pandemic

(B) The ABC Storytime Solution

(C) The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Public Library and School Partnerships

2 p.m. | Break

2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Budget-Friendly Tween Programs

(B) Kindergarten Club: A School Readiness Program

(C) Reimagining Summer at Your Library

3:15 p.m. | Break

3:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Focusing on the Caregiver: Cultivating Caregiver Knowledge, Well-Being, and Community to Create a Strong Foundation for Very Young Children

(B) Supporting Kindergarten Readiness with Explore More Storytimes

(C) Expedition Club: Creating Engaging After-School Programming for Grades K–5

4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks & Adjourn

Conference Planning Committee:

Kelsey DeCoste, Chair
Lorain Public Library System

Julia Boxler
Cuyahoga County Public Library

Alexx Burris
Upper Arlington Public Library

Laura Erwin
Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library

Julie Gannon
Greene County Public Library

Kathleen Mockensturm
Akron-Summit County Public Library

Julia Shaheen
Stark County District Library

Lisa Soper
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

PDC Liaison:
Jessica Smith, Marysville Public Library