Calendar

Oct
13
Wed
2021
2021 Convention and Expo @ Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus
Oct 13 – Oct 15 all-day

We are looking forward to meeting in person at the 2021 Convention and Expo in downtown Columbus. We want to assure you that we have secured a venue for this event that will follow all of the local, state and national protocols in place at that time to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

Learn more at conventionexpo.olc.org

Oct
28
Thu
2021
Marketing and PR Division Discussion Group @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Oct 28 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The OLC will host an open discussion for library marketers to ask questions, exchange ideas and share best practices for handling library promotions in the current environment. Send questions and agenda items in advance to nfowles@delawarelibrary.org.

FREE for OLC members.

Register now.

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

Sponsored by the Marketing and Public Relations Division.

OPLIN Webinar – Closing the Digital Literacy Gap with Northstar @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Oct 28 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Registration: FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members, trustees or administrators of OLC Institutional member libraries.

Register Now!

NOTE: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Overview:
According to a 2017 Burning Glass report, 24% of adults in the United States lack basic digital skills preventing them from engaging in remote education, finding and securing employment, and participating efficiently in many aspects of daily living. By effectively teaching and assessing adult students digital literacy skills, programs give them increased access and opportunity, as well as a better chance for them and their children to obtain the education and jobs needed for future success. Join us to see how all of Northstar’s assessments and curricula can aid in your goal of closing the digital literacy gap.

In this training, you will learn about Northstar Digital Literacy standards, assessments, curriculum, self-directed online learning, and reporting — coming soon to your library from OPLIN. You will ascertain how to start incorporating and implementing digital literacy into your library using the Northstar features.

Presenter:
Theresa Sladek, MA, is the National Partnerships and Northstar New Business Specialist at Literacy Minnesota and works with organizations to ascertain and implement their digital literacy needs. Theresa also works with Literacy Minnesota’s national Open Door Collective program on poverty reduction through literacy. Prior to this, she developed statewide training on Navigation related to adult persistence. Theresa has a BS in Biology from Lewis and Clark College and a MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. She worked as a counselor, project manager and corporate trainer before joining the field of education.

If you are unable to participate in the live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

Nov
15
Mon
2021
Small Libraries Discussion Forum @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Nov 15 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

What’s Happening @ Your Small Library

The OLC will host an online discussion forum for directors of small libraries. This will be a casual meeting to check in with our fellow small libraries to see how they are doing and to receive a timely update from OLC.  This session is free and open to all directors of libraries that have a budget of $1 million or less and a service area of 25,000 or fewer.

FREE for OLC members only.

Register Now!

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

Sponsored by the Small Libraries Division

Jan
26
Wed
2022
FAFSA Webinar with the Ohio Dept. of Higher Education @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Jan 26 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Registration: FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members, trustees or administrators of OLC Institutional member libraries.

Register Now!

NOTE: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

Presenters: 

  • Mike Duffey, Senior Vice Chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education
  • Jana Fornario, FAFSA Project Manager, Ohio Department of Higher Education
  • Carlos Bing, State Director, GEAR UP
  • Faren Morris, Program Manager, Ohio Department of Higher Education
  • Beth Yoke, Chief Strategy Officer, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Webinar Overview: OLC is partnering with the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) for a free webinar to discuss and explore opportunities on how libraries can help with Ohio’s efforts to increase completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA allows students to qualify for federal Pell grants, state grants, and most scholarships. According to ODHE, completion of the FAFSA is one of the best predictors of enrollment in colleges, universities, and training centers. High school seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to enroll in post-secondary education.

More information on Ohio’s FAFSA initiative can be found at https://www.itsforyou.org/.

If you are unable to participate in the live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

Mar
3
Thu
2022
A Conversation with Ohio’s Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour Webinar @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Mar 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council

Registration: FREE* for OLC Members Only.
*Individual members, trustees or administrators of OLC Institutional member libraries.

Register Now!

NOTE: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.

photo of Kari

Ohio’s Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour

Webinar Overview:
OLC is honored to host a webinar with Ohio’s Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour. She will talk about the power of poetry and the way in which it heals, inspires, and creates pathways toward a more just and connected world.

As part of this partnership, every Ohio public library system will receive at least one free copy of her anthology I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing. The anthology features poets and poems that celebrate Ohio’s Appalachian heritage, giving voice to those who live there currently and those who did.

Inside the anthology is a lavish mix of voices—

  • Affrilachian, Indigenous and LGBTQ
  • Teens to those creatively aging
  • Poets in recovery, some with disabilities or developmental differences
  • Emerging and well established writers
  • Poets living in the state and others from assorted locations throughout the country—all with a deep connection to Appalachian Ohio.

During this webinar, Gunter-Seymour will describe her work on this unique project and its impact on the national image of Ohio’s Appalachian population. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask her questions.

Presenters: Kari Gunter-Seymour, Poet Laureate of Ohio; and Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

If you are unable to participate in the live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

About Kari Gunter Seymour: Kari Gunter-Seymour is a ninth generation Appalachian and the Poet Laureate of Ohio. Her poetry collections include A Place So Deep Inside America It Can’t Be Seen (Sheila Na Gig Editions, 2020), which won the 2020 Ohio Poet of the Year Award, and the chapbook Serving (Crisis Chronicles Press, 2018). Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and publications including Rattle, ONEThe LA Times and The New York Times. Her work has also been featured on Verse Daily, World Literature Today and Poem-a-Day. She is the founder/executive director of the Women of Appalachia Project (WOAP) and editor of the WOAP anthology series, Women Speak. She is the founder, curator and host of Spoken & Heard, a seasonal performance series featuring poets, writers, and musicians from across the country; an artist in residence for the Wexner Center for the Arts and a 2021 Pillar of Prosperity Fellow, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

book cover

Every public library system in Ohio will receive at least one free copy of I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing.

Mar
8
Tue
2022
Social Media Strategy and Best Practices for Libraries Webinar @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Mar 8 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Sponsored by: OLC’s Marketing and Public Relations Division

Register at my OLC | Deadline to register: 3/1/22

Registration Fees:
Member: $35* | Non-member: $70

*OLC Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries


Overview: One way of reaching people, especially if they’re not able to come to the library in person, is social media. Using popular platforms can provide effective and creative ways to promote your library. This webinar is designed to help attendees match their library’s goals with the available audience on several social media platforms.

During this webinar, you will learn how to:

  • determine which kind of content works best for different social platforms.
  • find the latest information on best practices for ever-changing social media algorithms.
  • handle negative comments while strengthening the connection between your library and the community.
  • build the skills and confidence you need to use social media as an effective communication tool.
photo of Angela Hursh

Angela Hursh

Presenter: Angela Hursh helps libraries create effective and engaging ways to market their collection, both at her job with NoveList and as author of the blog SuperLibraryMarketing.com and host of the YouTube series The Library Marketing Show. Her background includes more than six years in marketing for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library and more than 20 years as an Emmy-award winning broadcast TV journalist.

Intended Audience: Library staff who are responsible for social media accounts.

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar and/or access to the archived version at a later date, resources (if applicable) provided by the presenter.

NOTE: Webinar invitations and access information will be sent via e-mail. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.

Continuing Education Credits: For those working toward their Ohio Public Librarian or Ohio Public Library Staff re-certification, this webinar counts as (1) continuing education contact hour of credit.

Primary Ohio Public Library Core Competencies Addressed: Marketing

Mar
10
Thu
2022
2022 Adult Services and Reference Virtual Conference @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Mar 10 @ 8:45 am – 2:30 pm

Moving Forward: Rebuild. Renew. Reshape Adult Library Services

Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council

Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 3/3/22

Registration Fees:
Member: $65* | Non-member: $130

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

NOTE: When registering, you will be asked to choose one breakout session per time period.

Conference Overview:
Often during the course of the workday, adult services and reference staff must wear many hats: librarians, tech support, social workers, genealogists, local historians, book-sellers, and friends to our patrons. This event is designed to enhance the skills of library staff members who primarily work with adults. The conference will explore changing community expectations and patron behavior as well as opportunities to reshape programming and renew staff support.

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.

Online Conference Instructions: The Ohio Library Council will present this conference via Zoom. The link will be emailed to all registrants prior to the conference.

What’s Included: All conference handouts as provided by the presenters.

Conference Agenda:

8:45 a.m. | Join the Zoom Classroom. We will test audio and video connections to ensure all attendees can see and hear the presenters.

photo of Bobbi Newman

Conference Keynote: Bobbi Newman, Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist at the Network of the National Library of Medicine

9 a.m. | General Session  — Wellness In The Library Workplace 

As library workers, we love our jobs — but working in a library can also be stressful. Library staff spend much of their day taking care of patron’s physical and mental health needs by providing access to reliable health information, health-related programs, and outreach focused on improving the health of the community. But what are you doing to manage your own well-being? How can we ensure that libraries are an area of wellness for their employees? During this session, you’ll discover ways to improve your own personal well-being and create a healthy workplace at your library.

10 a.m. | Break

10:15 a.m. | Breakout Sessions (Choose one when registering)

1A 1B 1C
Discovering Your Past: Genealogy Research Connecting Our Seniors with Technology — Beyond the Basic Computer Class Community Engagement & Sustainability
Core Competency: Reference Core Competency: Programming Core Competency: Community Engagement

11:15 a.m. | Break

11:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions (Choose one when registering)

2A 2B 2C
Being a Friend to Patrons Living with Dementia Collecting and Maintaining Media Collections How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Statistics
Core Competency: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Core Competency: Collection Management Core Competency: Collection Management

12:30 p.m. | Lunch and Networking

1:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (Choose one when registering)

3A 3B 3C
A Brief History of Adult Services Health Services for Healthy Outcomes: Health Literacy and Wellness in Your Community You Can’t Do That Here: Library Policies and Teens
Core Competency: Reference Core Competency: Advocacy Core Competency: Policies and Procedures

2:15 p.m. | Closing Remarks

2:30 p.m. | Adjourn

Session Descriptions
This virtual conference allows you to select breakout sessions that meet your needs and interests. When registering, you will be asked to choose one breakout session per time period.


Angela Young, Chair

Conference Planning Committee:

Angela Young, Chair
Portage County District Library

Jessica Divis
Geauga County Public Library

Elizabeth Gibbons-Camp
Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library

Suzanne Helms
Muskingum County Library System

Christina Labib
Akron-Summit County Public Library

Ada Myers
Guernsey County District Public Library

Sarah Osinsky
Geauga County Public Library

Amber Salmon
Akron-Summit County Public Library

Elizabeth Sucharzewski
Cuyahoga Falls Library

PDC Liaison:
Shelly Guerrero
Toledo Lucas County Public Library

 

 

Mar
28
Mon
2022
Intellectual Freedom – A Foundation Webinar @ Ohio Library Council via Zoom
Mar 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council

Register at my OLC | Deadline to register: 3/23/22

Registration: FREE* for OLC Members Only.
*Individual members, trustees or staff of OLC Institutional member libraries.

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

Webinar Overview: Intellectual Freedom is at the core of everything we do — not only as libraries, but as human beings. What exactly is Intellectual Freedom? Rick Rubin and Jen Farrell will discuss Intellectual Freedom from both a librarian perspective and from the idea that society is the healthiest when ideas flow freely between individuals. Join us for a look at what defines Intellectual Freedom and how we can encourage balance and take down barriers in our libraries.

photo of Jen Farrell and Rick RubinPresenters: Jen Farrell, Branch Manager, Huron County Community Library and Chair of the OLC Intellectual Freedom Committee; Dr. Richard Rubin, Trustee, Cuyahoga Falls Public Library and Member of the OLC Board of Directors

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

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

Continuing Education Credits: For those working toward their Ohio Public Librarian or Ohio Public Library Staff re-certification, this webinar counts as (1) continuing education contact hour of credit.

Ohio Public Library Core Competencies Addressed: Intellectual Freedom

More about the presenters:

Jen Farrell is a librarian and Branch Manager of the Willard location of the Huron County Community Library. She is the 2022 Chair of the OLC Intellectual Freedom Committee and serves on the Ohio Digital Library Advisory Board and the Program Committee for the 2022 OLC Convention and Expo. In their free time, Jen enjoys training their dog and reading.

Dr. Richard Rubin has had the pleasure of working in the Ohio library community for more than 40 years.  He started as a reference librarian at the main library of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. After several years he became an administrator, serving as the library’s Director of Personnel. After work at Akron, and some additional schooling, he went into university teaching, becoming a faculty member and eventually Director of the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University where he worked for more than 25 years.  Dr. Rubin has been active in the ALA and OLC and offered programs at the regional, state, and national level in the areas of human resources management and the ethics and values of our field.  He has authored numerous books and articles in these areas as well. He is purportedly retired although he continues to do some writing and serves on his local public library’s Board of Trustees and on the Board of the Ohio Library Council.

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

 

 

Apr
13
Wed
2022
Technical Services Retreat: Change. Adapt. Excel. @ Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center
Apr 13 – Apr 14 all-day
Nationwide Conference Center photo

Learn, share, and network with other technical services specialists in a relaxed campus environment at the Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Lewis Center, Ohio (North Columbus). The 2022 Technical Services Retreat will be held April 13-14.

Sponsored by the Technical Services Division

Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 4/6/22

Registration Fees:
Member*: $190 | Non-member $380

*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional member libraries.

Overview: Technical Services is not a singular job. There are many different roles and tasks to perform including issues surrounding intellectual freedom, diversity, adaptability and resourcefulness. Join your colleagues for the 2022 Technical Services Retreat, an educational program that strikes the perfect balance between the big picture and focused, practical topics. This two-day event draws technical services specialists from libraries and related organizations to learn, share, and network in a relaxed and productive campus environment.

Continuing Education Credits: For those working toward their Ohio Public Librarian or Ohio Public Library Staff re-certification, this conference counts as 12 contact hours.

What’s Included: Morning & afternoon refreshments and lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. Also includes dinner and evening event on Wednesday. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online. 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. 

Intended Audience: Technical Services library staff

Hotel Accommodations: A room block has been reserved at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center (PH: 614-880-4300). Please indicate that you are with the OLC’s Technical Services Retreat when reserving your room. Reservations can also be made online. Group code: 257963. The reservation cutoff is March 23, 2022. Hotel health and safety measures.

AGENDA:

Day One – Wednesday, April 13

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Registration and morning refreshments – Virginia Building

10:30 – 11 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions
Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Opening KeynotePIVOT: Change, Adapt, Excel!

photo of Wendy Bartlett

Wendy Bartlett

Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2
Keynote: Wendy Bartlett, Collection Development and Acquisitions Manager, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Being proactive and flexible in Technical Services means leading on important issues within our own library’s walls and keeping an eye open for new technologies. But increasingly, Tech Service leadership and staff are called upon to consider everything from tariffs on books and paper to increasing demands to change workflow and priorities at a moment’s notice. How can we help ourselves and our teams to stay energized and excel in this rapidly changing environment? We’ll talk!

Ohio Public Library Core Competency (CC): Leadership

12 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch and networking – Dining Room in Ohio Building

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | Breakout sessions (choose one)

Breakout Sessions
MarcEdit for Absolute Beginners Basic Book Repair Playing Well with Others: How cooperative cataloging prepares us for linked data
Room: Sycamore 1 Room: Sycamore 2 Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2
Presenter: Mike Monaco, University of Akron Presenter: Bobbie Patridge, Toledo Lucas County Public Library Presenter: Misty Alvaro, Columbus Metropolitan Library
CC: Cataloging and metadata CC: Processing CC: Cataloging and Metadata

2:15 – 2:30 p.m. | Break

2:30 – 3:45 p.m. | Unprograms (choose one)

Unprograms
Global Village or Dumpster Fire? The Technical Services Community Online Down and Dirty Collection Management The Cataloger’s Tool Box
Room: Sycamore 1 Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2 Room: Sycamore 2
Moderator: Mike Monaco, University of Akron Moderators: Cassandra Peters, Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County; Kristie Lanzotti, Toledo Lucas County Public Library; Karen Sykeny, Massillon Public Library Moderators: Barbara Satow and Erin Valentine, Cleveland Public Library
CC: Communication CC: Collection Management CC: Cataloging

5 – 8 p.m. | Dinner and Board Games – Edgewater Dining Room in Ohio Building
This event is included with your registration. If you are not able to attend the dinner, please select “No thanks” when registering.


Day Two – Thursday, April 14

8:30 – 9 a.m. | Registration and morning refreshments

9 – 10 a.m.| Breakout sessions (choose one)

Breakout Sessions
Emerge Triumphant: How to Train and Manage Your Staff Virtually During a Pandemic and Beyond Open Source Cataloging Rules: Leveling the Field Open Doors and Free Puppies
Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2 Room: Sycamore 1 Room: Sycamore 2
Presenter: Christina Gaydos, Toledo Lucas County Public Library Presenter: Misty Alvaro, Columbus Metropolitan Public Library Presenter: John Chapman, OCLC
CC: Adaptability CC: Cataloging and Metadata CC: Cataloging and Metadata

10 – 10:45 a.m. | Break and check-out time

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. | Breakout sessions (choose one)

Breakout Sessions
Circulating Unusual Items and Adapting Your Eclectic Collection Building Responsive Collections by Improving Communication With Public Services Staff
Room: Sycamore 1 Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2
Presenter: Adam Marier, Way Public Library Presenters: Julie Arter, Tim Thompson and Jennifer Young, Columbus Metropolitan Library
CC: Collection Management CC: Collection Management

12 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch and networking – Dining Room in Ohio Building

photo of Helka Gienapp

Helka Casey

1:15 – 2:30 p.m. | Closing Keynote – Strategies for Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout

Room: Grand Ballroom 1-2

Keynote: Helka Casey, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

In this 60-minute interactive session, you will explore ways to view and approach ongoing change in the workplace, address burnout and what we can do about it. Casey 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. The session will conclude with a voluntary brief guided meditation.

CC: Staff Development

 

 


Wednesday Session Descriptions
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

MarcEdit for Absolute Beginners
Have you been hearing about MarcEdit and wondering if it’s something you should know about? This session will take you through a tour of the MarcEdit program to give you an idea of what you can do with it. This will be a basic overview for those who are not using MarcEdit, or only using it for one kind of task, and wonder if there is more they could do with it.

Topics include:

  • finding and installing the program
  • file formats and converting between them
  • MarcEditor—validate, edit, and analyze records
  • MarcEdit and Excel
  • The MarcEdit community

Basic Book Repair
Want to get a little more life from your paperbacks? Need a few more circs on your best sellers before they fall apart? Want to learn a few tricks to keep your collection looking good? If so, this session is for you! This session is loaded with useful information on how to keep your circulating items on the shelves for as long as possible and is for popular materials repair only. Archival repair will not be covered in this session.

Playing Well with Others: How cooperative cataloging prepares us for linked data
For over one hundred years, consortial standards, WorldCat, and other shared projects have been providing experiences fundamental to new collaborations like linked data. Not just for catalogers, this session explores how we can translate our current daily workflows – in authorities, public documentation, project management, and more – to prepare for future philosophies and environments.


Unprogram Descriptions
(Unprograms are moderator-facilitated discussions among participants)
2:30 – 3:45 p.m.

Global Village or Dumpster Fire? The Technical Services Community Online
Email lists, Facebook groups and other social media communities for technical services librarians – blessing or scourge? Have you ever found just the answer you needed from an expert online? Or found yourself roasted for asking the “wrong” question? Let’s talk about the various online communities, and how to make the most of them, whether you are looking for advice, community, or just a sympathetic ear. This is an “Unprogram” so be ready to share your stories of success, failures, or just encounters with trolls. Let’s share ideas about how to keep things collegial, avoid misunderstandings, and find the right forum for whatever you need.

Down and Dirty Collection Management
Every library requires a clear vision of the community it serves in order to meet that community’s needs. So how do we choose the materials our libraries provide? How do we manage the demand for our most popular titles? Our panel of collection development librarians will talk about the nuts and bolts of review sites, online ordering, holds ratios, and digital platforms in use at libraries large and small. Come prepared to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about collection management, but were too afraid to ask.

The Cataloger’s Tool Box
Pressed for time and working with limited resources, the modern catalog librarian is always on the lookout for ways to make his or her job a little easier. In this unprogram, we’ll explore some of our favorite tips, hacks, work-arounds and out-of-the-box solutions to perplexing problems. Come to share your front-line stories, and maybe discover a new approach to solving some of your cataloging conundrums. And even if you’re not a cataloger, you may find a useful trick or two to incorporate into your workflow.


Thursday Session Descriptions
9 – 10 a.m.

Emerge Triumphant: How to Train and Manage Your Staff Virtually During a Pandemic and Beyond
Since the spring of 2020, libraries and their staff have been working hard to adapt to new staffing levels, new challenges and new work and workloads. Toledo Lucas County Public Library was no exception. In this session, participants will hear a brief recap of how Tech Services adapted to Toledo’s staffing changes and new workloads, which resulted in continuous changes to workflows. This in turn drove the implementation of managing and training staff virtually for upwards of 16 months. This session will include a discussion how TLCPL has been virtually training and managing staff utilizing Google Drive, Zoom, calendar rotations, and updating workflows, and has emerged more efficient in the long run. Learn tips and tricks on how to train, manage, and document your work processes virtually in this timely course.

Open Source Cataloging Rules: Leveling the Field
Cataloging rules and subscription services cost big bucks, spurring fresh conversations about how we develop and share our standards. As national libraries around the world provide free and open access to their content, more libraries want consistent and equitable access to basic tools. This session will talk about the history of open access efforts to build and maintain free and accessible rules.

Open Doors and Free Puppies
The tools provided by the Wikimedia Foundation, including Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons, offer important benefits for libraries seeking to expose and connect their collections to the broader web environment. They also provide new opportunities – and direct challenges – to libraries and their paradigms of metadata creation. This presentation will explore the fit, and the friction, between the library metadata community, the Wikimedia community, and the users and enthusiasts they seek to serve. Attendees will gain an understanding of the benefits, challenges, and responsibilities that come with participating in this influential ecosystem.


Thursday Session Descriptions
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.

Circulating Unusual Items and Adapting Your Eclectic Collection
Have you wanted to circulate unusual/non-print items, but don’t know where to start? Do you have an eclectic collection that you’d like to develop further, but aren’t sure where to go? We will discuss how to plan, implement and circulate unusual items in your community and adapt over time. The pandemic may have changed the way in which patrons utilize some of these collections, but shifting focus doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From board games to telescopes, sewing machines to giant yard games, karaoke machines to knitting needles and so much more can all find a home in your library.

Building Responsive Collections by Improving Communication With Public Services Staff
Robust communication between selectors and public services staff can be a challenge – but it is especially difficult for a large library system with 23 locations, centralized selection, and a separate Operations Center for technical services staff. Come hear how Columbus Metropolitan Library’s selection and acquisitions team facilitates regular information sharing, gathers timely and actionable feedback on patron needs, and identifies “missed opportunities” for circulation through structured collaboration with public services staff. We’ll discuss our various methods and communication channels, and we will share tools and techniques that are scalable for all types and sizes of libraries.