Calendar
The Road to Equity: The Journey, The Detours, and Staying the Course
Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council
Register at my OLC | Deadline to register: 10/14/22
Registration Fees:
Member: $135* | Non-member: $270
*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 surrounding EDI, learn from one another, provide professional and personal growth, and share the important work libraries are doing to help create equitable and inclusive communities in Ohio. Learn how to plan, build, improve and grow in the areas of EDI and access. The event is designed to provide a roadmap for implementing and sustaining a culture of EDI at your library.
The conference supports the planning and delivery of activities in four key areas:
- Leading Diversity — examples of how library leaders support and promote EDI, including policies and practices embedded in the workplace and best practices for implementation.
- Employment Practices — examples of how libraries recruit and retain a diverse pool of employees, Boards of Trustees and Friends groups.
- Inclusive Collections — examples of ways to ensure inclusive library collections, including specific resources and collection management policies.
- Measuring Success — examples of how libraries evaluate their progress and effectiveness, including methods and best practices.
Intended Audience: All library staff
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 an overnight room, please call the Holiday Inn Cleveland South directly at (216) 524-8050, mention that you are attending the OLC conference, and receive a group rate of $109/night (plus fees and taxes). Reservation Deadline: Sept. 19, 2022.
Conference Agenda:
9 a.m. | Registration and morning refreshments
9:30 a.m. | Welcome and General Session
Interactive discussion about EDI decision making; how to avoid major pitfalls; and how to identify and challenge resistance to change.
Presenters: Bethany Studenic and Chinenye Nkemere, Co-Founders, Enlightened Solutions
10:30 a.m. | Break
10:45 a.m. | Equitable Decision Making in Program Planning
Presenter: Aimee Adams, Branch Manager, Elyria Public Library
11:30 a.m. | Break
11:45 a.m. | How to Develop a Staff-Led Diversity Campaign
Presenters: Gale Koritansky, Director, and Ann Malthaner, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
12:30 p.m. | Lunch and Networking
1:15 p.m. | Creating and Analyzing Collections with Inclusion in Mind
Presenters: Erin Kelsey, Consultant, State Library of Ohio; and Jake Stone, Project Coordinator, Teaching Books/Overdrive
2 p.m. | Break
2:15 p.m. | Coretta Scott King Book Awards: How to Use This Award-Winning Collection to Advance EDI in Public Libraries
Presenters: Kacie Armstrong, Director, Euclid Public Library; Kristen Schmidt, Branch Manager, and Tamara Steward, Children’s Librarian, Cleveland Public Library
3 p.m. | Break
3:15 p.m. | Closing General Session
Presenter: Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director & CEO, Cleveland Public Library
4 p.m. | Adjourn
Conference Planning Committee:
Felton Thomas, Jr., Chair
Cleveland Public Library
Amanda Toth
Lane Libraries
Barb White
Akron-Summit County Public Library
Dr. Anthony Wilson
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Jennifer Darling
Westlake Porter Library
Mary Beth Rogers
Dayton Metro Library
Steve Capuozzo
Cleveland Public Library
Tara Shiman
Worthington Libraries
Traci Haynes
Cuyahoga County Public Library
PDC Liaison: Maggie Killman, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council and BroadbandOhio
FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Webinar Overview:
The OLC is partnering with BroadbandOhio to bring our members an important update on the state’s Digital Equity Plan and their updated FINDER Tool. Ohio is participating in the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program to develop a statewide plan for achieving digital equity goals and closing the digital divide. Ohio’s Digital Equity Plan will serve all Ohioans with an aim to promote meaningful adoption and use of high-speed internet service.
All of Ohio’s public library systems can play a key role in developing the state’s plan – this is an opportunity for libraries to be at the table and in the room. You will learn more about the state’s plan and planning process during this webinar and hear directly from BroadbandOhio. Also, you can hear more about the state’s updated FINDER Tool and how it can help public libraries.
Presenters:
- Peter Voderberg, Chief, Office of BroadbandOhio
- Anna Miller, Manager, Digital Equity & Inclusion, Office of BroadbandOhio
- Carley Circosta, Grants Administrator, Office of BroadbandOhio
NOTE: If you are unable to attend this live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.
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:
- determining the need and public support for your library levy;
- legal process for placing the issue on the ballot;
- developing the campaign message;
- running the mechanics of a library campaign;
- connecting with the media and developing message strategies; and
- 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. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online through the OLC app. Print them prior to the conference, view them from your personal device during the event or view/download them after the event. All handouts will be available online for 30 days following the workshop. 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
The OLC’s Small Libraries Division will host an online discussion forum for directors of small libraries on Dec. 2. This virtual session will be held from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and is open to all directors of libraries that have a budget of $1 million or less and a service area of 25,000 or fewer.
Registration:
Registration is free for OLC Institutional Members Libraries. Please register using the link below.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Sponsor: Small Libraries Division
Who Should Attend: All directors of libraries that have a budget of $1 million or less and a service area of 25,000 or fewer.
Overview:
OLC’s Executive Director Michelle Francis will provide an update on several items of interest, including state funding and what to expect for the Public Library Fund as well as answer any questions you may have about OLC activities. The forum also will allow time for discussions with your peers about issues and challenges unique to small libraries.
Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council
FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Webinar Overview:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released new maps that show all of the addresses in Ohio and whether they have high-speed internet access. These maps are extremely important and will determine the amount of funding Ohio receives to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the state.
BroadbandOhio is working hard to make sure that the maps are as accurate as possible and right now, it appears as though certain portions of the state are underrepresented.
During this webinar, you will learn more about these maps and how the FCC challenge process works.
Ohio’s public libraries can play an important role in helping Ohioans get connected and be represented in the process. We want to make sure we have accurate maps to ensure that all Ohioans have high-speed internet access.
NOTE: If you are unable to attend this live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.
Registration: FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members, trustees or administrators of OLC Institutional member libraries.
Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 2/1/23
When registering, click “Finalize This Transaction” instead of “Pay Now” as there is no cost to participate.
The Ohio House of Representatives will soon begin working on the biennial state budget following its introduction by the administration. This will be an extremely important time as the OLC and its member libraries continue their advocacy efforts to ensure state funding for public libraries through the Public Library Fund (PLF). To prepare library directors, fiscal officers and trustees to work with the members of the new General Assembly, the OLC will be hosting a free webinar on Wed., Feb. 8 from 2-3:30 p.m. If you are unable to participate in the live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.
NOTE: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the discussion group.
Presenter: Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council
Jay Smith, OLC’s Director of Government and Legal Services, will provide an update on the state budget, the PLF, and what it means for public libraries. He’ll also discuss our work with the Ohio House and Ohio Senate over the next several months and effective advocacy tools and techniques for developing relationships with legislators.
Registration:
Registration is free for directors of OLC Institutional Members Libraries.
Sponsor: Small Libraries Division
Who Should Attend: All directors of small libraries (typically service area of 25,000 or fewer).
Overview: The session is designed for discussions with your peers about current issues and challenges unique to small libraries.
Registration: FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members, trustees or administrators of OLC Institutional member libraries.
Registration is closed. Call the OLC Office at 614-410-8092 | Registration Deadline: 2/22/23
When registering, click “Finalize This Transaction” instead of “Pay Now” as there is no cost to participate.
This session will provide the latest information on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 State Budget, including all provisions impacting public libraries under the “As Introduced” version of the budget bill. Webinar will also discuss the direction of OLC’s advocacy efforts.
NOTE: Webinar invitations and access information will be sent via e-mail one day prior to the event. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.
Presenter: Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council
If you are unable to participate in the live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.
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.
Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 3/2/23 | PLEASE NOTE: Virtual registration only.
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.
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. 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.
- 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. 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 online 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/On-site 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, Trustee, Marysville Public Library and former member of OLC’s Board of Directors
10:30 a.m. | Break
10:45 a.m. | Thriving in the New Normal: Demystifying Library Finances
Presenter: William Shkurti, Trustee, Upper Arlington Public Library
11:45 a.m. | Funding and Other Legislative Issues for Ohio’s Public Libraries
Presenters: Michelle Francis, Executive Director, and Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council
12:30 p.m. | Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. | Legal Issues – What Trustees Need to Know
Presenter: Jason Elvers, OLC Legal Counsel, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
2:15 p.m. | Break
2:30 p.m. | The Importance of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Public Libraries
Presenter: Kacie Armstrong, Director, Euclid Public Library and former member of OLC’s Board of Directors
3:30 p.m. | Don’t Ask What Your Director Can Do for You
Presenter: Tony Howard, Director, Pickerington Public Library
4:15 p.m. | Adjourn
Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council
At capacity; registration is closed. | Registration Deadline: 3/23/23
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 through the OLC app. Print them prior to the conference, view them from your personal device during the event or view/download them after the event. All handouts will be available online for 30 days following the conference.
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 and Introductions (Second Floor Ballroom)
- Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council
- Kelsey DeCoste, Conference Chair, Lorain Public Library System
10:10 a.m. | General Session — Panel Discussion (Second Floor Ballroom)
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)
| Session A | Session B | Session C |
| Wheelright Room | Carriage Room | Anvil Room |
| Taking Teen Programming to the Next Level | Early Literacy & Speech Delays Post-Pandemic: How Librarians Can Help Foster Speech Development in Storytime | Generations Together |
| CC: PRG | CC: PRG | CC: PRG |
12:15 p.m. | Lunch and networking by job responsibilities (Fourth Floor Balcony)
1 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)
| Session A | Session B | Session C |
| Wheelright Room | Carriage Room | Anvil Room |
| Redefining Teen Volunteering Post-Pandemic | The ABC Storytime Solution | The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Public Library and School Partnerships |
| CC: ENG | CC: PRG | CC: PRG |
2 p.m. | Break
2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)
| Session A | Session B | Session C |
| Wheelright Room | Carriage Room | Anvil Room |
| Budget-Friendly Tween Programs | Kindergarten Club: A School Readiness Program | Reimagining Summer at Your Library |
| CC: PRG | CC: PRG | CC: ENG |
3:15 p.m. | Break
3:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)
| Session A | Session B | Session C |
| Wheelright Room | Carriage Room | Anvil Room |
| Focusing on the Caregiver: Cultivating Caregiver Knowledge, Well-Being, and Community to Create a Strong Foundation for Very Young Children | Supporting Kindergarten Readiness with Explore More Storytimes | Expedition Club: Creating Engaging After-School Programming for Grades K–5 |
| CC: PAW | CC: PRG | CC: PRG |
4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks & Adjourn (Second Floor Ballroom)
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
March 30, 2023
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Taking Teen Programming to the Next Level
Presenters: Gabriella Cajuste and Sarah Wright, Columbus Metropolitan Library
With all of the changes teens have faced over the last few years, programming must keep adapting to stay current. Join us to learn about Columbus Metropolitan Library’s newly updated Teen Programming Philosophy that focuses on the future while supporting soft skills. These guidelines assist staff across our branches in finding ways to help teens define and create a successful life pathway. Library staff use the philosophy to intentionally add elements to their programs that facilitate growth in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills while helping teens reflect on their own well-being. Then, discover the innovative ways library staff are implementing this philosophy to support youth. Get a glimpse of the library’s Discord server, hybrid programs, teen tech kits, virtual career panels, system-wide teen surveys, and more! Find out how our new focus on social emotional health including self-care and restorative practices has improved our support and relationships with teens in our communities.
Early Literacy & Speech Delays Post- Pandemic: How Librarians Can Help Foster Speech Development in Storytime
Presenters: Kelly Halleen, Medina County District Library and Megan Palasik, Speech-Language Pathologist, Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Do you have families or caregivers concerned about their young child’s speech? This interactive workshop will help you develop skills to foster speech development in storytime. Learn techniques from a Speech Language Pathologist and Children’s Librarian. Understand the latest research concerning post-pandemic developmental delays and updates to CDC milestones. Create partnerships with Ohio Help Me Grow, Ohio Early Intervention and local schools. The workshop will include songs, rhymes and activities that will enhance your early literacy based storytime to focus on speech development for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Generations Together
Presenters: Mary Anne Russo and Dana Tirabassi, Hubbard Public Library
Connecting the generations provides mutual enjoyment and promotes well-being for people at both ends of the age spectrum. This presentation will offer insight into the benefits of intergenerational library programs, highlight collaborative programs conducted at an assisted living facility prior to the pandemic, and explore in detail the planning and implementation of the Reading Pals intergenerational book group conducted at Hubbard Public Library during the summer of 2022. Prior to the pandemic, our library had established a relationship with the assisted living facility in our community, successfully providing intergenerational programs on a regular basis. The pandemic brought those programs to an abrupt halt and caused social and emotional loss for people of all ages. Seeking a way to re-establish our collaboration, and to increase meaningful interaction among program participants, Hubbard Public Library devised the Reading Pals book group. For the four weeks of the program, assisted living residents visited the library where they met with patron families with school age children, read a picture book together and participated in related activities.
March 30, 2023
1-2 p.m.
Redefining Teen Volunteering Post-Pandemic
Presenter: Alexx Burris, Upper Arlington Public Library
Do you need new ideas to keep your teen volunteers engaged? Do you want to share your post-pandemic teen volunteer success or are you looking to start a teen volunteer program and don’t know where to start? This session will provide the opportunity to ask questions, share triumphs, and learn about meaningful ways to connect with your teen volunteers.
The ABC Storytime Solution
Presenters: Adriana Cunningham, Brown County Public Library
ABC Storytime was developed at the Brown County Public Library’s Mt. Orab branch in response to declining early-literacy skills due to the pandemic. The program began in September of 2021. By 2022, average attendance for storytime had increased by 72% since 2019, and growth continues to increase steadily into 2023. Feedback from families about their children’s kindergarten-readiness encouraged us to continue building and improving the ABC Storytime Solution, and it was included as an anchor program in the library’s application for an Ohio Department of Education Libraries Accelerating Learning (LAL) grant. The library was awarded an LAL grant ($249,572), which includes expanding the ABC Storytime Solution to all interested families at all Brown County Public Library locations. This session will provide specifics about the ABC Storytime Solution, including: tips for making storytime attendance a habit for families in your community; examples of the most effective storytime plans; and curriculum kits created to be used by families at home, as an extension of storytime sessions in the library.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Public Library and School Partnerships
Presenters: Angela Clock and Erika Hogan, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
What are some of the challenges and solutions to building strong and successful school partnerships? This session will discuss practical examples and strategies based on experiences with school visits to the library, librarian visits to schools, and other activities. Presenters will note benefits, barriers, challenges and solutions in addition to considering how partnering with school support organizations can create programming opportunities. From working with walkable schools to those further out of reach and collaborating with teachers, PTA, and related school support organizations, this session will address how common goals and mutual benefits can inform partnerships and enhance current programming. Plus, you’ll learn how this approach is ideal for those with limited resources and staff time at both schools and libraries.
March 30, 2023
2:15-3:15 p.m.
Budget-Friendly Tween Programs
Presenters: Anjanette Hook and Abby Lionberger, Greene County Public Library
Are you having issues involving tweens in your programs? They are too old for youth programs, but too young for teen programs. How do we include the age group of 9-13 year olds? This session will present successful and budget-friendly program ideas that you can implement back at your library. You will learn more about outreach to schools, book clubs to capture their interest, volunteens for the summer, and many other ideas. Learn how to get tweens involved and boost their attendance at your library.
Kindergarten Club: A School Readiness Program
Presenter: Amber Cristofaro, Dayton Metro Library
Join Dayton Metro Library to learn about the successful pilot of their collaborative school readiness program, Kindergarten Club. The program was developed to meet community needs in the area of learning loss caused by the pandemic, centered on relationships with stakeholders, and based in community collaboration. This program is intended for the families of children who are entering kindergarten in the upcoming school year. Find out how the program was designed, how participation from local schools and preschools was included, and how Dayton Metro Library is expanding the program using the Ohio Department of Education’s Libraries Accelerating Learning grant.
Reimagining Summer at Your Library
Presenters: Marianna DiGiacomo and Julia Shaheen, Stark County District Library
Are you responsible for implementing summer programming to combat learning loss and keep your community’s kids on track for school success? Do you want to find ways to ensure students and families get the equitable support they need to succeed? Learn how to cultivate community partnerships, leverage resources, and build relationships that will benefit children in vulnerable communities. Discover how open-ended activities can help you deliver programming designed to encourage creative thinking skills, strengthen reading, math, and science skills, while encouraging summer reading and learning through interactive, process-based activities. (Note: This Stark Library program received Honorable Mention at the 2022 ULC Innovation Awards).
March 30, 2023
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Focusing on the Caregiver: Cultivating Caregiver Knowledge, Well-Being, and Community to Create a Strong Foundation for Very Young Children
Presenter: Kathleen Campana and Michelle Baldini, Kent State University
Libraries recognize the importance of supporting children from day one with language, learning, and development, but there is less acknowledgement of the necessity of supporting their caregivers during this time. The first few years of a child’s life can be difficult and demanding for their caregivers; and caregivers, particularly those from underserved communities, often lack places to turn for support, advice, and understanding during this time. This can lead to stress and various mental health issues for the caregivers and potentially influence a child’s development and health. Project SHIELD, an IMLS grant, has explored the parenting experiences and needs of caregivers with young children, 0-24 months, from underserved communities, along with ways that some libraries are cultivating knowledge, well-being, and community for caregivers of very young children. Come learn about Project SHIELD’s findings and innovative, effective strategies for doing this work, particularly for caregivers from underserved groups.
Supporting Kindergarten Readiness with Explore More Storytimes
Presenters: Lisa Northeimer and Kate Shumaker, Worthington Libraries
In order to support a community of parents who chose not to send their children to preschool, Worthington Libraries developed a new model of storytime called Explore More. Learn about how adding activities after storytime can improve Kindergarten Readiness skills, enhance STEAM education, and overall better prepare preschoolers for their next adventure. Designed for children ages 2-5, but adaptable for younger audiences when needed, Explore More has served the Worthington Park Branch for 8.5 years. Preschoolers use fine motor skills with upside down coloring, develop math skills with counting and sorting, learn about food groups, and more in our interactive stations after a traditional storytime. Stations are typically themed and rotate weekly.
Expedition Club: Creating Engaging After-School Programming for Grades K–5
Presenter: Dani Weiser-Cline, Kingsville Public Library
This session will describe Expedition Club, an ongoing program created by Kingsville Public Library to address learning losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This afterschool program for elementary school aged children integrates literacy and maths skills with hands-on project-based STEM learning. Each six-week session of Expedition Club is built around a different theme and led by qualified educators from various backgrounds. The first part of this session will be a presentation of Expedition Club, its general design, examples of specific activities, and outcomes. You will learn best practices for determining community needs and interests, collaborating with local school districts, and creating a welcoming environment for homeschooling families. In the second part of this session, you will be guided through a brainstorming session to begin the process of creating a similar program at your library.
