Sponsored by the 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: 11/7/23

Registration Fees:  Member $75* | Non-member $150
*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  program will provide the information you need as you prepare for your ballot initiative, including:

• the latest levy FAQ from the Auditor of State’s Office
• 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 at the OLC office. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online through the OLC app. 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 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.

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 or ask for the Ohio Library Council (OLC) corporate rate at the front desk if not reserving in advance. Availability not guaranteed.

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
Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, OLC

11 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m. | How We Did It!
Cheryl Kuonen, Executive Director, Mentor Public Library

12:30 p.m. | Lunch

1 p.m. | Nuts & Bolts of a Successful Levy
Galen Schuerlein, Of Counsel/Director of Public Affairs, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

2 p.m. | Adjourn

This event is by invitation only.

Invitations have been sent via email to all current and incoming Committee and Division Action Council members. Please check your inbox.

Volunteer leaders are essential to OLC’s success. The work accomplished this fall will help guide the organization through 2024 and prepare us to address the challenges ahead. This is an opportunity to meet together, determine goals for OLC Committees and Divisions and plan for 2024.

While outgoing Committee and Division Action Council members will be finishing their terms, we encourage them to attend this event to share their experience and practical insight with those about to take office.

Registration for Kickoff Event
Registration is required to participate in the live Kickoff event; but there is no charge to attend. Please follow the instructions on your invitation to register.

Register at my OLC

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

Follow-Up Committee and Division Meetings
Following the Kickoff event, OLC leaders are asked to meet virtually as a Committee or Division Action Council sometime between Nov. 17—Dec. 21, 2023.

Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council

Register at my OLC | Deadline to register: 11/28/23

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: Public libraries continue to confront attacks on the freedom to read. Although censorship isn’t a new issue, the United States has seen a dramatic rise in book ban attempts since 2021. We know this is a stressful and isolating time for our members. To help you prepare for current and emerging challenges, the OLC will host a webinar on how to manage these difficult situations, actions every library should take, and supportive resources you can turn to when faced with a challenge.

This session will provide an update on the situation in Ohio and across the country, including some of the recent tactics we have seen in the last 12 months. You will learn how to build strong policies, update your public participation policies, craft effective responses, and connect with key stakeholders to ensure they advocate for your library and remain committed to information access for all.

Presenters: Michelle Francis, Executive Director and Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council

Intended Audience: Library directors, library leadership & management, and trustees.

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar, and/or access to the recording and resources provided by the presenters.

NOTE: Webinar access information will be sent via e-mail before the webinar begins on Nov. 30. Please check that your correct e-mail address is listed in your my OLC profile page.

Recording Available:
The Countdown to the Eclipse Webinar was recorded. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

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

*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.

Webinar Overview:

The next total solar eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024, and it’s going to be a big one! Tens of thousands of people are expected to travel to Ohio to watch the afternoon sky go dim during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Most likely, you remember the hype regarding the eclipse back in 2017 and the frenzy for viewing glasses. The 2024 eclipse will offer Ohioans an even better viewing because our state is directly in the path of totality. Are you ready? This webinar will help public libraries prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime event and make the most of this unique opportunity.

During this webinar, you will:

• Learn more about eclipse occurrences, methods for safe viewing, animal and plant responses, eclipse history and more.
• Discover tips and tricks for handling an influx of visitors and how emergency responders are already planning ahead to ensure everyone stays safe during the event.
• Explore tangible activities and resources to engage kids and families in solar eclipse learning and fun.
• Gain a better understanding of the lessons learned from the 2017 eclipse and how to improve.
• What to expect on the big day and how Ohio is going to be a target destination for many people who want to view a total solar eclipse in their lifetime.
• Know how and where to access resources from agencies such as StarNET, the Ohio Emergency Management Association, Ohio Department of Education and more.

Presenters: 

• Don Stevens, Director, Perkins Observatory and State of Ohio Eclipse Task Force
• Annamarie Carlson, Youth Manager, Westerville Public Library
• Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council and State of Ohio Eclipse Task Force

Intended Audience: All library staff, especially those who serve families

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

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

Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council and BroadbandOhio

FREE* for OLC members only.

*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries.

Register now

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

Webinar Overview:
Soon, BroadbandOhio will be implementing a grant program to leverage $793 million in federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds which were allocated to Ohio by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in June 2023. That money will be used to make sure that every Ohioan has access to a provider that can give them high-speed internet in their home.

To make sure that we have identified all unserved and underserved households as part of the BEAD process, BroadbandOhio will be conducting the Ohio BEAD challenge process. The goal of this process is to finalize the map of broadband serviceable locations (BSLs) and identify community anchor institutions that will be eligible for the $793 million in BEAD grants. Units of local government, internet service providers, and nonprofit organizations will all be able to access the portal and submit challenges as to whether a BSL has internet service. BroadbandOhio is once again looking to partner with Ohio’s public libraries so that we can be a resource for those that need help with the challenge process.

Presenters:

• Peter Voderberg, Chief, Office of BroadbandOhio
• Anna Miller, Manager, Digital Equity & Inclusion, Office of BroadbandOhio

NOTE: If you are unable to attend this live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

The OLC will host an online discussion forum for library staff to ask questions, exchange ideas and share best practices for handling outreach services.

Grab your favorite hot beverage and join the OLC’s Outreach and Special Services Division for an informal discussion about reaching everyone in your community. Hear about the ways your colleagues have adapted, share what has worked for your library and get some ideas for new things to try.

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 Outreach and Special Services Division.

Sponsored by the Ohio Library Council

Registration: FREE for OLC Institutional Member Libraries Only.

Register now

Overview: The One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund (OTSCIF) was created in HB 33, the state’s FY 24-25 Operating Budget. OLC staff will provide an update on what is happening at the Statehouse related to the Capital Budget and the OTSCIF. Also, staff from the Ohio Senate Budget and Finance Office will join us for more information and to answer any questions you many have.

Intended Audience: Library directors, fiscal officers, trustees and administrators.

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar, and/or access to the recording and resources provided by the presenters.

The OLC’s Small Libraries Division will host an online discussion forum for directors of small libraries on Fri., Feb. 23. This virtual session will be held from 2-3 p.m. and is open to all directors of small libraries.

Registration:
Registration is free for OLC Institutional Members Libraries only. Please register using the link below.

Register now!

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

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 the Ohio Library Council

Registration: FREE for OLC Institutional Member Libraries Only.

Register at my OLC | Registration deadline: 2/27/24

Amazon Business Prime

OLC is launching a new partnership with Amazon Business to help reduce costs for OLC Institutional Member Libraries throughout the state. The majority of Ohio’s public libraries already have some type of Amazon account. Some are utilizing Amazon Business, and some are using individual Amazon accounts. Many libraries would prefer to have Amazon Business Prime, but are unable to include it in their budgets. These accounts are used to make purchases on everything from princess crowns to bird houses, but many are missing out on Amazon Business Prime discounts.

New Benefit Program

This new program is completely voluntary and free of charge. It will be available to all OLC Institutional Member Libraries with your Institutional Membership in 2024. It includes:

• A free Amazon Business Prime Account — a value of $1,299/year with up to 100 users
• Discounted pricing up to 15% from Amazon.com
• Fast and free shipping on Prime eligible items
• Pay by invoice option
• $10,000 monthly line of credit with net-30 terms
• Additional 10% discount on 5,000 items
• Tax Exemption on all purchases
• Additional discounts on specific book titles (book list to come)
• A dedicated customer service advisor

Objective: During this webinar, you will learn more about this new benefit program and how to take advantage of it.

Presenters: Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council and Tessa Sullivan, Senior Customer Advisor, Amazon Business

Intended Audience: Library directors, fiscal officers, and administrators

What’s Included: Participation in the live webinar, and/or access to the recording and resources provided by the presenters.