FREE* for OLC members only.
*Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional member libraries

Register Now!

This year, the COSI Learning Lunchboxes will have a Dinosaur theme.

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

The OLC is once again joining forces with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) as part of the Ohio Distance Learning Initiative to help make science, technology, engineering, arts, and math learning opportunities more accessible to children in your library service area that would benefit the most.

This program will provide up to 100 FREE learning kits, called Learning Lunchboxes, to each of Ohio’s 251 public library systems (COSI is doubling the distribution for 2022). This year, the Learning Lunchboxes will offer dinosaur-themed kits with five days’ worth of learning content. The boxes promote integrated learning and each box activity is aligned with Ohio learning standards.

The OLC is hosting a free webinar with COSI on Mon., May 16 at 2 p.m. to explain the Learning Lunchbox program and how your library can participate.

If you cannot attend the live presentation, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the OLC website.

sponsored by the Children’s Services Division

Register at my OLC | Registration Deadline: 8/16/22

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

*OLC Individual members or staff of OLC Institutional Member Libraries

Webinar Overview:
Weeding is an integral part of library collection management. Eliminating outdated and worn items from your shelves can enhance the appeal of your collection and increase circulation. But weeding can be difficult. It’s hard to part with beloved books—and find the time to go through the shelves, book-by-book, to decide what to keep and what to weed. During this webinar, you will discuss the challenges and benefits of weeding your library, different ways to approach weeding, and resources that can help as you set out to weed your library and make it the best it can be!

Mary Schreiber

Presenter:
Mary Schreiber is a Collection Development Specialist at Cuyahoga County Public Library and her specialty is the selection of youth materials. Prior to this she was a Children’s Librarian. Schreiber is an active member of the American Library Association and the Association for Library Services to Children. She helped develop ALSC’s Championing Children’s Services Toolkit and is the author of Partnering with Parents: Boosting Literacy for All Ages. She served on the 2012 Geisel Award Committee, the 2016 Newbery Award Committee and the 2021 Caldecott Committee.

Intended Audience: Library staff, especially those serving children and teens, who are interested in collection management.

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: Collection Management

Sponsored by: Ohio Library Council

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:
Ohio Revised Code Section 3503.10 designates Ohio’s public libraries as voter registration locations. With this designation comes additional responsibilities. Join OLC staff and Laura Hooks from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office for a one-hour webinar about the requirements for public libraries as we prepare for the 2022 election in November. Utilize this free webinar as an opportunity to educate library staff on the do’s and don’ts before the busy general election cycle this fall.

Presenters:

• Laura Hooks, Elections Administration Specialist, Office of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose
• Jay Smith, Director of Government and Legal Services, Ohio Library Council

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 presenters.

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

Intended Audience: All library staff

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

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

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:
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:

1. determining the need and public support for your library levy;
2. legal process for placing the issue on the ballot;
3. developing the campaign message;
4. running the mechanics of a library campaign;
5. connecting with the media and developing message strategies; and
6. 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.

Register Now

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.

Register now.

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.

New FCC Maps

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.