Innovations Conference
July 21, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Conference via Zoom

 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

9:00 a.m. | Join the Zoom Conference

All registrants will receive a link to join the conference two days prior to the program. We will test audio and video connections to ensure all attendees can see and hear the presenters.

9:15 a.m. | General Session: Service!  — What Does It Look Like Post Covid?

Keynote: Matthew Heaggans, founder of Service! and owner of Preston’s: A Burger Joint in Columbus’ North Market

Recognizing an immediate need in April 2020, Matthew Heaggans along with a small group of chefs and restaurateurs launched Service!, a nonprofit designed to feed the unemployed service workers laid off en masse as bars and restaurants shuttered or scaled back significantly in the wake of coronavirus-driven stay-at-home orders. Heaggans described the weeks that followed as a whirlwind, with the team scrambling to prepare and distribute free daily dinners for service industry workers, eventually dishing up more than 10,000 meals.

Ohio’s public libraries also experienced that whirlwind by being forced to adapt to a crisis unlike any other. What can public libraries learn from restaurateurs? What ideas and innovations are here to stay? Heaggans will discuss how his industry adapted their service models and he’ll share some potential silver linings for businesses and libraries moving forward.

9:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions – Choose one when registering

1A	1B
Tiny Tech: Digital Literacy for Preschoolers	Flowers in January: Grants, Hydroponics and Green Education
Core Competency: Community Engagement	Core Competency: Innovation

Learn more about Core Competencies

10:45 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m. | Breakout Sessions – Choose one when registering

2A	2B
Creative Concepts and Pandemic Permutations from a Little Library	High Tech on a Small Budget
Core Competency: Adaptability	Core Competency: Essential Technology Skills

12:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch

12:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions – Choose one when registering

3A	3B
Bridging Digital Divide: Providing Computers and Hotspots to Residents	Gadget Gallery
Core Competency: Community Engagement	Core Competency: Essential Technology Skills

1:45 p.m. | Break

2:00 p.m. | General Session: Public Libraries After the Pandemic

Presenters: Felton Thomas, Executive Director, Cleveland Public Library and Tracy Strobel, Executive Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Is another great transformation in library spaces upon us? Public libraries reconfigured their spaces to be more open, more social, and more functional in the digital age. But will public health concerns forever change the way people use library spaces? What kind of upgrades and new policies will libraries need? How should you plan for renovations and modifications in the wake of the pandemic? This panel will explore current challenges and opportunities for long-term change.

3:00 p.m. | Adjourn

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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.

Tiny Tech: Digital Literacy for Preschoolers
Session: 1A
Time: 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Presenters: Eisha Hearn and Franco Vitella, Toledo Lucas County Public Library

Learn how the Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s Mobile Services department partnered with area schools, Head Start programs, and child care centers to build digital literacy skills with young library users onboard the Library’s Mobile Technology Center (a computer lab on wheels.) Led by a librarian, preschoolers learned essential computer, mouse and table skills while focusing on early literacy and other preschool concepts. You will learn how the Tiny Tech program was created and how you can replicate this program at your library.

Flowers in January: Grants, Hydroponics and Green Education
Session: 1B
Time: 9:45-10:45 a.m. a.m.
Presenter: Jessica Curtis, Westerville Public Library

Sweet peas in the paperbacks. Tomatoes in the computer lab. The Westerville Public Library was blooming in the stacks this past winter thanks to grants, research, and the help of local partnerships. This session will take a look at the grant research and writing process that made this project possible. You will learn more about the decision-making process and local partnerships that helped spread the green love to the Westerville community.

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Creative Concepts and Pandemic Permutations from a Little Library
Session: 2A
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Presenter: AJ Petro, Kingsville Public Library

In these unprecedented times, a library’s adaptability is more important than ever to provide pandemic-proof programming. The Kingsville Public Library will share its innovative and permutative scavenger hunt concept that can be adapted to many themes and demographics while respecting health guidelines. By creatively intertwining local community groups and businesses, the library has blended education, enjoyment, and technology into welcoming, family-friendly activities that have received high praise from the community.

High Tech on a Small Budget
Session: 2B
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Presenters: Katy Hite, Delaware County District Library and Alan Wall, Selover Public Library

Budget is often the main barrier to technology programming, but it doesn’t have to be. Through a grant funded by the 2019 ILEAD program, one team was able to provide libraries with technology on a shoestring. Learn about the equipment, price point, and experiences of the libraries who received the equipment and integrated them in to their program offerings. This session will discuss ideas specifically surrounding 3D printing and design for novice users, as well as other budget-friendly technology programming ideas and resources.

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Bridging Digital Divide: Providing Computers and Hotspots to Residents
Session: 3A
Time: 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
Presenters: Jamie Lang, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Amanda Freed, PCs for People

Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) partnered with PCs for People to support the library’s mission to bridge the digital divide that continues to widen in the communities CML serves. PCs for People is a non-profit organization centered on getting low-cost computers and affordable broadband into homes of low-income individuals. In addition to CML, PCs for People has partnerships with other libraries throughout Ohio. Computers were initially distributed through three separate curbside events at CML branches in May and June 2020. Over 500 computers were distributed at these events and PCs for People received over 5,000 requests. Due to the overwhelming interest, CML and PCs for People developed a model where library branches can serve as pickup sites for equipment during normal library business hours. Eligible customers pre-register to reserve a computer or hotspot and select a convenient location and schedule a pickup time at a CML branch. Learn how you can offer this program at your library.

Gadget Gallery
Session: 3B
Time: 12:45-1:45 p.m.
Presenter: Katy Hite, Delaware County District Library

Join OLC’s Digital and Media Services Division for a virtual Gadget Gallery. You’ll view live demonstrations of various tech tools and learn more about programming ideas to implement at your library.