Webinars & Online Reference Training

Reference Education Training

  • Ohio Reference Excellence (ORE) Online
    The OLC provides reference education training to improve the quality of reference services at public libraries throughout Ohio. Ohio Reference Excellence (ORE) Online is comprised of six self-paced training modules that cover many aspects of the reference process. If you’re new to library reference, you can work through all of the modules in order or you can jump to the modules you need as a refresher. Each module includes resource links, exercises and quizzes.
  • Start ORE Online

Webinar & Online Training


Webinar Archive

The OLC’s recorded webinars are a convenient and cost-effective way for you to gain practical, real-world knowledge from the convenience of your desktop—or anywhere you have high-speed internet access. The OLC’s most popular archived webinars are listed below in ALPHABETICAL order.

All webinars are approximately 60 minutes in length.

A Conversation with Ohio’s Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour
(Originally presented March 3, 2022)
Presenter: Kari Gunter-Seymour, Ohio’s Poet Laureate; Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

FREE for OLC members. View now.

A Joyous Way to Learn with Jim Gill 
(Originally presented April 26, 2022)
Presenter: Jim Gill, nationally acclaimed author and musician

Objective: Learn how a play-based program provides an inclusive environment for children with special needs and reaches children of all ability levels. This is an interactive session with music play to promote school readiness, literacy, and math development.

Fee: $20.00 for OLC members; $40.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Addressing Race in Public Libraries Workshop
(Originally presented online Nov. 19, 2020)
Presenters: Preshuslee Thompson, Training and Research Specialist, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, The Ohio State University; Kacie Armstrong, Director, Euclid Public Library; and Tracy Strobel, Executive Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Objective: Gain a better understanding of implicit bias, microaggressions in the workplace and being an active bystander in a public library setting.

Fee: $15.00 for OLC members; $20.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Advancing Racial Equity within Public Libraries: A Conversation with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
(Originally presented Aug. 6, 2020)
Presenters: Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, authors of All American Boys

Objective: To serve as an introduction to the concepts of power, identity, and oppression, and how they impact library staff, services, programs, collections, and spaces.

Fee: $25.00 for OLC members; $30.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar

At-Home COVID-19 Testing Kits for Public Libraries
(Originally presented Feb. 24, 2021)
Presenters: Mark Hamlin and Ben Anderson, Governor Mike DeWine’s COVID Testing Team and Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

Objective: Learn how your library can help distribute free COVID-19 testing kits to patrons. See updated webinar below.

(1) FREE for OLC members. View first webinar now.

(2) Additional webinar available with important updates to the program.
(Originally presented Oct. 22, 2021)

Beyond Virtual Storytime: 30+ No-Contact Program Ideas for Children and Teens
(Originally presented Feb. 11, 2021)
Presenters: Annamarie Carlson, Youth Services Librarian, Westerville Public Library; Sarah Cramer, Children’s Services Librarian, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library; Kate Knotts, Early Childhood/Intermediate Librarian, Akron-Summit County Public Library

Objective: Learn about 30, no-contact program ideas designed for children and teens (and adaptable for all ages).

Fee: $20.00 for OLC members; $40.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

BroadbandOhio Update & Challenge Portal Webinar
(Originally presented Dec. 18, 2023)
Presenters: Peter Voderberg, Chief, BroadbandOhio; Anna Miller, Manager, Digital Equity & Inclusion, Office of BroadbandOhio; and Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

Objective: Learn more about the Broadband, Equity and Deployment (BEAD) challenge process for Ohio and how your library can help those who lack high-speed internet access in their homes.

FREE for OLC members. View now.

Closing the Digital Literacy Gap with Northstar Webinar
(Originally presented Oct. 28, 2021)
Presenters: Don Yarman, OPLIN and Theresa Sladek, Literacy Minnesota, Northstar Digital Literacy

Objective: Learn more about this resource available to all of Ohio’s public libraries that helps adults acquire the skills they need in today’s workplace, including assessments and curricula.

FREE for OLC members. View now.

Crisis Communications Webinar: Planning for the Unpredictable
(Originally presented Sept. 9, 2021)
Presenter: Thomas Fladung, Hennes Communications

Objective: Learn how to define and create key messages; avoid the deadly “no comment;” evaluate social media threats (and how that assessment helps determine your response); leverage your social media outlets and other tools to reach key stakeholders – the people who care most about you and your library.

Fee: $15.00 for OLC members; $20.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Intellectual Freedom – A Foundation Webinar
(Originally presented March 28, 2022)
Presenters: Dr. Richard Rubin, Trustee of the Cuyahoga Falls Public Library and member of the OLC Board of Directors; Jen Farrell, Branch Manager of the Huron County Community Library and Chair of OLC’s Intellectual Freedom Committee; Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

Objective: Gain a better understanding of Intellectual Freedom from both a librarian perspective and from the idea that society is the healthiest when ideas flow freely between individuals.

FREE for OLC members. View now.

Message Dissemination During a Crisis 
(Originally presented Oct. 8, 2020)
Presenter: Gregg Dodd, Director of Marketing, Columbus Metropolitan Library

Objective: Learn how to implement a crisis communication plan for your library and how to navigate the complexities of message dissemination during any crisis through the use of real-life examples.

Fee: $15.00 for OLC members; $20.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Summer Reading/Fall Events
(Originally presented April 23, 2021)
Presenters: Fran DeWine, First Lady of Ohio; Timberly Pierce, Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library; Karl Colon, Executive Director, Kim Bautz, Coordinator of Youth Services, Greene County Public Library; Mary Ellen Icaza, Executive Director, Stark County District Library; Suzanne Cline, Executive Director, Shelby County Libraries; Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Library Consultant, State Library of Ohio; and Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council

Objective: Provides the latest information on the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library (OGIL) and explains how to promote the program and integrate OGIL titles into your current programming.

FREE for OLC members. View now.

Ohio Legal Help:  Reliable Online Legal Information
(Originally presented July 9, 2020)
Presenters: Susan Choe, Executive Director, Ohio Legal Help and Rachel Harris, Content Manager, Ohio Legal Help

Objective: Learn how to use the free Ohio Legal Help website to help patrons find reliable information on common civil legal problems.

FREE for OLC members. View now.

Right Click 2.0: Cybersecurity & TechCred Online Workshop
(Originally presented May 2, 2022)
Presenters: Eric Leach, Project Management Director, Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation; Jason Kucsma, Executive Director, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Mike Graybeal, Director of Operations, Toledo Lucas County Public Library; David Kruse, Director, Business Development, Tetra Defense; Kyle Warriner, Enterprise Account Executive, Arctic Wolf; Jon Halar, Senior Sales Engineer, Arctic Wolf

Objective: Cybersecurity is a growing issue and ransomware attacks are on the rise — unfortunately public libraries are not exempt from the threat. This is an important issue that has already impacted different sizes and types of library systems here in Ohio. It doesn’t matter if you are small, large, rural or urban — your library needs to be prepared. Learn how to better prepare your library and upskill your staff through Ohio’s TechCred program.

Fee: $30.00 for OLC members; $60.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Science of Reading Webinar Series for Public Libraries
Presenter: Ohio Department of Education & Workforce

Objective: Gain a better understanding of the shift to the Science of Reading in Ohio’s schools and how public libraries can help support the changes in classroom reading instruction.

  1. Overview of the Science of Reading in Ohio Webinar Recording
    (Originally presented March 14, 2024)
  2. Professional Development for Ohio’s Public Libraries on the Science of Reading Webinar Recording
    (Originally presented April 11, 2024)
  3. Science of Reading Office Hours for Public Libraries Webinar Recording
    (Originally presented May 9, 2024)

FREE for OLC members. View Now.

Sensory Storytime Webinar
(Originally presented Oct. 17, 2023)
Presenter: Grace Walker, Youth Services Librarian with the Pickerington Public Library

Objective: Learn how to create an experience that is fun for all kids and appropriate for those with Autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Webinar covers how to select program appropriate titles and activities for Sensory Storytimes and how to present and adapt programs for multiple ages and audiences.

Fee: $20.00 for OLC members; $40.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Stress First Aid Webinar
(Originally presented May 9, 2023)

Presenter: Vicki Montesano, Ph.D., Bureau Chief of Mental Health Treatment, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Objective: Learn the 7 Cs of Stress First Aid and how to assist someone who may be experiencing a stressful situation or event. Also, learn how to monitor your level of stress and move from unhealthy reactions to healthier ones.

Fee: $20.00 for OLC members; $40.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.

Weeding Your Collection 
(Originally presented: Aug. 23, 2022)
Presenter: Mary Schreiber, Collection Development Specialist, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Objective: Weeding is an integral part of library collection management. Learn more about the challenges and benefits of weeding your library and explore different ways to approach weeding.

Fee: $20.00 for OLC members; $40.00 for non-members. Login to my OLC to purchase this webinar.