Do you ever find it challenging to recommend a good book that will delight and awe your young patrons? Would you like to learn more about the basics of readers advisory? This webinar will teach you the basics of readers advisory and help you on the road to recommending their next great book.
Spring is almost upon us. Now is a good time take stock of where we are with our programs and our programming. Maybe you are ready to spend some time straightening up your back room? From those audio visuals that need to be surplussed to the boxes and bags lying about, pay attention to what you are throwing away. Are we looking at what we have in the most creative ways? Upcycling is the process of re-purposing items into more interesting or creative uses. This webinar will explore new learning possibilities using old items we have cluttering the back room. Create interesting displays, develop programs or programming for any number of groups in your library including Makerspace activities. Turn bottle caps into stools, plastic sacks into rugs, boxes into displays and games, or those video cases or chip tins into a number of manipulatives. Fast-paced session with tutorials, working examples and a lists of resources.
With more kids, teens, and adults asking for them, graphic novels are a growing area in libraries and popular culture. With increasing options ranging from the kid-friendly “Sisters” to adult-oriented “Saga,” American comics are becoming more accessible, diverse, and critically acclaimed. As well as hooking young readers, graphic novels are providing new opportunities for maturing fans and capturing new audiences. Discover the evolving American comics scene primarily outside of manga, as well as popular and under the radar titles that will have your patrons of all audiences wanting more. Presented by Nick Fagan, Head of Adult Services at the Middlefield Library and graphic novel selector for Geauga County Public Library.
Would you like to learn more about pairing fiction with non-fiction titles? Do you want to be able to recommend graphic novels to your young patrons but not sure where to begin? Then join us for this webinar as we introduce pairing fiction with non-fiction titles, and graphic novels.
Do you ever find it challenging to recommend a good book that will delight and awe your young patrons? Would you like to learn more about recommending mainly middle grade historical fiction, horror and fantasy titles? Then join us for this webinar as we serve up a helping of historical fiction and horror with a side of fantasy!Over several months in 2016, Morton-James Public Library in Nebraska City, NE (pop. 7,200) led a group of kids in building a fully-functioning escape room in the library. This project—supported by a Curiosity Creates grant awarded by the Association for Library Service to children (ALSC) from funds donated by Disney—brought together kids and community members every weekend for four months to learn about puzzle design, develop a story, and build an escape room in an old storage room in the library. The project ended with a pizza party—while the city mayor and his family attempted to solve the puzzles and escape the room in under an hour.
The project has been featured in Library Journal’s Programs That Pop series, and an article outlining the project was published in the In the Library with the Lead Pipe online journal. The presenters will provide background on escape rooms, share their experience working with kids to build one, and will give recommendations on how to embark on a similar project in your own library on a shoestring budget.
Presenter:
Rasmus Thoegersen is the Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America. Previously, he was the Library Director for the Morton-James Public Library in Nebraska City, NE.
Jennifer Thoegersen, Data Curation Librarian at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, consults with researchers on data management issues and contributes to the preservation of digital assets at UNL Libraries. In 2013, Thoegersen contributed to the open source digital library project Greenstone as part of a Fulbright fellowship at the University of Waikato.
Knox County Battle of the Books Program Leaders will be discussing the origin of the program, what is involved “behind the scenes” in prep for the reading list, questions for teams to practice and the final competition questions and procedures. Also, from a PR and community relations viewpoint, why the Battle of the Books program has been such a great fit for the library system and improved relations with the county and local schools. along with how important support by the Friends of the Library (board and their volunteers), and area businesses and community organizations have been to the successful rebirth of this program.
Rena will discuss the details of this program, the challenges and successes she’s had at her library and ways you can implement it at your library. 1,000 Books before Kindergarten is an initiative to promote early literacy and reading to parents and caretakers of infants and very young children. The goal is to encourage parents to read one thousand books with their children before sending them to kindergarten. Reading together builds the necessary early literacy skills every child needs in order to learn to read. Listening to books and reading together with parents and caretakers nurtures childhood brain development and builds the necessary early literacy skills every child needs in order to learn to read and be prepared for school.
"Girls Who Code, the national non-profit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology, is partnering with NEO-RLS Libraries! Join Hannah Simon Goldman, Ohio Regional Partnership Coordinator for GWC, for a quick half-hour webinar on Thursday, January 11th at 2:00p.m. to learn all you need to know about how to launch your own FREE after-school coding Club. In GWC Clubs, 6-12th grade girls use computer science skills to impact their community as they join our sisterhood of supportive peers and role models. Clubs are led by Facilitators, who can be volunteers from any background or field. Many Facilitators have NO coding experience and learn to code alongside their Club members! Come learn how easy it is to start your own Club, and ask questions to Ohio's GWC Regional Partnership Coordinator.
"Have you ever done a library program but things didn’t go as smoothly as you would have liked? Do you ever struggle to maintain control with a group of kids? Have you ever had an issue with behavior in your programs? Then join us for this webinar featuring Angela Wojtecki and Jill Burket as they share some guidelines, tips and tricks they’ve used in schools and various effective classroom management techniques.
Brush up on your writing skills in this one-hour Webinar focusing on content, style, tone and structure. Many library workers write their own program descriptions and promotions, as well as their own newsletters, and this workshop will provide some quick, formal training on writing. Learn how to communicate what the audience needs to know by effectively stating and positioning pertinent details. Attendees will also learn how to make their content catchy, as well as persuasive, to get desired results.To communicate what the audience needs to know
Make content cathchy
Make content persuasive
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
The author of the new book, Creating & Managing the Full-Service Homework Center (ALA, 2018), will share what you need to know about starting and running an after-school homework program in your library: everything from staffing to where to offer homework help, from hours, supplies and equipment to funding sources and evaluation. She’ll also point you to some of the best homework programs in the country.
Caldecott. Newbery. Printz.Gain insight into the selection process for most Youth Media Awards
Exploration of lesser known youth literature awards, with emphasis on diversity.
Brief history of the awards and how they reflect publishing materials for children and teens.
Spend an agreeable hour learning how to write a board game circulation policy that aligns with your library’s mission and strategic plan, how to determine your audience, what type of games you should invest in, and the best places to purchase them. You will learn the basic logistics of board game storage, advertising the collection, packaging for circulation, and incorporating the board games into your library’s programming.
Participants will:
Discuss ways to engage patrons and boost circulation using board games as a tool
Learn details of how to most efficiently manage the many facets of the collection
Learn the basics of "board game advisory" - how to help patrons choose games to check out
Presenters:
Cari Dubiel is the Adult Learning and Information Services Manager at Twinsburg Public Library. With over twenty years of library experience, she has led many discussions on the topic of collection development and circulating nontraditional items. Her favorite board games are those that involve a puzzle or mystery, like Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective and any type of escape room.
Maggie Rose is an Adult Learning and Information Services Librarian at the TPL. She has managed the collection for the past 18 months, expanding it from 20 games to over 120. Her favorite games are The Captain is Dead, and games to play with her children like Candy Land, and Ticket to Ride First Journey.
Ashley Sroka is an Adult Learning and Information Services Associate at the TPL. She has been instrumental in coordinating the board game collection. She has always been a board gamer, even attending the 5-day long Origins Game Fair in Columbus. Her favorite games are Carcassonne, and cooperative games like Mysterium.
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In Ohio:
An estimated 1,078 American-born minors are trafficked annually. Nearly 3,000 American-born minors are at risk for being trafficked. By coming to this webinar you will have a better understanding of what human trafficking us and if it is going on in your library.
List the risk factors for becoming a victim of human trafficking
Understand the role of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center in assisting victims
Identify the red flags (indicators) when a person is being trafficked
Gain an understanding of the research methodology and study results that shows the prevalence of human trafficking in NE Ohio.
Presenter:
Jan Apisa joined the Victim Assistance program as a Human Trafficking Public Education Specialist. Under an Office of Criminal Justice Services grant, she coordinated a 3-month collaborative quantitative Backpage research project of local human trafficking. She has been an active member of the Summit County Collaborative Against Human Trafficking since 2014. From December 2015 through October 2018, she served as Chair of the Collaborative Executive Committee. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Akron.
Do you dread the after school crowd? Tired of shushing over and over and getting nowhere? Stuck in a rut in programming for your tweens? This webinar will help give you some ideas and information to help you with your tween crowd.
Attendees will learn:
How to develop relationships and rapport with your tweens
Tactics for combating after school behavior
Develop programming ideas for tweens
Presenters:
Joy Mueller is the Youth Literacy Associate at Tuscarawas County Public Library in New Philadelphia, OH. With a background in education, she's worked in libraries for nearly six years. Currently, she programs for storytimes, tween technology clubs, school-age programs, and guerrilla programs. She enjoys creating ridiculous games for her programs and roaming through the shelves of bookstores and libraries.
Tracy Carpenter is a Children’s Customer Service Associate at Tuscarawas County Public Library in New Philadelphia, Ohio. She's been with the Tuscarawas County Public Libraries for a total of 4 years and in the children’s department for about a year and a half. Tracy attended Kent State University Tuscarawas majoring in Business Management and lives in New Philadelphia with her husband and 2 tween/ teen children. She's involved in programming for all ages, but specializes in tween programming which consists of both scheduled programming- such as Afterschool Art and Food Frenzy programs and Guerrilla or “On The Fly” Programming.
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Amy Zell, Teen and Patron Technologies Assistant at Hubbard Public LibraryCurrently loving her job as the Teen and Patron Technologies Assistant at Hubbard Public Library, Amy has spent the past year developing a Makerspace Book Club and educating patrons. Reluctant for her first several years in the library to run coding sessions and Maker Camps because of that “I don’t know enough about it to teach it” feeling, Amy encourages anyone who does programming of any type to attend. As Amy says to her teens, “Lets learn this together.” She plans to graduate from Kent State University with her M.L.I.S. in August 2019 and appreciates your support with this project.
Presenters:
Mary Anne Russo, Children’s Supervisor at Hubbard Public Library, has 35 years of experience in children’s services. While she never likes to repeat herself in terms of offering the same program twice, she is excited about incorporating repetition into storytime series.
Tobey Casey, youth services librarian, Stark County District LibraryJoin Amanda Fensch, Sales Manager with Penguin Random House, as she discusses the upcoming kids and YA titles you need to know about. These previews will help you know what books will be the hottest titles of the upcoming season and be prepared to answer patrons questions about what they should read next. All attendees are automatically entered into an ARC giveaway.
Presenter:
Amanda Fensch spent over a decade working in public libraries in Ohio, from circulation to youth librarian to adult services manager. She’s been with Penguin Random House since 2016. Along with talking about books, she also assists digital wholesalers with title selections and marketing efforts.
Join Amanda Fensch, Sales Manager with Penguin Random House, as she discusses the upcoming kids and YA titles you need to know about. These previews will help you know what books will be the hottest titles of the upcoming season and be prepared to answer patrons questions about what they should read next. All attendees are automatically entered into an ARC giveaway.
Presenter:
Amanda Fensch spent over a decade working in public libraries in Ohio, from circulation to youth librarian to adult services manager. She’s been with Penguin Random House since 2016. Along with talking about books, she also assists digital wholesalers with title selections and marketing efforts.
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
This webinar will give an introduction into the Spanish language as well as the people that speak it. You will be provided with short cuts and an understanding of the basics of the language. Know the essential phrases that can breach some of the communication gap when working with Spanish speaking patrons that do not speak English.
Learning Objectives:
Presenter:
Jaime Declet was born and raised in Caguas Puerto Rico. Moving to Ohio to finish his college degree at OSU. He made a stop to visit relatives in Cleveland, and the rest as they say is history. Married to Jeannine, children Andrew & Victoria. He started working in libraries as a volunteer in the sixth grade through High School. Working for the Cleveland State University, Fine Arts Library for six years and has been working in public libraries for the past 19 years. Mr. Declet started his public library career with the Lorain Public Library. He currently works for the Cleveland Public Library managing the South Branch. Mr. Declet is a member of the Advisory Board of Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Children's Literature, member of the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation. His job is to make sure that the community he serves knows that the Library is here to help. Therefore, he makes sure that the Library is front and center in all community events
Caylee Heiremans has been a Youth Services Librarian at Kent Free Library for 5 years. In addition to her work with databases, she performs music story time and leads diverse programming for children and teens of all ages. Before earning her MLIS at Kent State University, she received an MA in linguistics from Ohio University and taught English as a Second Language and adult basic literacy.
Do you spend a good part of your job working with graphics, social media or websites? The web is filled with tools vying for your attention, but some of the best lie waiting under the radar. Learn about these online gems, which you can use to improve your workflow or create new content, or share with your friends and colleagues. Discover a plethora of online tools that you probably haven’t heard of but will be glad that (now) you have.
Presenter: Laura Solomon, MCIW, MLS, is the Library Services Manager for the Ohio Public Library Information Network . She has been doing web development and design for more than twenty years, in both public libraries and as an independent consultant. She specializes in developing with Drupal. She is a 2010 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. She’s written three books about social media and content marketing, specifically for libraries, and speaks nationally on both these and technology-related topics. As a former children’s librarian, she enjoys bringing the “fun of technology” to audiences and in giving libraries the tools they need to better serve the virtual customer.
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Lindsay Platt is the Youth Services Librarian at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (Main Branch). Prior to this she worked in Adult Services at the Austintown Branch in the same library system. She enjoys researching new ideas and finding new ways to use old things in programming. Lindsay has specifically spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to expand on our LEGO programs to make them more enriching and appealing to their patrons.
Social-emotional learning (SEL), despite having been around for a few decades now, is still mysterious to many people. In this webinar, we will demystify the jargon so you can learn the basics of social-emotional learning and how to incorporate them into your programming to improve educational and behavioral outcomes for your school-age students. Understand the principles of social-emotional learning and how they apply to school-age children
Understand the ways that social-emotional learning can help with behavior management in your library
Learn how to incorporate social-emotional learning into your library programming
Marisha Sullivan is a Youth Services Librarian at Stark Library in Canton, OH. She has extensive experience in classroom and behavior management in informal learning environments, especially with tweens and teens. Working in low-income libraries, Marisha has learned the importance of helping students to develop "soft skills" in order to achieve their goals. She has taught topics from aeronautics to creative writing to ballroom dance to school-age children and teens and loves nothing more than helping students find their new favorite thing.
This webinar will give an introduction into the Spanish language as well as the people that speak it. You will be provided with short cuts and an understanding of the basics of the language. Know the essential phrases that can breach some of the communication gap when working with Spanish speaking patrons that do not speak English.
Learning Objectives:
Introduction to the Spanish Language
Learn short cuts
Learn essential phrases
Presenter:
Jaime Declet was born and raised in Caguas Puerto Rico. Moving to Ohio to finish his college degree at OSU. He made a stop to visit relatives in Cleveland, and the rest as they say is history. Married to Jeannine, children Andrew & Victoria. He started working in libraries as a volunteer in the sixth grade through High School. Working for the Cleveland State University, Fine Arts Library for six years and has been working in public libraries for the past 19 years. Mr. Declet started his public library career with the Lorain Public Library. He currently works for the Cleveland Public Library managing the South Branch. Mr. Declet is a member of the Advisory Board of Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Children's Literature, member of the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation. His job is to make sure that the community he serves knows that the Library is here to help. Therefore, he makes sure that the Library is front and center in all community events.
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Renee Hobbs is the author of Copyright Clarity: How Fair Use Supports Digital Learning and 9 other books about digital and media literacy education. Professor and Director of the Media Education Lab at the University of Rhode Island's Harrington School of Communication and Media, where she co-directs the Graduate Certificate in Digital Literacy. Hobbs is a educator, researcher and activist who advances the quality of media literacy education in the United States and around the world. She is the Founding Editor of the Journal of Media Literacy Education.
We will discuss how transitioning to virtual programming can work with tabletop RPGs. There are a variety of options, including a Harry Potter themed RPG that Mary Beth has written and run both in person and virtually. This is good for anyone interested as you do not have to have previous knowledge of, or experience with, tabletop RPGs.Community
Teens learn to work together and create connections outside their base friend groups.
Creativity
Teens learn to exercise lateral thinking and problem solving.
Learning
Teens learn about social literacy in a lower stress environment.
Mary Beth Rogers earned her MLIS from the University of Kentucky. Her career in libraries started in high school as a library aide and she has had different positions in the Dayton Metro Library system ever since. She is currently the Teen Services Librarian at the New Lebanon Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Mary Beth is on the Teen Think Tank planning committee. She loves to write and has created two RPGs that her teens have played and request to play again.
It is increasingly important to make certain we are able to communicate effectively with everyone in our communities. The Deaf community faces new communication barriers as the presence of face masks at work and in public becomes the new norm. Join Bill Morgan, Artistic Manager, SignStage, for an overview of Deaf culture and the opportunity to learn common ASL (American Sign Language) signs used in a library setting.
William (Bill) Morgan is the Artistic Manager at CHSC (The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center) where he controls the day to day activities of SignStage, a Deaf awareness program within the Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing department. In Oct. 2013, Bill received an award from the Mayor of Cleveland for his “Creativity in Promoting Awareness of Deaf Culture”. Bill also has several years experience producing and implementing school residencies that integrate theatre arts programming with American Sign Language and the State of Ohio Standards for the Arts.
It is increasingly important to make certain we are able to communicate effectively with everyone in our communities. The Deaf community faces new communication barriers as the presence of face masks at work and in public becomes the new norm. Join Bill Morgan, Artistic Manager, SignStage, for an overview of Deaf culture and the opportunity to learn common ASL (American Sign Language) signs used in a library setting.Learn about Deaf Culture
Learn common ASL signs for Libraries
William (Bill) Morgan is the Artistic Manager at CHSC (The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center) where he controls the day to day activities of SignStage, a Deaf awareness program within the Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing department. In Oct. 2013, Bill received an award from the Mayor of Cleveland for his “Creativity in Promoting Awareness of Deaf Culture”. Bill also has several years experience producing and implementing school residencies that integrate theatre arts programming with American Sign Language and the State of Ohio Standards for the Arts.
Linda W. Braun is LEO’s Project Management and Consulting Coordinator. Over the past two decades, Linda has provided project management, training, and consulting services to a variety of schools, libraries, and out-of-school-time learning institutions. Linda has a Masters of Science Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College and a Masters of Education with a specialization in Technology in Education from Lesley University.
Linda previously taught for Simmons College in their School of Library and Information Science, the University of Maryland Information School, and for the Lesley University, Graduate School of Education. She is a four-time recipient of the WISE Online Teaching Award, has won the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) Writing Award, served as President of YALSA in 2009-2010. She co-authored The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action and Libraries Ready to Code: Promoting CS Opportunities for Youth Through Libraries.
Ask yourself, how am I connecting with community partners and families while libraries are closed and social distancing is enforced? Your answer might be, “I’m not” or “Our connections are very limited.” In this webinar you’ll explore how to build and maintain relationships with community members, organizations, stakeholders, and families during COVID-19 and build ideas for keeping those relationships strong when library services are re-launched in your community.Identify community members and organizations for youth-based service planning and implementation
Develop strategies for connecting with partners and families
Explain why it's valuable for library staff working with youth to build experiences that connect families and communities
Linda W. Braun is LEO’s Project Management and Consulting Coordinator. Over the past two decades, Linda has provided project management, training, and consulting services to a variety of schools, libraries, and out-of-school-time learning institutions. Linda has a Masters of Science Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College and a Masters of Education with a specialization in Technology in Education from Lesley University.
Linda previously taught for Simmons College in their School of Library and Information Science, the University of Maryland Information School, and for the Lesley University, Graduate School of Education. She is a four-time recipient of the WISE Online Teaching Award, has won the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) Writing Award, served as President of YALSA in 2009-2010. She co-authored The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action and Libraries Ready to Code: Promoting CS Opportunities for Youth Through Libraries.
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Jeremy Streem is an award winning MHFA instructor within the Ohio Army National Guard and the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center. Jeremy also provides MHFA training to communities at large with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Jeremy has been a member of the Ohio Army National Guard for over 22 years, including 1 deployment, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and specializing in supporting other Soldiers in need. Jeremy is also a Master Resilience Trainer, certified through the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught Resilience and Effective Communication strategies to over 2,500 Soldiers as well as the general public. SFC Streem's military experience and education allows him to teach MHFA within the VA, Ohio National Guard, and local communities, providing a Veteran's perspective to the unique challenges of supporting and caring for our military population. Jeremy was recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health as one of the Top Veterans Mental Health First Aid Instructors for both 2018 and 2019, as well as the Top Mental Health First Aid instructor in the State of Ohio in 2019.
How can we help our teens and tweens when they are struggling? Come to this webinar to find out what we should be aware of and what we can do.Participants will become familiar with the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders
Participants will learn an action plan to respond to mental health and suicidal crises
Participants will learn how intervene early during the development of a mental health problem to decrease the severity of the impact of the illness
Jeremy Streem is an award winning MHFA instructor within the Ohio Army National Guard and the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center. Jeremy also provides MHFA training to communities at large with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Jeremy has been a member of the Ohio Army National Guard for over 22 years, including 1 deployment, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and specializing in supporting other Soldiers in need. Jeremy is also a Master Resilience Trainer, certified through the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught Resilience and Effective Communication strategies to over 2,500 Soldiers as well as the general public. SFC Streem's military experience and education allows him to teach MHFA within the VA, Ohio National Guard, and local communities, providing a Veteran's perspective to the unique challenges of supporting and caring for our military population. Jeremy was recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health as one of the Top Veterans Mental Health First Aid Instructors for both 2018 and 2019, as well as the Top Mental Health First Aid instructor in the State of Ohio in 2019.
Presenter: Niccole Paytosh is a Library Associate at the South Lorain Branch of the Lorain Public Library System. She has spent the last five years working closely with families and youth of all ages. Her passion is creating family programming that enriches the lives of her patrons with creativity, innovation, and fun.
Tech Together is a series of technology programs created for families and designed to engage both adults and children together. This session will focus on the successful creation and implementation of a bug robot building program, challenges we overcame, as well as some tips and tricks for you.
Presenter: Niccole Paytosh is a Library Associate at the South Lorain Branch of the Lorain Public Library System. She has spent the last five years working closely with families and youth of all ages. Her passion is creating family programming that enriches the lives of her patrons with creativity, innovation, and fun.
This poster session will show you how to execute the Maker Mindset Method in creating programs via Zoom for makers of all ages and how to keep everyone engaged. Kits or no kits, desktop access or phone, we will address it all. From successful Family Makerspace Storytimes to 3D design/print glider races gone wild, complete access to what worked and what didn't.
Presenter: Amy Zell, Digital Instructor, Goodwill Industries, Youngstown and former Teen and Patron Technologies Assistant at Hubbard Public Library.
This poster session will show you how to execute the Maker Mindset Method in creating programs via Zoom for makers of all ages and how to keep everyone engaged. Kits or no kits, desktop access or phone, we will address it all. From successful Family Makerspace Storytimes to 3D design/print glider races gone wild, complete access to what worked and what didn't.
Presenter: Amy Zell, Digital Instructor, Goodwill Industries, Youngstown and former Teen and Patron Technologies Assistant at Hubbard Public Library.
Jamie Dinan is the Early Learning Specialist at Westlake Porter Public Library. Her work days are filled with sharing stories and songs with children of all ages - the sillier the better!
Jenny Norton is the STEAM Librarian at Westlake Porter Public Library, where she creates programs in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math, and also helps patrons with technology usage and reference. She earned her M.L.I.S. from Kent State University.
Carla Schober is the Adult Services Manager of the Westlake Porter Public library. Previously she worked for the Cuyahoga County Public Library, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, and the Chicago Public Library. She graduated from Kent State University with her M.L.I.S. in 2006.
Brenda Zyrkowski is the Web Librarian at Westlake Porter Public Library where she has filled a variety of roles over 20+ years, including Administrative Associate and Integrated Library System Specialist. She earned an M.L.I.S. from Kent State University in 2007.
What do you do when your annual STEAM Week is thrown into a pandemic? At Westlake Porter Public Library, you work as a team! See how we were able to pull off a virtual and socially distanced STEAM Week on short notice, and still had fun!
Jamie Dinan is the Early Learning Specialist at Westlake Porter Public Library. Her work days are filled with sharing stories and songs with children of all ages - the sillier the better!
Jenny Norton is the STEAM Librarian at Westlake Porter Public Library, where she creates programs in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math, and also helps patrons with technology usage and reference. She earned her M.L.I.S. from Kent State University.
Carla Schober is the Adult Services Manager of the Westlake Porter Public library. Previously she worked for the Cuyahoga County Public Library, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, and the Chicago Public Library. She graduated from Kent State University with her M.L.I.S. in 2006.
Brenda Zyrkowski is the Web Librarian at Westlake Porter Public Library where she has filled a variety of roles over 20+ years, including Administrative Associate and Integrated Library System Specialist. She earned an M.L.I.S. from Kent State University in 2007.
With in-person rehearsals and performances impossible for the annual teen summer play at the Twinsburg Public Library, Julia Fisher embarked on a wild journey to write and direct an all-virtual production. Learn from her trials and triumphs in navigating a new world of online theatre, and see what kind of virtual performances could be right for your library!
Julia Fisher is the Special Projects Coordinator at the Twinsburg Public Library, as well as a playwright, actor, director, and intimacy director throughout Northeast Ohio. Julia has trained with Cleveland Play House, Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Theatrical Intimacy Education, and Movement and Combat Education. In her years as a theatre teacher at Saint Martin de Porres High School, Julia co-directed ten productions of the Saint Martin Drama Club, and twelve of her students were honored at the Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival through Dobama Theatre. Julia has recently performed in productions and staged readings at Cleveland Play House, Ensemble Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Playwrights Local, and other local theatre companies. She is a member of the Young Playwrights Collective through Playwrights Local, where she recently presented a workshop production of Tatterhood, a new musical for which she wrote the book and lyrics. Julia is currently working on a radio adaptation of Lady Molly of Scotland Yard for Ohio Shakespeare Festival, which will be released later this year.
With in-person rehearsals and performances impossible for the annual teen summer play at the Twinsburg Public Library, Julia Fisher embarked on a wild journey to write and direct an all-virtual production. Learn from her trials and triumphs in navigating a new world of online theatre, and see what kind of virtual performances could be right for your library!
Julia Fisher is the Special Projects Coordinator at the Twinsburg Public Library, as well as a playwright, actor, director, and intimacy director throughout Northeast Ohio. Julia has trained with Cleveland Play House, Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Theatrical Intimacy Education, and Movement and Combat Education. In her years as a theatre teacher at Saint Martin de Porres High School, Julia co-directed ten productions of the Saint Martin Drama Club, and twelve of her students were honored at the Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival through Dobama Theatre. Julia has recently performed in productions and staged readings at Cleveland Play House, Ensemble Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Playwrights Local, and other local theatre companies. She is a member of the Young Playwrights Collective through Playwrights Local, where she recently presented a workshop production of Tatterhood, a new musical for which she wrote the book and lyrics. Julia is currently working on a radio adaptation of Lady Molly of Scotland Yard for Ohio Shakespeare Festival, which will be released later this year. You can find out more about Julia on her website.
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Christi Showman Farrar is a Consultant at the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) where she provides guidance and continuing education to library staff all over the state. Prior to working at MLS, Christi worked as a children’s and teen librarian in Massachusetts public libraries for a decade, and was the Director of the School and Public Library division at a well-known library vendor. She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, as well as a master’s in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona. In her "spare" time she teaches Children's Literature in the Library Media Studies program at Salem State University, and most recently was a member of the selection committee for the 2020 Sibert Informational Book Medal.
Sometimes it may feel like library staff, educators, and parents all speak different languages, even though they may all have the same literacy and educational goals for their community. This webinar is designed for any library staff member who interacts with teachers, parents, or kids in the course of their work, with a primary focus on public library staff. The goal is to give library staff the tools and vocabulary they need to better communicate with parents and teachers, and to provide stronger readers’ advisory and reference to their whole educational community. We will discuss “text complexity” and reading levels, tools for assessing complexity, and how to use educational standards to inform your work.
Christi Showman Farrar is a Consultant at the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) where she provides guidance and continuing education to library staff all over the state. Prior to working at MLS, Christi worked as a children’s and teen librarian in Massachusetts public libraries for a decade, and was the Director of the School and Public Library division at a well-known library vendor. She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, as well as a master’s in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona. In her "spare" time she teaches Children's Literature in the Library Media Studies program at Salem State University, and most recently was a member of the selection committee for the 2020 Sibert Informational Book Medal.
Amanda Fensch has been a circulation clerk, a youth and YA librarian, and an adult services department manager in northern and central Ohio public libraries. She left libraries 4 years ago to join the library sales team at Penguin Random House and loves talking to librarians about PRH’s titles and authors. When she’s not at work (from her home office), Amanda enjoys biking, running, and cooking, and organizes and runs online charity gaming events.
Join Amanda Fensch, Library Sales Manager for Penguin Random House, as she brings you upcoming titles you need to know about! It’ll be a fast and fun 60 minutes, and handouts and the Powerpoint will be provided.Delivering programs remotely during the pandemic has presented unique challenges and opportunities. This webinar will offer some tips to maximize the video format. Learn about editing software, program extenders like downloadable PDFs, and how to expand your reach while keeping it personal.
Learning Objectives:
Nicki Petrone has over thirty years of experience with children and literacy. She specializes in programming for children under age two at the Shaker Heights Public Library. Creating videos has enabled her to tap into he​r diverse skill set by incorporating early literacy, music, creativity, design, and humor.
Delivering programs remotely during the pandemic has presented unique challenges and opportunities. This webinar will offer some tips to maximize the video format. Learn about editing software, program extenders like downloadable PDFs, and how to expand your reach while keeping it personal.
Nicki Petrone has over thirty years of experience with children and literacy. She specializes in programming for children under age two at the Shaker Heights Public Library. Creating videos has enabled her to tap into he​r diverse skill set by incorporating early literacy, music, creativity, design, and humor.
Stephanie Anderson is the Assistant Director, Selection, for BookOps, serving the branch collections of the New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. She was previously the Assistant Director of Public Services at the Darien Library (CT). She is a founding member of LibraryReads, the national public library staff picks list, and has written about readers' advisory for RUSQ and Library Journal. She reviews for Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, and People, and when she's not reading or chasing her toddler, can be found online at bookavore.net.
Virginia Grubbs is the Assistant Head of Reader Services, Darien Library (CT). Although, a relative newbie in the Library world, Virginia brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications and public relations. In her most recent pre-librarian role, she served as vice president of a global PR firm. Virginia has worked with several significant organizations including American Airlines, the ExxonMobil Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and Dallas Independent School District. Her area of specialty was educational programs and nonprofits. Since starting at Darien Library in the Reader Services Department in 2013, Virginia has used her talents and love of books to help enhance the patron experience. She has developed innovative, eye-catching displays and she has managed both the Book Matchmaker and Adult Summer Reading programs. Outside the library you will find Virginia reading, snuggled up with her pets, enjoying time outside or golfing.
Elisabeth Marrocolla is the Associate Director of Public Services at Darien Library (CT). She has worked at Darien Library for nearly ten years, previously serving as Head of Children and Teen Services. Elisabeth graduated from Pratt Institute with her MLIS in 2011 and is a 2017 graduate of ALA’s Leadership Institute. She has written regularly for the ALSC Blog, Children in Libraries, and School Library Journal, and is a firm believer that the book is always better than the movie.
Pat Tone has worked in a variety of library positions for 24 years. Currently she is the Head of Reader Services at Dairen Library (CT). Pat came to appreciate and enjoy library work because of her volunteer work at her children’s school libraries. Over the years, she has found working at the library to be a fulfilling and enriching profession because of her love of books, the connection and relationships developed with library patrons, and colleagues and the ability to learn something new every day! When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and walking with the company of four-legged furry friends.
In a world of personalized services delivered via impersonal applications, where can we find librarians? Join the panel as they discuss Book Matchmaker, an online readers' advisory (RA) tool that merges a Buzzfeed-style quiz with a Stitch Fix-esque business model. Book Matchmaker is a proven way to connect with patrons online and create strong relationships in real life. Learn how to bring Book Matchmaker to your library and get tips on making online RA work for all ages.
Stephanie Anderson is the Assistant Director, Selection, for BookOps, serving the branch collections of the New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. She was previously the Assistant Director of Public Services at the Darien Library (CT). She is a founding member of LibraryReads, the national public library staff picks list, and has written about readers' advisory for RUSQ and Library Journal. She reviews for Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, and People, and when she's not reading or chasing her toddler, can be found online at bookavore.net.
Virginia Grubbs is the Assistant Head of Reader Services, Darien Library (CT). Although, a relative newbie in the Library world, Virginia brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications and public relations. In her most recent pre-librarian role, she served as vice president of a global PR firm. Virginia has worked with several significant organizations including American Airlines, the ExxonMobil Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and Dallas Independent School District. Her area of specialty was educational programs and nonprofits. Since starting at Darien Library in the Reader Services Department in 2013, Virginia has used her talents and love of books to help enhance the patron experience. She has developed innovative, eye-catching displays and she has managed both the Book Matchmaker and Adult Summer Reading programs. Outside the library you will find Virginia reading, snuggled up with her pets, enjoying time outside or golfing.
Elisabeth Marrocolla is the Associate Director of Public Services at Darien Library (CT). She has worked at Darien Library for nearly ten years, previously serving as Head of Children and Teen Services. Elisabeth graduated from Pratt Institute with her MLIS in 2011 and is a 2017 graduate of ALA’s Leadership Institute. She has written regularly for the ALSC Blog, Children in Libraries, and School Library Journal, and is a firm believer that the book is always better than the movie.
Pat Tone has worked in a variety of library positions for 24 years. Currently she is the Head of Reader Services at Dairen Library (CT). Pat came to appreciate and enjoy library work because of her volunteer work at her children’s school libraries. Over the years, she has found working at the library to be a fulfilling and enriching profession because of her love of books, the connection and relationships developed with library patrons, and colleagues and the ability to learn something new every day! When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and walking with the company of four-legged furry friends.
Janie L. Hermann is the Public Programming Librarian at Princeton Public Library in Princeton, NJ where she oversees a cross-departmental team of 15 staff members that plan and execute more than 1,700 programs per year with an annual attendance in excess of 54,000 at the programs. She is currently a member of the ALA Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee and the co-chair of the ALA Programming Librarian Interest Group.
Planning public programs and events has become an essential part of library services, but it is also time consuming, and at times, challenging. Library staff who host programs agree that counting attendance will never tell the holistic story of whether a program was a success or failure. There is so much more data that should be collected so that we can tell the complete story about library programming to funders and board members, be prepared to apply for grants, and plan for the future. In this session, a variety of tools and methods for evaluating programs beyond taking attendance will be discussed so that your library can use data to tell a story, drive decisions about future programming and so much more. 
Janie L. Hermann is the Public Programming Librarian at Princeton Public Library in Princeton, NJ where she oversees a cross-departmental team of 15 staff members that plan and execute more than 1,700 programs per year with an annual attendance in excess of 54,000 at the programs. She is currently a member of the ALA Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee and the co-chair of the ALA Programming Librarian Interest Group.
The 2020 Summer Reading Program was like no other. We don’t know exactly what 2021 will bring, however, we have some ideas to share to hopefully make it easier for you and your library. Join us for a two-part summer reading, online workshop. The first day will be information sessions and the second will be networking. We will kick the program off with an overview of the theme, Tails & Tales, given by State Library Consultant, Janet Ingraham Dwyer.
Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Want to engage children with the latest technology but don’t know where to begin? Interested in using technology in your programming but you’re on a tight budget? Join us for the sixth annual Gadgets and Gizmos webinar. This popular, detailed webinar presentation will showcase some cool new tech gadgets, websites and resources you can incorporate into your youth services programs! You will also have an opportunity to share your technology successes and challenges with other attendees.
Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Jack Phoenix is a librarian in the Greater Cleveland area. He is the author of the SLJ starred review book, Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library: Graphic Novels, Manga, and More, and a member of the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association.
Do you struggle to keep your comics collection organized? Comics, graphic novels, and manga that are organized by traditional library classification systems, like Dewey, can become unwieldly and difficult for patrons to find specific items or even browse. Learn how creating an in-house classification system can provide a perfect solution to raise your comics circulations, as well as some cataloging and merchandising tips.
Jack Phoenix is a librarian in the Greater Cleveland area. He is the author of the SLJ starred review book, Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library: Graphic Novels, Manga, and More, and a member of the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association.
Back by popular demand! This hands-on workshop will help you build a firm foundation in early literacy. Participants will learn how brain development impacts how young children learn and will explore effective, research-based early literacy resources and activities. The workshop covers the Six Early Literacy Skills presented in the PLA/ALSC Every Child Ready to Read® 1st edition, and the Five Early Literacy Practices presented in the 2nd edition, along with other early literacy concepts and tools. The instructor will help attendees get ready to offer early literacy story times and become well-equipped to work with parents and community partners to share early literacy concepts and build community support.
Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Tricia Smith is a librarian in the St. Petersburg Library System. Originally from Auburn, Alabama, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Auburn University and a Master's in Library Science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Tricia likes to read banned books, or books that are controversial, because she likes to know what all the fuss is about. She reads classics for the same reason.
Join us for a series of book talks on LGBTQ+ fiction and non-fiction for young adult and middle grade readers. We’ll talk about some classic LGBTQ+ titles as well as the newest offerings and examine resources available to provide your own recommendations. We will also talk about the importance of "own voices" books to teens and tweens, allowing libraries to better relate to their LGBTQ+ population and to provide better resources to their communities as a whole.
Tricia Smith is a librarian in the St. Petersburg Library System. Originally from Auburn, Alabama, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Auburn University and a Master's in Library Science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Tricia likes to read banned books, or books that are controversial, because she likes to know what all the fuss is about. She reads classics for the same reason.
Tristan Wheeler is an Audiovisual & Event Planning Specialist at the Cleveland Public Library. Since 2003, Tristan has worked with other library staff to bring a wide variety of video games-related programming and events to Clevelanders at Main Library and branch locations. For the past five years, Tristan has led the team which plans and delivers esports and gaming at Cleveland Public Library, bringing national and international recognition for the program and for Cleveland Public Library.
Welcome to "Gaming & Esports in Libraries," a webinar where you'll learn what esports are, ways that games-related programming can strengthen your library, and how to establish them. Even with the challenges we currently face, there are still many ways to provide these events to patrons!
Tristan Wheeler is an Audiovisual & Event Planning Specialist at the Cleveland Public Library. Since 2003, Tristan has worked with other library staff to bring a wide variety of video games-related programming and events to Clevelanders at Main Library and branch locations. For the past five years, Tristan has led the team which plans and delivers esports and gaming at Cleveland Public Library, bringing national and international recognition for the program and for Cleveland Public Library.
Chris Labib is an Adult Services Librarian at Kent Free Library. She loves to learn and have fun, and her programs for the adults in her community reflect those passions.
Escape rooms are relentlessly fun and deceptively educational - a perfect library program for all ages! This webinar will cover everything you need to know in order to host an escape room at your library.
Chris Labib is an Adult Services Librarian at Kent Free Library. She loves to learn and have fun, and her programs for the adults in her community reflect those passions.
David Roberts is a Reference & Social Media Librarian at Salem Public Library. He earned his MLIS at Kent State University and before that worked several years as a journalist. A love of content creation and a passion for libraries combined to create a great opportunity to use social media to give libraries a colorful and entertaining personality.
TikTok provides libraries with a unique approach to bringing new video content to their social media and encouraging interaction. With the use of TikTok, libraries can make short form videos that can take a variety of approaches from informative to funny all while using the intuitive app to distribute the message to both old and new users. Additionally, with it's ease of shareability to other social media platforms, it can be easily shared with other library social media platforms making for great cross-platform promotion.
David Roberts is a Reference & Social Media Librarian at Salem Public Library. He earned his MLIS at Kent State University and before that worked several years as a journalist. A love of content creation and a passion for libraries combined to create a great opportunity to use social media to give libraries a colorful and entertaining personality.
Lindsay Bonilla is a professional storyteller and children’s book author from North Canton, Ohio. While earning her Bachelor’s degree in theatre and religion at Northwestern University, she fell in love with folktales and world travel and has been performing interactive theatre, sharing stories and teaching workshops all over the world ever since. Lindsay is the award-winning author of POLAR BEAR ISLAND, a picture book which celebrates inclusivity and diversity. Her forthcoming books include: I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEARTS (Creative Editions, August 2021), THE STORYTELLER (Nancy Paulsen/Penguin, 2022), and THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC (Page Street, 2023), as well as two soon-to-be-announced titles from Holiday House and Penguin. Lindsay loves to travel and has visited 28 countries on 5 different continents. Learn more at http://www.lindsaybonilla.comVideos can be a great way to offer programming and instruction that patrons can access at their convenience. Learn how to add titles, move and split clips, add text, transitions, sound effects, music and more to make your videos more interesting, professional, and effective. Get basic instruction in editing using iMovie on a desktop computer or an iPad. Hear about other editing software options.
Learning Objectives:
Nicki Petrone has over thirty years of experience with children and literacy. She specializes in programming for children under age two at the Shaker Heights Public Library. Creating videos has enabled her to tap into he​r diverse skill set by incorporating early literacy, music, creativity, design, and humor.
Videos can be a great way to offer programming and instruction that patrons can access at their convenience. Learn how to add titles, move and split clips, add text, transitions, sound effects, music and more to make your videos more interesting, professional, and effective. Get basic instruction in editing using iMovie on a desktop computer or an iPad. Hear about other editing software options.
Learning Objectives:
Nicki Petrone has over thirty years of experience with children and literacy. She specializes in programming for children under age two at the Shaker Heights Public Library. Creating videos has enabled her to tap into he​r diverse skill set by incorporating early literacy, music, creativity, design, and humor.
Tiffeni Fontno is the Head Librarian of the Educational Resource Center at Boston College. A former classroom teacher and school librarian, Tiffeni's areas of educational interest are in Curriculum & Instruction, Children & Young Adult Literature, and Educational Technology.
All children need to see themselves and people in our world in books. Building an inclusive collection is challenging. It's more than a diversity list. It requires reflection, investigation, exploration, and analysis. Tiffeni Fontno, Head Librarian, Educational Resource Center, Boston College, will talk about diverse collection building, evaluating, and resources to acquire diverse children's literature.
Tiffeni Fontno is the Head Librarian of the Educational Resource Center at Boston College. A former classroom teacher and school librarian, Tiffeni's areas of educational interest are in Curriculum & Instruction, Children & Young Adult Literature, and Educational Technology.
Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening the public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening the public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
There is an ocean of possibilities for this year's virtual children’s summer reading program. Marilyn Weiss, Mentor Public Library, will share her oceans of possibilities with some indoor and outdoor programs. Next, we will help you put some STEAM into your summer reading program with Jennifer Norton from Westlake Porter Public Library. Join your peers for a lively breakout room discussion of more ideas for programs.
Marilyn Weiss has been working in libraries for the past 15 years, specifically working as a Library Associate at Mentor Public Library for the past 8 years. She's always looking for an opportunity to create something new in her work, be it a covered wagon or cardboard tractor. She strives to make her story times and programming exciting, educational, and entertaining
Barbara Scott has been the Children's Librarian at the Bucyrus Public Library for the past 36 years. She has also been a member of numerous OLC committees/divisions, and has presented on the library's popular Music and Movement program at ALSC symposiums. She also heads up Crawford Reads 20, a grass-roots literacy organization in Crawford County to get books into the hands of children and is also the Executive Director of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library/Governor's Imagination Library's Crawford County affiliate.
Marilyn Weiss has been working in libraries for the past 15 years, specifically working as a Library Associate at Mentor Public Library for the past 8 years. She's always looking for an opportunity to create something new in her work, be it a covered wagon or cardboard tractor. She strives to make her story times and programming exciting, educational, and entertaining
Barbara Scott has been the Children's Librarian at the Bucyrus Public Library for the past 36 years. She has also been a member of numerous OLC committees/divisions, and has presented on the library's popular Music and Movement program at ALSC symposiums. She also heads up Crawford Reads 20, a grass-roots literacy organization in Crawford County to get books into the hands of children and is also the Executive Director of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library/Governor's Imagination Library's Crawford County affiliate.
No one has completely conquered hybrid programming. However, this webinar will provide some input from the libraries that have implemented it. CJ Lynce, Assistant Director of Westlake Porter Public Library will share information about the equipment that the library purchased and how it is being best utilized along with other equipment that is available on the market.
CJ Lynce, Assistant Director, Westlake Porter Public Library
Gerry Vogel has been assistant director of Avon Lake Public Library since May 2006
CJ Lynce, Assistant Director, Westlake Porter Public Library
Gerry Vogel has been assistant director of Avon Lake Public Library since May 2006
Cari Hillman has nearly 20 years of marketing experience, though she uses assorted social media filters to make it look more like 5. She serves as the community engagement director for the MidPointe Library System in southwest Ohio, overseeing library marketing, system-wide programming and community partnership development. She assists on multiple local boards and committees, including Downtown Middletown Inc. and Women Enriching Lives. Additionally, she is the chair of the CSLP Social Media Committee. She hates Twitter, loves Instagram and dreams of enlisting TikTok celebrities in her library marketing campaigns.
Cari Hillman, Community Engagement Director of the MidPointe Library System shares marketing tips and tricks to help make your summer a success. Scalable to libraries of all sizes, this session will outline the power of a comprehensive marketing plan and (if applicable) ways to use CSLP resources for your marketing mix.
Cari Hillman has nearly 20 years of marketing experience, though she uses assorted social media filters to make it look more like 5. She serves as the community engagement director for the MidPointe Library System in southwest Ohio, overseeing library marketing, system-wide programming and community partnership development. She assists on multiple local boards and committees, including Downtown Middletown Inc. and Women Enriching Lives. Additionally, she is the chair of the CSLP Social Media Committee. She hates Twitter, loves Instagram and dreams of enlisting TikTok celebrities in her library marketing campaigns.
A superb high school librarian, in a discussion of making a place for all stories, explained the groups she was expanding her collection to more accurately and completely represent. When I asked about voices of those living in generational poverty, she paused and very honestly replied, “I never thought about representation and socioeconomics.” And proceeded to ask me about titles. So in this webinar, we will do just that: think about our children and teens navigating the world today living in poverty – both their joys and challenges. And how to develop our collections to represent their voices. There will be time for questions and answers, and sharing our stories. Please visit Christina's website to get a taste of who she is and what she does: www.opendorrs2books.com
Learning Objectives:
Christina Dorr’s love affair with books began early when her mother took her to the tiny, red-brick public library in their village. This involvement has led her to become an award-winning librarian, faculty member, author, presenter, and consultant. She has served on a number of state and national book award committees, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Geisel Award, and Stonewall committees. Profiles in Resilience: Books for Children and Teens that Center the Lived Experience of Generational Poverty is her third book, and second published by the American Library Association. You can visit her website at www.opendorrs2books.com.
A superb high school librarian, in a discussion of making a place for all stories, explained the groups she was expanding her collection to more accurately and completely represent. When I asked about voices of those living in generational poverty, she paused and very honestly replied, “I never thought about representation and socioeconomics.” And proceeded to ask me about titles. So in this webinar, we will do just that: think about our children and teens navigating the world today living in poverty – both their joys and challenges. And how to develop our collections to represent their voices. There will be time for questions and answers, and sharing our stories. Please visit Christina's website to get a taste of who she is and what she does: www.opendorrs2books.com
Learning Objectives:
Christina Dorr’s love affair with books began early when her mother took her to the tiny, red-brick public library in their village. This involvement has led her to become an award-winning librarian, faculty member, author, presenter, and consultant. She has served on a number of state and national book award committees, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Geisel Award, and Stonewall committees. Profiles in Resilience: Books for Children and Teens that Center the Lived Experience of Generational Poverty is her third book, and second published by the American Library Association. You can visit her website at www.opendorrs2books.com.
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This 6-hour training gives adults who work with youth the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
Jeremy Streem is an award winning MHFA instructor within the Ohio Army National Guard and the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center. Jeremy also provides MHFA training to communities at large with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Jeremy has been a member of the Ohio Army National Guard for over 22 years, including 1 deployment, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and specializing in supporting other Soldiers in need. Jeremy is also a Master Resilience Trainer, certified through the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught Resilience and Effective Communication strategies to over 2,500 Soldiers as well as the general public. SFC Streem's military experience and education allows him to teach MHFA within the VA, Ohio National Guard, and local communities, providing a Veteran's perspective to the unique challenges of supporting and caring for our military population. Jeremy was recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health as one of the Top Veterans Mental Health First Aid Instructors for both 2018 and 2019, as well as the Top Mental Health First Aid instructor in the State of Ohio in 2019. Making certain LGBTQIA+ books are accessible for all children is more important than ever, but would-be censors are making it much more difficult. We will talk about why these books are a critical part of your collection and how to deal with would-be censors and other stakeholders. We will suggest ways to make sure your teens continue to view your library as a safe space with the books they need. And finally, we will share some of the newest books published in the past year.
There will be time for questions.
Learning Objectives:
Presenters:
Please visit our websites to get a taste of who we are and what we do.
Dr. Christina Dorr. https://www.opendorrs2books.com/
Christina Dorr’s love affair with books began early when her mother took her to the tiny, red-brick public library in their village. This involvement has led her to become an award-winning librarian, faculty member, author, presenter, and consultant. She has served on a number of state and national book award committees, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Geisel Award, and Stonewall committees. Profiles in Resilience: Books for Children and Teens that Center the Lived Experience of Generational Poverty is her third book, and second published by the American Library Association.
Liz Deskins. http://www.lizdeskins.com
Lizabeth (Liz) Deskins began teaching as an adjunct instructor for Kent State’s School Library Media K-12 Program in 2017. Prior to teaching at Kent State, Liz taught graduate courses in education and library science at Ohio Dominican University for eight years. In addition, Liz has taught multiple online courses and webinars for the American Library Association's AASL and ALSC divisions, as well as for INFOhio. Liz has worked 30+ years as a school librarian. Liz’s master’s degree focused on literature for children and young adults. She has co-authored two books with Dr. Christina Dorr: Linking Picture Book Biographies to National Content Standards: 200+ Lives to Explore (ABC-Clio, 2015) and LGBTQAI+ Books for Children and Teens: Providing a Window for All (ALA Editions, 2018). Her latest book is Content Area Collaborations for Secondary Grades, published by ALA Editions in 2019.
Recorded 5/24/2022
Making certain LGBTQIA+ books are accessible for all children is more important than ever, but would-be censors are making it much more difficult. We will talk about why these books are a critical part of your collection and how to deal with would-be censors and other stakeholders. We will suggest ways to make sure your teens continue to view your library as a safe space with the books they need. And finally, we will share some of the newest books published in the past year.
There will be time for questions.
Learning Objectives:
Presenters:
Please visit our websites to get a taste of who we are and what we do.
Dr. Christina Dorr. https://www.opendorrs2books.com/
Christina Dorr’s love affair with books began early when her mother took her to the tiny, red-brick public library in their village. This involvement has led her to become an award-winning librarian, faculty member, author, presenter, and consultant. She has served on a number of state and national book award committees, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Geisel Award, and Stonewall committees. Profiles in Resilience: Books for Children and Teens that Center the Lived Experience of Generational Poverty is her third book, and second published by the American Library Association.
Liz Deskins. http://www.lizdeskins.com
Lizabeth (Liz) Deskins began teaching as an adjunct instructor for Kent State’s School Library Media K-12 Program in 2017. Prior to teaching at Kent State, Liz taught graduate courses in education and library science at Ohio Dominican University for eight years. In addition, Liz has taught multiple online courses and webinars for the American Library Association's AASL and ALSC divisions, as well as for INFOhio. Liz has worked 30+ years as a school librarian. Liz’s master’s degree focused on literature for children and young adults. She has co-authored two books with Dr. Christina Dorr: Linking Picture Book Biographies to National Content Standards: 200+ Lives to Explore (ABC-Clio, 2015) and LGBTQAI+ Books for Children and Teens: Providing a Window for All (ALA Editions, 2018). Her latest book is Content Area Collaborations for Secondary Grades, published by ALA Editions in 2019.
Tracy Harris has been an assistant librarian for 3 years with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. She has worked in Youth Services and is now the STEAM Specialist at the Main location in Youngstown. She oversees the STEAM and DIY spaces and is active in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math throughout the county and with community partners.
Lindsay Platt has been a librarian for almost 9 years with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. She has worked in Adult Services, Youth Services and is now the Supervisor at the Michael Kusalaba Branch on the west side of Youngstown. She oversees a tech-heavy makerspace, works towards implementing EDI practices in the workplace and neighborhood, and is currently building a teen volunteer program.
Marnie Alvarez is the Family Engagement Supervisor at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, where she's worked for over 10 years. She's conducted programs for patrons of all ages, and is passionate about finding ways to connect with and support the community. As the Supervisor of the Main Library Family Engagement Area, she couldn't be prouder of their new dedicated space for families and children of all ages and is looking forward to future innovative programming and greater collaborations with community organizations.
It’s crucial for youth services library paraprofessionals and Librarians to support lifelong learning by constantly developing cultural awareness, acceptance, and understanding of how diverse and rich our young library patrons and families are. During this speaking engagement, attendees will be introduced to basic diverse, equitable, and inclusive concepts, theories, and terminology key for youth library services and programming. They will learn key knowledge regarding children and race research and identify how it’s helpful in planning EDI youth programming. Similarly, library team members will explore ways to equitably introduce diverse and inclusive collections and technology to youth, caregivers, and educators, and analyze the book banning movement.
Learning Objectives:
Maria F. Estrella (She/Her/Hers/Ella) earned a Master of Communication and Information in Library and Information Science from Kent State University, two Bachelors of Arts and Sciences in Social Work, and Spanish from Cleveland State University, and received Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell University. Her career history includes approximately two decades of library experience working in a five-star rated urban-research library system. She served on national committees, juries, and task forces, whose primary goal is to provide diverse literacy and technological resources/services to enhance the lives of young readers and encourage them to become lifelong scholars. She was similarly honored with the 2021 recipient of the Dr. Arnulfo D. Trejo Librarian of The Year Award and is currently an American Library Association Councilor-at-Large as well as a Board Member of the Association of Library Services for Children. Maria is also the founder of Young Diverse Readers Consulting.
Erica Marks is a public librarian and owner of Book Marks Live Consulting. Within her twenty years of public library service, Erica has created unique and unconventional programming for youth. Through collaborative partnerships, programs such as Books-n-Beats, Girl Power!, and Man Up, CLE (Cleveland) became successful empowerment events, promoting literacy, leadership, and self-respect. Erica is a member of the American Library Association. She served on the 2020 Randolph Caldecott Committee and previously served on the 2017-2018 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury. Erica graduated from Kent State University with a Masters of Information and Library Science and Ashford University, receiving a Masters of Public Administration and a Bachelor in Social and Criminal Justice.
Annisha Jeffries is a public librarian and Founder of Born Readers, LLC Consulting. Within her 25 years of public library service, Annisha has established herself as an advocate for children's services through collaborative partnerships, with community organizations locally and nationally. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Annisha is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Master of Information and Library Science and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Cleveland State University. She is a 2000 American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship recipient and has served on various selection committees, including the 2018 Caldecott Committee, and was the Chair of the 2021 Caldecott Committee. Currently, she is the Chair of the Norman A Sugarman Children’s Biography Award.
Presenters:
Zach Parish has worked in public libraries for 10 years and currently serves as the Programming Librarian at the Bexley Public Library where he oversees the coordination of Adult Services programming.
Joshua Bryant has 11 years of library experience and is currently the Technology Librarian at Bexley Public Library.
Presenters:
Zach Parish has worked in public libraries for 10 years and currently serves as the Programming Librarian at the Bexley Public Library where he oversees the coordination of Adult Services programming.
Joshua Bryant has 11 years of library experience and is currently the Technology Librarian at Bexley Public Library.
Recorded 2/16/2023
Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Jeff Laser is a Continuing Education Coordinator for the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System (NEO-RLS). Prior to joining NEO-RLS, he worked in public libraries for a decade, in both a single-building library and a large metropolitan system. His experience includes roles in circulation, adult services, and youth services.
Jeff Laser is a Continuing Education Coordinator for the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System (NEO-RLS). Prior to joining NEO-RLS, he worked in public libraries for a decade, in both a single-building library and a large metropolitan system. His experience includes roles in circulation, adult services, and youth services.
Jeremy Streem is an award winning MHFA instructor within the Ohio Army National Guard and the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center. Jeremy also provides MHFA training to communities at large with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Jeremy has been a member of the Ohio Army National Guard for over 22 years, including 1 deployment, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and specializing in supporting other Soldiers in need. Jeremy is also a Master Resilience Trainer, certified through the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught Resilience and Effective Communication strategies to over 2,500 Soldiers as well as the general public. SFC Streem's military experience and education allows him to teach MHFA within the VA, Ohio National Guard, and local communities, providing a Veteran's perspective to the unique challenges of supporting and caring for our military population. Jeremy was recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health as one of the Top Veterans Mental Health First Aid Instructors for both 2018 and 2019, as well as the Top Mental Health First Aid instructor in the State of Ohio in 2019.
Julia Boxler is the Youth Programming Manager at Cuyahoga County Public Library. In her role, she has led programming from birth to age 18 and has been an integral lead in a number of youth initiatives at CCPL. Julia’s work includes the expansion and re-imagination of homework services, the creation of a new avenue of programming to assist youth who struggle to meet the third-grade reading guarantee, the coordination of Parent Engagement programming, including a kindergarten readiness initiative, and the ongoing creation of partnerships with local organizations to support youth with special needs and their families. Julia's ability to get the most out of her budget has provided the resources necessary to implement her various programs.
Julia Boxler is the Youth Programming Manager at Cuyahoga County Public Library. In her role, she has led programming from birth to age 18 and has been an integral lead in a number of youth initiatives at CCPL. Julia’s work includes the expansion and re-imagination of homework services, the creation of a new avenue of programming to assist youth who struggle to meet the third-grade reading guarantee, the coordination of Parent Engagement programming, including a kindergarten readiness initiative, and the ongoing creation of partnerships with local organizations to support youth with special needs and their families. Julia's ability to get the most out of her budget has provided the resources necessary to implement her various programs.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees a staff of five who work with the SPARK program in Stark County. Through this program, her staff visit homes of preschoolers to provide early intervention and help prepare the preschoolers and their parents or caregivers for Kindergarten. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training to librarians in Northeast Ohio through the Early Literacy 101 workshops. Previously, she has worked as a teen programmer and provided baby storytime for two years in the Youth Services department at Main library. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education.
Jeremy Streem is an award winning MHFA instructor within the Ohio Army National Guard and the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center. Jeremy also provides MHFA training to communities at large with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Jeremy has been a member of the Ohio Army National Guard for over 22 years, including 1 deployment, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and specializing in supporting other Soldiers in need. Jeremy is also a Master Resilience Trainer, certified through the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught Resilience and Effective Communication strategies to over 2,500 Soldiers as well as the general public. SFC Streem's military experience and education allows him to teach MHFA within the VA, Ohio National Guard, and local communities, providing a Veteran's perspective to the unique challenges of supporting and caring for our military population. Jeremy was recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health as one of the Top Veterans Mental Health First Aid Instructors for both 2018 and 2019, as well as the Top Mental Health First Aid instructor in the State of Ohio in 2019. We will dive a little deeper into the actionable strategies for libraries to support the science of reading in their communities. Explore how libraries can integrate the key principles of phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension into programming and services. Learn how to create environments that foster early literacy development for children and caregivers through outreach, storytimes, resources, and other programming. You will leave with a toolkit of ideas and resources to help enhance your library’s early literacy efforts.
Learning Objectives:
**While it’s not required, background knowledge of the Every Child Ready to Read program is encouraged or attending an Early Literacy 101 workshop in the past would be helpful. The EL101 (ECRR) workshop goes over the six early literacy skills which are also the main components behind the science of reading.
The afternoon will consist of a round-table discussion of storytimes and sharing. Bring your best stortytime to share with the group.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees the Ready for School program. Through this program, staff visit parents and caregivers to help prepare families for school. She oversees library literacy efforts by providing staff, parent, and educator workshops. She is an Every Child Ready to Read and Reimagining School Readiness trainer presenting workshops throughout Ohio. She provided storytime and other programming in both in-person and virtual capacities. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Education as well as several certificates in reading and early literacy education. She has presented at numerous regional, state and national conferences. She also presents for local schools and organizations and represents Stark Library on radio and television programming.We’re excited to unveil a fresh approach to professional connection and collaboration. Our traditional networking meetings are now Active Learning Communities—dynamic spaces designed for shared learning, real conversation, and practical support.
Join your peers to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover new solutions to common challenges. You'll also get a guided introduction to our new message boards, which will help keep the conversation going long after the meeting ends.
This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices. You will receive a link in your confirmation email a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
Michelle Todd has worked in public libraries for over 20 years, specializing in children's services. She started at Lakewood Public Library, then moved to Cuyahoga County Public Library, working in several branches for 15 years, obtaining her MLIS, and finding her intense passion for children’s programming – particularly in serving at-risk communities as a Children's Services Supervisor. Her passion for programming, early literacy, and helping children find the joy in reading infuses everything she does. Michelle has served on the Youth Services Advisory Committee of Northeast Ohio Regional Library System for a couple years, and presented at the 2024 School Library Journal Youth Leadership Summit.
Michelle Todd has worked in public libraries for over 20 years, specializing in children's services. She started at Lakewood Public Library, then moved to Cuyahoga County Public Library, working in several branches for 15 years, obtaining her MLIS, and finding her intense passion for children’s programming – particularly in serving at-risk communities as a Children's Services Supervisor. Her passion for programming, early literacy, and helping children find the joy in reading infuses everything she does. Michelle has served on the Youth Services Advisory Committee of Northeast Ohio Regional Library System for a couple years, and presented at the 2024 School Library Journal Youth Leadership Summit.
We’re excited to unveil a fresh approach to professional connection and collaboration. Our traditional networking meetings are now Active Learning Communities—dynamic spaces designed for shared learning, real conversation, and practical support.
Join your peers to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover new solutions to common challenges. You'll also get a guided introduction to our new message boards, which will help keep the conversation going long after the meeting ends.
This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices. You will receive a link in your confirmation email a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
We’re excited to unveil a fresh approach to professional connection and collaboration. Our traditional networking meetings are now Active Learning Communities—dynamic spaces designed for shared learning, real conversation, and practical support.
Join your peers to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover new solutions to common challenges. You'll also get a guided introduction to our new message boards, which will help keep the conversation going long after the meeting ends.
This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices. You will receive a link in your confirmation email a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
We will dive a little deeper into the actionable strategies for libraries to support the science of reading in their communities. Explore how libraries can integrate the key principles of phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension into programming and services. Learn how to create environments that foster early literacy development for children and caregivers through outreach, storytimes, resources, and other programming. You will leave with a toolkit of ideas and resources to help enhance your library’s early literacy efforts.
Learning Objectives:
**While it’s not required, background knowledge of the Every Child Ready to Read program is encouraged or attending an Early Literacy 101 workshop in the past would be helpful. The EL101 (ECRR) workshop goes over the six early literacy skills which are also the main components behind the science of reading.
The afternoon will consist of a round-table discussion of storytimes and sharing. Bring your best stortytime to share with the group. Be prepared to share a storytime with a small group at your table.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees the Ready for School program. Through this program, staff visit parents and caregivers to help prepare families for school. She oversees library literacy efforts by providing staff, parent, and educator workshops. She is an Every Child Ready to Read and Reimagining School Readiness trainer presenting workshops throughout Ohio. She provided storytime and other programming in both in-person and virtual capacities. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Education as well as several certificates in reading and early literacy education. She has presented at numerous regional, state and national conferences. She also presents for local schools and organizations and represents Stark Library on radio and television programming.Join your peers to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover new solutions to common challenges.
This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices. You will receive a link in your confirmation email a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
Ris Labib, Collection Development Manager at Portage County District Library, believes in the power of a good book. She has been talking with others about books -- in a professional and personal capacity -- since middle school and was even on NPR! One of the (many) books she is currently reading "Alchemised" by Senlinyu.
Amber Salmon has 22 years of experience in public libraries and is currently an adult services librarian in the Business, Government, and Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library. She co-leads specialty book clubs and her favorite read of 2025 was “The Favorites” by Layne Fargo.
Ris Labib, Collection Development Manager at Portage County District Library, believes in the power of a good book. She has been talking with others about books -- in a professional and personal capacity -- since middle school and was even on NPR! One of the (many) books she is currently reading "Alchemised" by Senlinyu.
Amber Salmon has 22 years of experience in public libraries and is currently an adult services librarian in the Business, Government, and Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library. She co-leads specialty book clubs and her favorite read of 2025 was “The Favorites” by Layne Fargo.
Cleveland Public Library is On the Road....to Reading! In 2024, Cleveland Public Library rebooted and expanded its early literacy outreach initiative, On the Road to Reading. This innovative outreach program transports Library resources and services beyond our buildings and into the community by meeting young children and families where they are—at childcare centers, clinical settings, community centers, schools, parks, and beyond. Using our early literacy outreach van and dedicated outreach team, the program creates opportunities for children and families to play, learn, and grow together by sharing access to free, culturally relevant books, Library resources, cozy reading spaces, and early literacy programming in community spaces. This program has opened new outreach opportunities for the Library, and our team would love to share our experience launching, delivering, evaluating, and adapting this program with others who are passionate about Library Youth and Outreach services.
Regardless of whether a library can procure an outreach vehicle and secure dedicated outreach staff, we have a wealth of experiences to share that can be useful for library staff across Northeast Ohio. From building relationships with strategic community partners to tips on engaging childcare center staff, we are excited to share what we’ve learned in a dynamic session that will be relevant to anyone interested in expanding their Library’s early literacy outreach efforts. Participants in this session will be energized and inspired to bring new ideas back to their home libraries. The session will also include opportunities for brainstorming and ideas-sharing relating to outreach services to children and families.
Learning Objectives:
Recorded: 2/5/26
Cleveland Public Library is On the Road....to Reading! In 2024, Cleveland Public Library rebooted and expanded its early literacy outreach initiative, On the Road to Reading. This innovative outreach program transports Library resources and services beyond our buildings and into the community by meeting young children and families where they are—at childcare centers, clinical settings, community centers, schools, parks, and beyond. Using our early literacy outreach van and dedicated outreach team, the program creates opportunities for children and families to play, learn, and grow together by sharing access to free, culturally relevant books, Library resources, cozy reading spaces, and early literacy programming in community spaces. This program has opened new outreach opportunities for the Library, and our team would love to share our experience launching, delivering, evaluating, and adapting this program with others who are passionate about Library Youth and Outreach services.
Regardless of whether a library can procure an outreach vehicle and secure dedicated outreach staff, we have a wealth of experiences to share that can be useful for library staff across Northeast Ohio. From building relationships with strategic community partners to tips on engaging childcare center staff, we are excited to share what we’ve learned in a dynamic session that will be relevant to anyone interested in expanding their Library’s early literacy outreach efforts. Participants in this session will be energized and inspired to bring new ideas back to their home libraries. The session will also include opportunities for brainstorming and ideas-sharing relating to outreach services to children and families.
Learning Objectives:
Planning and executing engaging library programs takes creativity, strategy, and time. AI can significantly help to streamline and enhance the process, and can do so without losing the heart of your events.
This webinar will explore how AI tools can assist with every stage of library event planning, from gathering community input and brainstorming ideas to managing logistics, writing promotional materials, and crafting welcoming remarks. Discover practical ways to integrate AI into your workflow while maintaining the personal touch that makes library programming memorable. By the end of the session, you’ll have actionable strategies to save time, enhance accessibility, and ensure your programs remain community-focused and impactful.
Learning Objectives:
Join your peers to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover new solutions to common challenges.
This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices. You will receive a link in your confirmation email a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Hillary Brown.
Join your peers to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover new solutions to common challenges.
This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices. You will receive a link in your confirmation email a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.