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Youth Services Symposium XXV: Teen Brains, You & Your Library!
11/14/2014

Geographic Member/Other Cost:    $170
Full/CE Member Cost:                  $  85
Includes lunch

Our featured author is Siobhan Vivian, who wrote The List, Not That Kind of Girl, and Same Difference to mention a few.   This year YSS will explore marketing and connecting to teens through new technologies.  We will also discuss the teen brain and why the teens act the way they do and how you as a teen librarian can make a difference.   Lastly, learn about programs that teens can’t say “no” to attending!
 
Location: Poland Branch
Public Library of Youngstown
& Mahoning County
Poland, OH 44514

There are currently 20 spots remaining out of 50




Unmask the Possibilities: Teen Summer Reading Webinar I
2/4/2015

Special Pricing:  $15 for all!

No need to travel.  Take an hour out of your day and hear great ideas for the 2015 Teen Summer Reading program, Unmask.

Join Elyse Barrère, Young Adult Librarian of Los Angeles Public Library as shares her displays and decorations for her library’s teen area.

Pamela Jayne and Jake Moore of Boone County Public Library in Kentucky will discuss Coding in Libraries.  While teens are on computers or mobile devices for most of the day, many do not understand how these devices work.  Boone County Public Library has created several programs that allow teens to interact with technology in a new way.  Discover how BCPL created coding events for teens, and learn about resources that can help you implement similar programs with little experience.  

Lastly, you will hear from Nathan Swartzendruber, SWON Libraries talking about maps and HOT mapping.

 
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 12 spots remaining out of 30




Unmask the Possibilities: Teen Summer Reading Webinar II
2/11/2015

Special Pricing:  $15 for all!

No need to travel.  Take an hour out of your day and hear great ideas for the 2015 Teen Summer Reading program, Unmask.

Join Eden Grey, Young Adult Programmer, Kenton County Public Library in Kentucky as she shares her Summer Reading Club Kick-Off Event, Superheroes & Villains @ Your Library. 

Next Amy Neral, Coordinator of Teen and Virtual Services of the Hubbard Public Library will inform of us of variety of ideas for teen summer reading to include a cartoon app and more. 

Lastly, Debbie Henricks, Teen Librarian,  Evergreen Community Library will present games and activities.
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 12 spots remaining out of 30




"My Son or Daughter Simply Loved Divergent!" or How to Talk to Teens About Books
2/12/2015

Geographic Member/Other Cost:         $50
Full/CE Member Cost:                  $25

In this webinar participants will learn practical skills for effective reader's advisory to teens and their guardians. Participants will learn specific ways to:
 
  • Talk to teens about what they like 
  • Remain unbiased and non-judgmental about a teen's interests and needs
  • Recognize opportunities for informal instruction during a reference transaction
  • Address a teen directly, without the interference of a parent or guardian
  • Quickly get reading material into the hands of interested readers
  • Provide high-interest reading material to reluctant readers

 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 19 spots remaining out of 25




Last Minute Ideas for Teen Tech Week
2/26/2015

Geographic Member/Other Cost:         $50
Full/CE Member Cost:                  $25

Looking for some last minute ideas for Teen Tech Week? Not sure how to incorporate this year’s theme “Libraries are for making?”  Join us as we discuss programs you can use at your library immediately and have an opportunity to share your ideas, too.

Presenters:  Holly Klinger, Emerging Technologies Libraian and Rachelle Perry, Youth Services Coordinator
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 48 spots remaining out of 50




De-Mystifying Manga: An Introduction for Patrons of All Ages
4/16/2015

Geographic Member/Other Cost:    $50
Full/CE Member Cost:             $25

In this fun, pop culture laced, interactive webinar, youth librarians Pamela Jayne & Krista King-Oaks will delve into the misunderstood format of Manga to de-mystify the secrets behind the hottest growing collection of public libraries and bookstores across the country.

 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 20 spots remaining out of 25




YA Must-Reads of 2014
6/25/2015

Geographic Member/Other Cost:    $50
Full/CE Member Cost:             $25

In this webinar participants will learn about must-have titles in Young Adult fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels released in 2014.

 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 17 spots remaining out of 25




Teen Summer Reading
12/9/2015

Cost:                                     $10
Cost w/ Bronze Discount         $7.50
Cost w/ Silver Discount           $5
Cost w/ Gold Discount            FREE
(price set by State Library of Ohio)
(It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO Discounts are pro-rated! Call us today to sign up!)

NEO is once again partnering with the regional library systems and and the State Library of Ohio.  Presenters will be sharing program ideas for Teen Summer Reading.

Presenters:

Melanie McDonald-Executive Director of SWON Libraries (Southwest Regional Library)

Deb Henricks-Evergreen Community Library

 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 8 spots remaining out of 25




Teen Summer Reading
12/16/2015

Cost:                                     $10
Cost w/ Bronze Discount         $7.50
Cost w/ Silver Discount           $5
Cost w/ Gold Discount            FREE
(price set by State Library of Ohio)
(It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO Discounts are pro-rated! Call us today to sign up!)

NEO is once again partnering with the regional library systems and and the State Library of Ohio.  Presenters will be sharing various Teen Summer Reading programming ideas.

Presenters:
Samantha Helmick: Burlington Public Library, Burlington, Iowa. Samantha will be sharing her teen programming and innovative YA events. She just completed her work as the YALSA Division Membership chair and is also a contributer to the YALSAblog.

K'Lyn Hann: Teen and Technology Librarian, Newberg Public Library,Newberg, Oregon. K'Lyn has worked on various teen services projects, most recently the CSLP Teen Video Challenge and will be sharing various teen summer reading program ideas.
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 16 spots remaining out of 25




Graphic Novels for All Patrons
1/1/2016

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.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





A Day for Teen Services
5/5/2016

Cost:                                     $165
Cost w/ Bronze Discount         $127.50
Cost w/ Silver Discount           $ 90
Cost w/ Gold Discount            $ 15
Lunch included
(It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO Discounts are pro-rated! Call us today to sign up!)


Working in teen services can be both challenging and highly rewarding.  From coming up with new program ideas to handling behavior issues, teen services is a very unique field with very specific needs.  Join your fellow teen services colleagues for this day of networking, idea-sharing, learning and fun!
Location: NEO Office
1580 Georgetown Rd.
Hudson, OH 44236


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Gadgets and Gizmos: Tech youth programming ideas for the budget conscious library
1/18/2017

Looking for some great new ideas for upcoming Teen Tech Week in March? 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 this detailed webinar presentation showcasing some cool tech gadgets, websites and resources you can incorporate into your youth services programs! 

Presented by: 
Rachelle Perry, Youth Services Education and Events Coordinator, NEO-RLS
and Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, NEO-RLS
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 16 spots remaining out of 50




Teen Summer Reading Workshop
2/9/2017

If you serve tweens or teens at your library then you understand how unique and different this age group can be. That is why we will be holding our first Summer Reading Workshop especially for Teen Services on Thursday, February 9th at Hudson Library and Historical Society.   

No youth services workshop would be complete without our popular round the room idea sharing where you will have an opportunity to briefly share a program that has been successful at your library.

We will have tables set up for craft and decoration ideas. Please feel free to bring handouts of craft or decoration ideas to share.

Featured Presenters:

Amanda Latva,Young Adult Coordinator & Molly Theil, Youth Services Assistant- Conneaut Public Library
Christina Getrost, Teen Librarian- Stow/Munroe Falls Public Library
Lan Gao, Children's Librarian- Cleveland Public Library
Marisha Sullivan, Teen Librarian-Ashtabula County District Library



 
Location: Hudson Library and Historical Society
96 Library St.
Hudson, OH 44236

There are currently 13 spots remaining out of 50




Youth Readers Advisory Webinar: Historical Fiction and Horror with a Side of Fantasy
6/14/2017

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!

Presenter:

Audrey Hogan, Youth Services Librarian, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library.
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





How Librarians are Ending Youth Homelessness
8/30/2017

Youth homelessness is a growing problem in many communities.  Greater Cincinnati is lucky in that there are a number of unique strategies and partnerships addressing youth homelessness.  Libraries are an important part of the solution.  This webinar will help library staff understand youth homelessness in their community and how they can have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.  Lighthouse Youth and Family Services staff will share what’s happening locally, including a special collaboration with Cincinnati Main Public Library, as well as regional resources for library staff outside of Cincinnati.

Presenters:

Melissa Meyer, as a nurse, trainer and organizational leader, Melissa has helped communities tackle complex issues like LGBTQ inclusion, comprehensive sexuality education and intimate partner violence prevention through collaboration and partnerships. She’s worked with youth and youth-serving professionals in juvenile justice, drug treatment, mental health care, schools, disability services and health care for over 25 years. Now she shares her talents with Hamilton County Ohio’s Safe and Supported, a project of Lighthouse Youth Services to end LGBTQ youth homelessness by 2020.  

Meredith Hicks is committed to improving the health of young people, and champions them as leaders on the policies and programs that impact their lives.  She currently serves as the Planning and Policy Director at Lighthouse Youth Services, partnering with youth and community organizations to end youth homelessness in Cincinnati by 2020. She received her Master’s in Public Health degree at the University of Minnesota and her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Meredith is a grassroots organizing trainer with Wellstone Action, and enjoys community gardening and birding with her young son.

Ryan Hall serves as the manager of the Youth Outreach Program – a program within Lighthouse Sheakley Center for Youth – Ohio’s only homeless shelter that serves 18-24 year olds exclusively. Ryan is passionate about Youth Outreach Program’s mission of engaging with young people living on the streets and connecting them to shelter, permanent housing and other services. Ryan received his Masters in Social Work from University of Cincinnati and is a licensed social worker. Outside of the Sheakley Center Ryan runs several music-related projects that explore the intersections of music and social activism.


Location: Online
You will be sent a link to login to the

There are currently 18 spots remaining out of 25




TAG: You're It! Creating a Teen Advisory Group at Your Library
11/1/2017

Whether you call them Teen Advisory Groups, Boards, Councils or Committees, the goal is the same. To get teens involved at your library! Join Jami Williams, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian at Marvin Memorial Library as she discusses  tips, tricks, and advice on starting, maintaining, and utilizing a successful Teen Advisory Group at your library. Topics discussed will include, but are not limited to, starting small, By-Laws, typical meetings, and advice from teens. Jami has been the Children’s and Young Adult Librarian at MML for three and half years and this is her Teen Advisory Council’s fourth year. 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 36 spots remaining out of 50




TAG: You're It! Creating a Teen Advisory Group at Your Library
11/1/2017

Whether you call them Teen Advisory Groups, Boards, Councils or Committees, the goal is the same. To get teens involved at your library! Join Jami Williams, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian at Marvin Memorial Library as she discusses  tips, tricks, and advice on starting, maintaining, and utilizing a successful Teen Advisory Group at your library. Topics discussed will include, but are not limited to, starting small, By-Laws, typical meetings, and advice from teens. Jami has been the Children’s and Young Adult Librarian at MML for three and half years and this is her Teen Advisory Council’s fourth year. 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Girls Who Code: Introductory Webinar
1/11/2018

"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.
 
Clubs that sign up under the NEO-RLS partnership gain access to benefits like extra money from Clubs Fund grants, priority access to engagement opportunities like field trips and speakers, and more! Sign-up for Spring 2018 is open until the end of February, and sign-up for the 2018-19 school year will open mid-summer.
 
When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online
You will be sent a link to login to the





Battle of the Books: Teen Edition
3/7/2018

How can you encourage young people to read voraciously? Inject some competition into their reading! Join the Director, Benjamin Reid, and Public Services Librarian, Carol Opalka, from Huron Public Library for a webinar on the Erie County Libraries Battle of the Books. Implemented by Reid and Erie County Teen Librarians in 2015, this successful, literary spectator sport is now a highlight of the fall programming schedule. Learn about the rules of the game, time and personnel needed to prepare for the battles, and ways to market this program and build your own team. Our library does the program for grades 4-8 but it can easily be adjusted if you’d like to do this for High School students.  The Battle of the Books is a perfect way to collaborate with local libraries and share a love of great books…down to every last detail.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Quick Copy Writing Tips that Work
6/20/2018

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.

In the webinar you will learn:

  • To communicate what the audience needs to know

  • Make content cathchy

  • Make content persuasive

Presenter:  Kristin Casale, Children's Librarian, Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
She has managed thechildren's department newsletter for approximately seven years. Kristin  also used to be a reporter and editor for Record Publishing Co., and has a degree in journalism from Penn State University, as well as a master's in library science from Kent State University.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.


Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Teen Think Tank
9/21/2018

Teen Think Tank started with three Ohio teen librarians who liked to collaborate. Rikki Unterbrink (Shelby County Libraries), Erin Gillespie (Findlay-Hancock County Public Library), and Steve Moser (Dayton Metro Library) shared ideas and brainstorming on a regular basis. One day they realized that it would be great to get even more people sharing ideas and helping to brainstorm when needed. Teen Think Tank grew from that conversation.  The team has grown since then to also include Valerie Laukhuf (Putnam County District Library), Sarah Amazing (Warren-Trumbull County Public Library), Bryan Overholt (Bexley Public Library), and Kristin Wilson (Loudonville Public Library).

The goal of the Teen Think Tank is for each attendee to leave with at least one new contact and a handful of new ideas for programs, decorations, crafts, books, and more. Each presentation throughout the day is carefully planned to keep everyone actively involved. When attending Teen Think Tank, you try the games, make the crafts, construct the decorations and see the books.

Learning Objectives:
  • Network with fellow teen librarians
  • Learn new programming ideas, crafts, games, and decorations
  • Hear about young adult literature
The Day's Agenda
 Doors Open, Check-in, Flair exchange 
Introductions and hands-on mini activity 
Pep talk, why we are so important and call to action
Open Group Discussion: Best programs you’ve done 
Hands-On Activity-temporary tattoos 
Active movement moment Wink Murder/Electric Current  
Small Groups 
  • Building relationships with your teens 
  • Volunteers 
  • New technology 
  • Diversification of teen services/serving the underserved 
  • Games (tabletop/video/mixer/etc.) 
  • STEAM 
  • Community Partnerships 
D&D/Role-Playing Games
Rapid-fire Open Group What’s Trending/What issues are we facing? 
Hosting a con or after-hours party 
Teen Activism 
Lunch 
Book adaptation Musical program 
Breakouts in Schools 
HANDS-ON CRAFTS/ Break 
Anime/Manga/Cosplay
LIGHTNING TALKS
  • School partnerships 
  • Pickerington Teen Book Festival
  • LGBTQIA+ issues/advocacy/services
  • Draw me a… art game 
  • Readers’ Advisory 
  • New Americans 
  • Career Adventures Camp
  • Hosting a fandom program
  • Programming for and working with older teens
  • Teens who geek
  • Passive programs 
  • Culinary Literacy with Teens
  • Teens who Geek
Surprise!
 
 


 
 
Location: Warren Trumbull County Public Library
444 Mahoning Ave. NE
Warren, OH 44483


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
11/7/2018

Summit County Children Services took over 10,000 hotline calls in 2017 with concerns of child abuse and neglect. This presentation will help you recognize physical and behavioral indicators of child maltreatment as well as instruct you what to do with that information. You will also gain an understanding of the mission and services Summit County Children Services provides.
 
3 Learning Objectives:  
  • Understand and be able to identify the physical and behavior indicators of child maltreatment including neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse 
  • Prepare the information needed to report child maltreatment and the proficiency to complete a report to child protective services 
  • Discover the role of Summit County Children Service and its mission of safety, permanency and well-being for children and families within our community
Presenter:

Children Services Representative TBA
Location: Summit County Children Services
264 South Arlington St.
Akron, OH 44306

There are currently 23 spots remaining out of 40




College Readiness: A collaboration between local schools and colleges
11/13/2018

Lorena Popelka is a Reference and Instruction Librarian with Columbus State Community College.  Upon earning her Masters in Library Science degree in 2003, she worked for four years as a Youth Services Librarian with the Columbus Metropolitan Library system before joining Columbus State in 2012.  While she focuses on providing quality support to the students in attendance at Columbus State, she also led the K-12 Community Partnership initiative on behalf of the Columbus State Library. 

As the number of students enrolled in College Credit Plus courses continue to rise across the state, many colleges and universities find themselves challenged to adequately serve and provide support to this unique group of students.  Columbus State addressed this rising need by creating and sustaining partnerships with local area high school librarians and media specialists thanks in part to a OhioNET Community grant.  Employing a ‘train the trainer’ model, we equip high school librarians and media specialists with the resources necessary to address the college level research needs of their College Credit Plus students as well as meet the requests of College Credit Plus instructors in their high school.   The collaborative efforts have resulted in mutual support, engagement, and a true partnership between secondary and post-secondary institutions.
Webinar Objectives:
  • Attendees will gain insight into one college’s approach to collaboration with K-12 institutions
  • Learn to expand outreach to the College Credit Plus community


There are currently 38 spots remaining out of 50




College Readiness: A collaboration between local schools and colleges
11/13/2018

Lorena Popelka is a Reference and Instruction Librarian with Columbus State Community College.  Upon earning her Masters in Library Science degree in 2003, she worked for four years as a Youth Services Librarian with the Columbus Metropolitan Library system before joining Columbus State in 2012.  While she focuses on providing quality support to the students in attendance at Columbus State, she also led the K-12 Community Partnership initiative on behalf of the Columbus State Library. 

As the number of students enrolled in College Credit Plus courses continue to rise across the state, many colleges and universities find themselves challenged to adequately serve and provide support to this unique group of students.  Columbus State addressed this rising need by creating and sustaining partnerships with local area high school librarians and media specialists thanks in part to a OhioNET Community grant.  Employing a ‘train the trainer’ model, we equip high school librarians and media specialists with the resources necessary to address the college level research needs of their College Credit Plus students as well as meet the requests of College Credit Plus instructors in their high school.   The collaborative efforts have resulted in mutual support, engagement, and a true partnership between secondary and post-secondary institutions.
Webinar Objectives:

  • Attendees will gain insight into one college’s approach to collaboration with K-12 institutions

  • Learn to expand outreach to the College Credit Plus community

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.

There are currently 33 spots remaining out of 50




Homework Help Centers
11/27/2018

Hear about Westerville Public Library’s Homework Help Center and other library homework centers.
Learning Objectives:
  • How to start a Homework Help Center
  • What worked what did not
  • Staffing
Presenter:
Linda Uhler, Manager, Youth Services, Westerville Public Library
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 27 spots remaining out of 50




Homework Help Centers
11/27/2018

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.

Presenter: Cindy Mediavilla 

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.

 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





And the Winner Is...
12/13/2018

Caldecott. Newbery. Printz.
 
If you’ve been in the youth library world for even a short time, you know about the big three.  How about the other fourteen awards announced at the ALA Midwinter Meeting? Did you know there are several established, prestigious awards for youth literature? This webinar will give an overview of the Youth Media Awards, the criteria for selecting winning titles, and introduce the audience to the cornucopia of national awards for youth literature. Both those who work with children or teens and those who enjoy reading books written for younger audiences will benefit from this webinar.
 
Learning Objectives:

  • 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.

 
Presenter:
Amanda L. S. Murphy is the Youth Services Assistant Manager at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, where she assists or presents programs for children from preschool through high school. Amanda has served on the 2012 Morris Committee and the 2017 Odyssey Committee. She continues on her quest to read most of the Youth Media Awards winner and honor titles (lists completed thus far: Belpre illustrator, Caldecott, CSK illustrator, Geisel and most of the Odyssey titles). There's a spreadsheet involved. 

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Gadgets and Gizmos: Exploring Technology for Youth
1/31/2019

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 third annual Gadgets and Gizmos webinar. This popular,  detailed webinar presentation will showcase some cool new tech gadgets (such as Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit, Cloud Rover, Lego Boost and Circuit Scribe), 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.

Presenters:
Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 23 spots remaining out of 75




I Didn't Know You Did That! - Public Library Board Game Circulation
2/27/2019

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.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.


Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Human Trafficking 101
3/6/2019

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.


Learning Objectives:

  • 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.


When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Escape Rooms from Scratch
3/7/2019

Design your own library escape room for children, teens, and adults! We’ll explain how we put together a Seuss-themed escape room using a Breakout EDU kit, props we had on hand, and our love for all things puzzling. We’ll highlight how to adapt puzzles if you find they’re too challenging, as well as how to make minor tweaks to take a room from kid-friendly to challenging enough for grown-ups. We’ll also discuss how to develop a narrative, the process of setting up the puzzles, and the importance of offering multiple pathways to the final answer. The presentation will involve opportunities for attendees to try their hand at some of our puzzles.

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn to create an Escape Room from start to finish
  • Hear about puzzles and narratives
  • Learn how you can take your room from kid-friendly to adult
Presenters:

Elizabeth Sucharzewski, Children's Department Manager, Cuyahoga Falls Library
Angela Williams, Children's Librarian, Cuyahoga Falls Library
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Library
2015 3rd St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Tweens...After School Behavior: To Battle or Engage?
3/20/2019

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.


When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.


Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





What are they thinking? Teen behavior in Your Library
4/2/2019

We work hard to plan services to attract teens, but there are times when teen behavior can make us stop to wonder what’s going on inside their head. Most people can see that teens are growing at a fast pace, but forget that their brains have more work to be done. The key to successful teen services is understanding this while creating a welcoming and understanding environment in which teens can thrive.
Attendees of this webinar will be better able to:
  • Understand teen brain development in relation to decision-making and behavioral tendencies
  • Identify common characteristics of teen behaviors that a library staff member may encounter
  • Plan/develop appropriate responses and services so that teens can feel comfortable in the library environment
Presenter:

Mary Anne Nichols is a Senior Lecturer at the Kent State University School of Information. She teaches and advises students in the area of teen services, public libraries and marketing/management. She began her career in libraries many years ago as a high school student assistant and then as a library paraprofessional. She then earned her MLS from Kent State University and worked as a librarian serving youth and teens. She has published articles and two books on teens and libraries, Young Adults and Public Libraries: A Handbook of Materials and Services and Merchandising Library Materials to Young Adults, both from Libraries Unlimited/ABC Clio. Mary Anne is an active member of the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association where she has served on both book selection and process committees. She is also a member of the Ohio Library Council, having served as the Coordinator of the Young Adult Services Division. Other activities/memberships include the Ohio Educational Library Media Association, the board of the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth and the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography selection committee. She is also the series editor for the Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians from ABC-Clio.
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 18 spots remaining out of 50




What are they thinking? Teen behavior in Your Library
4/2/2019

We work hard to plan services to attract teens, but there are times when teen behavior can make us stop to wonder what’s going on inside their head. Most people can see that teens are growing at a fast pace, but forget that their brains have more work to be done. The key to successful teen services is understanding this while creating a welcoming and understanding environment in which teens can thrive.
Attendees of this webinar will be better able to:

  • Understand teen brain development in relation to decision-making and behavioral tendencies

  • Identify common characteristics of teen behaviors that a library staff member may encounter

  • Plan/develop appropriate responses and services so that teens can feel comfortable in the library environment

Presenter:

Mary Anne Nichols is a Senior Lecturer at the Kent State University School of Information. She teaches and advises students in the area of teen services, public libraries and marketing/management. She began her career in libraries many years ago as a high school student assistant and then as a library paraprofessional. She then earned her MLS from Kent State University and worked as a librarian serving youth and teens. She has published articles and two books on teens and libraries, Young Adults and Public Libraries: A Handbook of Materials and Services and Merchandising Library Materials to Young Adults, both from Libraries Unlimited/ABC Clio. Mary Anne is an active member of the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association where she has served on both book selection and process committees. She is also a member of the Ohio Library Council, having served as the Coordinator of the Young Adult Services Division. Other activities/memberships include the Ohio Educational Library Media Association, the board of the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth and the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography selection committee. She is also the series editor for the Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians from ABC-Clio.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Bullet Journal Basics
6/26/2019

Have you seen bullet journaling on social media? Are you wondering what it's all about? This webinar will teach you about bullet journaling, which is a flexible organization method that can be your planner, to-do list, notebook, calendar, and more - all in one place! A bullet journal allows you to create a customizable system that works for you to help you get organized, whether you prefer a beautifully decorated scrapbook or a lean list-making planner. You will also learn how to present a program on bullet journaling at your own library.

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees will learn what bullet journaling is and what components typically make up a bullet journal
  • Attendees will learn how to create a bullet journal and ways to use a bullet journal as an organization system
  • Attendees will learn how to facilitate a class on bullet journaling at their own library
Presenter: 

Mary Jo Kachurik is an Adult Services Librarian at Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, where she is responsible for providing reference service, presenting programs, and assisting with collection development. Her professional interests include programming for younger adults and community engagement. Mary Jo began bullet journaling in 2015 and has taught several classes on bullet journaling since then.


Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 17 spots remaining out of 75




Developing a Maker Mindset: No Makerspace Required
7/17/2019

Is your makerspace garnering the interest you first thought it would? Are you struggling to create programming that stems beyond crafting? Let me guide you through techniques to empower your patrons by encouraging them to develop a Maker Mindset: a combination of processes that include the Maker Empowerment Theory and the Stanford Design process to retrain our though processes to recognize that learning begins at failure (not ends there), that we live in a designed world, and that we are able to change it through making. We’ll discuss sample programming, techniques, and challenges. No funding in the budget for 3D printers? Not necessary! Come see how to help your patron hold what’s in their mind in the palm of their hand sans printer. A takeaway for every level of interest!

Learning Objectives:
  • Introduce how to develop a Maker Mindset for any librarian or patron, regardless of tech experience.
  • Increase confidence through hands-on activities and program development with a variety of different technologies. 
  • Explore application of the Maker Mondset across a variety of environments: storytime, actual makerspaces, coding sessions,  book club and more. 
Presenter:

Amy Zell,  Teen and Patron Technologies Assistant at Hubbard Public Library
Amy is a self proclaimed Maker after learning that she, too, has the wherewithal and resources to change the world through making, Amy Zell is using her Final Project through Kent State University M.L.I.S. to take this opportunity to inspire and instill the same passion in librarians that the Pittsburg Fab Institute instilled in her.

Currently 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. 


 
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Library
2015 3rd St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

There are currently 29 spots remaining out of 35




Kids and YA Book Buzz with Penguin Random House
11/6/2019

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.


Location: Online via Adobe Connect

There are currently 12 spots remaining out of 50




Kids and YA Book Buzz with Penguin Random House
11/6/2019

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.

 


Location: Online via Adobe Connect





Spanish in a Pinch for Library Staff
12/4/2019

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


Location: Online via Adobe Connect

There are currently 16 spots remaining out of 75




Teen Programming: A Mover & Shaker's Recipe for Impact and Success
12/11/2019

Courtney Saldana is the Assistant Director of the Ontario City Library.  She spent the first eight years of her career working for and with teens.  In 2016, Courtney was recognized as a "Change Agent" as a 2016 Library Journal Mover & Shaker [lj.libraryjournal.com].  This webinar will provide a a sampling of her outstanding work with teens, and inspire our libraries and staff to serve teens in our communities. . Learn about her teen programming basics along with practical and actionable steps for doing a teen needs assessment, creating a teen space and hosting a teen book fest. Courtney will also introduce us to Skills for Teen Parenting (STeP), a program connecting teens with what they need to succeed as adults and parents: how to interview successfully, dress professionally, deal with conflict and time management, care for their child, postpone or prevent a second pregnancy, and more. Expanding from local success to state-wide implementation, the STeP program embodies a wonderful example of the replicable innovation brought to the field by Movers & Shakers.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • 1. Recognize what a teenager is today
  • 2. Understand the biology behind the teen brain
  • 3. Actionable steps to creating your own impactful teen programs
Presenter:

Courtney Saldana is the Assistant Library Director for the Ontario City Library in Ontario, California.  Courtney is the event lead and creator of Ontario’s annual Teen Book Fest (TBF).  This event brings 15-20 young adult authors to Ontario for a full day of panels, presentations and author signings.   Courtney is also a 2012 Eureka! Leadership Fellow.  Her grant project focused on bringing Life Skills to Teen Moms was offered by the California State Library as a statewide project called Skills for Teens Parents (STeP).  She is heavily involved in CLA and is a 2016 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.  
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 27 spots remaining out of 75




Teen Summer Reading Program: Imagine Your Story
2/6/2020

"Imagine Your Story” is the theme for this year’s summer reading program.  Come join your teen library colleagues for a program focused on summer reading.  There will be something for everyone whether you choose this theme or not.  In this workshop you will learn about YALSA’s Transforming Teen Services , preparing students for summer jobs, and how to conduct a writing workshops. You will hear a rapid fire session of programs ideas and have a chance to network with your peers and so much more.  
Location: Stark County District Library
715 Market Ave. N
Canton, OH 44702

There are currently 13 spots remaining out of 45




Gadgets and Gizmos: Exploring Technology for Youth
2/19/2020

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 tighter budget?   Join us for the third 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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Discover the newest emerging technologies that are both affordable and useful for your library department or program
  • Learn about ways to implement these technologies through available lesson plans and STEM programs and ideas

Presenter:

Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 32 spots remaining out of 75




Free Tools for Working with Graphics and the Web
3/25/2020

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.


Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Next Level LEGOS
3/26/2020

Most libraries have LEGOS and we are all searching for fresh ideas to present with what we already have. These programs are engineering and/or robotic programs that anyone can do.  Come to this workshop to learn how to run this in your library and play with LEGOS.

Learning Objectives 
  • Be able to expand on the LEGO programs offered at libraries with new LEGOs or LEGOs they already have.
  • Take away at least one new LEGO idea.
  • Get hands-on experience with LEGOs (in a way they have not done before.)
Presenter:

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.
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Library
2015 3rd St
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

There are currently 21 spots remaining out of 35




Teaching Better Behavior: Social-Emotional Learning in Library Programming
3/26/2020

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. 
 
Learning Objectives:
 

  •  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

 
Presenter:

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.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Spanish in a Pinch for Library Staff
4/3/2020

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.


Location: Online via Adobe Connect





Northeast Ohio Teen Network Workshop
4/7/2020

Northeast Ohio Teen Network Workshop
Join us for a day focused on working with teens.  We will start the morning discussing trauma informed care and behavior management.  We will then switch gears to programming.  You will hear about a cooking club, gaming, and how to give an engaging book talk.  We also want to hear from you.  Please contact Melissa Lattanzi if you are interested in sharing your teen trends.
 
Cooking Without Kitchens
We all know that teens love to eat, but coming up with ways to feed them without blowing your budget can be exhausting. This session will provide tips for all budgets-from building a collection of kitchen supplies and starting a formal cooking club to incorporating homemade snacks into your existing programming. You'll take home tips, tricks, and recipes that will help you get cooking with your teens. 
 
Presenter:  Megan Alabaugh, Rocky River Public Library
 
Board Games:
Learn the why and how of running your own board game club at the library! Includes a list of Marisha's top games for both tweens and teens!
 
Presenter:  Marisha Sullivan, Stark County District Library
 
 
 
Location: Medina County District Library
210 S. Broadway
Medina, OH 44256

There are currently 35 spots remaining out of 50




Teen Programming: A Mover & Shaker's Recipe for Impact and Success
4/7/2020

Courtney Saldana is the Assistant Director of the Ontario City Library.  She spent the first eight years of her career working for and with teens.  In 2016, Courtney was recognized as a "Change Agent" as a 2016 Library Journal Mover & Shaker [lj.libraryjournal.com].  This webinar will provide a a sampling of her outstanding work with teens, and inspire our libraries and staff to serve teens in our communities. . Learn about her teen programming basics along with practical and actionable steps for doing a teen needs assessment, creating a teen space and hosting a teen book fest. Courtney will also introduce us to Skills for Teen Parenting (STeP), a program connecting teens with what they need to succeed as adults and parents: how to interview successfully, dress professionally, deal with conflict and time management, care for their child, postpone or prevent a second pregnancy, and more. Expanding from local success to state-wide implementation, the STeP program embodies a wonderful example of the replicable innovation brought to the field by Movers & Shakers.
 
Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize what a teenager is today

  • Understand the biology behind the teen brain

  • Actionable steps to creating your own impactful teen programs

Presenter:

Courtney Saldana is the Assistant Library Director for the Ontario City Library in Ontario, California.  Courtney is the event lead and creator of Ontario’s annual Teen Book Fest (TBF).  This event brings 15-20 young adult authors to Ontario for a full day of panels, presentations and author signings.   Courtney is also a 2012 Eureka! Leadership Fellow.  Her grant project focused on bringing Life Skills to Teen Moms was offered by the California State Library as a statewide project called Skills for Teens Parents (STeP).  She is heavily involved in CLA and is a 2016 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.  

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
4/7/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom

There are currently 15 spots remaining out of 96




Bullet Journal Basics
4/14/2020

Have you seen bullet journaling on social media? Are you wondering what it's all about? This webinar will teach you about bullet journaling, which is a flexible organization method that can be your planner, to-do list, notebook, calendar, and more - all in one place! A bullet journal allows you to create a customizable system that works for you to help you get organized, whether you prefer a beautifully decorated scrapbook or a lean list-making planner. You will also learn how to present a program on bullet journaling at your own library.

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees will learn what bullet journaling is and what components typically make up a bullet journal

  • Attendees will learn how to create a bullet journal and ways to use a bullet journal as an organization system

  • Attendees will learn how to facilitate a class on bullet journaling at their own library

Presenter: 

Mary Jo Kachurik is an Adult Services Librarian at Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, where she is responsible for providing reference service, presenting programs, and assisting with collection development. Her professional interests include programming for younger adults and community engagement. Mary Jo began bullet journaling in 2015 and has taught several classes on bullet journaling since then.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 378 spots remaining out of 500




Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
4/16/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom

There are currently 81 spots remaining out of 200




[NEW] Teen Virtual Networking Meeting
4/20/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers and learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices.  You will receive a link in your email when you register and 2 hours before the meeting.  We hope you will join us.  
Location: Online
Via Zoom

There are currently 228 spots remaining out of 300




The Road to Copyright Clarity Part 3
4/21/2020

In this last Road to Copyright Clarity all your questions will be answered, plus a discussion about copyright and distance learning, YouTube takedowns, DMCA, video "ripping" and more.

 Presenter:
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. 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Gaming & Esports in Libraries
5/7/2020

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.
 
Tristan Wheeler initiated and runs the fast-growing and popular series of gaming events at the Cleveland Public Library, now called CPL Play. Patrons of all ages, genders, and backgrounds experience a wide variety of ways to play, from video games to board games, all while creating and developing new relationships. Gaming and esports events provide an environment of both cooperative and competitive gaming, exposing patrons to the many different facets of gaming.
 
Attendees are given the opportunity to learn about the business of video games, including professional gaming, the latest trends in technology, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the many jobs that exist within this field. With access to the hardware and software, community, educational opportunities, and many resources available at the library, patrons are given the tools and materials they need to pursue different pathways to success.
 
Join us for this introduction to esports in libraries, and learn why a program like this is important to our library… and could be for yours!

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn what esports are
  • Learn ways that games-related programming can strengthen your library, and
  • Learn how to establish them
Presenter: 

Tristan Wheeler is an Audiovisual & Event Planning Specialist at the Cleveland Public Library. Since 2003, Tristan has worked with other library staffers 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.

Who should attend:  Anyone interested in learning more about esports in the library
Competency:  Programming

GEO Cost:      $40
Bronze Cost:  $24
Silver Cost:    FREE
Gold Cost:     FREE

Can't attend on the date or time listed? Sign up anyway! All of our webinars include archive access for later viewing at your convenience.

It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO-RLS Memberships are pro-rated! Call us today to join.
Location: Online via Adobe Connect

There are currently 67 spots remaining out of 75




Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
5/14/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online via Zoom





[NEW] Teen Virtual Networking Meeting
5/18/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers and learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices.  You will receive a link in your email when you register and 2 hours before the meeting.  We hope you will join us.  
Location: Online
Via Zoom

There are currently 168 spots remaining out of 200




Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
5/21/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
6/4/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online via Zoom





Connecting with Teens Today and Tomorrow
6/11/2020

Library staff working with teens are expert at connecting with the age group in face-to-face settings. However, it can be challenging to keep those connections, and create new ones, within a virtual environment. In this webinar participants have the chance to learn about and brainstorm ways to connect with and build relationships with teens; learn what current needs and interests are; and develop activities that support the social, emotional, and civic engagement in today’s virtual environments and tomorrow’s return to face-to-face.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify strategies for connecting with teens in virtual environments
  • Discover tools to use to connect with teens without internet @ home
  • Identify ways to build teen social emotional skills and civic engagement virtually and face-to-face
Presenter:  

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





Connecting with Teens Today and Tomorrow
6/11/2020

Library staff working with teens are expert at connecting with the age group in face-to-face settings. However, it can be challenging to keep those connections, and create new ones, within a virtual environment. In this webinar participants have the chance to learn about and brainstorm ways to connect with and build relationships with teens; learn what current needs and interests are; and develop activities that support the social, emotional, and civic engagement in today’s virtual environments and tomorrow’s return to face-to-face.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify strategies for connecting with teens in virtual environments

  • Discover tools to use to connect with teens without internet @ home

  • Identify ways to build teen social emotional skills and civic engagement virtually and face-to-face

Presenter:  

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





COVID-19: Documenting the Pandemic in Your Community
6/11/2020

The webinar will focus on how to engage the communities you serve to record and collect local history as it happens. Learn the mechanics behind a project that gets everyone involved in documenting community history.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn how to educate, engage, and empower your local community in recording history as it happens. 
  • Learn how to develop strategies and programming for collaboration with K-12 school classes and community groups.
  • Learn how to collect, document, and make available historical materials on the pandemic. 
Presenters:

Dawne Dewey has retired as Head of Special Collections and Archives for the Wright State University Libraries in Dayton, Ohio and has been with the university since 1989. She received her B.A. in History and Anthropology in 1980 and her M.A. in Public History in 1984, both from Wright State. Her duties include fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, community engagement and administration. She is also a graduate adjunct faculty member, teaching courses in public history, including Research in Local History.
 
 
Bill Stolz is the Archivist for Reference and Outreach and handles social media for Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University Libraries. Bill holds a B.A. in History from Ohio University, M.A. in Public History from Wright State University, M.A. in Library Science from the University of Missouri, and is a Certified Archivist.
 

 
Lisa Rickey is the Collections Manager at Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University Libraries, where she has worked since 2012. She has been an adjunct faculty member for the Wright State University Public History concentration since 2017. She has an M.A. in Public History from Wright State University, an MLIS from Wayne State University, and is a Certified Archivist.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





COVID-19: Documenting the Pandemic in Your Community
6/11/2020

The webinar will focus on how to engage the communities you serve to record and collect local history as it happens. Learn the mechanics behind a project that gets everyone involved in documenting community history.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn how to educate, engage, and empower your local community in recording history as it happens. 

  • Learn how to develop strategies and programming for collaboration with K-12 school classes and community groups.

  • Learn how to collect, document, and make available historical materials on the pandemic. 

Presenters:

Dawne Dewey has retired as Head of Special Collections and Archives for the Wright State University Libraries in Dayton, Ohio and has been with the university since 1989. She received her B.A. in History and Anthropology in 1980 and her M.A. in Public History in 1984, both from Wright State. Her duties include fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, community engagement and administration. She is also a graduate adjunct faculty member, teaching courses in public history, including Research in Local History.
 
 
Bill Stolz is the Archivist for Reference and Outreach and handles social media for Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University Libraries. Bill holds a B.A. in History from Ohio University, M.A. in Public History from Wright State University, M.A. in Library Science from the University of Missouri, and is a Certified Archivist.
 

 
Lisa Rickey is the Collections Manager at Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University Libraries, where she has worked since 2012. She has been an adjunct faculty member for the Wright State University Public History concentration since 2017. She has an M.A. in Public History from Wright State University, an MLIS from Wayne State University, and is a Certified Archivist.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Teen Virtual Networking Meeting
6/15/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers and learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices.  You will receive a link in your email when you register and 2 hours before the meeting.  We hope you will join us.  
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
6/18/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Tabletop RPGs (Role Playing Games) for Teens Done Virtually
6/23/2020

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.
 
Learning Objectives:

  • 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.

 
Presenter:

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.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online via Zoom





De-escalation and Productive Conversations: Working with Individuals Experiencing Mental Health Challenges in a Library Setting
7/14/2020

This session delves more deeply into strategies to work productively with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. What are good policies to have in place? How to de-escalate (talk down) someone in a crisis? What should we never do when encountering someone experiencing a delusion? How to ensure staff safety and compassion towards library users? These issues and others will be discussed.

Presenters:
Josh Berk is the Executive Director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library. A library professional for over 20 years, he authored "Mental Health Training in Public Libraries" (Public Libraries Magazine), developed the curriculum for the Infopeople course "Serving People with Mental Health Challenges at Your Library," and is a past director-at-large of the Pennsylvania Library Association. He holds an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh and has published several books for children and young adults. 


Kelly Berk (MPH, BSN, RN) is the Network Director of Maternal Child Health Initiatives at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, PA where she oversees the Nurse Family Partnership and VNAC (Visiting Nurse Advocate for the County) programs. She is also an adjunct faculty in Health Sciences at Cedar Crest College and is a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of women, infants, children and families. 
 
Location: Online via Adobe Connect





De-escalation and Productive Conversations: Working with Individuals Experiencing Mental Health Challenges in a Library Setting
7/14/2020

This session delves more deeply into strategies to work productively with individuals experiencing mental health challenges. What are good policies to have in place? How to de-escalate (talk down) someone in a crisis? What should we never do when encountering someone experiencing a delusion? How to ensure staff safety and compassion towards library users? These issues and others will be discussed.

Presenters:
Josh Berk is the Executive Director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library. A library professional for over 20 years, he authored "Mental Health Training in Public Libraries" (Public Libraries Magazine), developed the curriculum for the Infopeople course "Serving People with Mental Health Challenges at Your Library," and is a past director-at-large of the Pennsylvania Library Association. He holds an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh and has published several books for children and young adults. 


Kelly Berk (MPH, BSN, RN) is the Network Director of Maternal Child Health Initiatives at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, PA where she oversees the Nurse Family Partnership and VNAC (Visiting Nurse Advocate for the County) programs. She is also an adjunct faculty in Health Sciences at Cedar Crest College and is a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of women, infants, children and families. 


When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online via Adobe Connect





Communication Strategies: Working With the Deaf Community
7/16/2020

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.
 
Learning Objectives: 
  • Learn about Deaf Culture
  • Learn common ASL signs for Libraries
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Communication Strategies: Working With the Deaf Community
7/16/2020

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.
 
Learning Objectives: 

  • Learn about Deaf Culture

  • Learn common ASL signs for Libraries

Presenter:

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.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Virtual Networking Meeting
7/20/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers and learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices.  You will receive a link in your email when you register and 2 hours before the meeting.  We hope you will join us.  
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Connecting with Community and Families in Support of Youth
7/22/2020

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • 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
Presenter:  

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.


Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 422 spots remaining out of 450




Connecting with Community and Families in Support of Youth
7/22/2020

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.

Learning Objectives:

  • 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

Presenter:  

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
7/23/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





It's Tea Time: Understanding Gen Z
8/19/2020

Learn to understand Gen Z; their words, humor, and way of life. This webinar will cover topics such as Gen Z language, social media, and Gen Z as a whole, taught by two teens.

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn about Gen Z language
  • Social Media
  • All things Gen Z

Presenters:
Kaitlyn James and Leah Lattanzi, High School Students


 
Location: Online via Zoom





It's Tea Time: Understanding Gen Z
8/19/2020

Learn to understand Gen Z; their words, humor, and way of life. This webinar will cover topics such as Gen Z language, social media, and Gen Z as a whole, taught by two teens.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn about Gen Z language

  • Social Media

  • All things Gen Z


Presenters:
Kaitlyn James and Leah Lattanzi, High School Students

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Virtual Networking Meeting
8/24/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers and learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices.  You will receive a link in your email when you register and 2 hours before the meeting.  We hope you will join us.  
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Recognizing and reacting to Mental Health Challenges in Adolescents and Young Adults
9/1/2020

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • 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 
Presenter:

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. 
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Recognizing and reacting to Mental Health Challenges in Adolescents and Young Adults
9/1/2020

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.

Learning Objectives:

  • 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 

Presenter:

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. 

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online via Zoom





Poster Session: Making Gone Virtual
9/18/2020

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.
Amy is a self proclaimed Maker after learning that she, too, has the wherewithal and resources to change the world through making.  Amy Zell is using her Final Project through Kent State University 's M.L.I.S. program to take this opportunity to inspire and instill the same passion in librarians that the Pittsburgh Fab Institute instilled in her.
Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 65 spots remaining out of 100




Poster Session: Making Gone Virtual
9/18/2020

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.
Amy is a self proclaimed Maker after learning that she, too, has the wherewithal and resources to change the world through making.  Amy Zell is using her Final Project through Kent State University 's M.L.I.S. program to take this opportunity to inspire and instill the same passion in librarians that the Pittsburgh Fab Institute instilled in her.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 94 spots remaining out of 100




Poster Session: Creating Your Own Reality
9/23/2020

We took a planned in-person Teen program on creating AR & VR and turned it into a virtual program where we demonstrated how to create your own reality using apps on a mobile device. We'll share the tools we used to create and present this fun program as well as some of the pitfalls we ran into. Seriously, who wouldn't want to escape to another reality right now? 

Presenters:

Virginia Wright has been with the Tuscarawas County Public Library for 22 years, first as a Reference Assistant and currently as the Emerging Technology Associate for the five-location system. Virginia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Purdue University. The two things she likes best about her job are that she gets to play with new technologies and to also help others gain confidence to learn something new. When not at the library she enjoys motorcycle rides with her husband, taking Caribbean vacations (pre-pandemic), and spending time with her grandchildren (not necessarily in that order).  

Courtney Wallace is a Public Service Associate at the Tuscarawas County Public Library, focusing on teen programming. Courtney earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science with a minor in earth science from Moravian College.  Prior to her current position, she worked for five years as a math and science teacher. She will be celebrating four years with TCPL this November


Location: Online via Zoom





Poster Session: Creating Your Own Reality
9/23/2020

We took a planned in-person Teen program on creating AR & VR and turned it into a virtual program where we demonstrated how to create your own reality using apps on a mobile device. We'll share the tools we used to create and present this fun program as well as some of the pitfalls we ran into. Seriously, who wouldn't want to escape to another reality right now? 

Presenters:

Virginia Wright has been with the Tuscarawas County Public Library for 22 years, first as a Reference Assistant and currently as the Emerging Technology Associate for the five-location system. Virginia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Purdue University. The two things she likes best about her job are that she gets to play with new technologies and to also help others gain confidence to learn something new. When not at the library she enjoys motorcycle rides with her husband, taking Caribbean vacations (pre-pandemic), and spending time with her grandchildren (not necessarily in that order).  

Courtney Wallace is a Public Service Associate at the Tuscarawas County Public Library, focusing on teen programming. Courtney earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science with a minor in earth science from Moravian College.  Prior to her current position, she worked for five years as a math and science teacher. She will be celebrating four years with TCPL this November.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.


Location: Online via Zoom





Poster Session: Putting the TEAM in STEAM Week
9/28/2020

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!

Presenters:

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.
Location: Online via Zoom





Poster Session: Putting the TEAM in STEAM Week
9/28/2020

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!

Presenters:

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.

When you receive your confirmation of registration for this archive the link to the archive will be included in the confirmation email.
Location: Online via Zoom





The Show Must Go Online: Virtual Performances at Your Library
10/27/2020

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!
 
Viewing of TPL’s Virtual Teen Summer Play, Skyler’s Storybook Adventure, before the presentation is encouraged, but not at all required. You can watch the full performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7F9LiLuum0

Presenter:

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.
Location: Online via Zoom





The Show Must Go Online: Virtual Performances at Your Library
10/27/2020

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!
 
Viewing of TPL’s Virtual Teen Summer Play, Skyler’s Storybook Adventure, before the presentation is encouraged, but not at all required. You can watch the full performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7F9LiLuum0

Presenter:

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





Just Right Books-How to use text complexity and reading levels in your readers' advisory for kids
11/18/2020

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. 

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the three components of “text complexity”
  • Be able to identify two ways to find “right fit” books for kids, no matter what level system their school uses
  • Better understand how to use digital resources to incorporate text complexity aspects in your readers’ advisory work
Presenter:

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.


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Just Right Books-How to use text complexity and reading levels in your readers' advisory for kids
11/18/2020

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. 

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the three components of “text complexity”
  • Be able to identify two ways to find “right fit” books for kids, no matter what level system their school uses
  • Better understand how to use digital resources to incorporate text complexity aspects in your readers’ advisory work
Presenter:

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.


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Outreach Virtual Networking Meeting
12/1/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Youth Book Buzz Presented by Penguin Random House
12/1/2020

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.

Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Book Buzz Presented by Penguin Random House
12/1/2020

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.

Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Virtual Networking Meeting
12/7/2020

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers and learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly to all devices.  You will receive a link in your email when you register and 2 hours before the meeting.  We hope you will join us.  
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Book Matchmaker: Personalized, Impersonal Service: Making RA Work In A Digital World
1/12/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Advocate for online-based readers’ advisory at your library
  • Create personalized, online RA forms using tools such as Jotform and Google suite
  • Build strong, RA-based relationships—even in the time of Covid—with a new audience and excite regular readers with a fresh way to discover books.
Presenters:

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.
Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 48 spots remaining out of 100




Book Matchmaker: Personalized, Impersonal Service: Making RA Work In A Digital World
1/12/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Advocate for online-based readers’ advisory at your library
  • Create personalized, online RA forms using tools such as Jotform and Google suite
  • Build strong, RA-based relationships—even in the time of Covid—with a new audience and excite regular readers with a fresh way to discover books.
Presenters:

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.
Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 72 spots remaining out of 100




Evaluating Program Success
1/13/2021

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. 
 
Learning Objectives: 
  • Be introduced to several tools and methods that can be used to for evaluating programs 
  • Gain a better understanding of what types of data can be collected to drive future programming decisions 
  • Learn how to make statistics and data tell a compelling story that will impress funders and assist with grant writing 
Presenter:

crop-MMDPLCWQ-Presenter-HermannJ.jpg

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. 


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Evaluating Program Success
1/13/2021

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. 
 
Learning Objectives: 
  • Be introduced to several tools and methods that can be used to for evaluating programs 
  • Gain a better understanding of what types of data can be collected to drive future programming decisions 
  • Learn how to make statistics and data tell a compelling story that will impress funders and assist with grant writing 
Presenter:

crop-MMDPLCWQ-Presenter-HermannJ.jpg

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. 


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
1/25/2021

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly for all devices.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program
2/11/2021

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.  This online workshop will start with four presentations to spark ideas. 

We will start with Megan Alabaugh from Rocky River Public Library and she will share new ways to create socially distanced programs.  Next Marisha Sullivan, Stark County District Library, will share ideas for make and take programming.  Melanie Lyttle, Madison Public Library, will follow and will give instructions on building your library’s Youtube page.  Finally, our last presenter will be Shelia Privett, Andover Public Library, who will create some crafts and snacks to go along with the theme, Tails & Tales.

We will end the morning by entering into breakout rooms to brainstorm ideas and then return and report back.  Come prepared to share your ideas and glean from others.

In addition to these sessions we are encouraging you to share your program ideas by creating a Tapas Learning video. The video can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 30 minutes.  Contact Melissa Lattanzi if you would like to contribute.
 
Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 145 spots remaining out of 200




Teen Summer Reading Program
2/11/2021

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.  This online workshop will start with four presentations to spark ideas. 

We will start with Megan Alabaugh from Rocky River Public Library and she will share new ways to create socially distanced programs.  Next Marisha Sullivan, Stark County District Library, will share ideas for make and take programming.  Melanie Lyttle, Madison Public Library, will follow and will give instructions on building your library’s Youtube page.  Finally, our last presenter will be Shelia Privett, Andover Public Library, who will create some crafts and snacks to go along with the theme, Tails & Tales.

We will end the morning by entering into breakout rooms to brainstorm ideas and then return and report back.  Come prepared to share your ideas and glean from others.

In addition to these sessions we are encouraging you to share your program ideas by creating a Tapas Learning video. The video can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 30 minutes.  Contact Melissa Lattanzi if you would like to contribute.
 
Location: Online via Zoom

There are currently 198 spots remaining out of 200




Gadgets and Gizmos: Exploring Technology for Youth
2/17/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Discover the newest emerging technologies that are both affordable and useful for your library department or program
  • Learn about ways to implement these technologies through available lesson plans and STEAM programs and ideas

Presenter:

Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 148 spots remaining out of 200




Gadgets and Gizmos: Exploring Technology for Youth
2/17/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Discover the newest emerging technologies that are both affordable and useful for your library department or program
  • Learn about ways to implement these technologies through available lesson plans and STEAM programs and ideas

Presenter:

Holly Klingler, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Location: Online
Via Adobe Connect

There are currently 183 spots remaining out of 200




Sort It Out! : Using In-House Classification Systems to Maximize Comics and Graphic Novels
2/23/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • A brief overview of comics, graphic novels, and what makes them so unique and challenging to organize
  • Learn examples of in-house classification systems for comics from other libraries across the country and how to adapt those ideas for your library
  • Learn about best practices for cataloging and access to comics
Presenter:

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.

 
Location: Online
Via Zoom

There are currently 59 spots remaining out of 100




Sort It Out! : Using In-House Classification Systems to Maximize Comics and Graphic Novels
2/23/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • A brief overview of comics, graphic novels, and what makes them so unique and challenging to organize
  • Learn examples of in-house classification systems for comics from other libraries across the country and how to adapt those ideas for your library
  • Learn about best practices for cataloging and access to comics
Presenter:

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.

 
Location: Online
Via Zoom

There are currently 80 spots remaining out of 100




LGBTQ+ Reader’s Advisory
4/1/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Make recommendations to students asking for LGBTQ+ books and feel empowered to booktalk these resources for students who may not feel comfortable asking individually
  • Gain familiarity with blogs, message boards, and review sites that focus on LGBTQ+ books and their place in the community
  • Understand why it is important to provide “own voices” books to teens and tweens and understand the varying degrees of the LGBTQ+ spectrum
Presenters:

Christopher Brackett is a librarian at the James Weldon Johnson Community Library in St. Petersburg, FL. He is originally from Fitchburg, Massachusetts and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fitchburg State University and a Master's in Library Science from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Chris is a fan of YA novels, particularly fantasy, sci-fi, and LGBTQ+ stories. He is a huge movie buff and pop culture aficionado.

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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





LGBTQ+ Readers' Advisory
4/1/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Make recommendations to students asking for LGBTQ+ books and feel empowered to booktalk these resources for students who may not feel comfortable asking individually
  • Gain familiarity with blogs, message boards, and review sites that focus on LGBTQ+ books and their place in the community
  • Understand why it is important to provide “own voices” books to teens and tweens and understand the varying degrees of the LGBTQ+ spectrum
Presenters:

Christopher Brackett is a librarian at the James Weldon Johnson Community Library in St. Petersburg, FL. He is originally from Fitchburg, Massachusetts and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fitchburg State University and a Master's in Library Science from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Chris is a fan of YA novels, particularly fantasy, sci-fi, and LGBTQ+ stories. He is a huge movie buff and pop culture aficionado.

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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
4/8/2021

We know these uncertain times are a challenge for everyone.  Here is an opportunity to talk with your peers to learn how they are managing this crisis.  This meeting will be held through Zoom which is user friendly for all devices.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Gaming & Esports in Libraries
4/14/2021

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 initiated and runs the fast-growing and popular series of gaming events at the Cleveland Public Library, now called CPL Play. Patrons of all ages, genders, and backgrounds experience a wide variety of ways to play, from video games to board games, all while creating and developing new relationships. Gaming and esports events provide an environment of both cooperative and competitive gaming, exposing patrons to the many different facets of gaming and videogame culture. 
  
Attendees are given the opportunity to learn about the business of video games, including professional gaming, the latest trends in technology, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the many jobs that exist within this field. With access to the hardware, software, community, educational opportunities, and many resources available at the library, patrons are given the tools and materials they need to pursue different pathways to success. 
 
In 2020, the CPL Play events moved even more into the online space with the new series, CPL Play Online—so patrons can enjoy elements of the Library’s gaming and esports at home! This live-streamed event series features new and different ways for patrons to learn and interact with online tournaments, group gaming sessions, guest speakers, workshops and presentations, unboxing videos and more. 
  
Join us for this introduction to esports in libraries and learn why a program like this is important to our library… and could be for yours! 
 
Learning Objectives: 
 
  • Learn what esports are
  • Learn ways that games-related programming can strengthen your library
  • Learn how to establish them 
 
Presenter:  
 
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. 
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Gaming & Esports in Libraries
4/14/2021

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 initiated and runs the fast-growing and popular series of gaming events at the Cleveland Public Library, now called CPL Play. Patrons of all ages, genders, and backgrounds experience a wide variety of ways to play, from video games to board games, all while creating and developing new relationships. Gaming and esports events provide an environment of both cooperative and competitive gaming, exposing patrons to the many different facets of gaming and videogame culture. 
  
Attendees are given the opportunity to learn about the business of video games, including professional gaming, the latest trends in technology, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the many jobs that exist within this field. With access to the hardware, software, community, educational opportunities, and many resources available at the library, patrons are given the tools and materials they need to pursue different pathways to success. 
 
In 2020, the CPL Play events moved even more into the online space with the new series, CPL Play Online—so patrons can enjoy elements of the Library’s gaming and esports at home! This live-streamed event series features new and different ways for patrons to learn and interact with online tournaments, group gaming sessions, guest speakers, workshops and presentations, unboxing videos and more. 
  
Join us for this introduction to esports in libraries and learn why a program like this is important to our library… and could be for yours! 
 
Learning Objectives: 
 
  • Learn what esports are
  • Learn ways that games-related programming can strengthen your library
  • Learn how to establish them 
 
Presenter:  
 
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. 
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Escape Rooms at Your Library
5/4/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand what an escape room is and how to adapt the concept to your library's programming
  • Learn the logistics, from materials to puzzle types, behind planning an escape room program
  • Experience a virtual (and quick) escape room scenario
Presenter:

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.

 
Location: Online via Zoom





Escape Rooms at Your Library
5/4/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand what an escape room is and how to adapt the concept to your library's programming
  • Learn the logistics, from materials to puzzle types, behind planning an escape room program
  • Experience a virtual (and quick) escape room scenario
Presenter:

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.

 
Location: Online via Zoom





Crash Course in Using TikTok
5/5/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the basics of TikTok and how to put together a video
  • Learn the ideas behind content creation for the app and what sort of brand you want to create for the library
  • Tips and Tricks for using TikTok's extras
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Crash Course in Using TikTok
5/5/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the basics of TikTok and how to put together a video
  • Learn the ideas behind content creation for the app and what sort of brand you want to create for the library
  • Tips and Tricks for using TikTok's extras
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting-Focused on Summer Reading Wrap-up
8/26/2021

This meeting will be focused on a summer reading wrap-up.

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Put on the Polish: Use Editing Software to Level-Up Your Videos
10/28/2021

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:

  • Add items into your video
  • Learn how to edit using IMovie
  • Learn about other editing software
Presenter:

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. 


Location: Online via Zoom





Put on the Polish: Use Editing Software to Level-Up Your Videos
10/28/2021

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:

  • Add items into your video
  • Learn how to edit using IMovie
  • Learn about other editing software
Presenter:

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. 


Location: Online via Zoom





Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Youth Literature
11/9/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Evaluating how cultural competency influences book selection and services
  • Defining criteria to evaluate diverse children's literature
  • Assemble resources to develop a profile for selecting diverse materials
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Youth Literature
11/9/2021

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Evaluating how cultural competency influences book selection and services
  • Defining criteria to evaluate diverse children's literature
  • Assemble resources to develop a profile for selecting diverse materials
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program: Oceans of Possibilities
2/1/2022

Get ready to experience the Oceans of Possibilities.  This year’s teen summer reading program will begin with a conversation about getting to know your teens presented by Mark Tidrick of Cleveland Public Library.  Next we will go into breakout rooms and hear about escape rooms, treasure hunts in your community and a mystery box.  We will end the morning with a lively discussion of partnerships that will be kicked off by Debra Quarles of Shaker City Schools talking about their partnership with the Shaker Heights Public Library.

Mystery Boxes in your Library
Mystery boxes are perfect for your true crime, detective loving teens. Fun, innovative, and adaptable, mystery boxes give your teens the opportunity to solve crimes and mysteries all while in the safety of their local library branch. Together they'll join their brain power and connect to solve puzzles, decipher clues, and narrow down the suspects one by one until they catch that culprit.

Learning Objectives: 
  • Understand the basis of teen-centered mystery boxes
  • Learn how to curate your own mystery boxes and adapt mystery boxes from others 
  • Explore the contents of a mystery box
Presenter:
Taylor Swan is a generalist librarian by day and a historical crafter and film lover by night. She loves anything historical, creepy, or mysterious. She received her MLIS from Kent State University in May of 2021, her BS in Education from Youngstown State University in 2017, and has worked for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County since 2018.


Escape Rooms 101
An introduction to how escape rooms work and can be utilized in the library, with some examples of how this could pertain to the summer reading theme: underwater.

Presenter:
Libby McCuan is a children's librarian with the Cleveland Public Library. She loves to read and come up with fun programs for the kids at her branch. She has a Bachelor's degree from Penn State and a Masters degree from Kent State University School of Library and Information Science.


Lunch Break:  12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

After lunch we will learn all about RPG’s and D&D.

So You Want To Be a GM/DM?
Learn what it takes to run your own Dungeons and Dragons campaign. We’ll discuss D&D Beyond, roll20, and other virtual tools. We’ll also learn a little about D&D and discuss how to DM your own D&D teen program series. Of course, D&D isn’t the only role-playing game. Learn more about tabletop RPGs for teen programming and how you can start a gaming series at your own location.
 
Presenter:
 Kelly Chaplin is a Teen Librarian from Akron-Summit County Public Library in Akron, OH. Kelly has helped organize large scale programs such as Geekfest and implemented youth-requested programs such as After Hours events and Teen Advisory Boards. She has led programming, from Murder Mystery Dinners to STEM Space Challenges, that help deliver educational and social lessons that are of interest to teens. She enjoys when teens teach her new things and encourages youth to participate at their library and in the community. Above all, she is committed to helping teens succeed.
 
The last segment of the day will be a rapid-fire brainstorm of programming ideas presented by Taylor Swan of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.  We will end the day with a roundtable discussion.  Be sure to bring your ideas for summer reading and don’t miss out on this interactive program.

Rapid-Fire Summer Teen Programs
From weird, wild, and wondrous to interesting, interactive, and intellectual, this session will be a quick brainstorm for programs which can be used in conjunction with the ALA Summer Reading theme of Oceanography.

Learning Objective: 
  •  Brainstorm and inspire thematic programming ideas for teens


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program: Oceans of Possibilities
2/1/2022

Get ready to experience the Oceans of Possibilities.  This year’s teen summer reading program will begin with a conversation about getting to know your teens presented by Mark Tidrick of Cleveland Public Library.  Next we will go into breakout rooms and hear about escape rooms, treasure hunts in your community and a mystery box.  We will end the morning with a lively discussion of partnerships that will be kicked off by Debra Quarles of Shaker City Schools talking about their partnership with the Shaker Heights Public Library.

Mystery Boxes in your Library
Mystery boxes are perfect for your true crime, detective loving teens. Fun, innovative, and adaptable, mystery boxes give your teens the opportunity to solve crimes and mysteries all while in the safety of their local library branch. Together they'll join their brain power and connect to solve puzzles, decipher clues, and narrow down the suspects one by one until they catch that culprit.

Learning Objectives: 
  • Understand the basis of teen-centered mystery boxes
  • Learn how to curate your own mystery boxes and adapt mystery boxes from others 
  • Explore the contents of a mystery box
Presenter:
Taylor Swan is a generalist librarian by day and a historical crafter and film lover by night. She loves anything historical, creepy, or mysterious. She received her MLIS from Kent State University in May of 2021, her BS in Education from Youngstown State University in 2017, and has worked for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County since 2018.


Escape Rooms 101
An introduction to how escape rooms work and can be utilized in the library, with some examples of how this could pertain to the summer reading theme: underwater.

Presenter:
Libby McCuan is a children's librarian with the Cleveland Public Library. She loves to read and come up with fun programs for the kids at her branch. She has a Bachelor's degree from Penn State and a Masters degree from Kent State University School of Library and Information Science.


Lunch Break:  12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

After lunch we will learn all about RPG’s and D&D.

So You Want To Be a GM/DM?
Learn what it takes to run your own Dungeons and Dragons campaign. We’ll discuss D&D Beyond, roll20, and other virtual tools. We’ll also learn a little about D&D and discuss how to DM your own D&D teen program series. Of course, D&D isn’t the only role-playing game. Learn more about tabletop RPGs for teen programming and how you can start a gaming series at your own location.
 
Presenter:
 Kelly Chaplin is a Teen Librarian from Akron-Summit County Public Library in Akron, OH. Kelly has helped organize large scale programs such as Geekfest and implemented youth-requested programs such as After Hours events and Teen Advisory Boards. She has led programming, from Murder Mystery Dinners to STEM Space Challenges, that help deliver educational and social lessons that are of interest to teens. She enjoys when teens teach her new things and encourages youth to participate at their library and in the community. Above all, she is committed to helping teens succeed.
 
The last segment of the day will be a rapid-fire brainstorm of programming ideas presented by Taylor Swan of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.  We will end the day with a roundtable discussion.  Be sure to bring your ideas for summer reading and don’t miss out on this interactive program.

Rapid-Fire Summer Teen Programs
From weird, wild, and wondrous to interesting, interactive, and intellectual, this session will be a quick brainstorm for programs which can be used in conjunction with the ALA Summer Reading theme of Oceanography.

Learning Objective: 
  •  Brainstorm and inspire thematic programming ideas for teens


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Hybrid Programming: A Conversation about Equipment to Engagement
2/24/2022

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.

Avon Lake Public Library made plans for full-on hybrid programming this fall, but some procedures and expectations had to be adjusted. Gerry Vogel , Assistant Director, will offer some lessons learned during the process, and a frank discussion of human factors in successful hybrid programming: what went right, what went wrong, what worked at ALPL, and what may work better elsewhere. 

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn about different equipment needed for hybrid programming
  • Learn about programs offered
  • What lessons were learned along the way
Presenters:

CJ Lynce, Assistant Director, Westlake Porter Public Library

Gerry Vogel has been assistant director of Avon Lake Public Library since May 2006
Location: Online via Zoom





Hybrid Programming: A Conversation about Equipment to Engagement
2/24/2022

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.

Avon Lake Public Library made plans for full-on hybrid programming this fall, but some procedures and expectations had to be adjusted. Gerry Vogel , Assistant Director, will offer some lessons learned during the process, and a frank discussion of human factors in successful hybrid programming: what went right, what went wrong, what worked at ALPL, and what may work better elsewhere. 

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn about different equipment needed for hybrid programming
  • Learn about programs offered
  • What lessons were learned along the way
Presenters:

CJ Lynce, Assistant Director, Westlake Porter Public Library

Gerry Vogel has been assistant director of Avon Lake Public Library since May 2006
Location: Online via Zoom






Library Summer Program Marketing Crash Course
3/9/2022

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn the value of going “all in” on summer library programs
  • Reframe your summer marketing mindset
  • Tips to engage your staff
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom






Library Summer Program Marketing Crash Course
3/9/2022

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.

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn the value of going “all in” on summer library programs
  • Reframe your summer marketing mindset
  • Tips to engage your staff
Presenter:

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.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Outreach Virtual Networking Meeting
3/29/2022

Here is an opportunity to share your challenges and successes with other staff involved in library outreach.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Consistent Programming and Unrelenting Empathy: Building a Teen Audience
4/5/2022

Reaching the teens in your community can be tough even in the best of times, but the COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us wondering: where did all the teens go?  Join Steve Moser and Sarah Amazing, long-time teen librarians, as we share our tried-and-true strategies and brainstorm some new ideas. While there's no guarantee that if you do this they will come, it has worked for countless libraries.  Through a multi-step process, learn how to help set yourself up for success.

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the importance of creating a safe, welcoming space for ALL teens
  • Develop strategies for determining teens’ needs & interests and connecting them to programs
  • Refresh their planning & marketing knowledge

 

Sarah Amazing is the Teen Services Supervisor at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. Having worked with teens since 2007, she has worked with YALSA and the Ohio Library Council as a committee member, speaker, and writer. She writes at zen-teen.com.

Steve Moser is the Teen Services Librarian at the Trotwood Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Having worked with teens in libraries since 2004, he has worked with the Ohio Library Council on multiple committees, chairing several. Steve is currently a part of Ohio's Transforming Teen Services Team through YALSA.


Location: Online via Zoom





Consistent Programming and Unrelenting Empathy: Building a Teen Audience
4/5/2022

Reaching the teens in your community can be tough even in the best of times, but the COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us wondering: where did all the teens go?  Join Steve Moser and Sarah Amazing, long-time teen librarians, as we share our tried-and-true strategies and brainstorm some new ideas. While there's no guarantee that if you do this they will come, it has worked for countless libraries.  Through a multi-step process, learn how to help set yourself up for success.

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the importance of creating a safe, welcoming space for ALL teens
  • Develop strategies for determining teens’ needs & interests and connecting them to programs
  • Refresh their planning & marketing knowledge

 

Sarah Amazing is the Teen Services Supervisor at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. Having worked with teens since 2007, she has worked with YALSA and the Ohio Library Council as a committee member, speaker, and writer. She writes at zen-teen.com.

Steve Moser is the Teen Services Librarian at the Trotwood Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Having worked with teens in libraries since 2004, he has worked with the Ohio Library Council on multiple committees, chairing several. Steve is currently a part of Ohio's Transforming Teen Services Team through YALSA.


Location: Online via Zoom





Authentic Voices in Children's and Teen Literature: What's Socioeconomics Got to Do with It?
4/19/2022

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:

  • Think about our children and teens navigating the world today living in poverty
  • How to develop our collections to represent their voices
Presenter:
 

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.


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Authentic Voices in Children’s and Teen Literature: What’s Socioeconomics Got to Do with It?
4/19/2022

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:

  • Think about our children and teens navigating the world today living in poverty
  • How to develop our collections to represent their voices
Presenter:
 

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.


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
5/3/2022

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Youth Mental Health First Aid
5/11/2022

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.

This course will run 9:00 am - 3:30 pm.  There will be two hours worth of pre-work before the online workshop.  This course is limited to 30.  We will take a waitlist. This class will not be archived.


Presenter:
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. 
Location: Online via Zoom


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Challenged, banned but in high demand: Why all children need LGBTQA+ books more than ever
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:

  • You will learn why LGBTQIA+ books are critical to your collection
  • You will learn how to deal with would-be-censors
  • You will learn ways to make sure teens feel they have a safe space at the library

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





Challenged, banned but in high demand: Why all children need LGBTQA+ books more than ever
5/24/2022

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:

  • You will learn why LGBTQIA+ books are critical to your collection
  • You will learn how to deal with would-be-censors
  • You will learn ways to make sure teens feel they have a safe space at the library

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





STEM Programming for Youth Services
9/8/2022

Welcome to a day of STEM programming for youth services at the newly renovated Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.  The morning will consist of two sessions highlighting two successful programs for Youngstown.  In the afternoon be sure to bring your own STEM programming ideas to share for a roundtable discussion.  We will also have a tour of the new library at the end of the day.

Next Level LEGOs

Take your LEGO programming to the next level. Learn about FIRST and how you can work with their organization to offer LEGO programming for kids and more. 

Summer of Solar at PLYMC

Learn how the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County partnered with Youngstown State University's ADMETE team to create The Summer of Solar.  YSU Engineering students and Library staff led programs where middle schoolers created circuits powered by a solar panel on model houses.  They not only learned about microelectronics and solar power, but also about potential career paths in engineering and microelectronics.  We'll share the planning process, how we partnered with community members, as well as the goals, assessments, and outcomes of the program.  


Presenters:

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.


 
Location: Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
305 Wick Ave
Youngstown, OH 44503

There are currently 9 spots remaining out of 50




Carving a Path from the Public Library to the College Classroom
10/5/2022

In this class, library staff will learn how to play an active, positive role in helping teen and young adult patrons navigate the process of applying to college. From learning the basics about the college application process today to programs they can run themselves and with partners, library staff will leave class not only more informed about the on-going changes and evolutions of the college application process, but also excited about using library resources to create a more equitable experience for young adults.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will build a baseline understanding of the contemporary college application process, including vocabulary and general components.
  • Participants will learn about and explore various databases and library resources that will be relevant in serving college curious teens and young adults.
  • Participants will formulate new and explore existing program ideas that can be implemented at libraries to help serve teens interested in learning more about applying to college and completing the process.
Presenter:

Aryssa Damron is a children’s librarian with the District of Columbia Public Library system. She serves on the YALSA Alex Awards for 2023, the ALSC Membership Committee, and is involved with the Jane Austen Society of North America. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and a MSLS from the University of Kentucky. She is the author of "The Path to the Ivy League Leads Straight Through the Public Library," a chapter in the book Hope and a Future: Perspectives on the Impact that Librarians and Libraries Have on Our World.
Location: Online via Zoom





Carving a Path from the Public Library to the College Classroom
10/5/2022

Recorded 10/5/2022

In this class, library staff will learn how to play an active, positive role in helping teen and young adult patrons navigate the process of applying to college. From learning the basics about the college application process today to programs they can run themselves and with partners, library staff will leave class not only more informed about the on-going changes and evolutions of the college application process, but also excited about using library resources to create a more equitable experience for young adults.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will build a baseline understanding of the contemporary college application process, including vocabulary and general components.
  • Participants will learn about and explore various databases and library resources that will be relevant in serving college curious teens and young adults.
  • Participants will formulate new and explore existing program ideas that can be implemented at libraries to help serve teens interested in learning more about applying to college and completing the process.
Presenter:

Aryssa Damron is a children’s librarian with the District of Columbia Public Library system. She serves on the YALSA Alex Awards for 2023, the ALSC Membership Committee, and is involved with the Jane Austen Society of North America. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and a MSLS from the University of Kentucky. She is the author of "The Path to the Ivy League Leads Straight Through the Public Library," a chapter in the book Hope and a Future: Perspectives on the Impact that Librarians and Libraries Have on Our World.
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
12/6/2022

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





A Long-Term Approach to Hybrid Programming
1/25/2023

The pandemic forced libraries to have virtual programming to meet their patron's needs. Although it can be difficult to iron out all the problems, hybrid programming has continued to expand the library's reach, allowing patrons who cannot attend library events in person to reap the full benefits of the library's services, and creating an archive of programming for patrons to experience well after the program is finished.

In this webinar Zach and Josh plan to show the positives of hybrid programming as a more permanent fixture at Bexley Public Library and how other libraries can plan for the future of hybrid programming.

Learning Objectives:
  • What makes a good hybrid program
  • Scalable hybrid set up for your needs
  • Planning for the future of hybrid programming

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





A Long-Term Approach to Hybrid Programming
1/25/2023

Recorded 1/25/2023

The pandemic forced libraries to have virtual programming to meet their patron's needs. Although it can be difficult to iron out all the problems, hybrid programming has continued to expand the library's reach, allowing patrons who cannot attend library events in person to reap the full benefits of the library's services, and creating an archive of programming for patrons to experience well after the program is finished.

In this webinar Zach and Josh plan to show the positives of hybrid programming as a more permanent fixture at Bexley Public Library and how other libraries can plan for the future of hybrid programming.

Learning Objectives:
  • What makes a good hybrid program
  • Scalable hybrid set up for your needs
  • Planning for the future of hybrid programming

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.


Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program: All Together Now
1/31/2023

All Together Now, we are back in-person!  Let NEO-RLS help you plan your summer reading program. We will begin the morning by talking about the theme, sharing crafts, and discussing how to get more teens into your library through service hours and volunteering. After lunch, you will hear about STEAM projects that build on one another and you will get the chance to participate in such a project. You will learn about the latest and most participative games, both technology-based and retro. Lastly, there will be plenty of time to share your own ideas and have group discussions with your peers.
Location: Westlake Porter Public Library
27333 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, OH 44145


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Warming Up to Summer
2/16/2023

It’s February! Time for summer! Whether you’re planning your first summer library program or just want a refresher, this session will get you in the summer mood. We'll reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023; chat about some summer “basics” like registration and completion, tracking, and prizes; explore resources to support your summer planning, and look at CSLP’s “All Together Now” and other theme options. There will be time for questions and idea sharing, so bring your questions and ideas! This webinar will cover planning for all ages.

Presenter:

Janet Ingraham Dwyer is the youth services library consultant at the State Library of Ohio. Her job is to support, advise, and empower children’s and teen services specialists in public and school libraries around the state. She manages Ohio’s participation in the nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program and collaborates with the Ohio Library Council on Ohio Ready to Read, a statewide resource network to facilitate early literacy activities in libraries.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Warming Up to Summer
2/16/2023

Recorded 2/16/2023

It’s February! Time for summer! Whether you’re planning your first summer library program or just want a refresher, this session will get you in the summer mood. We'll reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023; chat about some summer “basics” like registration and completion, tracking, and prizes; explore resources to support your summer planning, and look at CSLP’s “All Together Now” and other theme options. There will be time for questions and idea sharing, so bring your questions and ideas! This webinar will cover planning for all ages.

Presenter:

Janet Ingraham Dwyer is the youth services library consultant at the State Library of Ohio. Her job is to support, advise, and empower children’s and teen services specialists in public and school libraries around the state. She manages Ohio’s participation in the nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program and collaborates with the Ohio Library Council on Ohio Ready to Read, a statewide resource network to facilitate early literacy activities in libraries.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Leveraging the Power of TikTok
4/4/2023

Learn about many of the different ways libraries & librarians can leverage the power of TikTok. Using examples from her own TikTok, Kelsey will demonstrate how TikTok videos can be used by libraries for things like advocacy, collection development, outreach, readers advisory, tutorial-creation, and community building. We’ll also talk about the safety of using TikTok, it’s powerful impact on the publishing industry, and more. You’ll leave this session inspired to give TikTok a try!

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify various goals that TikTok can help libraries and librarians achieve.
  • Describe the ways TikTok is impacting the publishing industry and the reading trends and habits, particularly among young adults.
  • List various strategies a librarian can use to leverage TikTok for collection development, particularly diverse collection development.
Presenter:

Kelsey Bogan is a high school Librarian, adjunct MSLIS Professor, and a professional Speaker/Presenter who enjoys helping librarians learn to leverage the power of social media for their library’s advocacy, collection development, outreach, and community-building efforts. Kelsey is an outspoken advocate for reform in the library profession, especially as relates to outdated collection organization and development traditions. She is particularly proud to have created the viral library organization concept “Dynamic Shelving,” and of her ongoing work to redevelop her library towards greater inclusivity, accessibility, and equity. Connect with Kelsey on Twitter & TikTok @KelseyBogan, or on her blog www.dontyoushushme.com!
Location: Online via Zoom





Leveraging the Power of TikTok
4/4/2023

Recorded 4/4/2023

Learn about many of the different ways libraries & librarians can leverage the power of TikTok. Using examples from her own TikTok, Kelsey will demonstrate how TikTok videos can be used by libraries for things like advocacy, collection development, outreach, readers advisory, tutorial-creation, and community building. We’ll also talk about the safety of using TikTok, it’s powerful impact on the publishing industry, and more. You’ll leave this session inspired to give TikTok a try!

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify various goals that TikTok can help libraries and librarians achieve.
  • Describe the ways TikTok is impacting the publishing industry and the reading trends and habits, particularly among young adults.
  • List various strategies a librarian can use to leverage TikTok for collection development, particularly diverse collection development.
Presenter:

Kelsey Bogan is a high school Librarian, adjunct MSLIS Professor, and a professional Speaker/Presenter who enjoys helping librarians learn to leverage the power of social media for their library’s advocacy, collection development, outreach, and community-building efforts. Kelsey is an outspoken advocate for reform in the library profession, especially as relates to outdated collection organization and development traditions. She is particularly proud to have created the viral library organization concept “Dynamic Shelving,” and of her ongoing work to redevelop her library towards greater inclusivity, accessibility, and equity. Connect with Kelsey on Twitter & TikTok @KelseyBogan, or on her blog www.dontyoushushme.com!
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
5/17/2023

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
10/24/2023

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Social-Emotional Learning and the Library
11/2/2023

This social-emotional learning webinar will address your frustration with trying to contain and redirect the boundless energy of young people in the library.  You will build a deeper understanding of why youths act the way that they do, and hands-on tools to encourage their best choices.  Additionally, you will discover existing programs that actively and effectively build social-emotional intelligence, and inspiration to develop your own.

Learning Objectives:
  • Following the webinar, participants will be able to describe the origins of youth's behaviors.
  • At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to apply socially-emotionally aware communication tools.
  • Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be able to identify library programs that effectively encourage social-emotional intelligence.
Presenters:

Adina Bloom Lewkowicz is a social-emotional learning specialist; curriculum consultant; expressive arts teacher, and licensed independent social worker.  She is the author of “Teaching Emotional Intelligence: Strategies and Activities for Helping Students make Effective Choices” (Skyhorse, 2016).  Ms. Lewkowicz provides trainings, programs, and curricula for schools, and institutions such as the Cuyahoga County Public Library.  She is on the SEL 4OH Leadership Team, and also speaks nationally on the use of the expressive arts in education, prevention, and counseling.

Anna Heinz has served with Cuyahoga County Public Library as Literacy and Outreach Librarian, Teen Services Librarian and Children’s Services Supervisor for nearly 20 years. In addition to her MLIS, Anna is a professionally licensed 1-8th grade educator and has extensive training in working with youth that have experienced trauma as an Ohio licensed foster parent.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Social-Emotional Learning and the Library
11/2/2023

Recorded 11/2/2023

This social-emotional learning webinar will address your frustration with trying to contain and redirect the boundless energy of young people in the library.  You will build a deeper understanding of why youths act the way that they do, and hands-on tools to encourage their best choices.  Additionally, you will discover existing programs that actively and effectively build social-emotional intelligence, and inspiration to develop your own.

Learning Objectives:
  • Following the webinar, participants will be able to describe the origins of youth's behaviors.
  • At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to apply socially-emotionally aware communication tools.
  • Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be able to identify library programs that effectively encourage social-emotional intelligence.
Presenters:

Adina Bloom Lewkowicz is a social-emotional learning specialist; curriculum consultant; expressive arts teacher, and licensed independent social worker.  She is the author of “Teaching Emotional Intelligence: Strategies and Activities for Helping Students make Effective Choices” (Skyhorse, 2016).  Ms. Lewkowicz provides trainings, programs, and curricula for schools, and institutions such as the Cuyahoga County Public Library.  She is on the SEL 4OH Leadership Team, and also speaks nationally on the use of the expressive arts in education, prevention, and counseling.

Anna Heinz has served with Cuyahoga County Public Library as Literacy and Outreach Librarian, Teen Services Librarian and Children’s Services Supervisor for nearly 20 years. In addition to her MLIS, Anna is a professionally licensed 1-8th grade educator and has extensive training in working with youth that have experienced trauma as an Ohio licensed foster parent.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Start a Comic or Graphic Novel Book Club at Your Library
11/7/2023

This webinar will focus on how to lead a comics and graphic novels book club at your library or in partnership with another organization.We will think about the history and formalistic qualities of comics and reflect on the how the medium invites new ways of participation in reading groups. Finally, we will consider how to curate and focus on book clubs related to diverse subjects such as LGBTQ identity.  
  
Learning Objectives:   
  • Participants will develop skills to lead a comics and graphic novel book discussion  
  • Participants will be able to incorporate creative activities into their book discussions  
  • Participants will learn about diverse subjects through comics and graphic novels  
Presenter:

Valentino L. Zullo is the Anisfield-Wolf Postdoctoral Fellow in English and Public Humanities at Ursuline College. He is the former Scholar-in-Residence at the Ohio Center for the Book where he continues to co-lead the Get Graphic program and is the American editor of the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics. He is also a licensed independent social worker training to be a psychoanalyst at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center. 
Location: Online via Zoom





Start a Comic or Graphic Novel Book Club at Your Library
11/7/2023

Recorded 11/7/23

This webinar will focus on how to lead a comics and graphic novels book club at your library or in partnership with another organization.We will think about the history and formalistic qualities of comics and reflect on the how the medium invites new ways of participation in reading groups. Finally, we will consider how to curate and focus on book clubs related to diverse subjects such as LGBTQ identity.  
  
Learning Objectives:   
  • Participants will develop skills to lead a comics and graphic novel book discussion  
  • Participants will be able to incorporate creative activities into their book discussions  
  • Participants will learn about diverse subjects through comics and graphic novels  
Presenter:

Valentino L. Zullo is the Anisfield-Wolf Postdoctoral Fellow in English and Public Humanities at Ursuline College. He is the former Scholar-in-Residence at the Ohio Center for the Book where he continues to co-lead the Get Graphic program and is the American editor of the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics. He is also a licensed independent social worker training to be a psychoanalyst at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center. 
Location: Online via Zoom





Outreach Networking Meeting
11/8/2023

Here is an opportunity to share your challenges and successes with other staff involved in library outreach.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Youth Mental Health First Aid
11/29/2023

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.

This course will run 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  There will be two hours' worth of pre-work before the live instructor-led online workshop.  This course is limited to 30.  Register for this class only if you are able to attend. This class will not be archived.

Presenter:
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. 
Location: Online via Zoom


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Top 23 Titles of 2023
1/31/2024

No one expects public service staff to have read every popular title that has been published in a given year; however, it's not an unrealistic expectation to be familiar with them to better serve patrons. This webinar will go over the top 23 titles of 2023, literary trends and anticipated releases to note for 2024, and tried and true reader's advisory tips & tricks. 
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Familiarize yourself with the buzziest books for children, teens, and adults in both fiction and non-fiction. 
  • Gain an understanding of the 2024 literary landscape.
  • Improve your reader’s advisory and circulation upselling skills.
Presenters:

Ris Labib, a librarian in the Business, Government, & Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main, 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 technically on NPR! One of the (many) books she is currently reading is “Yellowface” by RF Kuang.

Amber Salmon has 19 years of experience in public libraries and is currently a librarian in the Business, Government, and Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library whose areas of specialty are cookbooks, fashion & folklore, and general trivia.  She is the co-leader of specialty book clubs like: Think & Drink Book Club, Romance Book Club, and Speculative Fiction Book Club. Her favorite read of 2023 was “Fourth Wing” (The Empyrean, 1) by Rebecca Yarros. 
Location: Online via Zoom





Top 23 Titles of 2023
1/31/2024

Recorded 1/31/24

No one expects public service staff to have read every popular title that has been published in a given year; however, it's not an unrealistic expectation to be familiar with them to better serve patrons. This webinar will go over the top 23 titles of 2023, literary trends and anticipated releases to note for 2024, and tried and true reader's advisory tips & tricks. 
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Familiarize yourself with the buzziest books for children, teens, and adults in both fiction and non-fiction. 
  • Gain an understanding of the 2024 literary landscape.
  • Improve your reader’s advisory and circulation upselling skills.
Presenters:

Ris Labib, a librarian in the Business, Government, & Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main, 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 technically on NPR! One of the (many) books she is currently reading is “Yellowface” by RF Kuang.

Amber Salmon has 19 years of experience in public libraries and is currently a librarian in the Business, Government, and Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library whose areas of specialty are cookbooks, fashion & folklore, and general trivia.  She is the co-leader of specialty book clubs like: Think & Drink Book Club, Romance Book Club, and Speculative Fiction Book Club. Her favorite read of 2023 was “Fourth Wing” (The Empyrean, 1) by Rebecca Yarros. 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library
2/1/2024

Adventure Begins at Your Library, and let's start the adventure with NEO-RLS's teen summer reading workshop. The adventure begins with getting to know new people with a fun icebreaker that will generate many program ideas. This will be followed by sessions focused on marketing and messaging to teens, a spy series, and an opportunity to try engineering. We will have a conversation about speakers and organizations to partner with, so bring your best contacts. Before lunch, we will have a role-playing demo with a craft. After lunch, we will be hosting a program palooza. You will have an opportunity to hear 6 different programs and ask questions. If you didn't get enough programming in the palooza, there will be a rapid-fire program feature and we will end the day learning about how NEO-RLS's VR kits can offer exciting adventures at your library. More details will be coming soon. Don't miss this fun-filled day and opportunity to connect with your colleagues.

Lunch is included in this workshop.
Location: Bainbridge Branch
17222 Snyder Rd.
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Library Bootcamp: Unlocking the World of Youth Services in Public Libraries
2/21/2024

Recorded 2/21/24

Delve into the vibrant world of Youth Services in Public Libraries with Carolyn Burrier and Kathleen Mockensturm as they share over 45 years of combined experience./

Explore the multifaceted responsibilities of a youth services department, ensuring that the diverse needs of the youth demographic are met and celebrated. Kathleen and Carolyn will guide you through the essential pillars of youth library services, including programming, collection development, reference services, outreach efforts, and community engagement initiatives. These are the core elements that help build a strong and well-rounded youth services department within a public library.

Whether you're considering a career in youth services or new to the field, this presentation promises valuable insights. Join us as we unravel the layers of expertise and passion that Carrie and Kathleen bring to the table, and discover how you can make a lasting impact on the lives of the young readers and learners in your community.

Learning Objectives:
  • Collection – Ensuring the library has materials that meet the needs of all youth.
  • Programming – The library's role in supporting youth through library programming with a focus on Every Child Ready to Read, diversity, and the 40 Developmental Assets
  • Outreach/Community Engagement – Ensuring the library supports organizations that support youth.
Presenters:

Carrie Burrier started her library career as a student shelver at the Niantic Public Library in Connecticut where she decided she wanted to be a children's librarian. She has been the Youth Services Coordinator for the Akron-Summit County Public Library since 1999. Carrie's work includes representing the library on various community committees dealing with early childhood literacy and other topics of significance to youth and their families, planning and providing training for the systems early childhood librarians, overseeing the systems summer reading program and sitting on the Administrative team. Carrie also serves as a state trainer for Literacy 101. She manages an office of four who together support the 20 locations in providing service to the Library's customers. Carrie has also honed her customer service skills early on working in food service and retail.

Kathleen Mockensturm currently serves as the Assistant Youth Services Coordinator at the Akron Summit County Public Library. Throughout the year, she is actively engaged in various roles, including providing training sessions for intermediate/teen librarians, participating in committees focusing on youth, spearheading the signature event GeekFest, overseeing book acquisitions for the Summer Reading program, representing the library at community events, and orchestrating system-wide reading programs. Her diverse career in library services includes previous roles as an Early Childhood Librarian at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, a Youth Services Librarian at the Lenawee County Public Library in Michigan, and a Clerk in the Youth Department at the Wood County District Public Library. Prior to her venture into librarianship, Kathleen spent three years as a High School Teacher in Toledo.

 
Location: Online via Zoom





Library Bootcamp: Unlocking the World of Youth Services in Public Libraries
2/21/2024

Delve into the vibrant world of Youth Services in Public Libraries with Carolyn Burrier and Kathleen Mockensturm as they share over 45 years of combined experience.

Explore the multifaceted responsibilities of a youth services department, ensuring that the diverse needs of the youth demographic are met and celebrated. Kathleen and Carolyn will guide you through the essential pillars of youth library services, including programming, collection development, reference services, outreach efforts, and community engagement initiatives. These are the core elements that help build a strong and well-rounded youth services department within a public library.

Whether you're considering a career in youth services or new to the field, this presentation promises valuable insights. Join us as we unravel the layers of expertise and passion that Carrie and Kathleen bring to the table, and discover how you can make a lasting impact on the lives of the young readers and learners in your community.

Learning Objectives:
  • Collection – Ensuring the library has materials that meet the needs of all youth.
  • Programming – The library's role in supporting youth through library programming with a focus on Every Child Ready to Read, diversity, and the 40 Developmental Assets
  • Outreach/Community Engagement – Ensuring the library supports organizations that support youth.
Presenters:

Carrie Burrier started her library career as a student shelver at the Niantic Public Library in Connecticut where she decided she wanted to be a children's librarian. She has been the Youth Services Coordinator for the Akron-Summit County Public Library since 1999. Carrie's work includes representing the library on various community committees dealing with early childhood literacy and other topics of significance to youth and their families, planning and providing training for the systems early childhood librarians, overseeing the systems summer reading program and sitting on the Administrative team. Carrie also serves as a state trainer for Literacy 101. She manages an office of four who together support the 20 locations in providing service to the Library's customers. Carrie has also honed her customer service skills early on working in food service and retail.

Kathleen Mockensturm currently serves as the Assistant Youth Services Coordinator at the Akron Summit County Public Library. Throughout the year, she is actively engaged in various roles, including providing training sessions for intermediate/teen librarians, participating in committees focusing on youth, spearheading the signature event GeekFest, overseeing book acquisitions for the Summer Reading program, representing the library at community events, and orchestrating system-wide reading programs. Her diverse career in library services includes previous roles as an Early Childhood Librarian at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, a Youth Services Librarian at the Lenawee County Public Library in Michigan, and a Clerk in the Youth Department at the Wood County District Public Library. Prior to her venture into librarianship, Kathleen spent three years as a High School Teacher in Toledo.

 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
4/11/2024

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Building Engagement with Restorative Practices for Teens
4/24/2024

Many libraries react to negative behavior by suspending or restricting services for youth. Leaders at Columbus Metropolitan Library collaborated on restorative practice tools to change that approach. Restorative practices can help strengthen relationships within communities by offering equitable and collaborative responses to behavior. This panel will discuss local successes and challenges with restorative practices and the path forward to weave these ideas into the culture of libraries.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand how restorative practices are both a model for increased engagement and positive incident response with youth.
  • Apply practical knowledge to increase youth inclusion and equitable social justice responses.
  • Envision and communicate how to incorporate restorative practices into their own processes, policies, and culture to support youth.
Presenters:

Lea Mathis serves as the Branch Manager at the Driving Park Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library and is driven by a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Lea, motivated by her own early challenges with reading and her local library, has been able to help in rolling out Restorative Practices at CML and support branches in maintaining the work. She hopes this work will resonate with the community and leave a lasting impact on the literary landscape.


Summer Sherman is Manager of the Northern Lights Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library. She obtained her M.Ed. in Integrated Language Arts from the Ohio State University and channeled her passion for education and youth advocacy into a career in public libraries. Summer contributed to the formal rollout of Restorative Practices at Columbus Metropolitan Library as a member of their Teens & Security Taskforce.




Heather West is Manager of the Parsons Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library. She attended Kent State University where she earned her M.L.I.S. with a specialization in youth services. Heather has worked at several Columbus library locations in circulation, reference, and supervisory roles. Her passion centers on creating an accessible, accepting, and inviting library environment for everyone in the community. Heather joined the Teens & Security Taskforce and contributed to the development and implementation of Restorative Practices at Columbus Metropolitan Library.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Building Engagement with Restorative Practices for Teens
4/24/2024

Recorded 4/24/24

Many libraries react to negative behavior by suspending or restricting services for youth. Leaders at Columbus Metropolitan Library collaborated on restorative practice tools to change that approach. Restorative practices can help strengthen relationships within communities by offering equitable and collaborative responses to behavior. This panel will discuss local successes and challenges with restorative practices and the path forward to weave these ideas into the culture of libraries.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand how restorative practices are both a model for increased engagement and positive incident response with youth.
  • Apply practical knowledge to increase youth inclusion and equitable social justice responses.
  • Envision and communicate how to incorporate restorative practices into their own processes, policies, and culture to support youth.
Presenters:

Lea Mathis serves as the Branch Manager at the Driving Park Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library and is driven by a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Lea, motivated by her own early challenges with reading and her local library, has been able to help in rolling out Restorative Practices at CML and support branches in maintaining the work. She hopes this work will resonate with the community and leave a lasting impact on the literary landscape.


Summer Sherman is Manager of the Northern Lights Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library. She obtained her M.Ed. in Integrated Language Arts from the Ohio State University and channeled her passion for education and youth advocacy into a career in public libraries. Summer contributed to the formal rollout of Restorative Practices at Columbus Metropolitan Library as a member of their Teens & Security Taskforce.




Heather West is Manager of the Parsons Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library. She attended Kent State University where she earned her M.L.I.S. with a specialization in youth services. Heather has worked at several Columbus library locations in circulation, reference, and supervisory roles. Her passion centers on creating an accessible, accepting, and inviting library environment for everyone in the community. Heather joined the Teens & Security Taskforce and contributed to the development and implementation of Restorative Practices at Columbus Metropolitan Library.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Mental Health First Aid
4/25/2024

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.

This course will run 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  There will be two hours' worth of pre-work before the live instructor-led online workshop.  This course is limited to 30.  Register for this class only if you are able to attend. This class will not be archived.

Presenter:
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. 
Location: Online via Zoom


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Outreach Networking Meeting
5/7/2024

Here is an opportunity to share your challenges and successes with other staff involved in library outreach.  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.
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Book Talking for Teens: In Middle Schools and High Schools
9/12/2024

Conducting a book talk for teens and middle school students requires engaging presentation techniques, relevant book choices, and ways to capture their interest. 

Learning Objectives:
  • The “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of book talking in schools: what works best and what doesn’t
  • Understand the basic components of a book talk presentation
  • How to find the most appealing titles for middle graders and high school students

Presenter:

Mel Vavra is the Teen Librarian at Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. She has been making the public library memorable for teens since 2015.   


Location: Online via Zoom





Book Talking for Teens: In Middle Schools and High Schools
9/12/2024

Recorded 9/12/24

Conducting a book talk for teens and middle school students requires engaging presentation techniques, relevant book choices, and ways to capture their interest. 

Learning Objectives:
  • The “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of book talking in schools: what works best and what doesn’t
  • Understand the basic components of a book talk presentation
  • How to find the most appealing titles for middle graders and high school students

Presenter:

Mel Vavra is the Teen Librarian at Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. She has been making the public library memorable for teens since 2015.   


Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
10/1/2024

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Teen Book Discussion
10/9/2024

Join us for an engaging teen book discussion webinar where you'll discover insights from two successful teen book discussion programs.

Learn from Christina Getrost, who will share the secrets behind her long-running high school book club, a joint effort between Stow-Munroe Falls High School and Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, which averages 30 students each month.

Hear from Danielle Weiser-Cline of Kingsville Public Library about her unique approach to running a coffee shop teen book club.

Presenters:

Christina Getrost has worked as teen librarian/adult reference librarian at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library in Stow, Ohio since May 2000. Prior to that she was a children’s librarian for several years at the Kent Free Library in Kent, Ohio, having obtained her BA and MLIS from Kent State University. Christina's other current professional commitments include serving as the President of the Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Awards Council. 




Dani Weiser-Cline serves as the Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator at Kingsville Public Library, a small rural library in Northeast Ohio. In this role, she designs, implements, and runs all programming for children from birth to age 18. She is a PhD Candidate in Cultural Foundations of Education at Kent State University where she takes a philosophical approach to understanding out of school learning environments. She holds an M.A. in Theatre History and Criticism, a B.F.A. in Acting, and a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre and Design. She loves helping youth of all ages find their next favorite book!


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Book Discussion
10/9/2024

Recorded:  10/9/24

Join us for an engaging teen book discussion webinar where you'll discover insights from two successful teen book discussion programs.

Learn from Christina Getrost, who will share the secrets behind her long-running high school book club, a joint effort between Stow-Munroe Falls High School and Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, which averages 30 students each month.

Hear from Danielle Weiser-Cline of Kingsville Public Library about her unique approach to running a coffee shop teen book club.

Presenters:

Christina Getrost has worked as teen librarian/adult reference librarian at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library in Stow, Ohio since May 2000. Prior to that she was a children’s librarian for several years at the Kent Free Library in Kent, Ohio, having obtained her BA and MLIS from Kent State University. Christina's other current professional commitments include serving as the President of the Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Awards Council. 




Dani Weiser-Cline serves as the Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator at Kingsville Public Library, a small rural library in Northeast Ohio. In this role, she designs, implements, and runs all programming for children from birth to age 18. She is a PhD Candidate in Cultural Foundations of Education at Kent State University where she takes a philosophical approach to understanding out of school learning environments. She holds an M.A. in Theatre History and Criticism, a B.F.A. in Acting, and a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre and Design. She loves helping youth of all ages find their next favorite book!


 
Location: Online via Zoom





Readers Advisory for Teens
11/14/2024

Figuring out what teens want to read can be tricky. This webinar will offer communication tips and familiarize you with titles, authors and trends that will help ensure teens won’t leave the library empty-handed.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Learn questions you can ask teens to help them find their next good book
  • Recognize some concerns that may arise during a Teen RA experience and appropriate responses
  • Familiarize yourself with popular titles, authors and trends, as well as perennial favorites.
Presenters:
 
Mel Vavra is the Teen Librarian at Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. She has been making the public library memorable for teens since 2015.   


 
 
 
 
 
Natalie Keller is a Reference Librarian at the Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. From 2021-2024, she served as an Associate with MCDL, where she gained Reference experience with all ages, including children and teens. She earned her MLIS from Kent State in May 2024 and is excited to grow into her new specialization in Adult Services. Possessing an English Literature degree from Kenyon College, she loves to channel her passion for literature into her Reader’s Advisory interactions
Location: Online via Zoom





Readers Advisory for Teens
11/14/2024

Recorded 11/14/24

Figuring out what teens want to read can be tricky. This webinar will offer communication tips and familiarize you with titles, authors and trends that will help ensure teens won’t leave the library empty-handed.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Learn questions you can ask teens to help them find their next good book
  • Recognize some concerns that may arise during a Teen RA experience and appropriate responses
  • Familiarize yourself with popular titles, authors and trends, as well as perennial favorites.
Presenters:
 
Mel Vavra is the Teen Librarian at Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. She has been making the public library memorable for teens since 2015.   


 
 
 
 
 
Natalie Keller is a Reference Librarian at the Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. From 2021-2024, she served as an Associate with MCDL, where she gained Reference experience with all ages, including children and teens. She earned her MLIS from Kent State in May 2024 and is excited to grow into her new specialization in Adult Services. Possessing an English Literature degree from Kenyon College, she loves to channel her passion for literature into her Reader’s Advisory interactions
Location: Online via Zoom





Top 24 Titles of 2024
1/28/2025

No one expects public service staff to have read every popular title that has been published in a given year; however, it's not an unrealistic expectation to be familiar with them to better serve patrons. This webinar will go over the top 24 titles of 2024, literary trends and anticipated releases to note for 2025, and tried and true reader's advisory tips & tricks.  
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Familiarize yourself with the buzziest books for children, teens, and adults in both fiction and non-fiction.  
  • Gain an understanding of the 2024 and 2025 literary landscape. 
  • Improve your reader’s advisory and circulation upselling skills. 
Presenters:

Ris Labib, is a librarian in the Business, Government, & Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main, 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 is “Book of Love” by Kelly Link. 


 
Amber has 20 years of experience in public libraries and is currently a librarian in the Business, Government, and Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library whose areas of specialty are cookbooks, fashion & folklore, and general trivia.  She is the co-leader of specialty book clubs like: Romance Book Club and Speculative Fiction Book Club. Her favorite read of 2024 was “Funny Story” by Emily Henry.  

 
Location: Online via Zoom





Top 24 Titles of 2024
1/28/2025

Recorded 1/28/25

No one expects public service staff to have read every popular title that has been published in a given year; however, it's not an unrealistic expectation to be familiar with them to better serve patrons. This webinar will go over the top 24 titles of 2024, literary trends and anticipated releases to note for 2025, and tried and true reader's advisory tips & tricks.  
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Familiarize yourself with the buzziest books for children, teens, and adults in both fiction and non-fiction.  
  • Gain an understanding of the 2024 and 2025 literary landscape. 
  • Improve your reader’s advisory and circulation upselling skills. 
Presenters:

Ris Labib, is a librarian in the Business, Government, & Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main, 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 is “Book of Love” by Kelly Link. 


 
Amber has 20 years of experience in public libraries and is currently a librarian in the Business, Government, and Science Division at the Akron-Summit County Public Library whose areas of specialty are cookbooks, fashion & folklore, and general trivia.  She is the co-leader of specialty book clubs like: Romance Book Club and Speculative Fiction Book Club. Her favorite read of 2024 was “Funny Story” by Emily Henry.  

 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program: Color Our World
1/30/2025

Get your palette ready for Color Our World, NEO-RLS's teen summer reading workshop. You will get to know your fellow attendees through the paint chips and generate many program ideas. Next you will learn how to work with a shoe string programming budget, followed by After-Hours Programming.  Just before lunch you will be treated to rapid fire program ideas presented by the popular Steve Moser.  After lunch, we will be hosting a program palooza. You will have an opportunity to hear 6 different programs and ask questions.  The day will end with round table discussion and a presentation by the Janet Ingraham Dwyer on the CSLP. More details will be coming soon. Don't miss this fun-filled day and opportunity to connect with your colleagues.


Late-Night Library: Teen After-Hours Programming 
Color outside the lines this summer by hosting a teen event after hours. Kelly Chaplin will discuss the ins and outs of planning late-night teen programming. She’ll talk about how to run one for smaller and larger libraries and will provide program ideas, permission slip details, and logistic advice.  
 
Presenter:Kelly Chaplin has been working with youth for ten years and is currently a Teen Services Librarian from Akron-Summit County Public Library. Kelly has helped organize large scale programs such as the Library's mini-comicon Geekfest and implemented youth-requested programs such as After-Hours events and Teen Dungeons and Dragons.  She enjoys it when teens teach her new things and encourages youth to participate at their library and in the community


40 programs in 40 minutes 
Looking for teen program ideas to go with Summer Reading 2025 and beyond? You'll get 40 ideas in just 40 minutes at this fast-paced race to arts and crafts program success. Use them as individual program ideas or combine them for longer programs. These ideas are fun, flexible, engaging, and teen-approved!

Presenter: Steve Moser is the Teen Services Librarian at the Trotwood Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. He has worked with teens in a variety of positions in libraries since 2004. He has worked with the Ohio Library Council, serving on multiple committees, and chairing several. Steve is one of the founders of the Teen Think Tank, a grassroots effort to inspire, collaborate, and connect with others, reaching hundreds of librarians in Ohio, and numerous other states. He is currently a part of Ohio's Transforming Teen Services Team through YALSA.




Lunch is included in this workshop.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
8971 Wilcox Dr
Twinsburg, OH 44087


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Youth Services (Children & Teen) Virtual Networking Meeting
5/13/2025

Here is an opportunity to share your successes and challenges with your peers.  You will receive a link in your confirmation email and a reminder 2 hours before the meeting. We hope you will join us. Please send agenda items/questions to Melissa Lattanzi.
 
Location: Online
Via Zoom





Makerspace Active Learning Community Meeting
9/11/2025

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.




 
Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting
11/13/2025

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.


Location: Online
Via Zoom





Meeting Grief Together: Creating a Compassionate Response Plan
12/3/2025

This webinar is a practical and compassionate training designed to help organizations and individuals respond effectively when a tragic event, such as gun violence or loss of life, impacts their community. With a focus on supporting young patrons, families and staff, this session explores immediate and long-term strategies for communication, emotional support, and trauma-informed responses. Participants will learn how to prepare in advance, respond with empathy, and care for themselves and others in the wake of tragedy.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Identify key components of an organizational response plan for supporting youth, families, and community members during and after a tragic event.
  • Describe strategies for individual self-awareness and self-care in the face of trauma and grief, especially for frontline staff.
  • Explain the importance of advance planning and communication protocols to ensure a compassionate and coordinated response to community trauma.

Presenter:

Lizzy Sullivan, Educator and Youth Advocate

Lizzy Sullivan is an experienced educator and student advocate who has spent over a decade teaching in K-12 schools. Recognized as Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the District, Lizzy helps school districts and students thrive by supporting well-being through literacy-centered curriculum, nutrition programs and mental health support. She works to promote equity and lasting change in her classrooms and community.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Meeting Grief Together: Creating a Compassionate Response Plan
12/3/2025

Recorded:  12/3/25

This webinar is a practical and compassionate training designed to help organizations and individuals respond effectively when a tragic event, such as gun violence or loss of life, impacts their community. With a focus on supporting young patrons, families and staff, this session explores immediate and long-term strategies for communication, emotional support, and trauma-informed responses. Participants will learn how to prepare in advance, respond with empathy, and care for themselves and others in the wake of tragedy.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Identify key components of an organizational response plan for supporting youth, families, and community members during and after a tragic event.
  • Describe strategies for individual self-awareness and self-care in the face of trauma and grief, especially for frontline staff.
  • Explain the importance of advance planning and communication protocols to ensure a compassionate and coordinated response to community trauma.

Presenter:

Lizzy Sullivan, Educator and Youth Advocate

Lizzy Sullivan is an experienced educator and student advocate who has spent over a decade teaching in K-12 schools. Recognized as Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the District, Lizzy helps school districts and students thrive by supporting well-being through literacy-centered curriculum, nutrition programs and mental health support. She works to promote equity and lasting change in her classrooms and community.
 
Location: Online via Zoom





Outreach Active Learning Community Meeting
12/9/2025

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.


Location: Online
Via Zoom





Makerspace Active Learning Community Meeting
1/21/2026

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.




 
Location: Online via Zoom





Teen Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story
1/28/2026

We're hosting a lively workshop to jointly develop ideas for the 2026 teen summer reading theme, "Unearth a Story."

Your day kicks off with a lively game of Trivia, featuring sample questions and themes you can adapt for your own programs. Followed by the popular presentation given by Janet Ingraham Dwyer of the State Library discussing the CSLP theme, Unearth a Story, and the extensive resources offered. Next, you will have dedicated time to connect with colleagues, sharing and developing innovative ideas for programs, incentives, and reading tracking methods. Before lunch you will have the opportunity to create cardboard stand-ups.

After lunch we will have our program palooza where you will have an opportunity to hear 6 different programs you can implement in your own library.  We will wrap up the day with a high-energy session focused on 25 programs under $25!   Don't miss this action-packed day and opportunity to connect with your peers. More details will be coming soon.


Location: Hilton Garden Inn
8971 Wilcox Dr
Twinsburg, OH 44087


This class was a popular class and it is full. Please email Melissa Lattanzi, lattanzm@neo-rls.org to be put on a waiting list and an additional class may be added for the future.


Library Programming AI: Using AI to Help Create Impactful and Memorable Library Programs
3/3/2026

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:

  • AI as Your Programming Partner-Explore how AI can assist with idea generation, logistics, and outreach.
  • Understanding Community Needs-Learn how AI-powered surveys and analysis can help align events with patron interests.
  • Streamlining Event Logistics-Discover AI tools for scheduling, accessibility considerations, and planning details.
  • Crafting Effective Promotion-Use AI to write compelling event descriptions and generate engaging visuals.
  • Maintaining the Magic-Learn how to balance AI efficiency with the creativity and connection that make library programs special.
Presenter:

Crystal Trice, CSM, CSM@Scale, Library Consultant, Scissors & Glue, LLC
Crystal Trice, founder of Scissors & Glue, LLC, has over 20 years of experience in education and local government, with a focus on improving collaboration and handling challenging situations with patrons and coworkers. She is passionate about creating environments where people work together more effectively.

With certifications as a Scrum Master and in Scrum at Scale for Government, Crystal holds a Master’s in Library & Information Science and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Psychology. Her dedication to community enrichment fuels her work in supporting organizations to achieve their goals.

Crystal lives near Portland, Oregon, and enjoys organizing her thoughts (and tasks) with Sharpies, Flair pens, and sticky notes. She shares her home with her husband and a quirky mix of animals.

 


Location: Online via Zoom





Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting
4/29/2026

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.


Location: Online
Via Zoom





Outreach Active Learning Community Meeting
4/30/2026

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.


Location: Online
Via Zoom