• ​How can you use your performance appraisal and goal setting system to change and reinforce your organization’s corporate culture?

• What are the most common errors made in performance appraisals, and how can they be overcome?

• How can managers get employees to take more accountability in the performance appraisal process?

• What makes appraisals legally defensible … and is your appraisal a ticking time bomb?

• ​Learn how important it is to hire carefully.

• Understand that any search should begin with a profile of a the new employee.

• Consider building a  multi-faceted approach to interviewing, from initial communication to actual questioning to showcasing your library.

• Question creatively, with all questions designed to tell something

If It’s Broke Fix It: Handling Leftover Challenges Effectively
All too often, outgoing supervisors leave unresolved challenges “for the next guy” to fix. Then, you arrive! As the new supervisor, you have two choices. You can look the other way, forge ahead with your plans and hope the old issues disappear (although, if they didn’t before, it’s not likely they will now) or you can fix them. The right answer is, of course, to correct the problems, so you have a clear shot at success in your position. But, how do you go about addressing something that might have been brewing for a long time? In this webinar, we’ll consider 5 Simple Steps to Starting with a Clean Slate. Learn how to use expectations, goals, communication, follow-up and follow-through to right the ship and move forward with confidence.

Presenter:  Cheryl Kuonen, Director,  Mentor Public Library >

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

• How to document performance

• Scoring perils

• How to deliver difficult performance evaluations

Sara Hodgson

• Understand the basic components of onboarding, how the onboarding process differs from orientation, and how a successful onboarding program can improve recruitment and retention

• Learn tips for creating a sustainable, scalable, cost-effective and easily deployable onboarding program

• Explore ways to gather feedback on the program and measure its success

• Survive and thrive during times of limbo and ambiguity
• Learn new ways of adapting to change so you can move your life forward
• Gain helpful tips to reduce the stress caused by change and transition

Navigating through Times of Transition

• Survive and thrive during times of limbo and ambiguity
• Learn new ways of adapting to change so you can move your life forward
• Gain helpful tips to reduce the stress caused by change and transition

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

• Increase leader effectiveness
• Improve staff engagement
• Advance operational effectiveness

Joe Pannitto

• Increase leader effectiveness

• Improve staff engagement

• Advance operational effectiveness

Joe Pannitto

• Ensure employees have the information and tools to do their jobs well.
• Create precise outcomes for an assignment to correct behavior.
• Stop having “feel-good” conversations that do not set goals and consequences for behavior change.

Pat Wagner

• Ensure employees have the information and tools to do their jobs well.

• Create precise outcomes for an assignment to correct behavior.

• Stop having “feel-good” conversations that do not set goals and consequences for behavior change.

Pat Wagner

• Topics TBA

Scott Warrick

• Topics TBA

Scott Warrick

• Topics TBA

Scott Warrick

• Topics TBA

Scott Warrick

• Understand and appreciate the need for succession planning at all levels 
• Learn what it means to build your “bench strength” and how to get started 
• Discover ways to encourage tenured staff to share their institutional knowledge and help with the development of emerging leaders within the organization 

• Understand and appreciate the need for succession planning at all levels 
• Learn what it means to build your “bench strength” and how to get started 
• Discover ways to encourage tenured staff to share their institutional knowledge and help with the development of emerging leaders within the organization 

• Administration's Contribution to Succession
• 70/20/10 Model of Talent Development
• Succession Planning Continuum – what can we do today?

Elizabeth Cipolla

• Administration's Contribution to Succession
• 70/20/10 Model of Talent Development
• Succession Planning Continuum – what can we do today?

Elizabeth Cipolla

• What is a disability?
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• How libraries assist patrons with disabilities

JJ Pionke

• What is a disability?
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• How libraries assist patrons with disabilities

JJ Pionke

• What rights do employers and employees have when it comes to social media both on and off the job? 
• When are employee’s Facebook postings PROTECTED and when are THEY NOT?  
• When do employees represent the library?
• Do library employees have a Right of Free Speech?
• What does it really mean to have a Right of Free Speech?
• What did the EEOC say about SOCIAL MEDIA and your harassment training?
• Can employees use social media to complain about the library?
• How has the U.S. Supreme court defined “offensive”?

• What rights do employers and employees have when it comes to social media both on and off the job? 
• When are employee’s Facebook postings PROTECTED and when are THEY NOT?  
• When do employees represent the library?
• Do library employees have a Right of Free Speech?
• What does it really mean to have a Right of Free Speech?
• What did the EEOC say about SOCIAL MEDIA and your harassment training?
• Can employees use social media to complain about the library?
• How has the U.S. Supreme court defined “offensive”?

• Overview of Americans with Disabilities Act 
• Accommodations
• Navigating library workplace with disabilities

JJ Pionke

• Overview of Americans with Disabilities Act 
• Accommodations
• Navigating library workplace with disabilities

JJ Pionke

• Discuss ways to help staff deal with the lingering fear of COVID in our environment
• How we can return to the same level of service as before the pandemic – and work as a team
• How to help staff understand the importance of them bringing their best selves to work each day since some staff members may have fallen into a comfort zone that is not as busy as they once were

Linda Bruno has been developing and conducting training workshops for libraries and other organizations for more than fifteen years. She offers workshops on topics ranging from Leadership Skills to Emotional Intelligence – and lots of areas in between!  Linda received her MBA from the University of Florida and has years of experience in hands-on management positions.  She develops her workshops based on solid research and – more importantly – real-life application.

• Discuss ways to help staff deal with the lingering fear of COVID in our environment
• How we can return to the same level of service as before the pandemic – and work as a team
• How to help staff understand the importance of them bringing their best selves to work each day since some staff members may have fallen into a comfort zone that is not as busy as they once were

Linda Bruno has been developing and conducting training workshops for libraries and other organizations for more than fifteen years. She offers workshops on topics ranging from Leadership Skills to Emotional Intelligence – and lots of areas in between!  Linda received her MBA from the University of Florida and has years of experience in hands-on management positions.  She develops her workshops based on solid research and – more importantly – real-life application.

• Practice steps and techniques to use in a behavioral based interview
• Utilize questions to uncover past behaviors to predict future performance
• Recognize basic understanding of how to read positive and negative body language candidates will demonstrate in an interview
• Learn body language signals that communicate their communication style which will assist you in assessing their potential success in a position

Amy B. Shannon

• Practice steps and techniques to use in a behavioral based interview
• Utilize questions to uncover past behaviors to predict future performance
• Recognize basic understanding of how to read positive and negative body language candidates will demonstrate in an interview
• Learn body language signals that communicate their communication style which will assist you in assessing their potential success in a position

Amy B. Shannon

• Accessibility for people with disabilities
• Accommodations process
• Recruiting people with disabilities

JJ Pionke

• Accessibility for people with disabilities
• Accommodations process
• Recruiting people with disabilities

JJ Pionke

• Topics TBA

Scott Warrick

• How has Ohio drastically changed its law surrounding its civil rights law?
• How has personal liability changed under Ohio law?
• How have the statutes of limitations changed under Ohio law?
• How should you handle masks and vaccination records in your organization?
• How should employers handle the DISABILITY/MEDICAL and RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION options for employees who do not want the vaccination?
• What did the Sixth Circuit say about requiring employees to use someone’s preferred pronouns, such as he/him, she/her or they/them?
• What did the Sixth Circuit say about conducting internal investigations … and what does it mean for you?
• What did the Sixth Circuit say about OFFENSIVE SPEECH and FREE SPEECH?
• Why did the Sixth Circuit find that “AMBIGUOUS” responses to employees regarding the FLMA can end in liability?

Scott Warrick

• Learn the principles of IBB
• Participants will have an opportunity to work through a workplace scenario

• Learn the principles of IBB
• Participants will have an opportunity to work through a workplace scenario

• Review of current recruitment sites and their features
• Temp to hire – the pros and cons
• Partnering with vendors for specialized positions
• See it from candidate's perspective

Pam Linger is an experienced Human Resources professional and owner of PML Consulting, LLC.  She has experience working both inside organizations as an HR professional, and outside organizations, as an HR consultant.  She often serves as an outsourced HR Manager for small to medium-sized organizations.   Her specialization is in executive and career coaching and handling difficult employee relations situations.  Pam believes that the most important characteristic of an excellent HR professional is the ability to balance the needs of the employees, effectively and compassionately, with those of the organization.  

• Review of current recruitment sites and their features
• Temp to hire – the pros and cons
• Partnering with vendors for specialized positions
• See it from candidate's perspective

Pam Linger is an experienced Human Resources professional and owner of PML Consulting, LLC.  She has experience working both inside organizations as an HR professional, and outside organizations, as an HR consultant.  She often serves as an outsourced HR Manager for small to medium-sized organizations.   Her specialization is in executive and career coaching and handling difficult employee relations situations.  Pam believes that the most important characteristic of an excellent HR professional is the ability to balance the needs of the employees, effectively and compassionately, with those of the organization.  

This training will provide practical tools to help staff and supervisors empower employees/colleagues. It will also provide ways to stay productive and inspired in the face of new challenges.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn how to recognize their own emotional status and needs 
• Participants will learn practical ways to connect and support staff and colleagues during uncertain times
• Participants will learn how to foster positive coping mechanisms for themselves and to share with others when facing new challenges

Presenter: 
Nicole Bryan, MLS Neighborhood Library Supervisor, Brooklyn Public Library
Nicole has spent some of her career within the social services arena, developing programs and meeting constituents' needs. Currently, she assess the delivery of library services, by employing trauma-informed methods, to transitional populations in public library branches and homeless shelters in Brooklyn, N.Y. She received her MLS degree from Long Island University.

This training will provide practical tools to help staff and supervisors empower employees/colleagues. It will also provide ways to stay productive and inspired in the face of new challenges.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn how to recognize their own emotional status and needs 
• Participants will learn practical ways to connect and support staff and colleagues during uncertain times
• Participants will learn how to foster positive coping mechanisms for themselves and to share with others when facing new challenges

Presenter: 
Nicole Bryan, MLS Neighborhood Library Supervisor, Brooklyn Public Library
Nicole has spent some of her career within the social services arena, developing programs and meeting constituents' needs. Currently, she assess the delivery of library services, by employing trauma-informed methods, to transitional populations in public library branches and homeless shelters in Brooklyn, N.Y. She received her MLS degree from Long Island University.

• Learn how to create and build a cohesive team
• Learn the dos and don’ts of creating and maintaining trust
• Learn a step-by-step process for having difficult conversations

• Learn how to create and build a cohesive team
• Learn the dos and don’ts of creating and maintaining trust
• Learn a step-by-step process for having difficult conversations

• The big compliance issues (FLSA, EEOC, ADA and FMLA)
• What a supervisor can ask/say to employees
• Harassment and discrimination

Pam Linger

• The big compliance issues (FLSA, EEOC, ADA and FMLA)
• What a supervisor can ask/say to employees
• Harassment and discrimination

Pam Linger

• Hiring – the process from beginning to end
• Job descriptions
• Performance Management

Pam Linger

• Hiring – the process from beginning to end
• Job descriptions
• Performance Management

Pam Linger

• Valuing your own time
• Setting realistic priorities
• Delegating tasks effectively
• Recognizing and avoiding time wasters
• Taking Action
• Practical Tools

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd

• Valuing your own time
• Setting realistic priorities
• Delegating tasks effectively
• Recognizing and avoiding time wasters
• Taking Action
• Practical Tools

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd

• Achieve confidence and break free from self-doubt
• Find your voice to speak and act with assertiveness
• Build resilience and bounce back from setbacks

Marti Peden

• Achieve confidence and break free from self-doubt
• Find your voice to speak and act with assertiveness
• Build resilience and bounce back from setbacks

Marti Peden

• Learn some of the commonly used evaluation tools and learn about the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library's tool and process. 
• Learn the key areas to explore as you begin crafting your own manager evaluation tool and process. 
• Understand the three components that must be included in the manager evaluation process.

Mary Frankenfield

• Learn some of the commonly used evaluation tools and learn about the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library's tool and process. 
• Learn the key areas to explore as you begin crafting your own manager evaluation tool and process. 
• Understand the three components that must be included in the manager evaluation process.

Mary Frankenfield

Keeping abreast of changes in employment laws is an on-going challenge for employers generally and for HR Professionals in particular.  In this webinar, we will examine recent developments in the law that significantly impact the ability of public libraries to manage the workforce in a challenging environment.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will come away with a stronger understanding of recent changes and developments in the law, including:

• The impact of the Ohio Employment Law Uniformity Act, including recent changes in how the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s processes charges of discrimination
• Recent developments that impact employers’ ability to manage employees’ medical and mental health issues (i.e. FMLA/ADA developments)
• Senate Bill 47 changes in Ohio’s wage-hour law

Jim P. Wilkins

Amanda S Smith

Recorded 1/10/2023

Keeping abreast of changes in employment laws is an on-going challenge for employers generally and for HR Professionals in particular.  In this webinar, we will examine recent developments in the law that significantly impact the ability of public libraries to manage the workforce in a challenging environment.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will come away with a stronger understanding of recent changes and developments in the law, including:

• The impact of the Ohio Employment Law Uniformity Act, including recent changes in how the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s processes charges of discrimination
• Recent developments that impact employers’ ability to manage employees’ medical and mental health issues (i.e. FMLA/ADA developments)
• Senate Bill 47 changes in Ohio’s wage-hour law

Jim P. Wilkins

Amanda S Smith

• Discuss recruitment and retention strategies to cope with the Great Resignation;
• Discuss best practices and challenges with remote and hybrid work arrangements; and
• Anticipate upcoming changes in the law as well as the impact of the recent jump in Ohio’s minimum wage.

Jim P. Wilkins

Amanda S Smith

• Discuss recruitment and retention strategies to cope with the Great Resignation;
• Discuss best practices and challenges with remote and hybrid work arrangements; and
• Anticipate upcoming changes in the law as well as the impact of the recent jump in Ohio’s minimum wage.

Jim P. Wilkins

Amanda S Smith

• Learn to develop tools and templates for hiring.
• Discuss the ongoing process of coaching, training, and management.
• Find resources to keep informed without learning an entirely new discipline.

Cari Dubiel

• Learn to develop tools and templates for hiring.
• Discuss the ongoing process of coaching, training, and management.
• Find resources to keep informed without learning an entirely new discipline.

Cari Dubiel

• Development of effective leadership and employee relations skills, particularly for new supervisors and those who have been promoted from within;
• Considering effective performance management and corrective action techniques.
• Developing effective documentation

Jim P. Wilkins

Learning Objectives:

• Development of effective leadership and employee relations skills, particularly for new supervisors and those who have been promoted from within;
• Considering effective performance management and corrective action techniques.
• Developing effective documentation

Jim P. Wilkins

• Valuing your own time
• Setting realistic priorities
• Delegating tasks effectively
• Recognizing and avoiding time wasters
• Taking Action
• Practical Tools

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd

• Valuing your own time
• Setting realistic priorities
• Delegating tasks effectively
• Recognizing and avoiding time wasters
• Taking Action
• Practical Tools

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd

• Learn the steps to successfully onboard new children’s staff and support them in their roles.
• Learn tips on creating a work schedule and a programming schedule that meets the needs of their community.
• Learn how to connect with community resources such as local schools, childcare centers, and nonprofit agencies.

Julia Boxler

Maria Trivisonno

• Learn the steps to successfully onboard new children’s staff and support them in their roles.
• Learn tips on creating a work schedule and a programming schedule that meets the needs of their community.
• Learn how to connect with community resources such as local schools, childcare centers, and nonprofit agencies.

Julia Boxler

Maria Trivisonno

Navigating Issue 2: What Public Libraries Need to Know About Ohio’s Marijuana Legalization

Join Kastner Westman & Wilkins attorneys Michael Karst and Mike Tontillo on this timely, FREE, one-hour networking workshop explaining how the passage of Issue 2 affects public libraries and what they can still do to regulate marijuana in the workplace.  This is a great opportunity for interactive dialogue about how to manage the workplace as marijuana becomes more available to the public.

Navigating Issue 2: What Public Libraries Need to Know About Ohio’s Marijuana Legalization

Join Kastner Westman & Wilkins attorneys Michael Karst and Mike Tontillo on this timely, FREE, one-hour networking workshop explaining how the passage of Issue 2 affects public libraries and what they can still do to regulate marijuana in the workplace.  This is a great opportunity for interactive dialogue about how to manage the workplace as marijuana becomes more available to the public.

Keeping abreast of changes in employment laws is an on-going challenge for employers generally and for HR Professionals in particular.  In this webinar, we will examine recent developments in the law that impact the ability of public libraries to manage the workforce in a challenging environment.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will come away with a stronger understanding of recent changes and developments in the law, including:

• Becoming aware of recent developments in EEO law, including accommodation issues relating to pregnancy, disability, and religion.
• Being prepared for impending changes impacting salaried exempt employees.
• Understanding the heightened importance of maintaining positive employee relations in light of recent trends in union organizing activity.

Jim P. Wilkins

Amanda S Smith

Recorded 1/9/24

Keeping abreast of changes in employment laws is an on-going challenge for employers generally and for HR Professionals in particular.  In this webinar, we will examine recent developments in the law that impact the ability of public libraries to manage the workforce in a challenging environment.

Learning Objectives:  Attendees will come away with a stronger understanding of recent changes and developments in the law, including:

• Becoming aware of recent developments in EEO law, including accommodation issues relating to pregnancy, disability, and religion.
• Being prepared for impending changes impacting salaried exempt employees.
• Understanding the heightened importance of maintaining positive employee relations in light of recent trends in union organizing activity.

Jim P. Wilkins

Amanda S Smith

• Create simple forms using EXCEL
• Collect, input and calculate data using EXCEL
• Use data to evaluate employees’ performance

Cynthia Coccaro

• The Academy is a blended course that runs from February through October and consists of 6 in-person workshops and 3 webinars.
• We recommend that you attend the Academy in its entirety in order to maximize your learning.
• Archives of live webinars will be available at your convenience for those attending the Academy in its entirety and experiencing a scheduling conflict.
• Live webinars will be available individually for registration for those NOT attending the Academy in its entirety.

Past participants had this to say:
"This was a great program. I enjoyed meeting everyone who also attended. The conversations and exercises were extremely helpful. My boss has already said he has seen an improvement in my leadership skills thanks to this program."

"I ABSOLUTELY loved this series and think NEO-RLS did an amazing job of offering varied topics that pertain to new supervisors!"

Session 1
Thursday, February 22, 2024 - Twinsburg Public Library
9:30 am -  4:00 pm
It all Starts with Attitude and Knowing Yourself
Being a good supervisor starts with having a great attitude and our series will begin with the opportunity to listen and interact with leaders as they share their experiences regarding the impact of attitude. Be sure to bring your most pressing questions.

The panel will consist of:
Jonathan Harris, Director, Portage County District Library
Carla Sarratt, Director of Libraries, University of Mount Union
Aurora Martinez, Director, Morley Library
Trent Ross, Deputy Director, Rocky River Public Library
Mariana Branch, DIrector, Kingsville Public Library

The afternoon will focus on a Myers Briggs assessment. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment provides a useful method for understanding people by looking at eight personality preferences that everyone uses at different times. One of the most critical aspects of the MBTI is that it identifies preferences, not abilities or skills. It is designed to bring type awareness to those who might find growth and learning within its ideas. You will have fun exploring and validating your type preferences. The MBTI is the most popular assessment in the world and has been applied as a tool for many years by a variety of users around the globe. This assessment will not only help you to know yourself but give you insights into how your employees work.

Presenter:
Marti Peden is the owner and principal of Peden & Associates, a training and consulting company based in Akron, Ohio.  For more than 30 years, she has been a trainer, facilitator, speaker and organizational development professional.  She specializes in conflict resolution, managing change, strategic planning, team building and positive approaches to life’s challenges. 
 
For over 25 years, Marti has worked with numerous libraries as a speaker, facilitator and strategic planning consultant.  She has worked with many of the libraries within the NEO-RLS regional library system as well as facilitating staff days for various public libraries.  She presented at the 2013 ALA convention in Chicago, IL and the 2014 PLA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Marti holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The University of Steubenville and a Master’s of Education Degree from Kent State University.  She is an annual presenter for executive leadership programs such as the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and the Executive Education Program at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Session 2
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - Cuyahoga Falls Library
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Morning Session: Change Course without Rocking the Boat
As new supervisors you may find unresolved challenges with your staff that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.  How do you go about addressing something that might have been brewing for a long time without Rocking the Boat?  Learn how to use expectations, goals, communication, follow-up and follow-through to right the ship and move forward with confidence.

Presenter:
Cheryl Kuonen, Director, Mentor Public Library







Afternoon Session-Resolving Conflict through Trust and Team Building
Whether you are a new a supervisor or a seasoned manager, this interactive session will help you enhance your skills in managing your team. The discussion will focus on building a cohesive team and creating and maintaining trust. It will also provide a step-by-step guide for having difficult conversations and give participants the opportunity to practice conversations about common work situations.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to create and build a cohesive team
• Learn the dos and don’ts of creating and maintaining trust
• Learn a step-by-step process for having difficult conversations

Presenter:
Taurean J. Johnson (who also goes by TJ) serves as a Commissioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). In his capacity as Commissioner, Mr. Johnson works with parties in the private, public and federal sectors, mediating collective bargaining agreements, grievances, and employment disputes. In addition to his mediation work, Mr. Johnson frequently delivers training programs to labor and management groups.  Taurean attended the University of Cincinnati (UC) earning dual degrees in Political Science and African American Studies.


Session 3
Tuesday, Apri 16, 2024 - Bainbridge Branch, Geauga County Public Library
 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Leading with Assurance: Decision-Making and Effective Supervision 
This workshop is designed for library supervisors seeking to enhance their leadership skills, focusing on confident decision-making and effective supervision strategies. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, real-life scenarios, and collaborative activities to strengthen their ability to navigate challenges, set strategic goals, and cultivate accountability within their teams. 
Learning Objectives: 

• Gain the confidence needed to lead proactively and make informed decisions. 
• Analyze potential scenarios, responses, and outcomes encountered in a supervisory role. 
• Participate in group activities and engage with peers to collaboratively explore and share insights, offer mutual support, and exchange best practices. 

Presenter:
Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, has 12 years of experience in public and academic libraries. She has a passion for staff development and helping library staff reach their full potential. In addition to her work in various areas of librarianship, Ragan has experience in management, community outreach, and strategic planning. She received her MLIS from Kent State University and her MBA from Lake Erie College. 






Session 4
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am From Your Desktop
Time Management Yours and Theirs
Time management is one of the most important skills that any manager/supervisor should have. Understanding, implementing and following effective time management practices will help you accomplish more.
 
Learning objectives:

• Valuing your own time
• Setting realistic priorities
• Delegating tasks effectively
• Recognizing and avoiding time wasters
• Taking Action
• Practical Tools

Presenter:
Kim DeNero-Ackroyd has been the Deputy Director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library for 11 years. In this role, she supervises eight public service managers directly, as well as leads all public service activities. She currently serves on ALA Council, ALA’s Committee on Organizations and co-chairs PLA’s Membership Advisory Group. Prior to her current role, she has twice been a branch manager, in addition to other supervisory positions. In all of her positions, effective time management has been one of the critical components of success. She is passionate about helping to develop future and current library leaders.

Session 5
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 -- Twinsburg Public Library
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Morning Session
HR Stuff Every New Supervisor Should Know: Having a Solid Legal Foundation

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the relevant legal landscape as related to leading and supervising employees;
• Recognizing inappropriate workplace behavior (e.g., misconduct, job performance deficiencies, harassment, tardiness and attendance);
• Knowing how to respond lawfully and effectively to inappropriate behaviors in the workplace
• Development of effective leadership and employee relations skills, particularly for new supervisors and those who have been promoted from within;
• Considering effective performance management and corrective action techniques.
• Developing effective documentation

Presenter:
Jim P. Wilkins,  Shareholder, OSBA Certified Specialist in Labor & Employment Law, Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC
Jim began his law career more than thirty years ago when labor law – dealing with unions -- was in full bloom, and employment law was still emerging. As a result, he has a depth and breadth of experience in labor law that many younger lawyers won’t have because of the decline in the unionized segment of the American workforce.

Throughout his career, he has devoted significant time to representing and counseling employers on union relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, arbitration proceedings, and maintaining non-union status. He has negotiated countless labor contracts in both the private and public sectors, both blue collar and white collar. He regularly represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board and Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board in representation and unfair labor practice proceedings.

At the same time, Jim is as much an employment lawyer as he is a labor lawyer. He has been around from the outset of such landmark legislation as the ADA and FMLA. Both have a tremendous impact on the day-to-day advice he provides to employers who look to him to keep them out of trouble. When discrimination claims arise, Jim represents employers in state and federal courts and before the EEOC and state fair employment practice agencies. Jim also assists employers who have federal contracts with their affirmative action obligations, including the preparation of affirmative action plans.

Afternoon Session:
Interviewing Techniques for New Supervisors
Hiring great employees is critical to an organization's success and makes life easier for everyone.  The key to hiring the right person starts with the application and interview process. You will learn how to create an interview plan, how to construct appropriate interview questions that provide the information you need, and how to avoid common interview mistakes.  In addition, we will cover what is and isn't legal to ask a candidate and how to evaluate the information you have received in order to make the best decision.

• Learn how to present the current open position
• Develop a workable hiring strategy
• Understand how to determine which candidates to interview
• Practice steps and techniques to use in a behavioral based interview
• Recognize how to use silence effectively when interviewing.
• Learn how to uncover past personal and work behaviors.
• Utilize examples of past behaviors to predict future performance.
• Understand the importance and how to welcome newly hired employees

Presenter:
Amy B. Shannon, President, Pinnacle Leadership Solutions, LLC, and a Partner in Your Partner in HR has specialized in Organizational Development, Human Resources and Training for over 25 years. For the past 13 years, Amy has been an Organizational Development consultant working with clients in manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently, Amy served as the Executive Director II/Vice President of Corporate College where she built a robust leadership training curriculum to serve her clients.  Amy also holds certifications with numerous nationally known training vendors. She is a regular speaker at national conferences such as The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She is a seasoned speaker for the HR Star Conference Cleveland. As a result of her high ratings, she has also been a key speaker at the HR Star Atlanta and received the Gold Medal Award three years in a row for best session speaker. Amy was a recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & CSHRM.


Session 6
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 10 am - 11 am From Your Desktop
Practical Budget Management: How to Avoid Disaster, Make Smart Moves, Report Responsibly, and Stress Less About your Budget! 
Whether you’re a newly minted library staffer responsible for the budget for Summer Reading, a Director concerned with making the most of your budget, or have budgeting responsibilities somewhere in-between, budgeting can be intimidating. Join Wendy Bartlett, Collection Development & Acquisitions Manager for Cuyahoga County Public Library, and learn basic budgeting do’s and don’ts, how to be ready for unexpected decreases in funding, how to cope if you mess up, and how to educate yourself about the bigger budgeting picture. You’ll leave with practical ideas (and tools!) that will make working with the budget a pleasure rather than a chore.

Learning Objectives:

• Basic budgeting do’s and don’ts
• Prepare for the unexpected
• How to handle a mistake
• Understanding the bigger budgeting  picture 

Presenter:
Wendy Bartlett serves as the Collection Development & Acquisitions Manager for Cuyahoga County Public Library, a position she has held since 2009. Before that, Wendy was the branch manager for the Beachwood Branch of CCPL, and before that, the Assistant Director of the Kent Free Library. Wendy was the Regional Manager of the Cleveland-Pittsburgh Borders stories before joining the library world. She also served as a Councilperson for the Village of Lodi, her hometown in her twenties, where she first learned about budgeting for government agencies.

Session 7
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 -Location TBD
 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Colleen Kelly, MATLT, MAED
Colleen spent 28 ½ years working for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library in a variety of roles.  She started her library career as a part-time circulation clerk, worked as the Head of Circulation at the Eastlake Library, served as the Technology Coordinator for 15 years and ended her career as the first Human Resources Coordinator.  Colleen also served as a member of many committees and chaired the Staff Recognition, Staff Development Day and Staff Training committees.  Along the way, she helped form the union and served as the Union President for 6 years – negotiating two contracts.

Serving in her many roles at the library gave Colleen a varied experience with the performance evaluation process.   She supervised several clerks and computer technicians over the years and used many different types of evaluations.  She also served on 2 committees that created the different evaluation forms and processes.

Colleen retired on July 1^st of 2021.  She spends most days enjoying the company of her 12 grandchildren.  She has a passion for training and is working on developing training programs on several topics.
 

Presenter: 
Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System









Final Session - Thursday, October 3, 2024 at a Location TBD
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Morning Session
Boosting Your Leadership Self Confidence
This workshop offers positive actions leaders must take to help break free from stress, perfectionism and self-doubt so they can find the confidence to work and lead effectively.

Learning Objectives:

• Achieve confidence and break free from self-doubt
• Find your voice to speak and act with assertiveness
• Build resilience and bounce back from setbacks

Presenter:
Marti Peden is the owner and principal of Peden & Associates, a training and consulting company based in Akron, Ohio.  For more than 30 years, she has been a trainer, facilitator, speaker and organizational development professional.  She specializes in conflict resolution, managing change, strategic planning, team building and positive approaches to life’s challenges. 




Afternoon Session

We will conclude the academy with the return of first day panel of speakers with time to network and get those final questions answered.

• Reasonable suspicion guidelines
• Identifying a problem
• Initiating reasonable suspicion testing

• How to think about and prepare for challenging conversations in a way that feels constructive and authentic
• The manager's role in providing difficult feedback or news
• How to share negative feedback in a way that people can hear

Dr. Audrey Barbakoff

• How to think about and prepare for challenging conversations in a way that feels constructive and authentic
• The manager's role in providing difficult feedback or news
• How to share negative feedback in a way that people can hear

Dr. Audrey Barbakoff

• The importance of the relationship between the union and management
• How library size & staffing may impact cross-training
• Staff members working "down" positionally versus working in multiple departments
• Considerations for libraries that already have unions, as well as those where unionizing may be on the horizon

How can we make a staff hiring process more inclusive? Participants will examine the application review and interview phases, become aware of some common barriers, and learn about what practices they can incorporate. 




Learning Objectives:

• Construct an interview process
• Be aware of biases
• Learn to be inclusive

Katie Mattise (they/them pronouns) joined Kent State in 2016, first serving as program coordinator and later as assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center. Through this position, Katie worked across Kent State to educate, advocate and be a resource to the LGBTQ+ community. Prior to Kent State, they worked at various universities in residence life. Katie now serves as a director in the Division of People, Culture, and Belonging. Through this role, they work with others to create, provide and facilitate opportunities for people to engage in meaningful conversation around various social justice topics.

Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh in English Literature and a Master of Science in Cultural Foundations of Education from Syracuse University. Katie’s passion lies in social justice, and they are excited to collaborate with Kent State stakeholders, on and off campus.

• Valuing your own time
• Setting realistic priorities
• Delegating tasks effectively
• Recognizing and avoiding time wasters
• Taking Action
• Practical Tools

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd

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 Yvette Wasko.

NEO-RLS Introduces the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy
What does it mean to be a leader and how do the skills needed differ from those needed to be a good manager? Many people struggle with how to leave behind former priorities and mindsets when they enter a leadership role. Learning how to balance implementation with vision, connect with others in order to achieve goals, become an effective decision-maker and develop others are all important skills that help build alignment with direct reports and across an organization. The Leadership Academy will focus on enhancing the skills you already have and building new ones in order to assist you in developing a vision of how you can confidently move into the future as a leader.

• The Academy is a blended course which runs from October through May and consists of 5 face-to-face workshops, plus 3 webinars.
• We recommend that you attend the Academy in its entirety in order to maximize your learning
• Archives of live webinars will be available at your convenience for those attending the Academy in its entirety and experiencing a scheduling conflict
• Live webinars will be available individually for registration for those NOT attending the Academy in its entirety

• Better understand themselves
• Appreciate and value differences in perspective and approach
• Adapt to the unique needs of each person or situation they encounter
• Connect with colleagues through the Catalyst platform
• Gain access tips to help work better with different DiSC styles in a variety of situations

Ned Parks has had a rich and varied life that has taken him from police officer to helicopter pilot to successful entrepreneur with management and leadership positions in the journey.

• Define emotional intelligence and describe the 5 elements of it
• Explain the benefits of emotional intelligence in the workplace
• Describe 4 ways you can improve EI
• Identify personal areas for improvement (and resources for working on them)

Presenter:

Laura Greco is a certified wellness coach, author, and speaker/trainer with a 20+ year background in nursing who helps professionals eliminate burnout, manage stress, create life balance, and rekindle their sense of purpose and joy. She believes that self-care (body, mind, and spirit) is the basis for well-being and that we all have the capacity to make positive lifestyle changes. Her books include Wellness Made Simple, and Wellness Made Simple-for Residents. For more information please visit her website
www.YouBloomWellness.com .

Laura has a BSN (University of Michigan), Master in Adult Education (Penn State), training from HeartMath and the Mass General Benson Henry Mind Body Institute, and certifications in wellness coaching from both Wellcoaches and Center for Credentialing and Education.

Afternoon Session:  We Need to Talk:  A Step by Step Guide to Difficult Conversations
This highly interactive session will give participants the tools for having difficult conversations that achieve results. Participants will learn, and practice, a step by step process for managing difficult conversations about a variety of workplace issues. 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn steps for successful difficult conversations
• Understand the essence of difficult conversations
• Practice difficult conversation scenarios
• Discuss the sources and costs of workplace conflict

Presenter:
Barbara Baker is a former Commissioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in Independence, Ohio. As a Federal Mediator, she assisted parties in collective bargaining negotiations and mediated labor and employment disputes in the private, public and federal sectors. In addition, Ms. Baker trains labor advocates and management in collective bargaining including bargaining processes, contract administration, steward/supervisor training and developing effective labor management committees. She also provides training in communication skills such as conflict resolution, active listening and communication dynamics. Ms. Baker facilitates person to person dialogues as well as group discussions to promote strong workplace relationships.

Session 3
Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am From Your Desktop

You’re Not Alone: The Power of Peer Support in Management
Becoming a manager is a significant step, bringing exciting new challenges and shifts in how you approach your work yet, it often comes with a surprising sense of isolation. The familiar camaraderie with coworkers fades, leaving you feeling alone when navigating tough decisions or problem-solving. This feeling is especially true for middle managers, who often find themselves caught balancing the needs of front-line staff with the directives of administration. In this interactive workshop, we'll dive into the key issues faced by managers, particularly those in middle management, and explore practical strategies for building stronger peer support. You'll leave the workshop with a clear understanding of the mutual respect, open communication, and shared sense of purpose needed for robust peer relationships. You'll also be equipped with actionable strategies to cultivate an environment where you and other managers can freely share experiences, learn from one another, and collaboratively find solutions that benefit everyone.

Presenter:
Mary Frankenfield has worked in the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library system for more than 20 years. During her time at MRCPL, Mary has worked as a page, a clerk, a children's librarian, and a branch manager. She has been in her current position as Deputy Director for a little over seven years. Among her many other duties, Mary has an active role in employee training and development and has presented workshops for NEO-RLS, OLC, and the




Session 4
Thursday, January 8, 2026  from 10:00 am - 11:30 am  From Your Desktop

Strategic Leadership
In today's dynamic library environment, mastering the art of strategic leadership is more crucial than ever. As libraries evolve to meet the challenges of a digital era, leaders must adeptly navigate the intersection of strategy, leadership, operations, and management. This webinar offers participants a comprehensive understanding of how strategic vision and effective leadership can shape the future of library services

Learning objectives:

• Participants will learn the difference between strategy and leadership skills vs operations and management skills, and will understand the importance of weaving these critical skills together.
• Participants will learn several integral tools for infusing their management style with strategic thinking.
• Participants will discuss trends emanating from the pandemic and discuss potential impacts on future library operations

Presenter:

Paula Miller has served as Director/Administrator in four states –Baltimore County Public Library and Eastern Shore Regional Library (both MD), Pikes Peak Library District (CO), Westlake Porter Public Library (OH), and Dover Public Library (DE). Most recently, she molded BCPL’s role as a community hub and instrument of democracy, and she oversaw the development and opening of award-winning and state-of-the-art Library 21c in Colorado Springs. Enamored by libraries since her first shelving job at age 16 at Kent Free Library, she believes our public libraries are critical community resources that bring people together and that serve as bridges to opportunities in individuals’ lives. She is focused on identifying new and emerging needs, roles, and connections that keep our libraries relevant and effective.

Session 5
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 10 am - 11:15 am from YOUR Desktop

Leading from the Middle: Managing Up and Down Simultaneously
Do you have more than one boss at your library? Do you have lots of responsibility but little authority? Are you working between multiple departments? Are you looking to improve your communication skills with your managers and your direct reports? If you said yes to any of these questions then this webinar can help you communicate better and manage up, and down. 

Learning Objectives:

• Communication techniques for communicating with upper management and employees
• Prioritizing tasks and setting goals
• Performance evaluation strategies: How to better give and receive feedback
• Time management concerns: How to organize and prioritize your time to meet multiple (and sometimes competing) goals
• Planning and organizing meetings from "the middle"

Presenter:

Carrie Rogers-Whitehead worked in libraries for nearly a decade and now consults and trains librarians. She regularly researches and writes for librarians, educators and parents. Carrie has published 5 books, with two coming out in 2022 including a new book co-authored with two school librarians with ABC-CLIO: Advocating Digital Citizenship: Resources for Library and Classroom. In 2021 she received an Outstanding Reference Title award from the Reference & User Services Association of ALA. Carrie is the founder of Digital Respons-Ability, a mission-based company that has educated tens of thousands of students, parents and educators in digital citizenship. Her company’s curriculum and work can be found in multiple states and countries. Carrie is a sought after trainer, former TEDx speaker, adjunct instructor and loves to teach others.

Session 6 -
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - Location TBA
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Morning Session:  Leading Through Transitions
Change is never easy, but understanding the transition process that leads to adopting a change is a critical skill for library leaders.  This session will help you understand the stages of a transition process, where people get stuck (and how to help them if they do!), and how to develop strong team dynamics that support the change.  Drawing on the transition theory work of Bruce Feiler, William Bridges, and Susan Bridges, participants will deeply consider the elements of each stage of a transition and how to support themselves, their team, and their colleagues each step of the way, as well as how to head off tension and conflict along the way.  While change may never be easy, understanding the transition process that leads to change helps library leaders become more intentional and effective.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain skills to better communicate about change
• Navigate unintended consequences
• Ensure that the change sticks

• Understand the vital role teams play in organizational development and job satisfaction
• Understand the team development model and how to use it with teams
• How to increase job engagement through team connection
• Keys for developing team strengths

Presenter:

Amanda Standerfer’s passion is helping libraries and nonprofit organizations advance so they can create meaningful impact in their communities. Since 2002, Amanda's consulting practice Fast Forward Libraries has worked with libraries and nonprofits on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and capacity building. Amanda has 15 years of experience at various positions in public libraries, most recently as the Director of Community Engagement for The Urbana (IL) Free Library.  She also has 7 years of experience working in the philanthropy sector.  She has a BA and MA in History from Eastern Illinois University and a MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.



Session 7
Thursday, April 16, 2026 - Location TBA
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

• Understand the impact of pride and entitlement on organizational culture and accountability.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of entitlement and pride in themselves and their employees.
• Explore root causes that contribute to entitlement and pride, such as upbringing, societal influences, and organizational culture.
• Learn practical strategies for addressing entitlement and pride.
• Discover actionable steps and techniques for promoting a culture of humility, empathy, and accountability in the workplace.

• Identify the difference of a fixed mindset vs. growth mindset, take a self-assessment to determine your mindset
• Realize the importance and define five characteristics of a growth mindset workplace and its’ impact on goal setting and feedback
• Learn the two biggest obstacles to organizational growth mindset and how to overcome them
• Recognize the three common misconceptions that contribute to a false growth mindset and spot your fixed-mindset triggers
• Understand what Neuroplasticity is and how it relates to re-wiring the brain to grow in areas such as resilient, grit, optimism and forgiveness
• Acquire strategies to foster a growth mindset and practice four habits to cultivate a growth mindset in yourself

Presenter:

Amy B. Shannon, President, Pinnacle Leadership Solutions, LLC, and a Partner in Your Partner in HR has specialized in Organizational Development, Human Resources and Training for over 25 years. For the past 13 years, Amy has been an Organizational Development consultant working with clients in manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently, Amy served as the Executive Director II/Vice President of Corporate College where she built robust leadership training curriculum to serve her clients.  Amy also holds certifications with numerous nationally known training vendors. She is a regular speaker at national conferences such as The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She is a seasoned speaker for the HR Star Conference Cleveland. As a result of her high ratings, she has also been a key speaker at the HR Star Atlanta and received the Gold Medal Award three years in a row for best session speaker. Amy was a recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & CSHRM.


Session 8
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - Location TBA
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Morning Session:  Empathetic Leadership: Fostering Trust and Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Leadership styles have evolved significantly over the past several decades, making space for more human-centered and emotionally intelligent approaches. Person-Centered Leadership models, such as Empathetic Leadership, not only strengthen connection and trust—but also play a critical role in creating psychologically safe work environments where team members feel valued, respected, and heard.

Please join this engaging conversation to explore the tools and characteristics of Psychological Safety and Empathetic Leadership that help leaders respond effectively to the needs of their employees while cultivating a culture of safety, openness, and inclusion.

Presenter:

 Erin Turner, LISW-S, is the Intensive Services Program Manager at Crossroads/Beacon Health in Lake County and Adjunct Faculty for Youngstown State School of Social Work Graduate Program. She has worked in community mental health settings for over 20 years as a volunteer, direct service provider, clinical supervisor and program manager. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults with a variety of mental health issues, including trauma, mood disorders and crisis situations. Erin specializes in community-based crisis intervention. Erin has provided multiple trainings within the context of Social Work including Risk Assessment, Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Motivational Interviewing. 

Afternoon Session:  Guided Conversations
Here is your opportunity to ask questions of your peers and share your successes and challenges.

Recorded: 1/15/26

As public libraries across North America experience increasing complex social issues, front line staff are confronted with challenging situations on a daily basis and it is no longer enough to expect them to simply “shake it off”. Systematic supports such as Employee Family Assistance Providers and employee wellness programs can help with ongoing concerns, but immediate support is crucial and can be harder to access or provide.

After identifying the need for timely and flexible intervention, Calgary Public Library explored the process of debriefing and through small pilots and peer training, established a process that can be used by all library workers to walk each other through the immediate impact of any incident.

We will share our insight into the benefits of debriefing, steps in developing debriefing plans that fit a variety of public service contexts, tips on training staff to use this process effectively, and observations of how debriefing supports overall organizational resiliency.
 

• Understand the de-briefing process, what it can (and can’t) accomplish, when it can be utilized, and how it can benefit front-line library staff, library leadership, and library patrons
• Explore ways to leverage partnerships and community resources to create tools to support library staff
• Provide a replicable framework for other library systems providing service to the public to implement debriefing processes for their staff in a way that works in their context.

• Understand the de-briefing process, what it can (and can’t) accomplish, when it can be utilized, and how it can benefit front-line library staff, library leadership, and library patrons
• Explore ways to leverage partnerships and community resources to create tools to support library staff
• Provide a replicable framework for other library systems providing service to the public to implement debriefing processes for their staff in a way that works in their context.

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 Yvette Wasko.

• ​The Academy runs from February through September and consists of 7 in-person workshops.  
• We recommend that you attend the Academy in its entirety in order to maximize your learning.

Past participants had this to say:

"It was fantastic. As a very new supervisor, being in a room with so many different people was so helpful and informative. Each session was very informative and helpful, and I am very glad I got to attend."

"I thought it was a great academy. Having been a supervisor, for many years in different fields, I was uncertain that I would learn new skills. I was pleasantly surprised that I did take away new, valuable tips, tricks and strategies.​"

Session 1
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - Twinsburg Public Library
9:30 am -  3:30 pm

Morning Session-It all Starts with Attitude 
Being a good supervisor starts with having a great attitude and our series will begin with the opportunity to listen and interact with leaders as they share their experiences regarding the impact of attitude. Be sure to bring your most pressing questions.

The panel will consist of:
Cheryl Grizzell, Director Ritter Public Library
Eric Linderman, Director, Willoughby Eastlake Public Library
Scott Trimmer, Director, Learning Commons, Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus
Andrea Legg, Director, North Canton Public Library

Afternoon Session-Myers-Briggs Type Indicator:  Get to Know Yourself
The afternoon will focus on a Myers Briggs assessment. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment provides a useful method for understanding people by looking at eight personality preferences that everyone uses at different times. One of the most critical aspects of the MBTI is that it identifies preferences, not abilities or skills. It is designed to bring type awareness to those who might find growth and learning within its ideas. You will have fun exploring and validating your type preferences. The MBTI is the most popular assessment in the world and has been applied as a tool for many years by a variety of users around the globe. This assessment will not only help you to know yourself but give you insights into how your employees work.

Presenter:
Holly Klingler, an MBTI Certified Practitioner and Facilitator, has over 16 years of experience empowering professionals across various fields to enhance their careers and personal growth. Specializing in MBTI-based approaches, she helps individuals maximize their communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills. With 12 years dedicated to training library staff and communities, Holly offers personalized insights that help professionals showcase their strengths and grow their confidence.




Session 2
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - Cuyahoga Falls Library

 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Leading with Assurance: Decision-Making and Effective Supervision 
This workshop is designed for library supervisors seeking to enhance their leadership skills, focusing on confident decision-making and effective supervision strategies. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, real-life scenarios, and collaborative activities to strengthen their ability to navigate challenges, set strategic goals, and cultivate accountability within their teams. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Gain the confidence needed to lead proactively and make informed decisions. 
• Analyze potential scenarios, responses, and outcomes encountered in a supervisory role. 
• Participate in group activities and engage with peers to collaboratively explore and share insights, offer mutual support, and exchange best practices. 

Presenter:
Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, has over 15 years of experience in public and academic libraries. She has a passion for staff development and helping library staff reach their full potential. In addition to her work in various areas of librarianship, Ragan has experience in management, community outreach, and strategic planning. She received her MLIS from Kent State University and her MBA from Lake Erie College. 
 

Session 3
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - Brooklyn Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Morning Session: Change Course without Rocking the Boat
As new supervisors you may find unresolved challenges with your staff that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.  How do you go about addressing something that might have been brewing for a long time without Rocking the Boat?  Learn how to use expectations, goals, communication, follow-up and follow-through to right the ship and move forward with confidence.

Presenter:
Cheryl Kuonen, Director, Mentor Public Library







Afternoon Session-Servant Leadership: A Service First Approach to Supervising & Developing People
Whether you’re new to leadership or a seasoned pro, this session will take a deep dive into leading through the lens of service. Learn tips on finding and growing talent, creating a sense of ownership, and building an engaged, effective team full of people who love their jobs. Many of the customer service skills you already know will help you to be a manager you’d love to have. Learn how great service will help you manage conflict resolution, high emotions, and course corrections while still building a culture of empowerment and belonging.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to translate customer service skills to leadership success.
• Learn the nuts and bolts of navigating high emotions and difficult employees with a positive over punitive approach
• Develop strategies to identify, develop, and empower employees to contribute to an outstanding culture 

​Presenter:

Ben Heckman, Director, Bexley Public Library
Ben Heckman has loved books, conversation, and people since he can remember. So, it is no surprise that after obtaining his undergraduate degree, his career first took him into teaching and then on to management at Starbucks Coffee Company. Eventually, his passion for learning and his curious nature led him into the library world. In 2014, he earned his Master’s in Library Science. He began his library career at Bexley Public Library at the circulation desk, moving on to managing public services, and then served as Assistant Library Director before becoming the Library’s tenth director in 2017. Having the opportunity to work every day with the incredible staff at Bexley Public Library is one of his greatest joys.


Session 4
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - Bainbridge Branch, Geauga County Public Library
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

HR Stuff Every New Supervisor Should Know: Having a Solid Legal Foundation

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the relevant legal landscape as related to leading and supervising employees;
• Recognizing inappropriate workplace behavior (e.g., misconduct, job performance deficiencies, harassment, tardiness and attendance);
• Knowing how to respond lawfully and effectively to inappropriate behaviors in the workplace
• Development of effective leadership and employee relations skills, particularly for new supervisors and those who have been promoted from within;
• Considering effective performance management and corrective action techniques.
• Developing effective documentation

Presenters:
Jim P. Wilkins,  Shareholder, OSBA Certified Specialist in Labor & Employment Law, Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC
Jim began his law career more than thirty years ago when labor law – dealing with unions -- was in full bloom, and employment law was still emerging. As a result, he has a depth and breadth of experience in labor law that many younger lawyers won’t have because of the decline in the unionized segment of the American workforce.

Throughout his career, he has devoted significant time to representing and counseling employers on union relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, arbitration proceedings, and maintaining non-union status. He has negotiated countless labor contracts in both the private and public sectors, both blue collar and white collar. He regularly represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board and Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board in representation and unfair labor practice proceedings.

At the same time, Jim is as much an employment lawyer as he is a labor lawyer. He has been around from the outset of such landmark legislation as the ADA and FMLA. Both have a tremendous impact on the day-to-day advice he provides to employers who look to him to keep them out of trouble. When discrimination claims arise, Jim represents employers in state and federal courts and before the EEOC and state fair employment practice agencies. Jim also assists employers who have federal contracts with their affirmative action obligations, including the preparation of affirmative action plans.


Amanda S Smith, Shareholder, Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC

Amanda’s unusual path to becoming a labor and employment attorney began with earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in neuroscience at Allegheny College and Kent State University, respectively. After determining that a career in science ultimately was not for her, she took a job as a legal assistant following her graduate studies, and immediately fell in love with law. That first position at a plaintiff’s side labor and employment firm quickly evolved into enrolling in classes at the University of Akron School of Law, where she eventually earned her juris doctor degree, summa cum laude.
 
Amanda is now an Ohio State Bar Association-certified specialist in labor and employment law. She represents both public and private employers in many types of labor and employment matters, including with labor negotiations and arbitration as well as charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Ohio Civil Rights Commission and other state fair employment practice agencies. She also counsels employers on litigation and alternative dispute resolution matters, as well as wage/hour compliance, performance and leave management, discipline, and workplace policies. Amanda firmly believes in the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). In furtherance of her commitment to advancing DE&I initiatives both at K|W|W and beyond, Amanda completed the National DiversityFirst certification program to become a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional and regularly counsels employers on DE&I-related matters.
 
Amanda is a native of Falconer, N.Y., near Chautauqua Lake. She and her spouse, Brian, are enjoying a joyfully chaotic time of life raising two young boys. Amanda is also involved in her community. She serves as a board member for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce and as Chairperson of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Akron Bar Association.

Session 5
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Twinsburg Public Library
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Evaluations and Executive Presence

Morning Session:  Planning, Writing and Conducting Meaningful Evaluations
 
Learning Objectives:

• Why evaluations are still important, for both the employer and the employee
• The different types of evaluations
• How to set the proper tone for an evaluation meeting
• Dos and don’ts for the evaluation process
• The importance of follow-up after the evaluation is complete

Presenter:
Kim DeNero-Ackroyd has been the Deputy Director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library for 13 years. In this role, she supervises eight public service managers directly, as well as leads all public service activities. She currently serves on as the chair of ALA’s Committee on Organization, is a member of PLA’s Continuing Education Advisory Group and is on the OLC Board of Directors. Prior to her current role, she has twice been a branch manager, in addition to other supervisory positions. In all of her positions, effective time management has been one of the critical components of success. She is passionate about helping to develop future and current library leaders.

Afternoon Session:  Executive Presence: Influence Through Relationships & Networking

Executive presence is more than polish—it is the ability to connect, communicate, and influence in a way that earns trust and inspires confidence. In this one-hour program, participants will explore the most practical and impactful elements of executive presence: building meaningful relationships, strengthening networks, and influencing others through credibility, clarity, and connection. While the full model of the Five Categories and Sixteen Behaviors will be introduced as a brief framework, the primary focus will be on interpersonal influence—the behaviors that determine how others experience you and how effectively you move ideas forward.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the Five Categories of Executive Presence as a high-level framework
• Strengthen key relationship-building behaviors that drive influence
• Expand their internal and external networks with purpose and confidence
• Communicate in ways that increase credibility, connection, and followership
• Demonstrate presence through listening, curiosity, and collaborative dialogue
• Apply practical influence skills—even without formal authority

Presenter:
Amy B. Shannon, President, Pinnacle Leadership Solutions, LLC, and a Partner in Your Partner in HR has specialized in Organizational Development, Human Resources and Training for over 25 years. For the past 13 years, Amy has been an Organizational Development consultant working with clients in manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently, Amy served as the Executive Director II/Vice President of Corporate College where she built robust leadership training curriculum to serve her clients.  Amy also holds certifications with numerous nationally known training vendors. She is a regular speaker at national conferences such as The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She is a seasoned speaker for the HR Star Conference Cleveland. As a result of her high ratings, she has also been a key speaker at the HR Star Atlanta and received the Gold Medal Award three years in a row for best session speaker. Amy was a recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & CSHRM.


Session 6
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library

Performance Improvement Discussions
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Whether you want a refresher of the basics or are looking for new and different ways to manage and lead others in your organization, this interactive one-day workshop helps supervisors to grow their management and leadership skills fast.

Get the “Knowledge Before the Need” by learning ways to help you better manage yourself and others. You will leave this workshop with techniques and phraseology that you’ll begin using the very next day at work! Whether you have been managing others for 10 years or 10 days, you’ll benefit from attending these sessions!
 
Learning Objectives:

• Communicating more effectively with employees who see things differently than you do
• Working with employee attendance, behavior and performance issues
• Giving constructive feedback to employees positively and confidently
• Delegation and other tools to more effectively managing yourself and your time

Presenter: 
Andrew Sanderbeck is a respected expert presenter and consultant for libraries and library organizations on critical people skills including managing others, communication more effectively and improving customer service and the customer experience. He has worked with public and academic libraries for more than 20 years. He champions Meliorism (mēl′yə-rĭz″əm), the belief that we can contribute to positive change and improve the world through acts of love, creativity, compassion, and kindness. He now resides in Wadsworth, Ohio with his wife, Michelle, and enjoys visiting his grandchildren in Pennsylvania.
 

Final Session
Thursday, September 17, 2026 - Location TBD
9:30 am -3:30 pm

Morning Session-Boosting Leadership Self-Confidence
As leaders, we often prioritize supporting others over our own well-being, but neglecting self-care can harm both us and our teams. Recognizing and prioritizing self-care is essential for effective leadership. At the same time, many leaders grapple with impostor syndrome and self-doubt, which can lead to stress, perfectionism, and hesitation. This workshop will guide you in recognizing and re framing these thoughts while equipping you with actionable strategies to build confidence and resilience.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Prioritize self-care to enhance your leadership capacity.
• Overcome impostor syndrome and re frame self-doubt.
• Speak and act with greater confidence and assertiveness.
• Build resilience and recover from setbacks effectively.

Presenter:
Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, has 12 years of experience in public and academic libraries. She has a passion for staff development and helping library staff reach their full potential. In addition to her work in various areas of librarianship, Ragan has experience in management, community outreach, and strategic planning. She received her MLIS from Kent State University and her MBA from Lake Erie College.