[OPLINLIST] NEO-RLS News: Interested in Strategic Planning or Staff Day Speakers? We Can Help!

Wed Aug 26 12:56:07 EDT 2026

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[Back to the Book XXV. September 29, 2026]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568793021&mm=164524518357>

[Ragan Headshot]

A Note from the

Executive Director

It’s been a busy summer for strategic planning and staff development, and I’ve really enjoyed working with libraries in a variety of ways.

Recently, I facilitated stakeholder focus groups with Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library to gather feedback to inform their next strategic plan. I’m also looking forward to working with Cuyahoga Falls Public Library over the coming months as they begin developing their next strategic plan.

If your library is looking ahead to the coming years, or if your current strategic plan could use a refresh, NEO-RLS is here to help. We can support your library throughout the planning process by gathering stakeholder input and facilitating board, staff, and leadership discussions to identify priorities and develop a plan for the future.

I’ve also had the opportunity to provide customized presentations for library staff. Most recently, I presented at Tri-C, where I worked with their circulation, testing center, and media staff on customer service and creating memorable experiences for patrons. We can customize presentations and training sessions to meet the specific needs and goals of your staff.

If you’re interested in strategic planning support or a customized training session, please reach out to me at ragan.snead at neo-rls.org<mailto:ragan.snead at neo-rls.org>.

Our Continuing Education Coordinator, Melissa Lattanzi, has also been working with libraries to plan their Staff Days, including finding speakers and coordinating the day from start to finish. If you’re looking for help planning an upcoming Staff Day, please reach out to lattanzm at neo-rls.org<mailto:lattanzm at neo-rls.org>.

Whether you’re planning for your library’s future, preparing for a Staff Day, or looking for a customized training opportunity, NEO-RLS is here to help you make it happen. Reach out to us to talk about how we can support your library and staff!

Ragan

Exciting Events & CE You Can’t Miss!

September

Respect + Resilience: Applying the Mentor Mindset to Improve Teen Engagement for All Staff (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568794243&mm=164524518357>

9/2/2026

IT Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568795465&mm=164524518357>

9/3/2026

Safety and Security in Libraries (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568796687&mm=164524518357>

9/9/2026

Directors/Deputy Directors Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568797909&mm=164524518357>

9/9/2026

A Science of Reading Reader's Advisory Overview For All Staff (F) <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568799131&mm=164524518357>

9/10/2026

 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568800353&mm=164524518357>

9/10/2026

Human Resource/Fiscal Officer Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568801575&mm=164524518357>

9/11/2026

Allyship with PFLAG:Ten Steps to Becoming an Ally with Colleagues, Friends and Family <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568802797&mm=164524518357> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568802797&mm=164524518357>

9/16/2026

Training/Staff Development Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568804019&mm=164524518357>

9/16/2026

Beyond the Stamp-Your Role, Responisiblities, and Risks as an Ohio Notary Public (Euclid)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568805241&mm=164524518357>

9/22/2026

Make Meetings Matter: Purpose, Clarity, and Reducing Meeting Overload <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568806463&mm=164524518357> (F)

9/23/2026

Beyond the Stamp-Your Role, Responsibilities, and Risks as an Ohio Notary Public (Canfield)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568807685&mm=164524518357>

9/23/2026

Beyond the Stamp-Your Role, Responsibilities, and Risks as an Ohio Notary Public (Tuscarawas)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568808907&mm=164524518357>

9/24/2026

Genealogy Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568810129&mm=164524518357>

9/24/2026

Back to the Book XXV: Elevating Book Clubs, Inclusive Romance, and Author Connections<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568811351&mm=164524518357>

9/29/2026

Coexisting, Not Competing: Librarianship in the Era of AI (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568812573&mm=164524518357>

9/30/2026

October

Workplace Wellbeing Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568813795&mm=164524518357>

10/1/2026

AI Traffic Light: Flipping the Narrative (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568815017&mm=164524518357>

10/6/2026

Guided Reading Round Table (GRRT): Cozy Mystery & Horror<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568816239&mm=164524518357>

10/6/2026

Pride is 365: Providing Year-Round LGBTQIA+ Programming and Services (A)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568817461&mm=164524518357>

10/7/2026

Lights, Camera, Content: Creating Social Media Videos with Ease (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568818683&mm=164524518357>

10/8/2026

Middle Management Active Learning Community<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568819905&mm=164524518357>

10/8/2026

Construction and Facilities Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568821127&mm=164524518357>

10/13/2026

 2026-2027 Leadership Academy (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568822349&mm=164524518357>

10/14/2026

Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568823571&mm=164524518357>

10/15/2026

Why Microlearning Works: Building a Culture of Continuous Learning (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568824793&mm=164524518357>

10/27/2026

Adult Services Active Learning Community Meeting  <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568826015&mm=164524518357>

10/27/2026

Inclusive Meetings That Work: Online, Hybrid, and Neuro-Inclusive Meeting Practice (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568827237&mm=164524518357>

10/28/2026

November

Outreach Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568828459&mm=164524518357>

11/3/2026

Circulation Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568829681&mm=164524518357>

11/10/2026

Technology Conference 2026: Proceed with Caution and Confidence<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568830903&mm=164524518357>

11/12/2026

Storytime Foundations Workshop (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568832125&mm=164524518357>

11/19/2026

View Full Calendar<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568833347&mm=164524518357>

[LGBTQIA Meeting Bundle]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568834569&mm=164524518357>

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Join the 2027 Summer Reading Planning Committee!

Summer may be winding down, however planning for 2027 is just beginning! We are looking for enthusiastic library staff who serve youth, teen, and adult patrons to help design our upcoming summer reading programs.

Note: Being on the committee does not require you to present during the programs.

Interested in joining? Please email Melissa Lattanzi<mailto:lattanzm at neo-rls.org> by September 14th.

FREE Archived Webinar

AI In Libraries: Your Policy Life Jacket for Safe and Effective Use<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568835791&mm=164524518357>, in case you missed this webinar, we now have it listed in our Archived Webinar Library.

Drawing on real-world library examples and policy frameworks, this webinar will cover:

  *   Why AI use without policy creates institutional risk
  *   What an effective AI policy does (and doesn’t do)
  *   Key components of a library AI policy, including privacy, transparency, and staff guidance
  *   The Human–AI–Human workflow as a foundation for responsible use
  *   How to create a policy that supports innovation without losing control

Information and Registration<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568835791&mm=164524518357>

A Message for Those Registered for Notary Classes

If you registered for an upcoming notary session and have not received a confirmation email from Roger Rill, please contact him at roger at ohionotaries.org<mailto:roger at ohionotaries.org>.

[Technology Conference: Proceed With Caution and Confidence. November 12. Register now.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568830903&mm=164524518357>

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Janet Ingraham Dwyer to Receive the 2026 Ohio Library Council Hall of Fame Librarian Award

The State Library of Ohio is proud to announce that Janet Ingraham Dwyer has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Ohio Library Council (OLC) Hall of Fame Librarian Award. The OLC Hall of Fame Librarian Award recognizes library professionals whose careers have made an enduring impact on Ohio libraries and the communities they serve. This prestigious honor recognizes Janet’s exemplary career of service, leadership, collaboration, mentorship, and dedication to Ohio’s libraries.

[Beyond the Stamp Notary Training .Advance registration is required.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568837013&mm=164524518357>

[CSLP Logo]

Help Cast Ohio's Vote for 2029 CSLP Slogan and 2030 Summer Program Theme!

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Theme and Slogan Committee has selected the finalists for 2029 slogan and 2030 program theme from suggestions submitted by librarians and library workers around the USA. Thank you to all who responded to the call for slogan and theme suggestions earlier this year.

The 2029 slogan and 2030 theme will be determined by a vote of member states at the CSLP Annual Meeting in late September. Representatives from the State Library of Ohio will be there and will cast Ohio’s vote based on Ohio librarians’ and library workers’ input.

Please help determine Ohio’s vote by selecting your favorites from among the finalists. You may vote for up to 2 slogans for 2029 and 2 themes for 2030.

Vote for your favorites by 8:00 am on Monday, September 14:  www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ohio_CSLP_vote_0926<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568838235&mm=164524518357>

All questions are optional. If you want to vote only for the 2029 slogan or only for the 2030 theme, that is fine. There is also space for comments.

Multiple staff members from your library may vote. Each respondent should complete the survey separately.

CSLP themes and slogans are for all ages. If you want to see past and upcoming CSLP themes/slogans: www.cslpreads.org/themes-and-slogans/<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568839457&mm=164524518357>

[Lights Camera Content: Creating Social Media Videos with Ease]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568818683&mm=164524518357>

[Library Spotlight]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568840679&mm=164524518357>

Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio

On August 25, 2026, we lost Dolly Parton, an icon and fierce childhood literacy advocate. Through her Dolly Parton Imagination Library, children across the United States can receive one free book a month up until they are five years old.

According to data from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio, we are the state with the highest enrollment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and the program is available to families in all 88 counties and across all zip codes in Ohio. This is due in large part to local program partners<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568841901&mm=164524518357>, including several public libraries, library foundations, and Friends groups in Ohio. Their continued support keeps this program free for all participating families.

Learn more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio here.<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568843123&mm=164524518357>

Email our Marketing & Engagement Coordinator Jill at jill.grunenwald at neo-rls.org<mailto:jill.grunenwald at neo-rls.org?subject=Library%20Spotlight> if you have a story from your library you'd like to share.

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[Reserve our Technology and Wellness Kits]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568845567&mm=164524518357>
[Continuing Education @ a Glance]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568846789&mm=164524518357>
[NEO-RLS Jobline]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=568848011&mm=164524518357>
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Northeast Ohio Regional Library System | P.O. Box 1021 | Twinsburg, OH 44087

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