[OPLINLIST] NEO-RLS News: Invest In Yourself. Register Now for Our 2026 Directors' Retreat!

Wed Feb 25 14:42:36 EST 2026

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[Registration is now open for our 2026 Directors' Retreat! Register now.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503753293&mm=148179271205>

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We are excited to announce the 2026 Directors’ Retreat:  Navigating the AI Horizon: A Leadership Roadmap for Library and Staff Readiness<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503753293&mm=148179271205> scheduled for Thursday and Friday, April 30 & May 1, 2026.

We will be returning to Punderson Manor Lodge & Conference Center this year. The retreat will kick off with a light breakfast on Thursday, April 30th at 9:00 a.m. - the perfect time to catch up with your peers. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m., starting with AI Readiness for Library Leaders: Leading Staff, Assessing Readiness, and Understanding Your AI Landscape. The afternoon will focus on Coexisting, Not Competing: Librarianship in the Era of AI. We will conclude the first day at 4:00 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. with the tradition of rich conversations to follow. The second day will start with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. followed by Building an AI Governance Framework. We will conclude at noon with a quick lunch.

This is a premier opportunity to prepare your library for the AI transition while building meaningful connections with fellow Directors and Deputy Directors. While past attendees praise our high-quality speakers and content, they often find the greatest value is the evening's rich conversations and the unique chance to collaborate with peers in a retreat setting.

Click this event link<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503753293&mm=148179271205> for more information and to register.

We look forward to seeing you,

Melissa

Exciting Events & CE You Can’t Miss!

February

AI’s Environmental Impact <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503754515&mm=148179271205> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503754515&mm=148179271205>

2/26/2026

March

Library Programming with AI: Using AI to Help Create Impactful and Memorable Library Programs<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503755737&mm=148179271205> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503755737&mm=148179271205>

3/3/2026

Training/Staff Development Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503756959&mm=148179271205>

3/3/2026

Creating More Joy & Resilience in the Library<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503758181&mm=148179271205> (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503758181&mm=148179271205>

3/4/2026

Middle Management Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503759403&mm=148179271205>

3/5/2026

AI & Information Literacy: Building Critical Evaluation Skills for Generative AI <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503760625&mm=148179271205> (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503760625&mm=148179271205>

3/10/2026

Book Discussion Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503761847&mm=148179271205>

3/11/2026

Circulation Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503763069&mm=148179271205>

3/12/2026

Intellectual Freedom in Crisis: Moral Panics, Censorship, and the Cost to Library Workers <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503764291&mm=148179271205> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503764291&mm=148179271205>

3/19/2026

Utilizing Tutor.com for Live Online Tutoring & More <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503765513&mm=148179271205> (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503765513&mm=148179271205>

3/19/2026

April

Construction and Facilities Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503766735&mm=148179271205>

4/8/2026

From Insight to Impact: Using Data to Grow Library Cardholders <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503767957&mm=148179271205> (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503767957&mm=148179271205>

4/9/2026

NEW! Podcasts as Programming: Reaching Busy Parents on Their Time <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503769179&mm=148179271205> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503769179&mm=148179271205>

4/14/2026

Technical Services and Collection Development Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503770401&mm=148179271205>

4/15/2026

Customer Service Conference: Communication and Credibility <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503771623&mm=148179271205> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503771623&mm=148179271205>

4/23/2026

Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503772845&mm=148179271205>

4/29/2026

NEW! From Maker to Market: Supporting Next Steps for Entrepreneurial Makers <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503774067&mm=148179271205> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503774067&mm=148179271205>

4/29/2026

Outreach Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503775289&mm=148179271205>

4/30/2026

2026 Directors’ Retreat: Navigating the AI Horizon: A Leadership Roadmap for Library and Staff Readiness <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503753293&mm=148179271205> (I)

4/30/2026-5/1/2026

May

IT Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503776511&mm=148179271205>

5/5/2026

Adult Services Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503777733&mm=148179271205>

5/13/2026

View Full Calendar<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503778955&mm=148179271205>

[NEO-RLS Message Boards! Can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Click this banner for instructions.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503780177&mm=148179271205>

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The 2026 NEO-RLS Statewide Salary Survey Opens Next Week!

The 2026 NEO-RLS Statewide Salary Survey will be distributed on March 3rd and is open to all Ohio libraries. We encourage your participation to help create a strong, meaningful benchmarking tool for libraries across the state. The deadline to complete the survey is April 30.

Survey results will be available for purchase in early June in both a comprehensive PDF report and online through our interactive analytics platform, CODA, hosted at NEO-RLS by PeriscopeIQ. CODA allows you to generate customized reports at no additional cost.

Visit the 2026 NEO-RLS Statewide Salary Survey FAQ page<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503781399&mm=148179271205> for more information. If you have questions or do not receive the survey on March 3rd, please contact ragan.snead at neo-rls.org.

[March 2026 Active Learning Communities]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503782621&mm=148179271205>

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Call for State Library Board nominations

The State Library of Ohio is seeking nominations for appointment to a five-year term on the State Library Board. The successful appointee will serve July 1, 2026 - June 20, 2031. Board members are eligible to serve two terms on the State Library Board.

The nominated candidate should have experience in at least one of the following areas:

  *   As a board member or an employee of a public organization or institution
  *   As a board member or former employee of a school, public, academic, or specialized library
  *   In the development of equal access to information for all Ohio residents
  *   Changing technoloies and their impact on libraries.

The State Library Board consists of five members.  The Board typically meets six times a year. The upcoming schedule can be found here.<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503783843&mm=148179271205> For information on the specific powers and duties of the State Library Board, please see Section 3375.01 <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503785065&mm=148179271205> of the Ohio Revised Code.  The Board will evaluate candidates' diversity, geographic locations, and relevant experience, and forward candidates' information along with a recommendation to be considered for appointment.

[Customer Service Conference. April 23, 2026. 9:30 - 4:00 PM. Register now.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503771623&mm=148179271205>

[OLC Logo]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503786287&mm=148179271205>

New Research Shows Ohioans Strongly Value Local Library Services — and Support Local Funding That Keeps Them Strong

New statewide research shows overwhelming bipartisan support for Ohio’s public libraries and township governments, with voters saying these services are essential to everyday life.

The January 2026 survey of Ohio voters finds that libraries and townships rank among the most trusted and highest-valued public services in the state.

Across Ohio, public libraries rely on locally approved property tax levies, which now account for more than half of their overall funding statewide. Townships rely heavily on locally approved property taxes — about two-thirds of their revenue on average to fund essential services.

While most residents don’t initially understand how townships and libraries are funded, the research finds that once Ohioans learn these services rely primarily on locally approved property taxes, strong majorities support keeping that local funding in place.

Learn more here.<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503787509&mm=148179271205>

[Using Tutor.com for live online tutoring g& more. March 19, 2026]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503788731&mm=148179271205>

[Library Spotlight]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503789953&mm=148179271205>

Dover Public Library Takes Flight With Space Memorabilia Display

Dover Public Library is celebrating America 250 by hosting a special collection of space memorabilia from local collector Kevin B. Petitte. You can see the collection in person at Dover Public Library for the next few weeks, or visit Dover Public Library's Facebook page to see photos of the collection.<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503791175&mm=148179271205>

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 want to share.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503792397&mm=148179271205> to create your own account.

[Reserve our Technology and Wellness Kits]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503793619&mm=148179271205>
[Continuing Education @ a Glance]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503794841&mm=148179271205>
[NEO-RLS Jobline]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=503796063&mm=148179271205>

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Northeast Ohio Regional Library System | P.O. Box 1021 | Twinsburg, OH 44087

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