[OPLINLIST] NEO-RLS News: Want To Help Shape NEO-RLS? Join a Board Committee or Advisory Group!

Wed Jul 29 13:47:54 EDT 2026

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[Academic Library Directors Active Learning Community. August 5. In Person at Kent State University Geauga Campus]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558457345&mm=161827615681>

[Ragan Headshot]

A Note from the

Executive Director

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at NEO-RLS? It all starts with the dedicated volunteers who serve on our Board Committees and Advisory Groups. Their ideas and collaboration help shape our programs and services, ensuring that we continue to meet the evolving needs of libraries across Northeast Ohio.

Whether you're interested in Marketing & PR, Finance, Policy, Continuing Education, or another area, we'd love to have you join us. Volunteering is a great way to build new skills, expand your network, and have a voice in the future of your regional library system.

What to expect:

  *   A one-year term of service.
  *   Most committees and advisory groups meet twice each year. (The Finance Committee meets quarterly.)
  *   Board Committees meet in person, while Advisory Groups meet virtually.
  *   Members are asked to attend meetings, review materials in advance, and actively participate in discussions.
  *   For a complete list of available opportunities, visit the Board Committee and Advisory Groups pages.

We are also seeking volunteers for our Annual Star Awards Selection Group. This group will review nominations and select the winners of our Rising Star, Shooting Star, and Super Star Awards. This is an opportunity to help us recognize the outstanding library staff from across the region.

Interested in getting involved? Visit our Board Committee <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558458567&mm=161827615681> and Advisory Group<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558459789&mm=161827615681> pages to learn more about the available opportunities. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact me at ragan.snead at neo-rls.org<mailto:ragan.snead at neo-rls.org>. The NEO-RLS team looks forward to working with you!

Ragan

Exciting Events & CE You Can’t Miss!

August

Guided Reading Round Table (GRRT): Cozy Sci-Fi & Fantasy<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558461011&mm=161827615681>

8/4/2026

Managing Change Fatigue (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558462233&mm=161827615681>

8/5/2026

RESCHEDULED! Academic Library Directors Active Learning Community (In Person)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558457345&mm=161827615681>

8/5/2026

The Myths and Misconceptions of Socioeconomic Status in the U.S. (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558463455&mm=161827615681>

8/12/2026

Makerspace Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558464677&mm=161827615681>

8/18/2026

Public Relations and Marketing Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558465899&mm=161827615681>

8/19/2026

Access is Customer Service: Community Belonging in Public Library (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558467121&mm=161827615681>

8/20/2026

Strengthening Staff Communication Across Generations (F)  <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558468343&mm=161827615681>

8/26/2026

Book Discussion Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558469565&mm=161827615681>

8/26/2026

September

Respect + Resilience: Applying the Mentor Mindset to Improve Teen Engagement for All Staff (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558470787&mm=161827615681>

9/2/2026

IT Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558472009&mm=161827615681>

9/3/2026

Safety and Security in Libraries (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558473231&mm=161827615681>

9/9/2026

Directors/Deputy Directors Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558474453&mm=161827615681>

9/9/2026

A Science of Reading Reader's Advisory Overview For All Staff (F) <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558475675&mm=161827615681>

9/10/2026

 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558476897&mm=161827615681>

9/10/2026

Allyship with PFLAG:Ten Steps to Becoming an Ally with Colleagues, Friends and Family <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558478119&mm=161827615681> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558478119&mm=161827615681>

9/16/2026

Training/Staff Development Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558479341&mm=161827615681>

9/16/2026

Make Meetings Matter: Purpose, Clarity, and Reducing Meeting Overload <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558480563&mm=161827615681> (F)

9/23/2026

Genealogy Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558481785&mm=161827615681>

9/24/2026

Back to the Book XXV: Elevating Book Clubs, Inclusive Romance, and Author Connections<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558483007&mm=161827615681>

9/29/2026

Coexisting, Not Competing: Librarianship in the Era of AI (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558484229&mm=161827615681>

9/30/2026

October

Workplace Wellbeing Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558485451&mm=161827615681>

10/1/2026

AI Traffic Light: Flipping the Narrative (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558486673&mm=161827615681>

10/6/2026

Pride is 365: Providing Year-Round LGBTQIA+ Programming and Services (A)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558487895&mm=161827615681>

10/7/2026

Lights, Camera, Content: Creating Social Media Videos with Ease (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558489117&mm=161827615681>

10/8/2026

Middle Management Active Learning Community<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558490339&mm=161827615681>

10/8/2026

Construction and Facilities Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558491561&mm=161827615681>

10/13/2026

Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558492783&mm=161827615681>

10/15/2026

Adult Services Active Learning Community Meeting  <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558494005&mm=161827615681>

10/27/2026

Inclusive Meetings That Work: Online, Hybrid, and Neuro-Inclusive Meeting Practice (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558495227&mm=161827615681>

10/28/2026

View Full Calendar<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558496449&mm=161827615681>

[Myths and Misconceptions of Socioeconomic Status in the US. August 12. This webinar will not be recorded.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558497671&mm=161827615681>

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Save the Date!

NEO-RLS Technology Conference 2026: Proceed with Caution and Confidence will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Twinsburg, Ohio. Join industry experts and library colleagues for a deep dive into AI ethics, cybersecurity threats, and more emerging trends in library technology.

Academic Directors ALC Rescheduled

Academic Library Directors Active Learning Community In-Person Meeting will be held next Wednesday, August 5th at 1:00 PM. Register here to receive more information: Link to Register<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558457345&mm=161827615681>.

[Respect + Resilience: Applying the Mentor Mindset to Improve Teen Engagement. september 2.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558498893&mm=161827615681>

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State Library of Ohio Awarded $146, 615 NEH Grant to Preserve Arthur St. Clair Papers

The State Library of Ohio is delighted to announce that we have received a $146,615 federal grant <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558500115&mm=161827615681> from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through its Rediscovering Our Revolutionary Tradition program<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558501337&mm=161827615681>. This award will support the preservation, digitization, and expanded public access to the Arthur St. Clair Manuscript Collection, an important collection documenting Ohio and early American history.

State Library of Ohio Digital Initiatives Librarian Shannon Kupfer-Trausch will lead the multi-year effort to digitize approximately 4,000 pages of manuscripts documenting the life and public service of Arthur St. Clair. "Arthur St. Clair played a pivotal role during the nation's formative years," said State Librarian State Librarian Mandy Knapp. "This grant allows us to preserve these extraordinary documents while making them freely accessible to researchers, students, educators, and the public for generations to come."

Currently, much of the collection is accessible only on microfilm created in 1974. Digitization and transcription will make these important historical records searchable online while helping preserve the original documents.

The State Library will share the project through exhibits, educational resources, presentations, social media, and partnerships with libraries, museums, archives, and historical organizations.

[A Science of Reading Reader’s Advisory Overview for All Staff. September 10.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558502559&mm=161827615681>

[EveryLibrary Logo]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558503781&mm=161827615681>

Sign the Petitions for House Bill 7661 and Senate Bill 4925

Thousands of people have already signed EveryLibrary's petitions opposing House Bill 7661<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558505003&mm=161827615681> and Senate Bill 4925<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558506225&mm=161827615681>, two Federal Book Ban bills that will give politicians the power to deny children access to books in school libraries.

Here's how you can help today:

  *   Sign the petitions for House Bill 7661<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558507447&mm=161827615681> and Senate Bill 49<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558508669&mm=161827615681>25<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558509891&mm=161827615681> if you haven't already.
  *   Click to share them on Facebook<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558511113&mm=161827615681>, Bluesky<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558512335&mm=161827615681>, Twitter<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558513557&mm=161827615681>, Threads<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558514779&mm=161827615681>, and LinkedIn<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558516001&mm=161827615681>, or wherever you connect with friends and family.
  *   Forward this email to people who care about libraries, education, and the freedom to read.
  *   Ask just three people to sign.

[Allyship with PFLAG. September 16. Online via Zoom.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558517223&mm=161827615681>

[Library Spotlight]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558518445&mm=161827615681>

North Canton Public Library Launches LibraryGo Mini at Acme

Library card users in North Canton can now browse and check out books while grocery shopping at Acme Fresh Market!

Located near the pharmacy, the LibraryGo Mini offers a collection of books for all ages that you can browse and check out with your North Canton Public Library card while you're picking up groceries.

Fun fact: North Canton Public Library is just the second library in the United States to install a LibraryGo Mini! (The only other installation is at the University of Notre Dame.)

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 to share!

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558519667&mm=161827615681> to create your own account.

[Reserve our Technology and Wellness Kits]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558520889&mm=161827615681>
[Continuing Education @ a Glance]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558522111&mm=161827615681>
[NEO-RLS Jobline]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558523333&mm=161827615681>
[Message Boards Getting Started Guide]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=558524555&mm=161827615681>

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

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