[OPLINLIST] NEO-RLS News: Happy Summer Reading!

Wed May 27 13:53:38 EDT 2026

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[Guided Reading Rouundtable (GRRT): Intro to Cozy. June 2. REgister now.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537673569&mm=156628212199>

[Ragan Headshot]

A Note from the

Executive Director

As summer reading season begins across Northeast Ohio, we want to wish all of our member libraries the very best for a successful and memorable summer ahead. Summer reading is one of the busiest times of the year for library staff, but it is also a season of creativity, connection, and meaningful community impact.

Whether your library is embracing the “Unearth a Story” theme or creating a theme of your own, we hope your programs are well attended and that your communities discover all of the amazing programs, services, and experiences your library has to offer. Libraries across the region have exciting plans for summer kickoff celebrations, including petting zoos, live entertainment, hands-on activities, and engaging events that will continue throughout the summer.

Thank you to all of the library staff who dedicate so much time and energy to planning, preparing, decorating, coordinating, and showing up each day to create memorable experiences for your communities. Your work helps make summer reading a tradition that families look forward to year after year. Good luck, and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish this summer.

Happy Summer Reading!

Ragan

Exciting Events & CE You Can’t Miss!

May

Academic Library Directors Active Learning Community Meeting - In-Person<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537674791&mm=156628212199>

5/29/2026

June

Guided Reading Roundtable (GRRT): Intro to Cozy<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537676013&mm=156628212199>

6/2/2026

Special Libraries Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537677235&mm=156628212199>

6/3/2026

Facing Challenges, Embracing Change: A Day for Collection Management and Technical Services (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537678457&mm=156628212199>

6/4/2026

Human Resource/Fiscal Officer Active Learning Community Meeting - In-Person<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537679679&mm=156628212199>

6/5/2026

Human Resource/Fiscal Officer Active Learning Community Meeting - Via Zoom  <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537680901&mm=156628212199>

6/5/2026

Canva Drop-In For All<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537682123&mm=156628212199>

6/9/2026

Community Care for Burned-Out Library Workers<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537683345&mm=156628212199> (F)

6/11/2026

Personalized Reference vs. Standardized Reference: When to Use the Right Reference Skills<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537684567&mm=156628212199> (I)

6/17/2026

July

Opening Doors Online: The Basics of Web Accessibility, Innovation, and Laws (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537685789&mm=156628212199>

7/14/2026

Kindness Without Naivety: Leading and Working Well When the World Feels Hard (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537687011&mm=156628212199>

7/15/2026

Supporting Immigrant Patrons and Understanding 4th Amendment Rights in the Workplace (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537688233&mm=156628212199>

7/22/2026

Strategies for Leading Library Staff Through Disruptive Change (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537689455&mm=156628212199>

7/29/2026

August

Guided Reading Round Table (GRRT): Cozy Sci-Fi & Fantasy<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537690677&mm=156628212199>

8/4/2026

Managing Change Fatigue (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537691899&mm=156628212199>

8/5/2026

Introduction to Socioeconomic Status in the U.S. (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537693121&mm=156628212199>

8/12/2026

 Access is Customer Service: Community Belonging in Public Library (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537694343&mm=156628212199>

8/20/2026

Strengthening Staff Communication Across Generations (F)  <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537695565&mm=156628212199>

8/26/2026

September

Respect + Resilience: Applying the Mentor Mindset to Improve Teen Engagement (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537696787&mm=156628212199>

9/2/2026

Safety and Security in Libraries (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537698009&mm=156628212199>

9/9/2026

NEW-Allyship with PFLAG :
Ten Steps to Becoming an Ally with Colleagues, Friends and Family( I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537699231&mm=156628212199>

9/16/2026

[View Full Calendar]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537700453&mm=156628212199>

[Submit nominatios for NEO-RLS Star Awards by June 30]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537701675&mm=156628212199>

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Nominate a Star Now!

Nominations are now open for the 2026 NEO-RLS Star Awards. This is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding work happening in libraries across our region by nominating an exceptional colleague, volunteer, or leader whose contributions are making a meaningful impact in their library and community.

Award categories include Rising Star (less than 5 years of service), Shooting Star (5–20 years of service), and Super Star (more than 20 years of service). Visit the Awards Page<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537701675&mm=156628212199> to submit your nomination and access tips for writing a strong nomination.

The submission deadline is June 30, 2026. If you would like feedback before submitting, send a draft of your nomination to ragan.snead at neo-rls.org<mailto:ragan.snead at neo-rls.org> by June 15.

[Kindness with Naivety: Leading and Working Well when the World Feels Hard. July 15, 10:00 AM until 11;00 AM. Online via Zoom.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537702897&mm=156628212199>

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Ohio Collections Analysis Initiative Updates and Upcoming Webinar

TeachingBooks and the State Library of Ohio recently conducted a user survey for those who are registered for the Ohio Collections Analysis Initiative. The feedback was helpful as we plan future communications, webinars, and resources.

 If you aren’t sure if you are registered or can’t find your account information, email help at teachingbooks.net<mailto:help at teachingbooks.net>. Or visit Ohio Collections Analysis Initiative<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537704119&mm=156628212199> home page to sign up.

Register now for Getting Started with the Ohio Collections Analysis Initiative on June 16 at 3:30 p.m.  At the 45-minute webinar, participants will learn the basics of the tool including how to analyze the children’s and young adult books in your collections, programs, displays, and more. Attendees will leave prepared to integrate these tools into their collection management routines.

Register for June 16 webinar. <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537705341&mm=156628212199>

The Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative is a collaborative project of the State Library of Ohio and TeachingBooks.net<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537706563&mm=156628212199>. The project is funded by Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) federal funds granted to the State Library of Ohio. 

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[OhioNet logo]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537707785&mm=156628212199>

Register Now For the National Maker Collective Conference 2026 (Supported by OhioNet)

The National Maker Collective is thrilled to invite you to our very first in-person conference, The National Maker Collective Conference 2026. Whether you’re running a makerspace in a community center basement or a university innovation lab, dreaming about launching your first space, volunteering on weekends, or simply curious about what makes the maker movement tick, you belong here. This conference is built by makerspace people, for makerspace people. All backgrounds, all experience levels, all welcome.

This event is hosted by the National Maker Collective, an organization for makerspace people to find community, exchange ideas, tackle challenges together, and build relationships that strengthen the maker movement. We exist for makerspaces of all kinds, creating a national community that’s as diverse and creative as the makers themselves.

This event will be held at the Greene County Career Center, 532 Innovation Dr., Xenia, OH 45385 on July 25, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST.

Free parking is available in the venue parking lot.

Registration is $50 and includes lunch. Please make a lunch selection at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/s7D53Azk2C<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537709007&mm=156628212199>

This event is supported by OhioNet. If you have questions about registration, please contact ohionet at ohionet.org<mailto:ohionet at ohionet.org>. If you have questions about the conference, please contact nationalmakercollective at gmail.com<mailto:nationalmakercollective at gmail.com>.

[Missed a webinar? Find it in the NEO-RLS Archives. Access On-Demand Training now.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537710229&mm=156628212199>

[Library Spotlight]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537711451&mm=156628212199>

Celebrating Summer Reading

This month's spotlight is on all the libraries kicking off summer reading! Whether your library is following the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Unearth a Story<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537712673&mm=156628212199> theme, the iREAD Plant a Seed, Read<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537713895&mm=156628212199> theme, or something else, NEO-RLS is here to support you during the busy months ahead.

We'd love to see how you are getting your community excited for reading this summer. Email our Marketing & Engagement Coordinator Jill at jill.grunenwald at neo-rls.org<mailto:jill.grunenwald at neo-rls.org?subject=Library%20Spotlight> any programs, marketing, photos, or anything else you'd like to share!

[Canva Drop-In For All. June 9.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=537682123&mm=156628212199>

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