[OPLINLIST] NEO-RLS News: Join Us in Saying Farewell To Our Programs and Services Associate

Wed Sep 2 14:49:01 EDT 2026

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[Farewell and good luck, Hillary! Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and the positive energy you brought to the NEO-RLS team every day. Your presence has made a meaningful diffaerence, and you will be sincerely missed!]

[Ragan Headshot]

A Note from the

Programs & Services Associate

Throughout my 15-year career in libraries, whenever someone asks what I do and I tell them I work in libraries, inevitably their face lights up. They tell me how wonderful libraries are, how cool my job sounds, or how important libraries have been to them or their children. It’s true, I tell them, libraries are amazing resources for their communities, transformative spaces open to everyone, and every job I’ve had in libraries has been very cool.

It’s been an especially cool experience to get to work with all the libraries across the 22 counties in our region as Programs and Services Associate at NEO-RLS. So, it is bittersweet for me to announce that I will be leaving the organization this week, to pursue a new opportunity in the non-profit sector. I will be passing my contacts and on-going projects into the extremely capable hands of Continuing Education Coordinator, Melissa Lattanzi.

It has been such a privilege to collaborate with and learn from library employees from across the region. It’s been an honor to be invited to visit your spaces, to hear how you serve your unique communities, to meditate and ideate with you and confer about how we as information professionals can best serve our region. We are truly lucky here in Northeast Ohio with our strong network of incredible libraries and the kind, creative, and dedicated people who staff them. I look forward to my next chapter as library advocate, patron and supporter. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you to the amazing staff at NEO-RLS for this wonderful experience. See you in the stacks!

Best wishes,

Hillary

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=572210955&mm=165327952807>

9/2/2026

IT Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572212177&mm=165327952807>

9/3/2026

Safety and Security in Libraries (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572213399&mm=165327952807>

9/9/2026

Directors/Deputy Directors Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572214621&mm=165327952807>

9/9/2026

A Science of Reading Reader's Advisory Overview For All Staff (F) <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572215843&mm=165327952807>

9/10/2026

 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572217065&mm=165327952807>

9/10/2026

Human Resource/Fiscal Officer Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572218287&mm=165327952807>

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=572219509&mm=165327952807> (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572219509&mm=165327952807>

9/16/2026

Training/Staff Development Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572220731&mm=165327952807>

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=572221953&mm=165327952807>

9/22/2026

Make Meetings Matter: Purpose, Clarity, and Reducing Meeting Overload <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572223175&mm=165327952807> (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=572224397&mm=165327952807>

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=572225619&mm=165327952807>

9/24/2026

Genealogy Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572226841&mm=165327952807>

9/24/2026

Back to the Book XXV: Elevating Book Clubs, Inclusive Romance, and Author Connections<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572228063&mm=165327952807>

9/29/2026

Coexisting, Not Competing: Librarianship in the Era of AI (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572229285&mm=165327952807>

9/30/2026

October

Workplace Wellbeing Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572230507&mm=165327952807>

10/1/2026

AI Traffic Light: Flipping the Narrative (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572231729&mm=165327952807>

10/6/2026

Guided Reading Round Table (GRRT): Cozy Mystery & Horror<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572232951&mm=165327952807>

10/6/2026

Pride is 365: Providing Year-Round LGBTQIA+ Programming and Services (A)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572234173&mm=165327952807>

10/7/2026

Lights, Camera, Content: Creating Social Media Videos with Ease (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572235395&mm=165327952807>

10/8/2026

Middle Management Active Learning Community<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572236617&mm=165327952807>

10/8/2026

Construction and Facilities Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572237839&mm=165327952807>

10/13/2026

 2026-2027 Leadership Academy (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572239061&mm=165327952807>

10/14/2026

Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572240283&mm=165327952807>

10/15/2026

Why Microlearning Works: Building a Culture of Continuous Learning (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572241505&mm=165327952807>

10/27/2026

Adult Services Active Learning Community Meeting  <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572242727&mm=165327952807>

10/27/2026

Inclusive Meetings That Work: Online, Hybrid, and Neuro-Inclusive Meeting Practice (I)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572243949&mm=165327952807>

10/28/2026

November

Outreach Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572245171&mm=165327952807>

11/3/2026

Circulation Active Learning Community Meeting<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572246393&mm=165327952807>

11/10/2026

Technology Conference 2026: Proceed with Caution and Confidence<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572247615&mm=165327952807>

11/12/2026

Storytime Foundations Workshop (F)<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572248837&mm=165327952807>

11/19/2026

View Full Calendar<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572250059&mm=165327952807>

[Here's what happened in July: 4 events provided; 292 registered for live events; 184 registered for Archived Webinar Library]

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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.

Technology & Wellness Kit Circulation Temporarily Paused

With the resignation of our Programs and Services Associate, Hillary Brown, circulation of our Technology and Wellness Kits will be temporarily placed on hold until further notice. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this transition and determine next steps for these services.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ragan Snead at ragan.snead at neo-rls.org<mailto:ragan.snead at neo-rls.org>.

[September Active Learning Community Meetings]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572251281&mm=165327952807>

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State Library Awards $25,437 in 2026 LSTA Open Grants

The Academic Library Association of Ohio, Cleveland State University, Delphos Public Library, Wauseon Public Library, Cuyahoga Falls Library, and MidPointe Library System have been awarded federally funded Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Open Grants from the State Library of Ohio. Recognizing that each library knows its community best, the State Library of Ohio’s LSTA Open Grant program offers applicants flexibility in the development of their projects.

The aim is for libraries and library organizations seeking the grant to showcase their innovation and creativity by proposing projects that may not be possible without the support of federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) LSTA funding.?

The?LSTA Open Grant program<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572252503&mm=165327952807>?allows libraries to request up to $4,999 in federal funds. No local match is required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed and awarded to a maximum of six libraries, two times per year.

The State Library of Ohio congratulates the 2026 Open Grant recipients and looks forward to the positive impact these innovative projects will have across their communities.

[Register Now for our 2026 Technology Conference]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572247615&mm=165327952807>

[ABOS Logo]

The Premier Conference for Library Outreach Services

If library outreach is what you do, this is where you need to be. The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) Annual Conference is dedicated to the people, programs, partnerships, and possibilities that bring library services beyond the walls and into our communities.

October 11-14, 2026

Columbus, OH

Top 5 Reasons You Don't Want to Miss #ABOS2026 in Person:

  *   Outreach Takes Center Stage
  *   Keynote Spaker: Ashley Hope Perez
  *   Connect With Your Outreach Community
  *   Get Inspired & Re-Energized
  *   Because Outreach Happens Beyond the Stacks!

Click here to learn more about the conference and to register.<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572253725&mm=165327952807>

[Pride is 365: Providing year-round LGBTQIA+ programming and services. october 7. Online via zoom.]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572234173&mm=165327952807>

[Library Spotlight]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572254947&mm=165327952807>

Congratulations to NEO-RLS Receipents of LSTA Grants from State Library of Ohio

Cleveland State University

Grant funds will support the development of an asynchronous, modular, AI literacy course to support students who may be struggling to use AI responsibly.

Cuyahoga Falls Library

Grant Funds will allow the library to provide access to maker style programs and supplies to patrons who face barriers to visiting the library in person.

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.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572256169&mm=165327952807> to create your own account.

[Reserve our Technology and Wellness Kits]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572257391&mm=165327952807>
[Continuing Education @ a Glance]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572258613&mm=165327952807>
[NEO-RLS Jobline]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572259835&mm=165327952807>
[Message Boards Getting Started Guide]<https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572261057&mm=165327952807>

[E-Mail]<mailto:ragan.snead at neo-rls.org>        [Web Site] <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572262279&mm=165327952807>       [Facebook] <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572263501&mm=165327952807>       [LinkedIn] <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572264723&mm=165327952807>       [Instagram] <https://mms.neo-rls.org/ct.php?lid=572265945&mm=165327952807>

Click here to unsubscribe.<https://mms.neo-rls.org/members/optout.php?orgcode=NEOL&msg=227501863&mid=3665611083>
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Message sent by Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, jill.grunenwald at neo-rls.org<mailto:jill.grunenwald at neo-rls.org>
Northeast Ohio Regional Library System | P.O. Box 1021 | Twinsburg, OH 44087

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