[SEO-Members] Join a Building Community-Based Summers virtual cohort this Fall!

[jdwyer at library.ohio.gov]

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Invitation to a Tri-State Cohort for Building Community-Based Summers 

Public library workers in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana are invited to apply to participate<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7to_ynvgHyC-TuIF6BR-U9e6eEEsvyWbpEH0yQrfICz4OOQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=100489636792796500691> in Building Community-Based Summers<https://communitybasedsummers.org/> (BCBS), a series of learning and discussion sessions held online on Tuesday mornings from late September through mid-December 2025. (Dates listed below.)

BCBS is designed to help libraries build strategies to work with their communities to create and provide inclusive summer programs and services. 

Selected participants will engage with a tri-state cohort to dig deeply into inclusive summer services. Participants will work with the Youth Services Consultants from Michigan and Ohio, the Adult Services Consultant from Ohio, and each other to consider what impact summer programs are having on those that need them the most.

Each participating library will be represented by a team of 2-4 individuals. Libraries are encouraged to send staff from across departments, including youth services, adult services, programming, outreach, customer service, and/or administration. Participation will require, of all team members:

  *   Participation in a 90-minute online introductory meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
  *   Active attendance at 8 meetings, including four 2-hour learning sessions and four 1-hour reflection sessions (two 1-hour drop-in sessions will also be scheduled; these are optional). The sessions will run weekly on Tuesday mornings from late September - mid-December 2025. Sessions will be held via Zoom. No session will be held the weeks of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
  *   Work within your library and community to begin to consider and assess your existing and planned summer programs and services through a community-focused lens.

If you are interested in being a part of this learning opportunity, complete this application by midnight on Sunday, August 24<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7to_ynvgHyC-TuIF6BR-U9e6eEEsvyWbpEH0yQrfICz4OOQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=100489636792796500691>.
Note: Each staff member who wishes to participate should complete the application individually.

This is expected to be a competitive process, and not all applicants may be selected. We are seeking a diverse group representing all library and community sizes, various geographic areas, and various demographic community compositions. Applicants will be notified of selection decisions by Monday, September 8.

Questions? Contact any of us:
Katy Hite<http://khite@library.ohio.gov/>, Adult Services Consultant, State Library of Ohio
Janet Ingraham Dwyer<http://jdwyer@library.ohio.gov/>, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of Ohio
Cathy Lancaster<mailto:LancasterC5 at michigan.gov>, Youth Services Coordinator, Library of Michigan

Or register here for a virtual Q&A session<https://forms.gle/bLiujmGoQ6ADRzHx5> taking place on Monday, August 11 at 11:00 ET. Library consultants will be available to answer questions live. Submit questions through the registration form or ask by voice or chat during the Q&A!

BCBS 2025 Tri-State Cohort Schedule
All dates are Tuesdays. All times are listed in Eastern time. Optional sessions are marked with an *.

  *   September 23, 10-11:30 am: Intro / orientation

  *   September 30, 10am - Noon: The Whys of Summer

  *   October 7, 10-11am: The Whys of Summer reflection

  *   October 14, 10am - Noon: Letting Go of Traditions

  *   October 21, 10-11am: Letting Go of Traditions Reflection

  *   October 28, 10-11am: The Whys of Summer / Letting Go of Traditions optional discussion*

  *   November 4, 10am - Noon: Connecting with Community

  *   November 18, 10-11am: Connecting with Community reflection

  *   December 2, 10am - Noon: Measuring Progress

  *   December 9, 10-11am: Measuring Progress reflection

  *   December 16, 10am - Noon: Connecting with Community / Measuring Progress & course wrap-up optional discussion*
Note: no sessions on the weeks of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving

This series is based on the Building Community-Based Summers<https://communitybasedsummers.org/> framework developed as part of a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services<https://www.imls.gov/>. Learn more:

  *   BCBS website<https://communitybasedsummers.org/>

  *   BCBS IMLS grant<https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded/re-252358-ols-22>

  *   History of the BCBS project<https://communitybasedsummers.org/meet-bcbs/history/>
 
This project is made possible with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 


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Janet Ingraham Dwyer
Youth Services Library Consultant
Library Programs & Development
State Library of Ohio
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
614.644.6910
jdwyer at library.ohio.gov<mailto:jdwyer at library.ohio.gov>
library.ohio.gov<https://library.ohio.gov/>

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