Unconventional to Conventional Conference

Description

Registration Deadline: June 6, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m.

Registration Fees: Member* $150 | Non-member $300

*In order to qualify for the member rate, the registrant must be an individual member of the Ohio Library Council.

Conference Overview: This conference will focus on best practices for providing innovative materials, programs and services and how to get all staff engaged with something they've never done.

What's Included: Morning refreshments and lunch. All handouts, provided by presenters, will be available online through the OLC app. Print them prior to the workshop, view them from your personal device during the event or view/download them after the event. The handouts will be available in the OLC app for 30 days following the program. 

Continuing Education Credits: For those working toward their Ohio Public Librarian or Ohio Public Library Staff re-certification, this conference will count as six (6) contact hours of credit. 

Hotel Accommodations: The OLC has secured a discounted room rate at the nearby TownePlace Suites Columbus Dublin, 5515 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, OH 43017. Reserve your room online to receive 15% off the best available Studio Suites rate. Availability not guaranteed.

AGENDA:

Agenda with Session Descriptions

9:15 a.m. | Registration, Networking and Continental Breakfast

9:45 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions 

Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council and Jenn Eyer, Conference Chair and Staff Development Coordinator, Worthington Libraries

10 a.m. | An Unconventional Approach to Community Engagement  

Maria Trivisonno, Shandon Washington, Pam Jankowski, and Mary Schreiber, Cuyahoga County Public Library 

CC: Community Engagement, Programming

11 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Building a Sustainable Talent Pipeline: A Holistic Approach to Staffing in Libraries 

Katrina Plourde and Kristin Michel, Westerville Public Library

CC: Personnel Management/Staff Development

(B) Designing Library Experiences 

Christian Davell, Wright Memorial Library

CC: Programming

12:15 p.m. | Lunch and networking    

1 p.m. |  Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Lit Kits – Library Subscription Book Boxes 

Hilary Gabers, Defiance Public Library

CC: Programming

(B) Speak Easy: Connecting Language and Community

Kristy Szkudlarek, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

CC: Community Engagement

2 p.m. | Break

2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions (choose one)

(A) Library Labyrinth – Designing Library Escape Room Experiences

Amanda Boyce, Kent Free Library and Emily Lohr, Shaker Heights Public Library

CC: Programming

(B) Creating a Memory Lab: Empowering Patrons to Save Their Stories

Joshua Bryant, Bexley Public Library and Allison Howell, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library

CC: Innovation

3:15 p.m. | Break

3:30 p.m. | All Things Library of Things 

Katy Hite, State Library of Ohio 

CC: Collection Management

4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks & Adjourn

Conference Planning Committee:

Jenn Eyer, Chair, Worthington Libraries

Shaun Davidson, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Jessica Smith, Marysville Public Library

Susan Cook, PDC Liaison, Columbus Metropolitan Library