The 2025 NEO-RLS New Supervisors' Academy is looking for new attendees.
Becoming a supervisor adds new and different challenges to your work day regardless of the type or size of library you work in. The Academy's courses will provide you with the skills and confidence you need to handle the many and varied challenges of being a supervisor. Programs will focus on three key areas: leadership, communication and staff development. The Academy is appropriate for new supervisors in multi-type libraries and for those who want a refresher.

Past participants had this to say:
"It was a great opportunity that allowed me to network and meet other library supervisors and increase my knowledge of how to be a leader in any role that I take on."

"In general, this was a great academy where I learned a lot and it pushed me to think about where I needed more help and helped me to develop some new ways of doing things that will hopefully benefit everyone."

Session 1
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Twinsburg Public Library
9:30 am -  4:00 pm

Morning Session-It all Starts with Attitude 
Being a good supervisor starts with having a great attitude and our series will begin with the opportunity to listen and interact with leaders as they share their experiences regarding the impact of attitude. Be sure to bring your most pressing questions.

The panel will consist of:
Mary Frankenfield, Deputy Director, Mansfield-Richland County Public Library
Eic Taggart, Director, Rodman Public Library
Jennifer Buch, Director, Huron Public Library
Suzanna Schroeder-Green. Director, Library and Academic Suppport Services, Ursuline University
Steve Haynie, Branch Manager, South Euclid Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library

Afternoon Session-Myers-Briggs Type Indicator:  Get to Know Yourself
The afternoon will focus on a Myers Briggs assessment. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment provides a useful method for understanding people by looking at eight personality preferences that everyone uses at different times. One of the most critical aspects of the MBTI is that it identifies preferences, not abilities or skills. It is designed to bring type awareness to those who might find growth and learning within its ideas. You will have fun exploring and validating your type preferences. The MBTI is the most popular assessment in the world and has been applied as a tool for many years by a variety of users around the globe. This assessment will not only help you to know yourself but give you insights into how your employees work.

Presenter:
Holly Klingler, an MBTI Certified Practitioner and Facilitator, has over 16 years of experience empowering professionals across various fields to enhance their careers and personal growth. Specializing in MBTI-based approaches, she helps individuals maximize their communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills. With 12 years dedicated to training library staff and communities, Holly offers personalized insights that help professionals showcase their strengths and grow their confidence.




Session 2
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - Bainbridge Branch, Geauga County Public Library

• Gain the confidence needed to lead proactively and make informed decisions. 
• Analyze potential scenarios, responses, and outcomes encountered in a supervisory role. 
• Participate in group activities and engage with peers to collaboratively explore and share insights, offer mutual support, and exchange best practices. 

Session 3
Tuesday, Apri 15, 2025 - Brooklyn Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Morning Session: Change Course without Rocking the Boat
As new supervisors you may find unresolved challenges with your staff that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.  How do you go about addressing something that might have been brewing for a long time without Rocking the Boat?  Learn how to use expectations, goals, communication, follow-up and follow-through to right the ship and move forward with confidence.

Presenter:
Cheryl Kuonen, Director, Mentor Public Library








Afternoon Session-Servant Leadership: A Service First Approach to Supervising & Developing People
Whether you’re new to leadership or a seasoned pro, this session will take a deep dive into leading through the lens of service. Learn tips on finding and growing talent, creating a sense of ownership, and building an engaged, effective team full of people who love their jobs. Many of the customer service skills you already know will help you to be a manager you’d love to have. Learn how great service will help you manage conflict resolution, high emotions, and course corrections while still building a culture of empowerment and belonging.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to translate customer service skills to leadership success.
• Learn the nuts and bolts of navigating high emotions and difficult employees with a positive over punitive approach
• Develop strategies to identify, develop, and empower employees to contribute to an outstanding culture 

​Presenter:

Ben Heckman, Director, Bexley Public Library
Ben Heckman has loved books, conversation, and people since he can remember. So, it is no surprise that after obtaining his undergraduate degree, his career first took him into teaching and then on to management at Starbucks Coffee Company. Eventually, his passion for learning and his curious nature led him into the library world. In 2014, he earned his Master’s in Library Science. He began his library career at Bexley Public Library at the circulation desk, moving on to managing public services, and then served as Assistant Library Director before becoming the Library’s tenth director in 2017. Having the opportunity to work every day with the incredible staff at Bexley Public Library is one of his greatest joys.


Session 4
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm From Your Desktop
Time Management Yours and Theirs
Time management is one of the most important skills that any manager/supervisor should have. Understanding, implementing and following effective time management practices will help you accomplish more.
 
Learning objectives:

Presenter:
Kim DeNero-Ackroyd has been the Deputy Director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library for 13 years. In this role, she supervises eight public service managers directly, as well as leads all public service activities. She currently serves on as the chair of ALA’s Committee on Organization, is a member of PLA’s Continuing Education Advisory Group and is on the OLC Board of Directors. Prior to her current role, she has twice been a branch manager, in addition to other supervisory positions. In all of her positions, effective time management has been one of the critical components of success. She is passionate about helping to develop future and current library leaders.


Session 5
Tuesday, June 5, 2025 -  LocationTBA
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

HR Stuff Every New Supervisor Should Know: Having a Solid Legal Foundation

Learning Objectives:

Presenter:
Jim P. Wilkins,  Shareholder, OSBA Certified Specialist in Labor & Employment Law, Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC
Jim began his law career more than thirty years ago when labor law – dealing with unions -- was in full bloom, and employment law was still emerging. As a result, he has a depth and breadth of experience in labor law that many younger lawyers won’t have because of the decline in the unionized segment of the American workforce.

Throughout his career, he has devoted significant time to representing and counseling employers on union relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, arbitration proceedings, and maintaining non-union status. He has negotiated countless labor contracts in both the private and public sectors, both blue collar and white collar. He regularly represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board and Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board in representation and unfair labor practice proceedings.

At the same time, Jim is as much an employment lawyer as he is a labor lawyer. He has been around from the outset of such landmark legislation as the ADA and FMLA. Both have a tremendous impact on the day-to-day advice he provides to employers who look to him to keep them out of trouble. When discrimination claims arise, Jim represents employers in state and federal courts and before the EEOC and state fair employment practice agencies. Jim also assists employers who have federal contracts with their affirmative action obligations, including the preparation of affirmative action plans.


Session 6
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 10 am - 11 am From Your Desktop
Practical Budget Management: How to Avoid Disaster, Make Smart Moves, Report Responsibly, and Stress Less About your Budget! 
Whether you’re a newly minted library staffer responsible for the budget for Summer Reading, a Director concerned with making the most of your budget, or have budgeting responsibilities somewhere in-between, budgeting can be intimidating. Join Wendy Bartlett, Collection Development & Acquisitions Manager for Cuyahoga County Public Library, and learn basic budgeting do’s and don’ts, how to be ready for unexpected decreases in funding, how to cope if you mess up, and how to educate yourself about the bigger budgeting picture. You’ll leave with practical ideas (and tools!) that will make working with the budget a pleasure rather than a chore.

Learning Objectives:

Presenter:
Wendy Bartlett serves as the Collection Development & Acquisitions Manager for Cuyahoga County Public Library, a position she has held since 2009. Before that, Wendy was the branch manager for the Beachwood Branch of CCPL, and before that, the Assistant Director of the Kent Free Library. Wendy was the Regional Manager of the Cleveland-Pittsburgh Borders stories before joining the library world. She also served as a Councilperson for the Village of Lodi, her hometown in her twenties, where she first learned about budgeting for government agencies.




Session 7
Date and-Location TBA
 9:30 am -4:00 pm
 

Morning Session-Setting Performance Goals and Evaluations
In the morning session we will learn about setting performance goals, monitoring performance, and conducting periodic evaluations - all critical job skills for all supervisors. We will utilize real-life scenarios through group activities to reinforce these skills.
 

Afternoon Session-Performance Planning
The afternoon session will focus on professional language to use in writing the evaluation that will provide clear, empowering conversations with employees.  Scenario-based group learning will also be used in this session.  Handouts will give those in attendance useful takeaways to assist in all aspects of the performance process.

Presenter:
Colleen Kelly, MATLT, MAED
Colleen spent 28 ½ years working for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library in a variety of roles.  She started her library career as a part-time circulation clerk, worked as the Head of Circulation at the Eastlake Library, served as the Technology Coordinator for 15 years and ended her career as the first Human Resources Coordinator.  Colleen also served as a member of many committees and chaired the Staff Recognition, Staff Development Day and Staff Training committees.  Along the way, she helped form the union and served as the Union President for 6 years – negotiating two contracts.

Serving in her many roles at the library gave Colleen a varied experience with the performance evaluation process.   She supervised several clerks and computer technicians over the years and used many different types of evaluations.  She also served on 2 committees that created the different evaluation forms and processes.

Colleen retired on July 1^st of 2021.  She spends most days enjoying the company of her 12 grandchildren.  She has a passion for training and is working on developing training programs on several topics.
 

Final Session - Thursday, September 18, 2025 at a Location TBD
9:30 am -4:00 pm

Morning Session-Boosting Leadership Self-Confidence
As leaders, we often prioritize supporting others over our own well-being, but neglecting self-care can harm both us and our teams. Recognizing and prioritizing self-care is essential for effective leadership. At the same time, many leaders grapple with impostor syndrome and self-doubt, which can lead to stress, perfectionism, and hesitation. This workshop will guide you in recognizing and re framing these thoughts while equipping you with actionable strategies to build confidence and resilience.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Prioritize self-care to enhance your leadership capacity.
• Overcome impostor syndrome and re frame self-doubt.
• Speak and act with greater confidence and assertiveness.
• Build resilience and recover from setbacks effectively.

 

Afternoon Session
We will conclude the academy with the return of first day panel of speakers with time to network and get those final questions answered.