This engaging workshop offers a dynamic forum to collaboratively prepare for the 2026 Children's Summer Reading Program theme, "Unearth a Story."

Start off the morning by learning best practices and pro tips for effectively engaging children directly from an experienced school visit panel. Followed by the popular presentation given by Janet Ingraham Dwyer of the State Library discussing the CSLP theme, Unearth a Story, and the extensive resources offered. Next you will have more time to interact with your colleagues sharing and developing innovative ideas for programs, incentives, and reading tracking methods with fellow librarians.  Before lunch we will embark on creating some theme centered decorations. 

After a provided lunch we will have our program palooza where you will have an opportunity to hear 6 different programs you can implement in your own library.  We will end the day discussing booklist for all ages.  Don't miss this fun-filled day and opportunity to connect with your peers. More details will be coming soon.

Dig In! Unearth Your Summer Why
Unearthing the WHYs of your summer reading program can help you identify which practices are vibrant and beneficial and which should go extinct. We’ll identify our whys, celebrate what we love about summer, and name something we’d like to revisit, change, or let go. This session will also feature a quick tour of CSLP’s “Unearth a Story” theme, art, and resources and other statewide summer planning supports.

Presenter:
Janet Ingraham Dwyer is the youth services library consultant at the State Library of Ohio. Her job is to support, advise, and empower children’s and teen services specialists in public and school libraries around the state. She manages Ohio’s participation in the nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program; coordinates Choose to Read Ohio; co-facilitates Building Community-Based Summers learning sessions; promotes library participation in nutrition programs and community well-being initiatives; and collaborates with the Ohio Library Council on Ohio Ready to Read, a statewide resource network supporting early literacy activities in libraries.


Excavating the Stacks: Unearth a Story Booklist
Lucy Carney, Collection Development Specialist with Cuyahoga County Public Library will share a curated list of books that connect directly to the "Unearth a Story" theme. Join us to discover diverse titles, identify cross-promotional opportunities, and leave equipped with the resources needed to inspire patrons throughout the summer.

Presenter:
Lucy Carney is a Collection Development Specialist at the Cuyahoga County Public Library where she obtains print materials for children and teens, as well as world language materials for all ages. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and has worked at Elyria Public Library’s Central Library as a Children's Librarian, Rocky River Public Library as the Children’s Services Manager, and the Akron-Summit County Public Library as the Children’s Library & Teen Division Manager at the Main Library in downtown Akron.