Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Date/Time
5/12/2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern
Event Registration
Competency
Programming
Event Description
Libraries continue to face challenges in rebuilding attendance and sustaining meaningful relationships with children and caregivers. This interactive session offers practical, field-tested strategies for designing programs that attract families, foster literacy, and position the library as a vibrant hub for community life.
Participants will explore what today’s families are truly looking for from libraries, program models that succeed across different community sizes, and strategies for engaging reluctant or hard-to-reach participants. We will discuss low-cost, high-impact programming ideas that staff can implement immediately, ways to strengthen partnerships with schools and community organizations, and approaches to measuring success beyond attendance numbers. The session is designed to be immediately applicable for both large systems and smaller branches.
Learning Objectives:
Annisha Jeffries is a seasoned public librarian and Early Literacy expert with over 30 years of experience. She founded Born Readers, LLC Consulting, to help libraries, schools, and community groups create effective literacy programs that reach families in everyday settings. Annisha is passionate about connecting children with literacy from birth to elementary school and has been recognized nationally for her advocacy. She holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Cleveland State University, and has received awards including the American Library Association’s Spectrum Scholarship. She also served as Chair of the 2021 Caldecott Committee.
Participants will explore what today’s families are truly looking for from libraries, program models that succeed across different community sizes, and strategies for engaging reluctant or hard-to-reach participants. We will discuss low-cost, high-impact programming ideas that staff can implement immediately, ways to strengthen partnerships with schools and community organizations, and approaches to measuring success beyond attendance numbers. The session is designed to be immediately applicable for both large systems and smaller branches.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify needs and expectations of families in order to design library programs that effectively attract and engage children and caregivers.
- Apply practical, low-cost programming strategies and adaptable program models that foster literacy and increase participation.
- Develop approaches to evaluate program success using metrics beyond attendance, with a focus on strengthening community relationships and long-term engagement.
Annisha Jeffries is a seasoned public librarian and Early Literacy expert with over 30 years of experience. She founded Born Readers, LLC Consulting, to help libraries, schools, and community groups create effective literacy programs that reach families in everyday settings. Annisha is passionate about connecting children with literacy from birth to elementary school and has been recognized nationally for her advocacy. She holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Cleveland State University, and has received awards including the American Library Association’s Spectrum Scholarship. She also served as Chair of the 2021 Caldecott Committee.Location
Online via Zoom
UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES
Contact Person
Details
Who should attend: Anyone interested in High-Impact Programs that Bring Families back to the Library
Competencies: Programming
Non-Member Cost: $40
NEO-RLS Bronze Member Cost: $24
NEO-RLS Silver Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Gold Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Individual Member Cost: $20
Can't attend on the date or time listed? Sign up anyway! This webinar includes archive access for later viewing at your convenience.
It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO-RLS Memberships are pro-rated! Call us today to join.
Competencies: Programming
Non-Member Cost: $40
NEO-RLS Bronze Member Cost: $24
NEO-RLS Silver Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Gold Member Cost: FREE
NEO-RLS Individual Member Cost: $20
Can't attend on the date or time listed? Sign up anyway! This webinar includes archive access for later viewing at your convenience.
It’s never too late to save your library money. NEO-RLS Memberships are pro-rated! Call us today to join.
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