The Northeast Ohio Regional Library System (NEO-RLS)

Yesterday, we hosted a full-day seminar for emerging leaders as part of our New Supervisor Academy. The sessions were held at the newly opened Brooklyn Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, a beautiful space for a day of learning, growth, and connection. 💡Morning Session: Change Course without Rocking the Boat New supervisors explored how to address long-standing staff challenges with clarity and confidence. With practical strategies around communication, setting expectations, and follow-through, participants learned how to guide their teams through change—without causing disruption. 💡Afternoon Session: Servant Leadership – A Service First Approach to Supervising & Developing People Grounded in the principles of service, this session focused on translating strong customer service skills into successful leadership practices. From conflict resolution to team engagement, participants walked away with actionable tools to lead with empathy and purpose. We're proud to support our library professionals as they step into leadership roles and look forward to seeing their growth through the New Supervisor Academy. #LibraryLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #ServantLeadership #NewSupervisorAcademy #LeadershipDevelopment #LibrariesLead

🌲 Ready to recharge, reflect, and reimagine leadership? Registration is now open for our 2025 Directors' Retreat. Don't miss this unique opportunity for library leaders to step away from the day-to-day and reconnect with purpose, peers, and possibilities. 🗓️ Date: May 22-23, 2025 📍 Location: Punderson Manor State Park Lodge 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gxF28Zkh Join fellow directors for meaningful conversations, fresh perspectives, and the space to think big about the future of our libraries. Spots are limited—secure yours today! #LibraryLeadership #DirectorsRetreat #LibraryLife #ProfessionalDevelopment #Librarians #LibraryDirectors

Are you a student currently enrolled in an MLIS program in the United States and not working at an NEO-RLS library? Good news! You are eligible for free gold membership to NEO-RLS! MLIS Student Membership Benefits: 📖Free Continuing Education 👩🏿💻Convenient webinars and online workshops 🧑🏫Face-to-Face workshops in Northeast Ohio ✨Participation in Special Interest Network Groups 📰Weekly Newsletter 💼Career Resources Learn more about MLIS student membership and sign up today here: https://lnkd.in/gaHfKgvq #mlis #libraryscience #gradschool #librarians

What draws people to the library? Everything! From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities. National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. 📚Monday, April 7: Right to Read Day, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. 👨🏼💻Tuesday, April 8: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. 🚍Wednesday, April 9: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. 📣Thursday, April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries. #nationallibraryweek #librarylove #librarylife #librarians

Ohio’s libraries are facing an unprecedented threat in the Ohio House of Representatives. The House’s biennial budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund (PLF), which has been the backbone of Ohio’s public library system for over 40 years. 🚨 The Ohio House of Representatives’ budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund, a mechanism that has funded 251 public library systems for four decades. 🚨 Ohio House Members plan to replace the Public Library Fund with a lump dollar amount for all Ohio libraries, which will result in cuts to libraries across the state. 🚨 The Public Library Fund has remained flat for 25 years and House Members have put forward a dollar amount that does not account for a quarter of a century of inflation. Library staff, supporters, and community members can help by contacting your state representative and Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman today. Find your state representative’s phone number and email by visiting www.ohiohouse.gov. Speaker Huffman can be reached at rep78@ohiohouse.gov or (614) 466-6344.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday in Twinsburg for our first ever Customer Service Conference! From Andrew Sanderbeck's keynote, to interactive breakout sessions, a Mos Muneris® customer service simulation courtesy of Ned Parks, and more, the day was full of learning, networking, and practical tools for frontline staff to take back to the library. Session topics included: 💡 Creative ways to identify customer’s needs and brainstorm solutions 📜 Scripts to help staff members navigate difficult conversations 🤝 Identifying and helping anxious patrons feel comfortable using the library 🦸♀️ Unlocking our superpowers to make impossible situations now appear possible 🤫 Empowering introverts in customer service using the Quiet Approach 🙋 Utilizing body language and nonverbal communication in conflict management

As #libraries chart a course in the age of AI, there are a host of ethical issues we'll need to navigate, both as individuals and as organizations. Join us on April 16 at 10 AM ET to hear from Nick Tanzi about these concerns and how libraries can adapt to a changing technology landscape while staying true to our professional ethics. Register today at https://lnkd.in/gRNAjTGb #ai #artificialintelligence #librarians

You can become a member of NEO-RLS at a pro-rated discount any time between July 1 and June 30! That’s right, you can join today and save on continuing education, services, and other benefits available through NEO-RLS. 👉Visit our website to join and learn more about membership benefits here: https://lnkd.in/g3rrxjPB

📆 Mark your calendars for this month's networking meetings! ✅Training/Staff Development: April 8, 2025, 2-3 PM ✅Information Technology: April 9, 2025, 2-3 PM ✅Book Discussion: April 16, 2025, 2-3:30 PM ✅Adult Services: April 29, 2025, 2-3 PM All groups this month are meeting online via Zoom. Visit the NEO-RLS website to learn more about our network groups and how you can get involved! https://lnkd.in/gspZJVKA

Yesterday's Leadership Academy was packed with techniques for understanding the stages of transition, leading through change, navigating unintended consequences, developing team strengths, ensuring job engagement through team connection, and more! Thank you to Elyria Public Library System for providing the perfect space for our Academy attendees at their beautiful Central Branch.