A Note From the
Executive Director

As 2023 comes to an end, the NEO-RLS staff have been hard at work putting together an exciting lineup of webinars and workshops for 2024. 

On January 18th, Emily Correa, Deputy Director of Campbell County Public Library, will share a game-changing take on onboarding with, "Gamifying the Onboarding Process". Learn to make the process enjoyable and effective through online challenges. Get practical tips, real examples, and insights for a fun onboarding experience. 

Join Barb White, retired Akron-Summit County Public Library veteran, on February 28th for a concise session on using "The Dementia Inclusive Public Library Guide." Learn to implement ready-to-use resources, facilitate staff development, and identify allies for a dementia-inclusive community.

On March 7th, join us for a dynamic discussion on the role of AI, "If I Hear the Letters AI One More Time...". Led by Justin Bumbico (Director of IT) and Michaela Herrick (Data Analyst), Columbus Metropolitan Library, this session explores applications, challenges, and best practices of AI in libraries.  

Check out these opportunities and many more by visiting the Continuing Education Calendar. 

Happy Holidays to all who celebrate! The NEO-RLS Newsletter will return in the new year on January 3rd.  

Ragan 

2024 Continuing Education

January 

HR and Legal Update: Recent Changes in the Law and Trends Impacting Public Libraries

1/9/2024

Strategic Leadership

1/10/2024

Children's Summer Reading Workshop: Adventure Begins at Your Library

1/11/2024

Gamifying the Onboarding Process

1/18/2024

Weeders Attract More Readers

1/23/2024

Calm Challenging Patrons: How to Navigate Difficult Interactions

1/24/2024

So, You Want to be a Manager?

1/25/2024

February 

Teen Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library

2/1/2024

Adult SRP: Adventure Begins at Your Library

2/8/2024

Leading Through Transitions

2/14/2024

Using EXCEL for Employee Accountability

2/15/2024

Mark your calendar for New Supervisors' Academy
Thursday, February 22, 2023 registration coming soon!

Living Well With Dementia: The Dementia Inclusive Public Library Guide

2/28/2024

March

If I Hear the Letters "AI" One More Time...

3/7/2024

Academic Library Directors In-Person Networking Meeting

3/8/2024

Dementia Friends for Libraries Training

3/26/2024

April

Canva Basics

4/23/2024

 New programs are being added daily watch the website for more programs.

REMINDER: Letters of Intent 

Thank you to all of those who have returned your 2024-2025 Letter of Intent! We ask that LOI are returned by December 31st, 2023 so that we can begin planning our budget for the next fiscal year. We appreciate your support!

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Still Looking for Palooza Presenters

Each summer reading workshop will include a programming palooza.  The programming palooza is where one or two people share their program at a table for about 8 minutes and then those at the table have 5 minutes to ask questions. The attendees then move to another table and the person sharing presents again. It's a bit like musical chairs because people look for an open spot. We do about 6 rounds of this. I am also going to freeze tables so those that present can hear at least one other program.  In addition, those who share their programs create a one-sheet that tells you all about the program so if you cannot get to that table, you still have the information and contact info.  

If you are interested in sharing your unique program for either the children, teen, or adult summer reading workshop please email Melissa Lattanzi no later than January 2nd. 

2023 Ohio Summer Library Program Report

The 2023 Ohio Summer Library Program report is hot off the presses! Each year, the State Library of Ohio asks Ohio public library systems to report on your summer activities and results. Based on data from libraries responding to the 2023 Ohio Summer Library Program (SLP) evaluation survey:

In 2023, 399,818 people participated in an Ohio public library's SLP.

This is an increase of 28% over total reported participation in 2022 (312,354).

This is 84% of the total reported participation in 2019 (477,349).

In 2023, total reported attendance at Ohio library programs and events related to SLP was 931,788.

This is an increase of 31% over total reported program attendance in 2022 (709,187).

This is 84% of the total reported program attendance in summer 2019 (1,110,010).

Intergenerational/all-ages program attendance was particularly strong, nearly doubling from 2022 attendance.

SLP participation continues to rise across Ohio libraries and communities. If participation and attendance trends over the past two summers continue, summer challenge participation and event attendance in 2024 will be very near pre-pandemic levels. Some libraries have already reported turnout exceeding their previous records.

But the numbers don't really capture the magic and impact of your summer programs. See the full report for stories, observations, and lots of photos from libraries around Ohio!

You can view, download, and print the report in PDF format or view the report in a digital magazine format. You can also find the report linked from the Ohio Summer Library Program page on the State Library website.

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Building Equity-Based Summers (BEBS) Podcast

Building Equity-Based Summers (BEBS) empowers library staff to develop an equity mindset. The goal of this project is to build library staff skills and confidence, which will equip library staff to create summer programs and services that are equitable and that promote equity across the communities served by their library. Learn more about this work with the BEBS podcast. The first three episodes include:

• The Why of Equity and the Why of Equitable Summer Services
• Start Where You Are But Don't Stay There
• Evaluation Can Have an Equity Center

Listen at https://bebspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2235015

 Microsoft Licensing for Public Libraries

In February 2023, Microsoft reclassified public library license eligibility. Since 2018, public libraries were eligible for Microsoft's Academic pricing. Starting in 2023, public libraries are eligible for Microsoft's Nonprofit pricing. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/eligibility?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr4

Both before and after Microsoft's license reclassification, public libraries have been eligible for certain donated Microsoft licenses through TechSoup. https://www.techsoup.org/microsoft-details

Microsoft donated licenses and Nonprofit license eligibility and terms differ by product, and whether the licensed product will serve patrons or staff. TechSoup and Microsoft publish details:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/eligibility?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr4
https://www.techsoup.org/support/articles-and-how-tos/what-you-need-to-know-about-microsoft-365-and-office-365-nonprofit-offers
https://www.techsoup.org/support/articles-and-how-tos/microsoft-eligibility

How does the eligibility change impact Office 365?

Libraries that established an O365 tenant under the old eligibility rules have been able to keep renewing their existing license. Several libraries have shared that they were able to renew their previously-purchased licenses, including pre-existing O365 A1 free staff licenses.
Libraries seeking to create a new O365 tenant will be eligible for Nonprofit licenses, and should purchase licenses through TechSoup. Libraries that attempted to create an O365 tenant directly with Microsoft reported that Microsoft support staff were not able to accept an IMLS number rather than a 501c3 number, and declined library applications. Microsoft's support guidance states that public libraries should purchase through TechSoup to establish their eligibility for Nonprofit licenses.

Takeaway:

• When shopping, start at TechSoup for donated and discounted licenses. https://www.techsoup.org/microsoft
•  Answer the following questions about your project to choose the right license terms:
     1. Which licenses do you need? (If you are not 100% sure, consult with your IT provider.)
     2. Which users will be served by the licensed products? (Review TechSoup's article about Microsoft Eligibility to choose the right license terms for your project.)
• A good Microsoft Partner (reseller) will insulate you from issues.
• If the product you want is not eligible for Nonprofit or donated licenses, you can purchase any product and license level at market price from a Microsoft Partner.

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