Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Calendar of Events - Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
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Everyone says “we offer good customer service to our patrons,” but there is often a gap between saying and doing. The Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS) has developed a customer service plan based on action statements meant to empower staff in service consistency, putting our words into action. Join SRLS staff as they discuss the creation of the Patron Experience Toolkit, a resource designed to support staff in developing their skills to serve a diverse community.
Christina Zamon serves as Head of Special Collections & Archives at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she is an active member of the Academy of Certified Archivists, Archives Management Section and College and University Archives Section of SAA, and the immediate past president of the Society of Georgia Archivists. In addition to her experience as Head of Special Collections & Archives, Zamon previously worked as Head of Archives and Special Collections at Emerson College, Archivist at the National Press Club, rare books acquisitionist at the Folger Shakespeare Library and a clean-up cataloger for the Frick Art Reference Library. She has published two books on the topic of being a solo archivist, The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository (2012) and Alone in the Stacks: Succeeding as a Solo Archivist (2024).
The LGBTQ+ 101 training is designed to create a more inclusive and understanding workplace environment by providing participants with foundational knowledge and skills related to the LGBTQ+ community. This session will also incorporate intergenerational aspects of work, identity, and communication. This training aims to foster empathy, respect, and inclusivity towards individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Amanda Cole joined Plexus LGBT + Allied Chamber of Commerce as the first Executive Director in March of 2019. Her work in the non-profit sector began while a student at Antioch College during her first co-op directing an AmeriCorps program serving at-risk youth living in vulnerable communities. Since then she has been a servant leader and community activist. Amanda attended Wright State University where she pursued studies in non-profit management. After graduating she began a successful career in fundraising and development and returned to her alma mater, Antioch College, to run the annual fund and alumni relations departments. Her move to NEO was spurred by a wonderful opportunity to join the Museum of Contemporary Art leading the development department. Additionally, her community involvement and training includes leadership and change facilitation through Points of Light Youth Leadership, People’s Institute for Undoing Racism, and Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. 
Dr. Jennifer E. Bosco (she/her) brings 20+ years of expertise in areas of business development, workplace culture, and inclusive practices. Jennifer serves as the founding Inclusion Hub Director for Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce for Northeast Ohio. Jennifer is also the founder of Bosco Consulting, a firm that guides businesses and organizations to align their vision and goals with a highly diverse, productive, and inclusive workplace. Her community actions include serving on the Board of Directors for Talespinner Children’s Theatre and as a member of an advocacy advising group for the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. She earned her doctorate in international and multicultural education with a concentration in human rights from University of San Francisco where her research focused on antiracism activism and the intersectionality of race and gender.
Maggie Gall-Maynard (she/her/hers) has a BA from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and a MLIS, with a focus in youth librarianship, from Kent State University in Kent, OH. Maggie has served youth patrons in public libraries in Columbus, OH, Syracuse, NY, West Carrollton, OH and is currently a School Library Media Specialist at Tippecanoe Middle School in Tipp City, OH. She is also certified with Youth Mental Health First Aid through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and hiking with her husband, David, and daughter, Aspasia. Email: 
Amanda Feuerstein (she/her/hers) has a B.A. and M.A. in Spanish from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. Amanda taught Spanish at a college level for four years and then high school Spanish for seven years. Post-pandemic she made the switch to being an Information Services Assistant at Dayton Metro Library’s West Carrollton Branch in West Carrollton, OH. She is currently studying for her MLIS at IUPUI.
Gerry Vogel, Avon Lake Public Library 
Emily Lindberg is a Youth Services Associate at Westlake Porter Public Library and earned her MLIS from Valdosta State University with a specialization in youth services. In 2021 she was certified as a cycling instructor from the League of American Bicyclists, which she uses to educate people who bike and drive how to share the road safely and legally. Emily recently worked alongside city planners to develop an active transportation plan for Lakewood, Ohio. She continues to work as an advocate for pedestrians and bicyclists by implementing programs aimed at giving residents the information, skills, and practical experience they need to take advantage of existing and future active transportation infrastructure.
Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Carrie Rogers-Whitehead worked in libraries for nearly a decade and now consults and trains librarians. She regularly researches and writes for librarians, educators and parents. Carrie has published 5 books, with two coming out in 2022 including a new book co-authored with two school librarians with ABC-CLIO: Advocating Digital Citizenship: Resources for Library and Classroom. In 2021 she received an Outstanding Reference Title award from the Reference & User Services Association of ALA. Carrie is the founder of Digital Respons-Ability, a mission-based company that has educated tens of thousands of students, parents and educators in digital citizenship. Her company’s curriculum and work can be found in multiple states and countries. Carrie is a sought after trainer, former TEDx speaker, adjunct instructor and loves to teach others.
David Lubin is the Regional Sales Manager for EBSCO Publishing specializing in the K - 12 and Public Library Markets. David has consulted in the North American library market on Media and Electronic Resources for over 20 years. David has lived in Northeast Ohio for the past 5 years and served the state in this role during that period.
With more than two decades of award-winning experience in the library field, Arnessa Dowell has worn many hats, starting as a Page and eventually taking on the role of Library Director in four different institutions working at academic, public, and federal government libraries. She earned her Master of Library Science degree from North Carolina Central University with a focus in academic librarianship and special collections. Additionally, she earned her Masters of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama with a concentration of Executive Leadership. Ms. Dowell is a passionate advocate for blending strategic planning with AI to expeditiously achieve the desired outcomes. 
Scott Trimmer currently serves as the Director of the Learning Commons at Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern Campus, where he has been since 2014. Scott enjoys helping people use technology to meaningfully improve their lives. His staff jokes that there’s very little Scott doesn’t try to organize in a spreadsheet. While serving for more than ten years as the go-to person to answer Excel questions at a 1000+ employee University, he picked up a number of Excel tips and tricks. In recent years, Scott has developed or assisted in the creation of variety of Excel tools to facilitate administrative tasks and dashboards, simplifying workflows and making data available to less tech-savvy folks in the organization.
Mel Vavra is the Teen Librarian at Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. She has been making the public library memorable for teens since 2015. 
Don Boozer is Manager of the Literature Department and Homebound Services at Cleveland Public Library as well as Coordinator of the Ohio Center for the Book, the Buckeye State's affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. He is also an adjunct instructor at Kent State University's School of Information where he teaches the reference service and
Marilee Fini, M.A. CCC/SLP is certified and licensed Speech Pathologist in Cleveland, OH running her own private practice, MLF Speech Therapy where she sees children and adults. She is also a professional speaker and been presenting for over 24 years. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at Lakeland Community College where she teaches Public Speaking. Currently, she speaks for corporations, in healthcare and for other organizations on effective communication, Public Speaking and motivational topics. As a kid who stuttered, she couldn’t imagine being a speaker or a Speech Pathologist! In her presentations, she shares a message of discovering an “overcomer mindset” and being able to do things you never thought were possible! 
Cassie Welch (she/her) is the Children’s System Coordinator at Charleston County Public Library (SC). She has a B.A. in Elementary Education (K-6), an Early Childhood Certification (PK-3), and a Master’s in Library and Information Science. She has over a decade of experience in education and libraries working with young children and the adults who care for them. She believes in the necessity of diverse children's literature and the importance of helping parents, caregivers, and educators develop a child's early literacy and early years skills.
Kristin Hare is a Children’s Services Manager at Charleston County Public Library where she has become a leader in EDI work, serving on CCPL’s Strategic Vision Planning Committee, EDI Committee, and Children’s Annual Booklist Committee, as well as serving as the Chair of the South Carolina Library Association’s Rainbow Round Table. She holds a B.A. in English and a Master’s in Library and Information Science.
Allison Fiscus is the Adult Services Coordinator at the National Medal-winning Toledo Lucas County Public Library, where she has been employed for the last 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Toledo and a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. As Adult Services Coordinator, Allison oversees services, initiatives, programs and partnerships aimed at adults for all 20 library locations. Before this, Allison managed the Maumee Branch Library and served as Maumee Uptown Business Association president. In addition to her work as a public librarian, Allison was previously a Children’s Lead and Digital Lead at Barnes and Noble where she gained first-hand experience in the retail merchandising realm. Allison leads the merchandising work at TLCPL and has presented on the topic widely across the library community at conferences and via webinars. She also loves a good romance book (if you have any suggestions.)
Amanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over fifty mystery novels. Her novels have received starred
Alyssa Hanson has been the Web Specialist at the Iowa City Public Library (ICPL) since 2016. Her work has included redesigning, building, and maintaining ICPL’s website as well as leading the front-end design work on ICPL's catalog, app, and other web projects. While not coding, she also works on the Info Desk helping people with technology and reference questions. She is continually looking for ways to improve the usability and accessibility of ICPL and its web presence as well as opportunities to help others learn more about accessibility.
Krista L. Allison, J.D. 
Hannah Cowie, MPH, OCPC, CDCA, ECMHC, OIFP-II
LaFlovia “Flo” Ginanni, M.Ed., LPC
Christina Getrost has worked as teen librarian/adult reference librarian at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library in Stow, Ohio since May 2000. Prior to that she was a children’s librarian for several years at the Kent Free Library in Kent, Ohio, having obtained her BA and MLIS from Kent State University. Christina's other current professional commitments include serving as the President of the Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Awards Council. 
Dani Weiser-Cline serves as the Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator at Kingsville Public Library, a small rural library in Northeast Ohio. In this role, she designs, implements, and runs all programming for children from birth to age 18. She is a PhD Candidate in Cultural Foundations of Education at Kent State University where she takes a philosophical approach to understanding out of school learning environments. She holds an M.A. in Theatre History and Criticism, a B.F.A. in Acting, and a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre and Design. She loves helping youth of all ages find their next favorite book!
NEO-RLS Introduces the 2024-2025 Leadership Academy
Ned Parks has had a rich and varied life that has taken him from police officer to helicopter pilot to successful entrepreneur with management and leadership positions in the journey.
Laura Greco is a certified wellness coach, author, and speaker/trainer with a 20+ year background in nursing who helps professionals eliminate burnout, manage stress, create life balance, and rekindle their sense of purpose and joy. She believes that self-care (body, mind, and spirit) is the basis for well-being and that we all have the capacity to make positive lifestyle changes. Her books include Wellness Made Simple, and Wellness Made Simple-for Residents. For more information please visit her website
Taurean J. Johnson (who also goes by TJ) serves as a Commissioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). In his capacity as Commissioner, Mr. Johnson works with parties in the private, public and federal sectors, mediating collective bargaining agreements, grievances, and employment disputes. In addition to his mediation work, Mr. Johnson frequently delivers training programs to labor and management groups. Taurean attended the University of Cincinnati (UC) earning dual degrees in Political Science and African American Studies.
Kim Garret, Deputy Director for the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library System
Sarah Everly, Mobile Library Services Manager, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library System
Paula Miller has served as Director/Administrator in four states –Baltimore County Public Library and Eastern Shore Regional Library (both MD), Pikes Peak Library District (CO), Westlake Porter Public Library (OH), and Dover Public Library (DE). Most recently, she molded BCPL’s role as a community hub and instrument of democracy, and she oversaw the development and opening of award-winning and state-of-the-art Library 21c in Colorado Springs. Enamored by libraries since her first shelving job at age 16 at Kent Free Library, she believes our public libraries are critical community resources that bring people together and that serve as bridges to opportunities in individuals’ lives. She is focused on identifying new and emerging needs, roles, and connections that keep our libraries relevant and effective.
Amanda Standerfer’s passion is helping libraries and nonprofit organizations advance so they can create meaningful impact in their communities. Since 2002, Amanda's consulting practice Fast Forward Libraries has worked with libraries and nonprofits on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and capacity building. Amanda has 15 years of experience at various positions in public libraries, most recently as the Director of Community Engagement for The Urbana (IL) Free Library. She also has 7 years of experience working in the philanthropy sector. She has a BA and MA in History from Eastern Illinois University and a MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Amy B. Shannon, President, Pinnacle Leadership Solutions, LLC, and a Partner in Your Partner in HR has specialized in Organizational Development, Human Resources and Training for over 25 years. For the past 13 years, Amy has been an Organizational Development consultant working with clients in manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently, Amy served as the Executive Director II/Vice President of Corporate College where she built robust leadership training curriculum to serve her clients. Amy also holds certifications with numerous nationally known training vendors. She is a regular speaker at national conferences such as The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She is a seasoned speaker for the HR Star Conference Cleveland. As a result of her high ratings, she has also been a key speaker at the HR Star Atlanta and received the Gold Medal Award three years in a row for best session speaker. Amy was a recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & CSHRM.
Erin Turner, LISW-S, is the Intensive Services Program Manager at Crossroads/Beacon Health in Lake County and Adjunct Faculty for Youngstown State School of Social Work Graduate Program. She has worked in community mental health settings for over 20 years as a volunteer, direct service provider, clinical supervisor and program manager. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults with a variety of mental health issues, including trauma, mood disorders and crisis situations. Erin specializes in community-based crisis intervention. Erin has provided multiple trainings within the context of Social Work including, Risk Assessment, Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Motivational Interviewing. 
Mary Olson is Readers' Advisory Librarian at Medina County District Library. Her duties include training, direct service to book clubs, promotional writing, collection development, and programming. She is the 2015 Allie Beth Martin award winner and the 2016 Pat Carterette Award winner.
Penelope Shumaker is a Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio. She specializes in Digitization and CE for library staff. She manages the Ohio Digital Network (ODN), which is the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) Service hub for Ohio. She has Master of Library and Information Science (Kent State University) and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Cedarville University).
Katie Mattise (they/them pronouns) joined Kent State in 2016, first serving as program coordinator and later as assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center. Through this position, Katie worked across Kent State to educate, advocate and be a resource to the LGBTQ+ community. Prior to Kent State, they worked at various universities in residence life. Katie now serves as a director in the Division of People, Culture, and Belonging. Through this role, they work with others to create, provide and facilitate opportunities for people to engage in meaningful conversation around various social justice topics.
Diana Silveira is a librarian and President of Novare Library Services, where she works with libraries to develop, implement, and utilize technology effectively. Previously, she was employed by the Tampa Bay Library Consortium and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. She has an MLIS from UNC-Greensboro and a BS in psychology from Catawba College. She is the author of the book Library Technology Planning for Today and Tomorrow.
Natalie Keller is a Reference Librarian at the Brunswick branch of the Medina County District Library System. From 2021-2024, she served as an Associate with MCDL, where she gained Reference experience with all ages, including children and teens. She earned her MLIS from Kent State in May 2024 and is excited to grow into her new specialization in Adult Services. Possessing an English Literature degree from Kenyon College, she loves to channel her passion for literature into her Reader’s Advisory interactions
Dr. Kawanna Bright (she/her) is Assistant Professor of Library Science at East Carolina University. Dr. Bright earned her PhD in Research Methods and Statistics from the University of Denver in 2018. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Bright worked as an academic librarian for 12 years, with a focus on reference, instructional services, and information literacy. Dr. Bright’s current research focuses on assessment in libraries, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in libraries, the application of research methodology to the study of LIS, and the importance of the liaison librarianship role in academic libraries. Dr. Bright provides consulting and training for libraries and other information organizations in support of EDI efforts, strategic planning, and project development.
Mj Callaway delivers outcome-focused programs that include humor, real-life stories, and strategic self-mastery tools you can implement immediately. As a two-time cancer warrior and domestic abuse survivor, Mj shares that every setback is an opportunity to create your Bounce-Up™.