 NEO-RLS News-April 20, 2022 | ||||||
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I’ve been spending a lot of my time facilitating the strategic planning process for libraries in our region. Conducting a community survey is the first step in our planning process and our surveys normally use a combination of community based questions and library-specific questions. Regardless of the specific questions, one of the notable categories of response revolves around the fact that many survey participants do not know what the library has to offer in terms of materials, services and programs. In our experience reading community survey responses, this is pretty much a universal challenge. The challenge becomes even bigger when we note that survey participants are almost always overwhelmingly patrons of the library. So, why do libraries find themselves in this situation? There are obviously lots of reasons, but generally, I think those of us associated with libraries make too many assumptions about what people know about libraries both generally and specifically. Because libraries have been around a long time, we expect people to inherently know what they are, what they do and how they can be accessed. We think we can roll out a new program or service with lots of promotion and then never mention it again. Thinking in this manner has led to our inability to promote the library effectively as a whole on a continuous basis (think Target or Amazon), our inability to promote specific services or programs or materials on a continuous basis (think Coke or Pepsi) and to dedicate staffing to the marketing of our libraries. Because our communities are filled with many, many people from all walks of life that have no idea what the library has, is, or does, and because our library communities are transient, we need to be willing to aggressively promote what it is that we do and offer. Reminding people on a daily, continuous basis of what we have and what we do, is not only necessary to our success as libraries, it is necessary to the success of the individuals that live in our communities. So, let’s think about our “product” as though we’ve never tried it, used it, or heard of it before, and see what we come up with! Together we are maximizing library potential. Have a great week! 
5/18/2022
| WE NEED YOUR DATA! There’s still time to participate in the Statewide Salary Survey. Not quite finished? Not quite started? You now have until the final hard deadline of April 29, 2022 to submit your data. Join your colleagues across the state in providing the comprehensive wage and benefit information needed for decision-making. Utilize the power of the online feature, CODA, to compare your data and keep abreast of trends. Need the link? Ask us ASAP. Results will be available beginning June 1, 2022. Thanks! |
NOMINATE A STAR TODAY! Who do you know that has made an impact in your library or community? Is it you? Your friend? Your colleague? Your volunteer? Your staff member? Your manager? Let us know by nominating them for one of the NEO-RLS Annual Awards. Nomination forms are easy-to-complete, online, fillable forms found under Awards on our website. Nominate a Rising Star, Shooting Star or library Advocate today and recognize those that are maximizing library potential! |
From the State Library
| The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce the launch of the Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative. Ohio library staff now have exclusive access to an original, self-paced, collection analysis initiative for considering collections that empower children and young adult readers by respecting and appreciating what makes them different and the same. This initiative provides the tools, time, and support to consider your library’s print collections for children and young adults. |
No Kid Hungry’s Center for Best Practices has created a space just for libraries. This new webpage houses information for libraries nationwide on the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP, or Summer Meals) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program (CACFP At-Risk, or Afterschool Meals). Learn more about each program and how libraries can share their strengths to increase access to healthy food in their communities. Planning and implementation resources are also available, along with training opportunities. | Registration now open for Reimaging School Readiness workshop on June 16 Do you wonder what research really says about how to support school readiness? There is a suite of research-backed resources created for library staff to help families prepare children ages birth to 8 years for success in school and in life. Through interactive presentations with hands-on activities, this training will introduce library staff to the research, practical implications, and resources offered in the toolkit. |
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From OPLIN
With the opening of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Round 3 Form 471 filing window on April 28th, Lorrie Germann has scheduled workshops that will provide information regarding this new round of ECF and a step-by-step walk-through of the ECF Form 471 application. In addition, she will discuss lessons learned from Rounds 1 and 2.
You can still register for any of these workshops at https://www.ohio-k12.help/ecf/ecf-events.
- Tuesday, April 19 from 1:00 to 3:30pm
- Wednesday, April 20 from 9:00 to 11:30am
- Thursday, April 21 from 9:00 to 11:30am
You can still register for any of these workshops at https://www.ohio-k12.help/ecf/ecf-events.
Where is the Jobline?
Check out the job postings at the new Jobline location on the website under Services.
