Curiosity to Connection: How Library Festivals Inspire Lifelong Engagement

Written By Angie Jameson, M.L.I.S.

In an era where students are navigating an increasingly complex world, libraries offer something both simple and essential: a place to belong. Our high school library has been on a journey to become not just a repository of books and study halls, but a thriving community hub that supports every patron’s need for connection, creativity, and camaraderie. With this mission in mind, we have crafted a series of library festivals, each designed to create an inclusive, welcoming space where students and staff can come together to celebrate shared interests, explore new activities, and simply enjoy each other's company.

The secret to our festival success lies in a formula that has repeatedly proven to draw stakeholders in and keep them coming back. Each event is built around key elements that bring warmth, fun, and meaning to the library space:

Keep the Focus on Connection

After selecting a theme, we brainstorm ideas and ways to bring new students and staff into the library. We consider student artists who would draw their peers in with graphic marketing for events and involve them in the process. We print those designs on posters to hang around the school and press shirts with designs on them for students and staff to promote the event during the registration period. We also involve students and staff in the planning of these large-scale events to bring as many voices to the table as possible. Our principal has approved coverage so different staff members can attend these events and connect with students.

A Free Drink from Our School’s Coffee Shop

Offering a complimentary drink from Tiger Perk, our school coffee shop, has been a powerful way to make students feel welcome and special. Be it a fall-themed Candy Corn drink at Spooky Fest or a "chug jug" lemonade at Gamer Fest, offering a free beverage creates a cozy, community-centered vibe that invites students to relax and enjoy the space. Our latest festival registration demonstrated that 81% of attendees were most excited about enjoying Tiger Perk. When we promote festivals by word of mouth, mentioning this popular feature sparks interest and gets students eager to register.

Music from School Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras

Music brings energy and life to our festivals, transforming the library from a quiet study space to a vibrant venue where students can appreciate their peers’ talents. Including performances from school music groups not only showcases our students’ skills but also creates an atmosphere of celebration. Students and staff gather to enjoy live music, whether it’s a chilling Halloween set by the band or a Taylor Swift showcase performed by the Orchestra. Music becomes a shared experience that builds connections across grade levels and interests, making the library a space where everyone feels included.

Partnership with the Public Library

Collaboration with our local public library has enriched each festival by bringing additional resources and expertise that enhance our offerings. Through contributions like board games for Gamer Fest and a D&D campaign at Spooky Fest, our public library partners bring added variety and engagement to our events. This partnership also exposes students to the broader library community and reinforces the idea that libraries are lifelong resources. Our joint efforts make each event feel bigger, more meaningful, and part of something beyond the walls of our school. By building connections with public librarians, students are encouraged to see the public library as a welcoming resource they can access independently. We hope these relationships inspire students to explore library programs and events during weekends or evenings when our school library is closed.

Hands-On Crafts and Activities

Offering hands-on activities like pet rocks at Creative Fest, button-making at the Taylor Swift Festival, and mini-figure painting at Gamer Fest has proven to be one of the most effective ways to engage students. These interactive stations allow students to create something unique, express themselves, and take a little piece of the festival home with them. These activities encourage attendees to work together, share ideas, and support one another’s creativity, fostering an environment where they feel connected and valued. The craft stations are always abuzz with conversation and laughter—a sign that students and staff are finding joy and belonging in the space.

A Photo booth for Lasting Memories

Finally, we’ve discovered that a simple photo booth with themed props is one of the biggest draws for students. The chance to take photos with friends, dressed up in their favorite Taylor Swift era, in costume for Halloween, or with gaming props, creates a keepsake that students can cherish and share. The photo booth is more than just a fun activity; it’s a way for students and staff to capture moments with friends, feel seen, and celebrate their individuality. 

Together, these elements have made our library festivals a success. By creating a welcoming, inclusive environment, we’re sending a clear message: the library is a place for everyone, a place where students and staff can be themselves, explore new interests, and form meaningful connections. With each festival, we’re not only celebrating our students’ diverse talents and passions but also building a stronger, more connected school community. 

Successful Festivals

Taylor Swift Festival: Bridging Pop Culture and Library Magic 

In December 2023, we embraced “Swiftie fever” with a Taylor Swift Festival that resonated with students in a big way. Students arrived dressed in their favorite Taylor “eras,” ready to pose with life-size cutouts and props in our photo booth. The event blended pop culture with creativity, allowing students to explore their personalities and interests in the library.

One hit element was our heat press station, where students brought items like sweatshirts and tote bags to personalize with Swift-inspired designs (we even added a few Travis Kelce themes). Button-making, a friendship bracelet station, and Taylor album-themed book pairings added even more ways for students to bond, craft, and explore the library’s offerings. Integrating popular music with library programs helped make the library a place students wanted to be. The high school orchestra club learned a Taylor Swift set and played a showcase during the event. The student coffee shop created a drink called “SwiftTEA” for all to enjoy. 

Gamer Fest: Gaming and Connection for All 

February’s 2024 Gamer Fest was our highest-attended festival yet, with students flocking to the library to game, create, and connect. The library became a mini gaming convention, with tabletop games provided by our local public library, a photo booth, and a DIY station for creating custom Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon cards. The day wasn’t limited to digital gaming; we made sure to include everything from consoles to board games, creating an inclusive event with something for everyone.

To personalize the experience, we offered a heat press station with student-designed logos (a big thank you to our student artists!). Students loved decorating their gear and receiving custom dice bags for their gaming essentials. Our Tiger Perk Coffee Shop even joined in with themed “chug jugs” for an extra boost of excitement. Collaborating with the public library helped broaden our offerings and served as a reminder that our libraries are stronger together.

Creative Fest: A Hands-On Art Extravaganza 

April’s 2024 Creative Fest celebrated hands-on artistry, giving students a chance to dive into embroidery, tie-dye, and other creative crafts. We provided supplies for each station, where students customized shirts, bags, and more, offering a space for students to connect and have a creative outlet. Creative Fest showed how libraries can cater to diverse student interests while building a community of creators. The energy in the library that day was infectious, with students supporting each other and sharing their unique visions for the various offerings. The festival also gave students who may not see themselves as “traditional” library users a reason to visit, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity.

Spooky Fest: Halloween Fun Meets Library Tradition 

October’s 2024 Spooky Fest was a hauntingly fun way to bring the school together and celebrate Halloween. Students got into the spirit with a costume contest, photo booth, and a special “Spooky Showcase” from our talented band members. The atmosphere was full of excitement as students gathered to enjoy free candy-corn-flavored drinks from Tiger Perk and try out Halloween-inspired crafts. One of our favorite parts of Spooky Fest was our collaboration with the public library on a Halloween D&D one-shot, inspired by Five Nights at Freddy’s. This brought a unique, immersive experience to the day and attracted students who might not typically engage with library programming. The event was capped off by a visit from a professional makeup artist who works in the Career Tech program offered on our campus, giving students some extra theatrical flair for their costumes and a chance to meet a potential future teacher.  Overall, Spooky Fest highlighted how seasonal events can allow libraries to celebrate culture and tradition while making the library feel like a natural gathering place.

Why Library Festivals? Building Community Through Connection and Creativity

Hosting these festivals has transformed our library into a true community hub. By creating a variety of themed events, we were able to connect with students who might not otherwise visit the library. These festivals allowed students to explore different aspects of themselves – whether through music, gaming, fashion, or creativity – and gave them a space to make friends, be themselves, and enjoy the library as a place of discovery.

As librarians, we know that fostering community is just as important as promoting literacy and other facets of the job. Through these festivals, we’ve created a safe and inclusive space where students and staff feel welcome, engaged, and inspired. We hope to keep evolving these events, staying in tune with our students’ interests, and building a library that truly reflects the diversity and creativity of our school.

If you’re considering giving a festival a go, I suggest you lean into what your students love and find small ways to make it a celebration of who they are. Include your students and staff in the planning and facilitation of your festivals. Plan as much ahead as you can and leverage local grants to fund your first few events. The icing on the cake is in the small details that make the events so special, and those require careful planning and collaboration. 

Congratulations Kathleen Oaster, October Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month!

Congratulations, Kathleen Oaster, school library media specialist at Tecumseh Middle School, TecumsehLocal School District. Kathleen is the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month - October.

The Career Cafe’s goal is to introduce middle school students to career opportunities through the local Career Technology Center. Kathleen offers students an opportunity during their study halls to learn about a variety of career opportunities.  The careers the students have learned about so far are: automotive, aviation, cosmetology, criminal justice, education, engineering, and medical dental.  While participating the students in a fun activity.  For example, during the month-long automotive program students built and raced lego race cars with the goal of building the fastest car. Superintendent Paula Crew praised the Career Cafe as “a unique opportunity for our students to explore a variety of career paths.”  What makes this program even more exciting is that Kathleen and the middle school guidance counselor, Mrs. Skaggs, collaborated to bring the Career Cafe into being.

The Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month recognizes one school librarian a month who designs, develops, and implements a collaborative lesson plan and/or programming that empowers student learning. This award spotlights the importance of both the school library community and librarian and the pivotal role each plays in transforming learning throughout students’ K-12 education.

Consider nominating yourself or another OELMA Library Media Specialist to be considered for Rosen Ohio School Librarian of the month!  The Rosen award nomination form can be accessedunder the Professional Recognition tab. Contact Susan Yutzey (oelma.awards@gmail.com) with any questions.

Congratulations Kathleen!

Welcome Back to School Year 2024-25: 

Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month Award 2024

The OELMA Annual Conference, Empowering the Future: Lifting Voices through the Library, is October 2-4 at OCLC.  Among the many excellent sessions is the Rosen Round Table.

Join three Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarians of the Month for an engaging session during which each will share their project, program or lesson plan.  Melissa Wolf, Bay MIddle School librarian will share her template for a makerspace that gives back.  Kelly Silwani, Olentangy Orange Middle School librarian, will share her lesson plan entitled “Truth or Faux.”  Angie Jameson, Chagrin Falls High School librarian will share her template for the new student book study that features New Kid by Jerry Craft.  Opportunities for questions will follow. A brief overview of the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month Award program will be conducted by facilitator Susan Yutzey, Past President, and Miriam Gilbert, Director of Rosen Online.

The Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month began in 2019 and since then thirty Ohio school librarians have received this distinguished award.  OELMA accepts nominations throughout the year; however, awards are given September through May of each school year.

So how can you become a Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month?  It’s as easy as 1,2,3.

1. Visit the OELMA website for the nomination form and guidelines before the 15th of each month

2. Determine which of your outstanding programs, projects or lesson plans you wish to highlight. Selection of the program, project or lesson plan is based on Ohio LIbrary Guidelines, outreach, advocacy, and best practices.

3. Complete the nomination form, upload a photo (png or jpg) of you and the project. Include additional support materials, if you wish. Click on submit and you are done!

Why is the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month program a win for you, your students, and your school building?

1. Each recipient receives a free set of high quality resources donated by Rosen Publishing

2. Each recipient receives a letter and press release acknowledging the award, as does the principal, and is featured in the OELMA listserv and social media

Rosen Publishing Group, since its founding in 1950, has supported librarians with outstanding books, ebooks, and databases. OELMA is grateful for Rosen Publishing’s support throughout the years.  We are particularly excited because Rosen Publishing Group will be joining us in the Exhibitor Hall this year AND Miriam Gilbert, Director of Rosen Online, will be one of two facilitators at the Rosen Round Table.

See you at Conference 2024!  Let’s rock those Rosen Publishing Outstanding School Librarian of the Month applications this year!

Congratulations Amy Masterson, March Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month!

“The LMC is the heart of the school and stays active throughout each and every day.”

Congratulations, Amy Masterson, school library media specialist at Fostoria Junior Senior High School, Fostoria City School District. Amy is the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month - March.

Amy was nominated by Fostoria Junior Senior High School English teacher, Brad Bowser, “Ms. Masterson maintains a creative makerspace for student to use both for classes and during study halls. She allows these students to explore and create in their own space and challenge their perceptions of what is possible with the materials at hand.  She also runs contests with the different implements.”

Amy shared that the “Makerspace is an ever-changing space in my library.  I have been able to teach new skills to students with fun activities like perler beads, bead looms, pony bead key chains, book page projects and so much more.  It's fun to watch other students teach others how to play chess and learn to strategize.  Due to my space, I haven't been able to get huge equipment like 3D printers but I do have a Cricut machine and an Elson machine for the students to use.  In addition, I utilize the makerspace to provide community service projects for students.  Students have decorated mailboxes to be stuffed with items to send to the military and make cards for veterans and the elderly.  In addition, community members present employment opportunities and colleges hold presentations for recruitment.  The LMC is the heart of the school and stays very active throughout each and every day.”

The Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month recognizes one school librarian a month who designs, develops, and implements a collaborative lesson plan and/or programming that empowers student learning. This award spotlights the importance of both the school library community and librarian and the pivotal role each plays in transforming learning throughout students’ K-12 education.

Consider nominating yourself or another OELMA Library Media Specialist to be considered for Rosen Ohio School Librarian of the month!  The Rosen award nomination form can be accessedunder the Professional Recognition tab. Contact Susan Yutzey (oelma.awards@gmail.com) with any questions.

Congratulations Amy!

Are you looking for summer PD that can be immediately applied to your school library? Are you looking for PD to renew your license? But it can’t be anything too taxing, after all, it is summer break. OELMA is pleased to offer a virtual book study using the book entitled, Elevating the School Library: Building Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior by Susan D. Ballard & Sara Kelly Johns. The class will meet virtually on Tuesday mornings between June 18th & July 9th with the authors joining us on July 2nd. The class will wrap up with a student project designed to be implemented into their school library. A final optional project round table will be held in early August for those wishing to share their project with the class and receive feedback.

The class is available for contact hours or one graduate credit through Ashland University. OELMA members as well as non-OELMA members are welcome to join the class. Sign up between April 8th & May 31st on OELMA.org (under Professional Development tab).  If you choose to pursue the graduate credit option, you must also register through Ashland University no later than May 31st at: OELMA Book Study Course EDU 6160 P7

Celebrating Collaboration in Our Ohio Libraries

Several distinguished people have made statements about collaboration and success. 

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." — Henry Ford

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” — Booker T. Washington

“It takes two flints to make a fire.” — Louisa May Alcott

The OELMA Ross J. Todd Collaborative School Library Award not only celebrates the life and contributions of Ross J. Todd to the library profession, but also the collaboration and partnerships between school library media specialists and their school communities through joint programs, projects, or events that support student learning and library resources. As stated in Ohio’s Library Guidelines for Librarians (2021), “Challenging, preparing and empowering learners is a community-wide effort. Partnerships represent the community supports needed to increase the likelihood of learner success.”

Ross J. Todd was a library and information science professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. During his life, he was recognized as an award-winning expert on the transformative role of school libraries.  Dr. Todd co-authored “Student Learning Through Ohio School Libraries, Part 1 and Part 2” with SC & I Distinguished Professor Emerita Carol Kuhlthau. In fact, Dr. Todd and Professor Kuhlthau received a “Certificate of Appreciation for Notable Service and Significant Service to Ohio’s School Libraries” in 2003 and 2004 from OELMA. 

OELMA Ross J. Todd Collaborative School Library Award recipients exemplify building and cultivating instructional and community partnerships to increase learner success. Their collaborative programs, projects, or events reflect best practices that can serve as a model for others in collaborative planning. Last year’s recipient Kristen Roope was recognized for the work she does with her colleagues for Genius Hour at their elementary school. Kristen stated, “The award brought attention to our dynamic library and the changing roles of the school library and librarian.” She continued to say that “not only was it a way to advocate and highlight the work we do, but it also allowed me to foster new or deeper connections with my school community.” Lifting our voices together can make wonderful things happen for our students, staff, and communities.

Consider nominating yourself or a colleague for the Ross. J. Todd Collaborative School Library Award or any of the other awards and scholarships by 11:59 pm, April 1, 2024. If you have questions, please reach out to the Awards Committee. Additional information about this award and others can be found on the OELMA professional recognition tab on the website. 

Let Your Leadership Voice Shine

The OELMA/Follett School Solutions Outstanding School Librarian Award has been part of the OELMA awards tradition for eighteen years.  Being nominated for the award signifies the respect that a colleague/colleagues have for the school librarian.  The award honors a school librarian who has distinguished themselves through developing an exemplary school library program that incorporates the Ohio Library Guidelines for Librarians (2021) strands: equity, literacies, partnerships, and quality schools. 

One of the most important trademarks, if you will, of the Outstanding School Librarian Award is its emphasis on leading beyond the library.  What does leading beyond the school library mean?  According to the Ohio Library Guidelines for Librarians, leading beyond the library incorporates the following:

1. Participate in setting the school district’s mission, vision and strategic plan for digital learning. 

2. Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation to empower teachers and learners. 

3. Model and promote the use of personal and professional learning networks.

4. Encourage families and other members of the community to participate in school library activities. 

5. Build and advocate strong relationships with stakeholders who recognize and support an effective school library. 

6. Reinforce the role of the school library and librarian as informational and technological resources to maximize learning. 

7. Participate in district, building and department or grade-level curriculum development and assessment on a regular basis. 

8. Participate in state and national organizations. 

9. Develop a library strategic plan that achieves a dynamic school library program and includes a mission, vision, measurable goals, operational management procedures, instructional strategies and an evaluation component. 

The Awards Committee is not expecting the nominee to have ticked all the boxes because we all have lives outside the school library and our patrons. As you think about what leadership looks like; however, the verbs - participate, foster, model, encourage, build/advocate, reinforce, and develop - are all significant in the school library leadership lexicon.  This is how we lead!

So you might be asking who are some of the past OELMA/Follett School Solutions Outstanding School Librarians?   You can visit the OELMA website and click on the Professional Recognition tab for a historical list of all the OELMA scholarship and awards recipients - but here is the list of Ohio’s Outstanding School Librarians since 2005:

• 2005 Elaine Ezell

• 2006 JoAnne Dilworth Collins

• 2007 Elaine Fultz

• 2008 Debra K. Logan

• 2009 Marcia Waters

• 2010 Joanna McNally

• 2011 Candi Pierce Garry

• 2012 Jan Warden

• 2013 Lori Guerrini

• 2014 Cheryl Cartwright

• 2015 Sarah Thornbery

• 2016 Dana Wright

• 2017 Gayle Schmuhl

• 2018 Dr. Christina Dorr

• 2019 Angela Wojtecki

• 2020 Jennifer Flaherty

• 2021 Kelly Silwani

• 2022 Kelly Gonzalez

• 2023 Debra Quarles

Please nominate by 11:59 p.m. April 1, 2024. If you have questions, please reach out to the Awards Committee. Mor information about this award and others may be found https://oelma.org/Awards.

The 2024 Awards Committee

Casaundra Bronner

Heidi Fletcher

Lisa Gallagher

Kris Konik

Cheryl Lorson

Susan Yutzey

According to the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, “the freedom to read is essential to our democracy.” In fact, the ALA created the Library Bill of Rights based on the First Amendment to guide librarians when serving their communities and protecting the rights of all patrons. The Bill of Rights states that library books and resources “should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves,” and these materials should present “all points of view on current and historical issues.” Finally, libraries are charged to “challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.”

This week, the Awards Committee is focusing on two awards that support intellectual freedom and the importance of literacy in our schools and communities: the Intellectual Freedom Award and the Literacy Leader Award.

The OELMA Intellectual Freedom Award recognizes Ohio school library media specialists and/or other Ohio educators who demonstrate support for the ALA’s principles of intellectual freedom. Award recipients exhibit a strong commitment to First Amendment values through the active promotion and defense of the Freedom to Read and ALA’s Principles of Intellectual Freedom. 

Our 2023 Intellectual Freedom Award winner was Hannah Green, a library media specialist at Whetstone High School (Columbus City Schools). When her district asked the school librarians to not distribute the diverse collection books, Hannah started a letter writing campaign, arranged a meeting with the acting Superintendent, created a power point presentation, and persisted with the other CCS librarians until their voices were heard. Hannah became the face of this censorship battle but strongly stated that she could not have done it without her many colleagues. Through the efforts of Hannah and her colleagues, the books were released to be placed on the library shelves so students could access them. Hannah’s words of wisdom for us as censorship continues to be an issue many of us fear facing are, "Just remember there is great strength in numbers. You are not alone in this fight!”

Next, the OELMA Literacy Leader Award is unique because it recognizes community organizations for exemplary support of literacy that reinforces student learning. Recipients of this award are also recommended for an AASL Commendation by OELMA. Recipients of this award demonstrate a strong, ongoing commitment to developing literacy through educational programming and/or grassroots literacy program implementation. 

Last year’s award recipients included the As Told By Foundation, Green Schools Foundation, and Queen City Book Bank. The As Told By Foundation and Queen City Book Bank also received an AASL Commendation.

Lift your reading voice and let it ring for intellectual freedom and for student literacy and learning. Nominate yourself, a colleague, or a community organization by April 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please reach out to the OELMA Awards Committee. The email is oelma.awards@gmail.com.

Best regards,

The Awards Committee

Congratulations Kelly Silwani, February Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month!

Congratulations, Kelly Silwani, school library media specialist at Olentangy Orange Middle School, Olentangy Local School District. Kelly is the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month - February.

Kelly’s lesson entitled “Truth or Faux.” As she explains it, 7th and 8th grade students, using “close reading” had to evaluate photos and determine if they were real or fake or AI. The goal of the lesson is for students to evaluate and corroborate media sources for credibility and accuracy using close reading.  Students evaluated fifteen (15) images and used close reading (evaluating critically) to determine if an image was fake (fauxtography) or real.  They also evaluated real vs AI images.  By the end of the lesson, students were able to apply new evaluation techniques to images.  You can follow Kelly on X at Kelly Silwani, MLIS.

The Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month recognizes one school librarian a month who designs, develops, and implements a collaborative lesson plan and/or programming that empowers student learning. This award spotlights the importance of both the school library community and librarian and the pivotal role each plays in transforming learning throughout students’ K-12 education.

Consider nominating yourself or another OELMA Library Media Specialist to be considered for Rosen Ohio School Librarian of the month!  The Rosen award nomination form can be accessedunder the Professional Recognition tab. Contact Susan Yutzey (oelma.awards@gmail.com) with any questions.

Congratulations Kelly!

This week, the Awards Committee brings you our scholarship and grant awards with the Founders Scholarship, J. Allen Oakum Scholarship, and OELMA/JLG Floyd Dickman Programming Grant.

Here’s the scoop on the OELMA/JLG Floyd Dickman Programming Grant. In 2018, Junior Library Guild (JLG) and OELMA partnered to bring the grant into being. The grant honors the life and contributions of Floyd Dickman, a Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio who retired in 1999 and was recognized, up until his death in 2015, for his leadership, commitment, and passion for children’s literature and family literacy. The purpose of the programming grant is to fund programs that inspire children and youth to embrace the joy of reading.  The grant continues the work that Floyd was passionate about during his lifetime.

In 2023, Erica Mackley, Experiential Learning Specialist at Granville Intermediate School, received the OELMA/JLG Floyd Dickman Programming Grant to seed a collection of Spanish books for the school library.  Here is what Erica had to say about the importance of receiving the grant for GIS: “I loved the opportunity to partner with one of our related arts teachers (Spanish) for the JLG programming grant.  Teaming with ELA is obviously an easy fit when it comes to our jobs, but this was a perfect opportunity to remind our whole staff that there are so many ways we can work together across the curriculum.”

OELMA offers two scholarships for post graduates to pursue careers as school librarians - the J. Allen Oakum Scholarship and the Founders Scholarship.  Here is what to know about these two scholarship opportunities.  The Oakum Scholarship is awarded to an Ohio resident enrolled in an accredited library school program, who is pursuing licensure in school/library media. This scholarship is intended to help defray educational costs for future library media specialists as they complete their studies.  The scholarship was established in 1985 through the philanthropy of the late J. Allen Oakum, an OELMA Past President.  The Founders Scholarship honors OELMA founders and co-presidents (1977) Maxie J. Lambright and Isabelle Pratt for their commitment to the field of school librarianship.  It is awarded to an Ohio resident enrolled in an accredited library school program, who is pursuing licensure in school library/media.  This scholarship is intended to help defray educational costs for future library media specialists as they complete their studies.

In 2023, June Lucal was one of two recipients of the Founders Scholarship. Here is what June said about receiving the Founders Scholarship at this pivotal time. “I just wanted to thank you again for the OELMA Founders Scholarship I received last year!  It was the first scholarship I had received since my undergrad years, and for many reasons, I was incredibly happy to be chosen.  The process of applying, receiving, and accepting this award taught me a great deal about OELMA and school librarianship in Ohio, too. I attended the luncheon and awards ceremony in October 2023 in Dublin, OH, and found it quite enlightening to hear what other people are doing in this field.  I truly appreciate that the OELMA scholarship committee saw the potential in me, and I hope to get more involved with this group in the future.”

Receiving an OELMA award gives you a voice to lead regardless of where you are in your career! Lift your voice and nominate yourself or a colleague by April 1, 2024.  If you have any questions, please reach out to the OELMA Awards Committee. The email is oelma.awards@gmail.com.

Warmest regards,

The OELMA Awards Committee