Lift Your Leader Voice - Nominate an OELMA Member for an Award

Carol A. Brey-Casiano, Director of Libraries, El Paso Public Library, outlined ten steps to being a great library leader in her article entitled “Leadership Qualities for Future Library Leaders.” 

  Step #1: Find a Good Mentor/BE a Good Mentor

  “We all want someone who will inspire us to be what   we know we could be” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).  My   mentor, almost 30 years ago, was Kari Inglis, school librarian at Bishop Watterson High School (Columbus).  For 2023 award recipient, Amy Keister, she looks to OELMA members as her role models.  Amanda Brasfield, 2021 recipient of the OELMA Emerging Leader Award, says receiving the award was a jolt of inspiration. OELMA has connected me with many fantastic school librarians around Ohio and I am made better each day through their willingness to share and participate in our community.” Do you have a mentor?  Are you a good mentor to other school librarians?

Step #2: Learn How to Follow First

Sometimes you have to know how to follow the lead of others if you are to succeed. In the midst of renovating the school library, I often followed the lead of the students.  Yes, I’d taken any number of library management classes and had my own thoughts about redesigning the learning center, but it was in listening to the students’ voices - that’s where I got the best ideas.

Step #3: Be Visionary

Can you articulate a vision for your school library and then motivate others to share and accomplish that vision?  The most valuable lesson I learned during my twelve years at the suburban high school from which I retired, was collaborating on a strategic plan for the district’s school libraries.  Deb Logan provided the professional development and our district’s school librarians engaged parents, community members, academic librarians, and administrators in a year-long strategic planning process.  All voices were heard and we, as a team, “built bridges to what matters (theme)”

Step #4: Be a Good Servant

Being a leader is a humbling experience.  As Brey-Castano states: “You learn that while the buck may stop with you, it takes the work of every team member to be successful.”  Always say “Thank you.” Who do you thank in your building, in your district?

Step #5: Take Risks

Sound scary? It can be, but if you have a rationale for the decision, then others will listen.  School librarians are great at providing substantive rationales - think… what do we do when we purchase books for our collection?

Step #6: Take Care of Yourself

Being a leader takes stamina. Even if you don’t think you have time, exercise, rest, hydrate, etc. What do you do to take care of yourself?

Step #7: Maintain a Positive Attitude

Of the ten steps, this is the most difficult.  As a school librarian, who can we deliver hope to on any given day?  A student who needs a particular book?  A teacher who needs help creating a research project? An administrator who just needs a sounding board?

Step #8: Never Turn Down a Leadership Position

Yes, even if it’s to coordinate a building or district activity/event.  You have an opportunity to network AND learn about the inner workings of the building, the district, the association.  These experiences will be helpful as you consider taking on more leadership positions/roles.

Step #9: Learn How to Motivate People Effectively

It’s easy for us to just say, “Oh never mind, I’ll just do it myself.”  As Brey-Casiano says, “A truly great leader has to trust the people they are leading to do their best.”  How do you motivate your staff, your volunteers, your students to be the best they can be?

Step #10: Keep Your Sense of Humor

Brey-Casiano suggests keeping things in your office that make you laugh.  I had a desk drawer filled with stress balls and I had a colleague, Laura, whose quick wit made me laugh until my sides ached.

Leadership is ultimately about caring about the people around you - your students, your school community, your teachers, your administrators - and demonstrating that care.

To nominate yourself or a colleague, visit the OELMA website.  Read the criteria for the award in which you have an interest, complete the nomination form, and submit it by April 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m.  The award checklist will assist you in crafting the rationale for nomination.

The Awards Committee looks forward to receiving your nomination.  If you have questions, please reach out to oelma.awards@gmail.com

Sincerely the Awards Committee,

Lisa Gallagher

Heidi Fletcher

Casaundra Bronner

Kris Konik

Cheryl Lorson

Susan Yutzey

Nominating yourself for an award or asking a colleague to nominate you can feel like a “bit of an odd social conundrum where we are faced with the awkward thought of whether it’s ok for us to promote ourselves, when we (or at least I) try and maintain a balance between humility and confidence in what we do (Cynthia Leung)."

The theme of the 2024 annual conference is Lift Your Voice in the Library.  Nominating yourself or a colleague for an OELMA award is lifting your voice, lifting your voice to lead your library.

Leung cites four reasons why you should nominate yourself:

1. You know yourself and your accomplishments better than anyone else.

2. Leaving it to others to make the connection on how much you fit an award leaves the outcome of opportunity outside of your control.

3. Nominating yourself doesn’t mean you will win, but it does give you the fighting chance.

4. Nominating yourself puts you on other people’s radars and is great for networking.

Here is what Angie Jameson, recipient of the 2023 OELMA Tech Innovation Award, says about receiving her award:

“The Technology Innovation Award brought attention to the behind-the-scenes work I do. When the press release went out, I received warm notes of celebration from board members and some community members. As our district started down the path of how generative AI will impact our school, the recent award gave me the confidence to lead conversations about technology and innovation with stakeholders and decision-makers regarding this critical pivot in the information landscape.”

Amy Keister shares what receiving the OELMA Emerging Leader Award has meant to her as a professional:

“It was such an honor to be nominated for the Emerging Leader Award because it came from a colleague. I have always looked to OELMA members as my role models to learn and grow as a school librarian, and to know that an OELMA member saw me in that role meant the world to me. It also made my role in our district more visible to the community and the positive reaction from our community was heartwarming. So, please nominate someone you know or yourself! It's an amazing opportunity to be recognized and shine!”

To nominate yourself or a colleague, visit the OELMA website.  Read the criteria for the award in which you have an interest, complete the nomination form, and submit it by April 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m.  The award checklist will assist you in crafting the rationale for nomination.

The Awards Committee looks forward to receiving your nomination.  If you have questions, please reach out to oelma.awards@gmail.com

Sincerely the Awards Committee,

Lisa Gallagher

Heidi Fletcher

Casaundra Bronner

Kris Konik

Cheryl Lorson

Susan Yutzey

The Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA) is pleased to announce its READ On! Ohio Award for Children & Teens is open to nominations from Ohio school library media specialists and public library staff beginning February 5, 2024.

Created in 2015, The READ On! Ohio Award recognizes Ohio K-12 students who are enthusiastic readers and enjoy being in the school and/or public library using the many services available. The student must be enrolled in an Ohio K-12 school at the time of nomination.

The READ On! Ohio Award recipient will be selected from applicants and nominees who meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Demonstrates an enthusiasm for reading

• Exhibits an enthusiasm for sharing books with others

• Uses books for a variety of purposes

• Reads independently on a voluntary basis

• Uses the school and/or public library frequently

Recipients are selected by the OELMA Awards Committee.  Up to sixteen recipients are selected according to grade band (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) and region (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest).  See the list of READ On! Counties by region.

The recipients each receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card and commemorative certificate during the OELMA Annual Conference. Each recipient’s name will be announced through the OELMA listserv, website and social media. In addition, each recipient’s school's public information officer will be notified through a press release.

To nominate a student, complete and upload the OELMA READ On! Ohio Award for Children & Teens application form which requires a 250-word rationale that speaks to how the student meets at least two of the following criteria: 1) demonstrates an enthusiasm for reading; 2) exhibits an enthusiasm for sharing books with others; 3) uses books for a variety of purposes; 4) reads independently on a voluntary basis; 5) uses the school and/or public library frequently. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. April 1, 2024.

The nominator of each winning nominee will be notified by email about their nominee’s selection for the award. The nominator is expected to contact the winning nominee with the award selection results.

Congratulations Terry Clutter, January Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month!

Congratulations, Terry Clutter, school library media specialist at Stanton Middle School, Kent City School District. Terry is the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month - January.

Terry’s project, All School Reads Day at Stanton Middle School, during which students trade in their normal curriculum for fun and interactive reading activities is part of a district-wide reading program entitled Rough Riders Read. One School, One Book, One Day!  This year they read Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick.  Terry leads a schoolwide committee on selecting a book and preparing fun and enriching activities to accompany the test throughout the day.  The Kent Fire Department attended and gave two presentations to the students about fire, fire safety, and firefighters.

The purpose of the One School, One Book, One Day activity is to have a shared literacy experience among the entire school community, to encourage discussion and critical thinking, build empathy and perspective, build community, and foster a love of reading.

The program was a success. This was determined by the responses from the staff and student survey.  Students like to be involved in determining the novel and planning activities.  This has led Terry to include students on the advisory panel.

Information about the Award: 

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 Terry!

Congratulations Rachael Fryman, December Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month!

Congratulations, Rachael Fryman, school library media specialist at Edgewood Middle School, Edgewood City Schools (Trenton). Rachael is the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month - December.

Rachael’s project is a student and staff “Readerboard.”  Students and staff can earn points by reviewing books, completing reading logs (20 minutes a day), completing reading Quests (40 Book Quest, Alan Gratz Quest, Amulet Quest, etc.), and participating in other activities held in the library (NaNoWrimo for November).  The top 10 students and top teachers get various privileges and prizes throughout the quarter such as first pick of new books, special, invitations to events (upcoming: Library Bingo in December), free books, and student’s favorite: candy.

The goal with the Readerboard was to increase library usage and engagement among students and staff members. Rachael hoped to see increased checkout numbers, more conversations about books between students and also between students and staff members, and she wanted to share student successes in reading and writing.

By the end of November, circulation numbers doubled from the previous year.  Edgewood Middle School’s library walls are covered with book reviews from staff and students which has also helped readers find new books to try out themselves.  The literacy committee at EMS has added the Readerboard program to the list of official activities that our school would like to continue to do to support literacy building with students.

Assistant Principal Josh Stapleton enjoys the reviews hanging up around the space and the growth of activity in the library from individual student and classroom visits.  “Anecdotally,” says Rachael, “I’ve seen a huge growth with students wanting to discuss books with me and other staff members, wanting to recommend books to their classmates and teachers, and students sharing their creativity with me to display in the library.”

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 Rachael!

What is it? Why should you apply?

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 Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the month!  You can nominate yourself or a colleague anytime. 

One recipient is selected by the 15th of each month (except June, July, August).  Recipients receive a free box of books published by Rosen. The Rosen award nomination form can be accessed under the Professional Recognition tab.

Contact Susan Yutzey (oelma.awards@gmail.com) with any questions. 

OELMA is pleased to partner with Rosen Publishing for this award.  Since its establishment in 1950, Rosen has offered engaging print and digital books on a wide range of topics that are aligned with the curriculum.  Rosen is also known for its databases and interactive e-books.

Congratulations, Kate Darnell upon receiving the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month Award for September 2023.  Kate is the library media specialist at Madison Comprehensive High School, Mansfield.

Kate received the award for her project to diversify and modernize the school library at Madison. “For over a year,” Kate explained in her application, we have been working on modernizing and diversifying the MCHS Library. When I started at this school last year, I submitted our collection for an analysis on Titlewave. Our collection had an average age of 1998 and 68% of the items were considered "aged" and only 23% of our items were considered to be diverse. I applied for and received a grant from the Snapdragon Foundation for $5990.75 for new, diverse books.”  

“In addition,” Kate described, “We have been working on genre-fying the library. We spent all of last year labeling books with a sticker to identify their main genre. Since school started in August, we have been scanning books into the computer to update their records, as well as rearranging the items on the shelves. As classes have filtered through for library orientation, they have been so excited with the change! They are able to find books much easier, and they are excited to see current, relevant books with characters that they can relate to. We are in the final stages of genre-fying the library. The library is collaborating with some of the art classes to create signs to hang in the new genre sections.”

In her response to hearing about the award, Kate responded “WOW! Thanks!!!! I reached out to Miriam, too :) I am SUPER excited for the box of books. We didn't pass our levy in May, and money is very very tight. The box of books is amazing as a prize :)”

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.

OELMA is pleased to partner with Rosen Publishing for this award.  Since its establishment in 1950, Rosen has offered engaging print and digital books on a wide range of topics that are aligned with the curriculum.  Rosen is also known for its databases and interactive e-books.

Kate  will have the opportunity to select a free set of books for the school library from Rosen Publishing Company.   Shewill also be recognized at the 2023 OELMA Conference.

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.

We are just 4 months away from the 2023 OELMA Conference: Diverse Libraries Paint Bright Futures. We are thrilled to announce one of our keynote speakers, Jasmine Warga. Jasmine will be the keynote speaker on Thursday October 5. In addition, Jasmine will have a regular session where she will be on a panel with an Ohio author.

-Conference Committee Chair, Kate Darnell

Well-known for her middle-grade novels Other Words for Home, The Shape of Thunder, and A Rover’s Story, Jasmine also authored a YA gem, My Heart and Other Black Holes.My Heart and Other Black Holes takes a heartbreaking look at suicide and the hope that can come with just one other human connection. Teens in my library who read books like Girl in Pieces  by Kathleen Glasgow and The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith were drawn to Warga’s book. 

-Director of Communications, Amanda Brasfield 

OELMA welcomes Jasmine Warga as a keynote presenter to our 2023 OELMA Conference! 

Jasmine Warga’s provided bio:

Jasmine Warga is the New York Times-bestselling author of middle grade novels Other Words For Home, The Shape of Thunder, and A Rover’s Story. Other Words For Home earned multiple awards, including a John Newbery Honor, a Walter Honor for Young Readers, and a Charlotte Huck Honor. The Shape of Thunder was a School Library Journal and Bank Street best book of the year, a finalist for the Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Award, and has been named to several state award reading lists. A Rover’s Story, her latest novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller, a Indie Next List and a Junior Library Guild selection, and was named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly  and The Washington Post. She is also the author of young adult novel, My Heart and Other Black Holes, which has been translated into over twenty different languages. Jasmine currently teaches in the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from Cincinnati, she now lives in the Chicago-area with her family in a house filled with books.

More information about Jasmine can be found at her website: http://jasminewarga.com/

Click below to watch a special video from Jasmine Warga to OELMA! 

Warga.MOV

Candid Statements from OELMA Board Members

As Lisa Barnes Prince so aptly stated “OELMA has your back so now I encourage you to give back to the organization. It is a great way to serve and further your profession.”

Just how does OELMA have your back?  Since 1976, OELMA has served its members through:

• Annual conferences, even during the pandemic

• Professional development opportunities

• Networking with school librarians, exhibitors, authors, and speakers

• Spectrum, a journal

• Newsletters

• Advocacy

• Representation at ALA Chapter Assembly

• Professional recognition through its awards programs

This year there are four positions open on the OELMA Board: Vice President, Treasurer, Director of Membership, and Director of Advocacy.  OELMA runs on volunteers and so we are asking you to consider nominating yourself for one of the open positions.  

“The OELMA Vice President serves two consecutive years,” explains current VP, Lisa Barnes Prince. “The Vice President’s duties include collaborating with the Conference chair and the Director of Teaching & Learning to plan the yearly conference.  Other duties include collaborating on mutual promotion through communication and helping expand the value of an OELMA membership.”  From her perspective, Lisa states, “I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as Vice President and Treasurer for OELMA. I encourage anyone who would like to grow their profession to run for the position of Vice President.  Feel free to contact me directly with questions at oelma.vicepresident@gmail.com.

Former OELMA Vice President Lisa Barnes Prince

Dr. Jessica Dennison explains why she likes her position as Director of Membership, “As the the Director of Membership I get to make so many new connections across the state by talking to members across the state to see what members need. Being a voice for the members and getting to see supports put in place for members has been incredible during my two year appointment. I also have had the opportunity to grow my leadership skills and fulfill goals that are part of my district evaluation.”

As Director of Membership, Jessica answers member emails.  “Typically,” she states, “my time spent on my board seat is just a few hours a month.  I attend board meetings (virtual) once a month and then have occasional committee meetings. This has been incredibly helpful given my busy family life! In the last spring, I am responsible for gathering the names of nominees for open board seats.  I am in charge of the nominations and regional representation committees.  I also write a quarterly newsletter article, volunteer for blog posts, and prepare a monthly board reports for board meetings.”

OELMA Director of Membership, Dr. Jessica Dennison

Karen Gedeon, after serving as OELMA President, ran for the newly created position of Director of Advocacy. Karen highlights some the duties of the director:

• Oversees the Advocacy Committee

• Represents the committee on the board 

• Represents OELMA outside of the school library community.

“We have a wonderful group of effective team members who are currently working on several projects and the director will follow-up to ensure their completion.”  Karen further explains, “The new Director of Advocacy will also be charged with tasks assigned in the strategic plan when that is updated later this year.” 

The Advocacy Committee meets about once a month and the board meets about ten times a year. Most if not all meetings are virtual and usually last an hour to an hour and a half.

“I have grown both personally and professionally in ways I could never have imagined by serving on the OELMA board. I have learned how to work with others to make positive change and I have learned things about myself by doing things I never thought I was capable of. Being a board member is not something you do alone. It is something you do as a team and school librarians make the best team members because we know the importance of working with others. Please join our leadership team. The benefits your reap from it will be so much more than the work you put in.”

Former OELMA President Karen Gedeon

If you are interested in running for one of these positions please nominate yourself by completing the attached form. Position descriptions are listed on the form. If you have any further questions please reach out to me, Jessica Dennison at oelma.regionalrep@gmail.com. 

Posting by: Susan Yutzey

Congratulations, Heidi Fletcher upon receiving the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month Award for May 2023.  Heidi is the library media specialist at Madison-Plains High School, London.

Heidi received the award for her collaborative project with Matt Long who is a technology teacher. The Technology Ethics Research project is a 6-week long research project for an 8thgrade technology class. The project is centered around technology ethics (ex: Online Gaming, Social media, Online Mental Abuse). The project begins with learning how to pick a topic and how to do pre-research through how to present a Google Slideshow. 

The goal is to teach students the ethical uses of technology and teaching research techniques, tips and tricks, along with properly citing their source and critically evaluate a variety of points of view (INFOhio) sources of online information. Students learn about unseen impacts that technology has on individuals. This is also an introduction to proper research and citations, in order to prepare students for high school and beyond.

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.

OELMA is pleased to partner with Rosen Publishing for this award.  Since its establishment in 1950, Rosen has offered engaging print and digital books on a wide range of topics that are aligned with the curriculum.  Rosen is also known for its databases and interactive e-books.

Heidi will have the opportunity to select a free set of books for the school library from Rosen Publishing Company.   She will also be recognized at the 2023 OELMA Conference.

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 Heidi!