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

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.