We’re down to the wire for the 2009 Ohio Library Support Staff Institute.

In the time OLSSI has been around, the economy has never been worse, and funds for libraries has probably never been so tight.  While it’s not uncommon for a professional conference to end up costing $1500 or $2000 with hotel rooms, meals, etc., we still think our conference/retreat is bargain at $225.00.

Here is short list of four additions to the 2009 Ohio Library Support Staff Institute:

1. We are proud to announce that our keynote speaker will be Jason Thomas, Sergeant USMC, retired.  This brief note cannot do the man justice.  Mr. Thomas received a number of awards for his search and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  He would become a subject of the Oliver Stone film, World Trade Center, and he and his family would  appear on a special two-hour episode of the television show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

For more information, please visit: http://www.theJasonThomas.com/

2. Another addition to OLSSI’s Sunday night festivities will be James A. Willis, author of the book Weird Ohio.  Mr. Willis will give a presentation of the equipment he uses with his paranormal research and investigation team, the Ghosts of Ohio.  He’ll then take all interested outside for ghost tour of the Denison campus!

From their website (http://www.GhostsOfOhio.org/):

3. Also opening night, the OLSSI Super Spectacular Costume Contest!

With the “Meet & Greet” reception at 5:00 PM, and dinner and opening ceremonies at 6:00 PM, there’ll be plenty of time to show your Super-Self!  So come dressed as your favorite superhero, villain, or one of your own making!  The winner will get the Superhero Prize Pack, which includes:

The Pulitzer Prize winning book –

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon, all four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve on DVD, a Spider-Man fleece blanket, and the Marvel Comic Book Library – 100 digital comic books on CD-ROM, all in a star-spangled Captain America tub!

So, Mask Up!

For photos, go to: http://a-whole-lotta-olssi.weebly.com

4. And finally, while we’ll be handing out giveaways Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, nothing beats a Grand Prize! After our final presentation on Tuesday, we’ll be giving away a weekend getaway to The Inn & Spa at Honey Run!

Your two-night stay in the Main Lodge can actually be any time of the week you choose!

The Inn is nestled on 70 acres in the heart of the Ohio Amish Country in Holmes County, between Millersburg and Berlin, Ohio.

For photos and more information, go to: http://www.innathoneyrun.com/

* * * Registration closes Wednesday, July 15^th.  You can contact Secretary/Treasurer Tanya Ellenburg-Kimmet for your all your registration needs at the following:

Fax: 937-775-2356
Phone: 937-775-2094

Email: tanya.kimmet@wright.edu

U.S. Mail:

Tanya Ellenburg -Kimmet

OLSSI Secretary/Treasurer
Digital Services
Wright State University

3640 Col Glenn Hwy
Dayton, OH 45435 USA

Email/Fax the registration form even if payment will be delayed past July 15th so we can reserve a spot for you!

For classes, instructors, FAQ, and more, go to: www.OLSSI.org

n Friday, July 17, the OLC Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2009 Ohio Library Council Convention & Expo, Oct. 21-23, in Cleveland. This decision was unanimously supported by Tom Adkins, Convention Chair, as well as the Planning Committee Chairs – Cindy Lombardo, Program Chair; Andrew Mangels, Local Arrangements Chair; Jamie Mason, Expo Chair.

The Convention & Expo is considered to be the signature event of the Ohio Library Council. However, OLC staff learned last week in a survey of library directors that very few libraries will have the funds to send library staff to this event. In light of the recent developments in the state’s public library funding and the drastic adjustments that all libraries have been making to their operations, the OLC made the most fiscally-responsible route for both members and the organization.

As the OLC moves forward, members will receive more information about how the OLC plans to restructure its education programming to respond to members’ needs in the challenging times ahead. The OLC staff is exploring several different education alternatives, including regional and electronic options.

The board and the OLC staff truly regret that this decision had to be made and the OLC’s focus continues to be on meeting members’ needs. The needs of library staff are changing so the OLC is evaluating the best ways to continue providing the services that are most important to OLC members.

The OLC board and staff would like to thank everyone who has volunteered many hours to plan this event.

Please direct questions regarding the cancellation of this event to olc@olc.org.

Sir,

If you are at all concerned with the future of Ohio’s children, please reconsider your suggested draconian budget cuts to the Ohio library system.  Ohio libraries have strongly pushed the Ready to Read Initiative for Libraries (http://www.ohreadytoread.org/), with the result that Ohio’s public libraries play a key role in ensuring every Ohio child starts kindergarten ready to learn to read.  Early literacy skills in a preschool child translate into a school age child ready to learn to read.  Public libraries all over the state offer early literacy programs to their patrons through story times for parent and child, at parent workshops, with partnerships with Head Start and similar community driven organizations, at public and in-home day cares, and through homeschooling groups.  This essential service prepares Ohio children to learn to read and so contributes to the school success of our state’s children, and to the success of our state overall.  If your budget proposal passes, many if not most Ohio libraries will have to close their doors or drastically reduce hours and services, leaving Ohio children in the dust.  If you are truly concerned about the welfare of Ohio’s children, please restore library funding to the highest possible amount.  Ohio children deserve great public libraries and the services those libraries provide.

Governor Ted Strickland
614-466-3555
contact online
Post a message on Governor Strickland’s Facebook page.

Senator Bill Harris,
President of the Senate
614-466-8086
SD19@senate.state.oh.us

Senator John Carey,
Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee
614-466-8156
SD17@senate.state.oh.us

Representative Armond Budish,
Speaker of the House
614-466-5441
District08@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Vernon Sykes,
Chairman of the House Finance Committee
614-466-3100

The Library is now Closed is collecting local updates on how library systems will be affected.