Ohio Library Employees Institute (OLEI) Event Agenda
We are excited to share an overview of the sessions and presenters at the upcoming Ohio Library Employees Institute (OLEI) on August 11 & 12! Special thanks to all of our speakers for contributing their work and sharing their experiences with fellow OhioNet members.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Check-In and Light Refreshments
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks, Katy Mathuews
Navigating Difficult Conversations
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
We Need to Talk: Making Difficult Conversations Less Difficult, Jeff Regensburger, State Library of Ohio
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Scripts for Mastering Difficult Conversations, Jennifer Buch, Huron Public Library
Break
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Library Programming
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
No Cost Programs for Your Library, Jon Simmons, The Jackson City Library
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Pop-Up Making: Mobile Makerspace Outreach That Builds Community, Jennifer Hicks, Miami University Regionals & Jessie Long, Sinclair University
Get to Know Ohio Library Organizations & Resources for All Library Types
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
OhioNet Overview, Katy Mathuews
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
INFOhio Overview, Erica Clay
Lunch
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hands-On Session
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Zine Workshop, Ty Williams
Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Library Tours
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Courtright Memorial Library at Otterbein University and Westerville Public Library (details forthcoming)
Evening Social
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Smash Park Westerville
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Check-In and Light Refreshments
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome
9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.
Opening Remarks, Katy Mathuews
Keynote Speaker
9:05 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Cory Tressler, Assistant Dean for Technology and Digital Programs, The Ohio State University Libraries
Library Documentation and Training
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Interactive Handbooks: Using AI to Preserve Your Library’s Institutional Knowledge, Amy Hudson Estepp, Southwest Ohio Computer Association (SWOCA)
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Keeping Student Employees Engaged, Joseph Walden, Ohio University Libraries
Break
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Library Documentation and Training (continued)
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Northstar for Staff Digital Skills Support, Christine Morris, OPLIN
Get to Know Ohio Library Organizations & Resources for All Library Types
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
OPLIN Overview, Don Yarman
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
OhioLINK Overview, Amy Pawlowski
Lunch
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Customer Service
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Yes…And Customer Service, Molly Meyers LaBadie, Delaware County District Library
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Better Reference Interactions, Lea Carrigan, Fairfield County District Library
Break
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Steering Committee Panel
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
TBD, OLEI Steering Committee
Closing Remarks
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Katy Mathuews, OhioNet
Please Note: This is a two-day event hosted in-person at OhioNet’s Town Hall meeting space in Westerville, Ohio. Registration includes lunch, beverages, and snacks. As this is a live, in-person event, sessions will not be recorded or available in OhioNet’s Training Archive.
Have questions or need help with registration? Email our team at [email protected].
