Director’s Desk: Co-Creating Meaningful Events with Our Members
It’s already February and I’m growing increasingly excited for the events we’re co-creating with our members and partners this year! I always enjoy in-person events as they provide an opportunity to connect, learn, and reignite my excitement for serving our member libraries. This year, we’re continuing long-held traditions, and creating new ones, as we co-host several upcoming in-person events around the state. I’m excited to share a bit about each partnership below.
Throughout 2025 I had the privilege of working closely with our wonderful colleagues at the State Library of Ohio to plan ILEAD 2025. Continuing that momentum, OhioNet is once again co-hosting Library Leadership Ohio (LLO) with our State Library of Ohio colleagues in 2026. Both events, in addition to growing valuable leadership skills, foster a network of peers who become an invaluable support system as participants navigate their careers. As an LLO 2014 alum, I can attest that the connections made have enriched my career beyond measure and I’m looking forward to amplifying that sentiment in the Hocking Hills at LLO 2026.
Visits to the Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library (CRCPL) were a staple of my childhood and teen years. That’s one of many reasons I’m proud that OhioNet is co-hosting Boom and Bust: Libraries Navigating Economic Change in Their Communities with the leadership and staff of CRCPL. During my regular library visits throughout Ohio last summer, a theme emerged of how libraries support their communities through major economic shifts such as losing a major employer or navigating population changes- and how those changes can impact the library itself. Combined with a desire to make OhioNet events more accessible to our members, I was thrilled when Director James Hill offered to co-host a free, in-person event for the library community at CRCPL. I hope you will consider joining us for this meaningful event.
The Ohio Library Support Staff Institute (OLSSI) has been a long-standing institution in the Ohio library community. I’ve heard rave reviews from colleagues through the years, and I admired the close network of colleagues the event fostered. My OhioNet colleagues and I were saddened to hear that the Ohio library community would celebrate the final OLSSI in 2025. After consultation with OLSSI leadership, we are happy to honor the legacy of OLSSI with a re-imagined event for library staff this summer. A steering committee comprised of library staff from all over Ohio is already working to plan an event in central Ohio that will continue the spirit of connection, learning, and fun. Keep an eye out for more information in future OhioNet communications.
As I anticipate the events above, it is clear that one of the best parts of my job is being in community with OhioNet members. I particularly love is not only do I get to connect with members at the event, but I get to co-create the events alongside them. These partnerships strengthen our ties and contribute to sustaining a thriving library community. Long live libraries!
Sincerely,
Katy B. Mathuews, Executive Director & CEO
Do you have a space large enough to host an event for 40 or more attendees? Do you have a great idea for an event and need a partner? OhioNet would love to continue to co-create accessible events for the Ohio library community. Send us an email at [email protected] to start the conversation!
