July Featured News: Student Success Summit in Review

On June 9, 2026, library professionals from across the state gathered at OhioNet for our Student Success Summit. This event brought together over 30 attendees to explore how libraries can support student success at all ages. Member-led sessions focused on a variety of topics, including literacy strategies, media literacy, learning environments, supporting student transitions, and curricular and co-curricular strategies. 

The day opened with featured speaker Matthew Mays, Digital Innovation Consultant for the Stark-Portage Area Computer Consortium (SPARCC) and the Stark County Educational Service Center. His presentation, “Debrief Strategies: Translating Lessons Learned Into Student Success,” explored the rapid acceleration of today’s “information pollution” era and encouraged attendees to help students move beyond simply consuming information. Mays introduced the concept of metacognition, or “thinking about thinking,” and shared reflection strategies that encourage learners to ask, “Why does it matter? What will I do with this information going forward?” He also emphasized the value of peer discussion, where students can test ideas, exchange feedback, and practice active listening.

The morning continued with sessions focused on literacy strategies. In “Championing Expertise: Demonstrating the Role of the Librarian in the New Landscape of Higher Education,” Zachary Lewis, from the University of Dayton, encouraged librarians to communicate their expertise by connecting information literacy to institutional strategic goals, demonstrating its value across disciplines, and building trust with students and faculty.

Jill Finnan, from INFOhio, followed with “Build Your Science of Reading Toolkit with INFOhio,” highlighting the wide variety of free resources available to educators, libraries, and families. She showcased INFOhio’s growing collection of choice boards, along with BookFlix and other instructional resources that can be filtered by grade level, subject, and resource type to support the science of reading.

Media literacy remained a central theme throughout the summit. Sarah Ressler of R.B. Hayes High School shared “Making Media Literacy Fun,” introducing engaging activities that help students build critical thinking skills while learning to recognize misinformation. Attendees explored Break the Fake, a quiz game that challenges players to identify suspicious online content, and Bad News, an interactive “choose your own adventure” game that teaches common misinformation tactics by placing players in the role of a fake news tycoon. Ressler also highlighted INFOhio’s choice board collections for building digital, media, and AI literacy skills for Pre-K-12 students.

Mandi Goodsett from Cleveland State University presented “Rethinking Media Literacy: Teaching Students to Build a Healthy Information Diet.” Rather than focusing solely on spotting misinformation, Goodsett encouraged attendees to help students understand information ecosystems, recognize cognitive biases, and develop healthier information habits. She also shared examples from her own instruction, including algorithm literacy lesson plans, social media outreach, and a campus “Touch Grass” event that encouraged students to disconnect from their devices, connect with one another, and spend time in nature.

In “From Space to Student Voice: Engaging Every Learner,” Lori Lee of INFOhio highlighted professional development titles available through INFOhio’s Professional Development Collection, including Liven Up Your Library: Design Engaging and Inclusive Programs for Tweens and Teens by Julia Torres and Valerie Tagoe. Lee encouraged attendees to create spaces designed with students rather than for students through flexible seating, student-created displays, and opportunities for students to shape their library experience. She also emphasized providing choices, like offering digital titles alongside print collections, reminding attendees that student engagement is a mindset, not just a single program.

After lunch, the focus shifted to supporting student transitions across age groups. Amy Galluch of Cuyahoga Falls Library shared “Building Lifelong Readers: A School-Public Library Partnership,” highlighting how collaboration between schools and public libraries can strengthen early literacy, expand access, and build lasting relationships with families. By aligning library storytimes with preschool curriculum and introducing families to library services early, the partnership has created a strong foundation for lifelong reading while demonstrating the value of starting small by piloting one initiative and growing a program with time and consistency.

Rebecca Shrader and Nicole Leavitt of Upper Arlington Public Library presented “Ready, Set, Kindergarten Success! How to Implement a Kindergarten Readiness Program at Your Library.” Inspired by Columbus Metropolitan Library’s “Ready for Kindergarten” program, they developed 26 original lessons aligned with the alphabet and early learning standards to prepare children and caregivers for the transition to school. They also shared practical tips for sustaining the program through utilizing creative tools like Canva and using donated or recycled materials, emphasizing that successful early literacy programming doesn’t require a large budget.

At the collegiate level, Maureen Barry and Rob Snyder of Bowling Green State University explored “Supporting Research Readiness During the College Transition.” Their presentation highlighted scaffolding as an effective strategy for helping students develop research skills while encouraging them to translate personal interests into academic research questions. They also emphasized partnerships with writing programs, first-year courses, and local schools and libraries as a way to support students throughout their educational journey and transition into the workforce post-graduation. 

In “From Transitions to Becoming: Implications for Library Instruction and Outreach,” Stephanie D. Founds of The Ohio State University discussed Rethinking Student Transitions: How Community, Participation, and Becoming Can Help Higher Education Deliver on Its Promise by Dallin George Young and Bryce D. Bunting. Drawing on the book’s Becomingist Theory of Transitions, Founds encouraged attendees to consider how libraries can support students beyond the first year by fostering identity formation, community participation, and a sense of belonging throughout their academic experience.

In the afternoon, speakers shared a series of lightning round presentations that offered quick insights and ideas for curricular and co-curricular strategies, including: 

• “Math in the Library,” presented by Amy Keister, Louisville City Schools 
• “Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes: Anatomage Tables in the Library,” presented by Noreen Mulcahy and Avonia Dearth, Mount Carmel Health Sciences Library/Mount Carmel School of Nursing 
• “Level Up Tutoring at the Lorain Public Library System: A High-Dosage Model,” presented by Kathleen Norman, Lorain Public Library 
• “How I Started a TED-Ed Student Talks Club,” presented by Michael D. Rousch, Felicity-Franklin Local School District 
• “The Library as Bookstore: Success Initiatives,” presented by Gretchen Avery, Bowling Green State University 

It was exciting to see attendees from a range of roles and institutions explore new ideas, make meaningful connections, and exchange resources to support student success in their own libraries. Thank you to everyone who presented, participated, and supported this event! View additional photos from the day below.

PS: We invite you to join us for the upcoming Ohio Library Employees Institute (OLEI) conference at OhioNet on August 11-12! This event is geared towards library support staff from libraries of all types across the state. OLEI sessions will cover a variety of practical topics, including: navigating difficult conversations, library programming, library documentation and training, customer service, and getting acquainted with Ohio library organizations. The conference also includes a tour of two local libraries: the Westerville Public Library and Courtright Memorial Library at Otterbein University. Learn more and register to attend OLEI here.