INFOhio Community

Earlier this month, the State Library of Ohio and OhioNet announced the return of ILEAD Ohio in 2023 and the application period opened January 5. ILEAD Ohio helps develop present and future Ohio library leaders, no matter their position or title, through a team-based, problem-solving project. The goal of ILEAD Ohio is to support participants in addressing professional and/or community needs through the exploration and application of innovative communication, technology, and collaborative tools and skills.   

In ILEAD Ohio, participants will form a team of four to five and apply as a group. We strongly encourage diversity by selecting applicants from a variety of library types – public, school, academic and special whenever possible. Applicants are not required to have a master’s degree in library science. Successful applicants will be Ohio library staff members who are innovative and interested in growing their leadership skills and working with their peers to address a need in the library profession and/or their communities. This means that you will need all four or five of your team members and a project idea before submitting your application. Visit ILEAD Ohio’s page to download the application.  The deadline to submit a team application is February 24 by 11:59 p.m.  

An informational webinar was held on January 12, 2023 with information on the ILEAD Ohio program, application process, and creating a team. The webinar was recorded and can be accessed on the State Library of Ohio’s YouTube page.   

The teams selected to participate in ILEAD Ohio 2023 will implement collaborative and/or interactive tools that foster community engagement as well as develop leadership, creativity, and solution-focused change.  Through the 9-month program, participants engage in a conversation to identify a community need; identify user representatives to provide critical feedback during the development of the project; and grow as a leader and gain valuable experience in project management.  

If you are interested in applying to ILEAD Ohio but aren’t sure how to build a team, there will be a virtual Sip and Mix on Monday, January 23. There are two sessions to provide different scheduling options to participate. During the virtual Sip and Mix, participants can brainstorm ideas and connect with other people who are looking for teammates. ILEAD Ohio 2023 planning committee members will be present to answer questions and provide guidance about teambuilding. 

Sip & Mix 1, January 23 at 9 a.m. – https://ohionet-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd–trzkiHdPHrUNrP-eKOJCY3jMxqd80 

Sip & Mix 2, January 23 at 6 p.m. – https://ohionet-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfuGvqDIpEtKzj8SP4oRJ3-meIGsLeoMK  

If you need assistance creating your team or developing your idea, please contact Erin Kelsey at ekelsey@library.ohio.gov or 614-644-6889.