INFOhio Community

The State Library is hosting a workshop this Thursday, April 13 at 3:30 pm called Celebrating and Surveying African American Youth Literature with Dr. Jonda C. McNair. Even though Black History Month has come and gone, we can still prioritize African American literature in our collections for young readers! Join this workshop, headlined and co-hosted by Dr. Jonda C. McNair, and learn to use our Collection Analysis Toolkit to identify impactful titles that address potential areas of need within your collections. Registrants will walk away with a list full of authentic resources that celebrate African American titles and authors, as well as an action plan that details how to implement those titles into their existing collections. 

Dr. Jonda C. McNair is the Charlotte S. Huck Endowed Professor of Children’s Literature at The Ohio State University. She specializes in literature intended for youth with an emphasis on books written by and about African Americans. She is a past chair of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee and was a member of the 2019 Randolph Caldecott Award Selection Committee. Dr. McNair also chaired the 2021 John Newbery Award Selection Committee. 

Register Here: https://teachingbooks-net.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0pfu-rqz8uGdIDFWV1_6uFVw-qt_xqbEyx 

Last year, the State Library of Ohio announced the Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative. Since its launch, over 530 library staff from 80 counties throughout Ohio have registered for exclusive access to this original, self-paced, collection analysis initiative. Throughout 2022, library staff have explored resources, attended webinars and open office hours, and used tools to consider collections that empower children and young adult readers by respecting and appreciating what makes them different and the same. The initiative is ongoing—register for access at any time, start when you are ready, and work at your own pace.   

Register here for access to the Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative.   

Notable highlights from this impactful initiative:  

• Free for staff working in all types of Ohio libraries! It is available at no cost to you.  
• There are no time constraints for completing this program. Set your own goals and progress at your own pace.   
• Personalized support. You have access to a dedicated, full-time specialist for assistance at any time. 
• Unlimited access to a Collection Analysis Toolkit. This toolkit complements the collection development work you already have in place.  
• Unlimited access to a vetted collection of materials about children's & young adult books and authors.   

• Identifiable action steps. You will receive a custom Implementation Plan that outlines your collection development decisions and next steps.  

The Ohio Collection Analysis Initiative is a collaborative project of the State Library of Ohio and TeachingBooks.net. The project is funded in whole or in part with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds granted to the State Library of Ohio.  The opinions and content expressed do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of IMLS or the State Library of Ohio, and no official endorsement by either agency should be inferred.  This initiative is available for exclusive use by any Ohio library staff. This material may be shared with colleagues within Ohio.  Distributing the Handbook and/or links to any of its components outside of Ohio is prohibited.