Innovative Librarians Explore, Apply, Discover

University Libraries is pleased to announce one of our own as a participant in the 2023 Innovative Librarians Explore, Apply, Discover (ILEAD) Ohio. Teams and mentors have been selected for the year-long program. Nick Pavlik, the manuscripts and digital archivist for the Center for Archival Collections, was selected as part of the digital community archiving team. The first session kicks off in April and reconvenes in July and October. These three in-person sessions will allow participants the opportunity to hone their leadership skills; learn and discuss crucial topics in librarianship and library services; and develop a project to address an identified community need. Team participants will remain with their group throughout the program and are assigned a mentor. The role of the mentor is to keep participants motivated; offer expertise; and provide guidance and advice. Each team will work on a single group project that will address at least one identified need within their communities of users.  

“OhioNet, in partnership with the State Library of Ohio, is looking forward to reconvening our first ILEAD event since we had to pause due to the global pandemic. We’re excited to welcome this year’s teams and some new mentors at Cherry Valley later this month,” said Nancy S. Kirkpatrick, Executive Director & CEO of OhioNet. “I am pleased to be part of such a collaborative effort in this meaningful Ohio library leadership program.” 

“After a four-year hiatus, I’m thrilled the State Library and OhioNet are once again joining forces to bring back ILEAD Ohio,” expressed Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development at the State Library of Ohio. “Having been involved with this program since it was launched in Ohio in 2013, it holds a special place in my heart. I’m certain this year’s cohort will learn a lot about themselves and our profession through this immersive, ‘library camp’ like experience.” 

Since 2013, ILEAD Ohio has helped 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. ILEAD Ohio is made possible by the State Library of Ohio and OhioNet with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  

ILEAD Ohio 2023 Participants:

Team Life Skills
Matthew Cook, Capital University
Kelly Edwards, Bexley Public Library
Noelle Tagliarini, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Gail Toth, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Mentor: Karen Miller, Bradbury Miller Associates 

Team Digital Community Archiving
Amber Bales, Miami University
Brenda Foster, Columbus College of Art and Design
Janet Rhodes, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Alia Wegner, Miami University
Nick Pavlik, Bowling Green State University
Mentor: Gabriel Venditti, Cuyahoga County Public Library 

Team Student Success
Kaleb Curry, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Brea McQueen, Miami University Hamilton
Sarah Amazing, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
Katie Albright, Otterbein University
Mentor: Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Lorain County Public Library 

Team Digital Collections Literacy
Virginia Dressler, Kent State University
Grace Freeman, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Cari Hillman, MidPointe Library System
Jenni Salamon, Ohio History Connection
Adam Wanter, MidPointe Library System
Mentor: Chad Boeninger, Ohio University 

Program Manager
Erin Kelsey, State Library of Ohio 

Steering Committee
Erin Kelsey, Program Manager, State Library of Ohio
Nancy Kirkpatrick, OhioNet
Michelle Bradley, OhioNet
Evan T. Struble, State Library of Ohio
Jeff Regensburger, State Library of Ohio
Penelope Shumaker, State Library of Ohio
Dr. Miriam Matteson, iSchool at Kent State University 

ILEAD Ohio is made possible by the State Library of Ohio and OhioNET with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, we help communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage and lifelong learning. To learn more about IMLS, please visit www.imls.gov.