2025 State-wide Professional Learning with speaker K.C. Boyd hosted by SLSA (School Library Systems Association). More details to follow as they become available.

Homepage for past and future learning symposiums: SLSA Learning Symposiums

Presenter: Lindsay Cesari, AKA Bee in the Library

Session Description: Discover the best new books and fresh teaching ideas in one dynamic session! In this interactive workshop, you'll explore 75+ standout titles released in the last 18 months. From picture books to middle grade and YA - each title is paired with a ready-to-use lesson or activity aligned to state and national standards. Perfect for energizing your program, this session equips school librarians with everything they need to captivate young readers and meet curriculum goals.

Workshop Highlights:

Hands on makerspace activities

Ready to teach lessons for each title with access to digital copies of graphic organizers and worksheets.

About Lindsay: Lindsay is a national board certified NYS school librarian with 15+ years experience. She has a social media audience of 40,000+ users across Instagram and TikTok under the username Bee in the Library where she provides micro PD to followers.

This asynchronous professional development session introduces participants to Sooth, focusing on creating an account and navigating its essential tools for research and information literacy. This website is available to all educators in the O²CM Region. Through embedded videos and interactive tasks within the Google Form, you will learn how to:

Create a Sooth account using your school email or single sign-on (SSO) Confirm your account and customize basic profile settings Explore key tools to support student research and critical thinking

You will watch short training videos, complete knowledge checks, and complete a hands-on task to apply what you learned. By the end, you will be prepared to guide students and colleagues in using Sooth effectively for inquiry and research.

SLS New Librarian Orientation is an informative event designed for new school librarians or returning librarians in the O²CM region. This session provides valuable insights into the essential functions and scope of the School Library System (SLS).

During this session, participants will connect with the School Library System team. Through engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and informative materials, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the SLS and its role within the educational landscape.

This orientation offers both an introduction for new school librarians and a refresher for returning librarians. Participants will explore the mission, goals, and organizational structure of the SLS while learning how it supports and enhances the educational experience for students and educators. Attendees will also discover available resources, services, and collaborative opportunities, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. This year's session will include important updates, including new regional purchases and initiatives.

These meetings are attended by members of the SLS Advisory Council that have been chosen and elected by the Communication Coordinators committee. The SLS Council advises the School Library System and help create the Plan of Service and approves the SLS budget and Annual Report. All members of the SLS are welcome to attend but only member of the council may vote on recommendations. A zoom link will be sent via email, as well as included in the Google Calendar invite

Give your library books a longer life with expert tips and hands-on strategies from DEMCO's own Book Doctor, Kimberly Young. In this practical and engaging session, you will learn how to protect and preserve your collection-from repairing torn pages to reinforcing spines-so your materials can keep serving your community.

Kimberly brings a wealth of experience from libraries across the U.S., having worked in regionally, socially, and culturally diverse communities. Her expertise in collection development, material processing, and book care is matched by her passion for access, community engagement, and meaningful use of data.

Whether you are new to book repair or looking to brush up your skills, this session will leave you feeling empowered and ready to extend the life of your collection.

When Kimberly is not repairing books, she enjoys traveling, yoga, hiking, and paddle boarding. Come meet the Book Doctor and give your books the care they deserve!

The SLS Communication Coordinators meetings are designed to be a bridge between the School Library System team and the school librarians in each of the districts and non-public schools that are members of the system. Each district has a designated Communication Coordinator who is required to attend the meetings but all members are welcome to attend. The morning (9:30 am to 11:30 am) will be the meeting and the afternoon will be a professional learning opportunity.

The first meeting of Mentors Across Borders for the 2025-2026 School Year.

The program seeks to support new school librarians both professionally and personally in their efforts to become highly effective educators. Research indicates that student learning depends, in part, on constructing a school culture that fosters growth for students and staff alike. We believe that mentors and mentees will learn and grow together in this process. While we are certain that your district provided you with a mentor teacher (not always a school librarian), we aspire to pair you with a mentor with library experience, knowledge and a passion for our profession. The purpose of this program is to connect librarians across "the borders” of their school districts to learn from and support each other while growing a vibrant professional learning network across the region.

Attention all school librarians and teachers who are passionate about literature, education, join us for a day of engaging workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, and networking opportunities that will help you enhance your teaching and librarianship skills. You'll learn about the latest trends in literature, discover new resources for your library, and connect with fellow educators who share your passion for books and libraries. Apply now to present at the Greater CNY Fall Conference and join us in celebrating the power of literature!

The SLS Communication Coordinators meetings are designed to be a bridge between the School Library System team and the school librarians in each of the districts and non-public schools that are members of the system. Each district has a designated Communication Coordinator who is required to attend the meetings but all members are welcome to attend. The morning (8:30 am to 11:30 am) will be the meeting and the afternoon will be a professional learning opportunity.

These meetings are attended by members of the SLS Advisory Council that have been chosen and elected by the Communication Coordinators committee. The SLS Council advises the School Library System and help create the Plan of Service and approves the SLS budget and Annual Report. All members of the SLS are welcome to attend but only member of the council may vote on recommendations. A zoom link will be sent via email, as well as included in the Google Calendar invite

Discovery Education continues to empower educators with resources, strategies and tools for creating quality lessons using multi-modal digital resources. For Back-to-School 2025-26, we are combining all that teachers and students love about the DE ecosystem with new content, including Career Connect and the AI Assessment Generator! Join us this Fall at OCM BOCES to learn about the best ways to utilize all that Discovery Education has to offer as well as exciting updated features, synchronous and asynchronous activities, assignment templates, background builder lessons and much more: *Ready-to-Use Activities & Video Quizzes *Supports for NYS Science Investigations *AI Assessment Generator *Career Connect *Core 4 Focus & Supplemental Supports *Spotlight On Strategies for All Subjects and Grade Levels *Breakfast and lunch provided* *Intended Audience: Librarians, Technology Integration Specialists, Lead Teachers, Curriculum & Instruction Department, Teaching & Learning Department.*

The SLS Communication Coordinators meetings are designed to be a bridge between the School Library System team and the school librarians in each of the districts and non-public schools that are members of the system. Each district has a designated Communication Coordinator who is required to attend the meetings but all members are welcome to attend.

The SLS Communication Coordinators meetings are designed to be a bridge between the School Library System team and the school librarians in each of the districts and non-public schools that are members of the system. Each district has a designated Communication Coordinator who is required to attend the meetings but all members are welcome to attend. The morning (8:30 am to 11:30 am) will be the meeting and the afternoon will be a professional learning opportunity.

These meetings are attended by members of the SLS Advisory Council that have been chosen and elected by the Communication Coordinators committee. The SLS Council advises the School Library System and help create the Plan of Service and approves the SLS budget and Annual Report. All members of the SLS are welcome to attend but only member of the council may vote on recommendations. A zoom link will be sent via email, as well as included in the Google Calendar invite

The SLS Communication Coordinators meetings are designed to be a bridge between the School Library System team and the school librarians in each of the districts and non-public schools that are members of the system. Each district has a designated Communication Coordinator who is required to attend the meetings but all members are welcome to attend. This is our last meeting of the year that will consist of the CC meeting, as well as a celebration of our retirees, and this years award winners