All ORTR services and activities are planned and implemented by a standing task force convened by the OLC Children's Services Division. Current task force members include:
Kerry O'Brien Rhoad, 2025 Chair, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Lauren Boeke, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
Ben Corll, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
Amber Cristofaro, 2025 Assistant Chair, Dayton Metro Library
Ally Doliboa, MidPointe Library System
Janet Ingraham Dwyer, State Library Liaison, State Library of Ohio
Laura McFalls, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Samantha Schneider, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
Barbara Scott, Bucyrus Public Library
Julia Shaheen, 2023-2024 Chair, Stark County District Library
Maria Trivisonno, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Martie Yunker, OLC Children's Services Division liaison, Archbold Public Library
Current ORTR Trainers include:
Marnie Alvarez, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
Marianna DiGiacomo, Stark County District Library
Ally Doliboa, MidPointe Library System
Lori Faust, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
Janet Ingraham Dwyer, State Library of Ohio
Allison Knight, Dayton Metro Library
Erin Naik, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Kerry O'Brien-Rhoad, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Tim Protiva, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Samantha Schneider, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library
Barbara Scott, Bucyrus Public Library
Julia Shaheen, Stark County District Library
Celeste Swanson, The Lane Libraries
Maria Trivisonno, Cuyahoga County Public Library
The ORTR task force also acknowledges past Chair Celeste Swanson, past Chair Krista Tokarz, past Training Coordinator Natalie Fields, past task force members, the original regional coordinators, and all Ohio librarians and library staff who support this statewide effort.
Special thanks to Justin Isaac, who redesigned and thoroughly updated the original ORTR website in 2011; Victoria Windsor, who researched, designed, and created the original Ohio Early Literacy Crosswalk; Marie Corbitt, who developed ORTR's overview presentation on Prezi and compiled sources of early literacy research for the Research and Advocacy page; Kristin Wilson, who recommended updates to the Student Learning content; and Heather West, who thoroughly revised the Student Learning content and recommended updates to the Research and Advocacy content. Justin's, Victoria's, Marie's, Kristin's, and Heather's participation was made possible through Kent State University iSchool (School of Information) practicum assignments at the State Library of Ohio. They each produced excellent, lasting work to benefit ORTR and children's services librarians around Ohio.
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Dayton Metro Library, and Columbus Metropolitan Library have provided additional resources to this initiative.
We are indebted to Saroj Ghoting for immeasurable wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration over the years.
Website hosting is provided by the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN).
Photos in front page banners are from Ohio Library Snapshot Day and are credited to these libraries: Athens County Public Libraries, Delaware County District Library, North Canton Public Library, The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and Washington-Centerville Public Library.
