Congratulations to Karen A. Plummer, who was awarded the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award at the 2015 annual conference last month.  This award, which is ALAO’s highest honor, recognizes an individual who has been an ALAO member for at least 5 years, and who has promoted academic libraries and librarianship not only on his or her own campus, but also within the state. The award also recognizes someone who has provided leadership in the promotion of ALAO through service such as committee membership, executive board office, or interest group office.

Karen was recognized partly for the challenging work she did to design and develop ALAO’s early web presence and bring us into the digital age.  Her work resulted in ALAO being able to share activities in new and better ways.  Karen’s knowledge, interest, and skill enabled us to use the new website to better inform, educate, and connect with ALAO members. In addition, she’s presented at several ALAO conferences, has served for many years on the executive board and various committees, and has represented our profession at the legislative level. Karen has served her campus and community while also constantly attending to her own professional development and knowledge, in order to better serve.  We recognize Karen for the critical contributions she made to the early success of ALAO’s web presence, her outstanding advocacy of librarianship through service to her university, campus and community, and also for sharing her knowledge and expertise with other librarians through presentations and publishing through ALAO and other venues.

Way to go, Karen.  We appreciate all you do for ALAO!

Eboni A. Johnson, Oberlin College, Past President
Photo Provided by: Karen Plummer