Message from the Interest Group Coordinator

Interest Groups are beginning to plan for spring events! Please keep checking the ALAO Events page for updates. I’m excited for the events that are in the planning stages so far and looking forward to attending them. Special shout out to the Sustainability IG who hosted a virtual panel on Feb. 24 on an introduction to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative in academic libraries. Thank you to all the IGs for planning these events throughout the year and making ALAO a vibrant organization!

ALAO has 12 active special interest groups that have formed to discuss concerns, issues, and new trends related to academic librarianship in Ohio. Joining an interest group is a great way to participate in leadership events and network with fellow librarians and library staff. 

You can join an interest group at any time during the year! For more information visit the ALAO website https://www.alaoweb.org/igs/index.html or contact Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator at morgan55@miamioh.edu

–Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator, Miami University

Community and Two-Year College Libraries Interest Group (C2YCLIG) News

Mark Your Calendars: LibGuide Showcase

On Monday, March 20^th at 11:30 the Community and Two-Year College Interest Group (C2YCLIG) is hosting a virtual session to highlight the work of two community college librarians. The focus will be on how they have used the LibGuides tool in new and interesting ways in their library. More information to come. 

Everyone is welcome to participate in the discussion. Please email C2YCLIG co-chairs at c2yclig-chairs@alaoweb.org if you have any questions.

–Meagan Fowler, C2YCLIG Co-Chair, Cuyahoga Community College
–Zoe Orcutt, C2YCLIG Co-Chair, Overdrive

Instruction Interest Group (IIG) News

The Instruction Interest Group (IIG) is currently seeking new members for our workshop planning committee! If you are interested, please email iig-chairs@alaoweb.org. We’d love to hear from you. It’s a great way to get involved with ALAO and meet new colleagues.

This summer’s workshop(s), in collaboration with DLIG and STEMIG, will focus on ChatGPT. Planning is underway and we look forward to sharing the event(s) with membership soon!

–Stefanie Hilles, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Miami University
–Jaclyn Spraetz, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Miami University

Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) News

The Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) is currently in the process of planning its spring workshop, tentatively scheduled for May 2023. The co-chairs are grateful to have former SCAig co-chair Henry Handley (University of Dayton) and Elizabeth Williams-Clymer (Kenyon College) as members of the planning committee. Thank you both so much for volunteering your time and expertise! In anticipation of the workshop, SCAig issued a survey to its members on SCA-related topics that are of interest to them. Based on the results, the workshop will likely revolve around growth and change in the SCA profession, as well as counter-archives–that is, nontraditional or alternative archives of marginalized communities. The planning committee will be reaching out to potential speakers soon!

–Josh Zeller, SCAig Co-Chair, Mount St. Joseph University
–Miriam Intrator, SCAig Co-Chair, Ohio University

Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG) News

The Only Constant in Change: How Libraries and Support Staff are Responding to / Preparing for Changes.

College and university libraries have changed in response to the COVID pandemic and are now looking at responding to future challenges such as the predicted decline in student enrollments, changes in usage patterns, and the imminent change to a new Integrated Library System (ILS) for OhioLINK libraries.

Please join the Support Staff Interest Group as we take this opportunity to re-connect and share past, present, and future adaptation to changes in a 60-90 minute guided discussion. Discussion topics will include:

• Scheduling: In the wake of COVID, some institutions have extended work-from-home modality for at least some positions. What do the policies look like at our institutions? How do they differ depending on classification and the type of work? What are the benefits and challenges of the new arrangement?
• Staffing: The impact of COVID has changed the way students and faculty work, and many institutions are expecting a decline in the number of students from our state and region to lead to enrollment challenges – how are these impacting your institutions choices of what positions are filled and where they are allocated?
• Migrating to a New System: As OhioLINK prepares to migrate to a new ILS, what are strategies to keep in mind for planning for the changeover? What can we do ahead of time to prepare.
• Coping with Change in General: Change seems to be a constant. As we look forward to an environment where the desired skills for staff and types of services offered continue to evolve, and budgets can be an ongoing concern, how do we practice self-care, continue to be productive, and keep a positive outlook?
• Moving into the future: SSIG has two co-chairs who serve staggered two-year terms. Wondering what it might take to be the next incoming co-chair? This is your chance to ask and possibly volunteer. This is also a chance to share your ideas for future SSIG programming!

Join us on  Friday, May 26 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m on Zoom. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/ssig2023

–-Rob Withers, SSIG Co-Chair, Miami University
–Peggy Rector, SSIG Co-Chair, Denison University

Sustainability Interest Group (SUSig) News

On Friday, February 24, The Sustainability Interest Group hosted a webinar on the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. This Academic Library specific Certification Program will soon be launched. SLI co-Founder Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, an SLI Advisory Board Member gave an overview on the program and how to introduce sustainable thinking at your library and then Nardia Cumberbatch, a librarian from Valencia College talked about her personal experience at one of the pilot program libraries. More than 35 participants tuned in to hear this exciting presentation on such an important topic.  

We are looking forward to our Earth Day event which will be held Thursday, April 27 at 11 a.m. Elyse Adrian, a senior at Bowling Green State University, will share information about EcoBricks, building blocks made from plastic bottles packed with used plastics. Registration information is forthcoming.

–Maureen Barry, SUSig Co-Chair, Bowling Green State University
–Megan Jaskowiak, SUSig Co-Chair, Miami University