Registration for the 49th Annual Conference is almost here!

Conference Date: November 2-3, 2023

Conference Location: Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, Lewis Center, Ohio

Online ILS Forum & Mini-Conference: Friday, Oct 27, 2023 via Zoom

ALAO put out the call for Conference programming from our Access Services, Technical Services, and Support Staff colleagues, and they have answered with gusto!  Half of the session programming this year will address topics in these areas of librarianship.  These and other sessions will appeal to the full range of library specialties and interests, providing an excellent opportunity to learn more about how our work and activities intersect.  Reflecting on these connections will be especially important as we head into the ILS migration process this Fall and continue to find balance with transformative academic library trends.

As mentioned in the March Newsletter, we’ll be offering some new programming and attendance opportunities this year:

• A Online ILS Forum & Mini-Conference

This year’s Conference features an online event one week prior to the in-person program.  On Friday, October 27th ALAO will host a morning virtual forum (*free of charge) and an afternoon mini-conference.  By October, Ohio academic libraries will be fully immersed in the ILS migration process.  The morning forum will be a good opportunity to compare notes on our local library ILS project planning efforts, and to review best practices for helping our colleagues across all library departments navigate the process.  Forum panelists will include representatives from OhioLINK and other Ohio academic library associations who, together with our attendees, will address these and other related issues.  That same afternoon ALAO will host a mini-conference with virtual lightning talks and thematic, audience-driven discussion sessions presented by Support, Access and Technical Services professionals.  Topics will include both ILS-related and other issues impacting these professional communities.

• A Hybrid Session Conference Track

Our in-person Conference programming at Nationwide on Friday, November 3rd will feature a “hybrid track room” where sessions will be simulcast live online throughout the day.  Each of these sessions will feature presentations by Support, Access and Technical Services professionals on a variety of topics that impact services and activities across all library departments.

• Live Simulcast of the Conference Keynote Presentation

This year’s keynote address will be simulcast for all online attendees.  Our ALAO 2023 Conference Keynote Speaker, Trevor Dawes, currently serves as Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums and May Morris University Librarian at the University of Delaware, and as Vice President/President Elect of the Association of Research Libraries.  Drawing upon his leadership experiences and professional background in circulation/support services, Mr. Dawes will share his reflections on the exciting professional landscape for next-generation library workers.

• Expanded Conference Packages & Discounts

The 2023 ALAO Conference registration fee structure is designed to make programming affordable and accessible for all academic library professional communities.  There will be programming packages for both in-person and online attendees, as well as discounted registration for session presenters.  Additionally, the Planning Committee is working to provide new and expanded Conference attendance grant opportunities for librarians and students.

Registration, program information, and schedules coming very soon!