Summer in Ohio is Here!

Time again to close out another academic year at our institutions, and contemplate all those summer projects we’ve been meaning to get to.  One for me is keeping up with the front and back lawns at home, which seem to be growing twice as fast this year!  Hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather, and remember, don’t forget your sunscreen!  

We have new Board members!  Welcome, Welcome!  I’m so looking forward to meeting and working with everyone as together we envision the next few years for the Association.  See details about this and other goings-on below.

2024-2025 ALAO Executive Board Election Results

On behalf of myself and ALAO Past President, Jerry Natal, I am delighted to announce the new members of the Executive Board for 2024-2025.  Please join me in congratulating,

• Vice President/President Elect: Paul C. Campbell, Social Sciences & Assessment Librarian, Kent State University
• Secretary: Mira Scarnecchia, OER Librarian, Columbus State Community College
• Treasurer: Don Appleby, Library Specialist, University of Akron
• Board Members-at-Large:
  • Stephanie Founds, FYE Specialist, Ohio State University
  • Kathy Ladell, Student Success Librarian, University of Cincinnati
  • Edith Scarletto, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Bowling Green State University
• Membership Chair: Laura Birkenhauer, Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement, Miami University

Please also join Jerry and I in thanking our fellow Nominating Committee members for their hard work and dedication in executing this year’s election cycle:

• Katy Tucker, Electronic Resources and Acquisitions Librarian, Xavier University
• Jason Wardell, Health & Life Sciences Librarian University of Dayton
• Rich Wisneski, Electronic Resources, Miami University
• Beronica Avila, Outreach & Engagement Librarian, Denison University
• Laura Birkenhauer, Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement, Miami University

Let me offer sincere thanks as well to all the candidates who participated in this year’s election.  Your willingness to serve is truly commendable!  Please consider running again in a future election, as the organization benefits tremendously from a diversity of new ideas and perspectives.

Association members can also get involved in a variety of other ways.  Check out our interest groups and committees, and consider joining!

2024 ALAO Annual Conference Update

Our 2024 Conference Planning Committee continues to make great progress!  The CPC recently completed the Conference session proposal review process, and is on pace with arrangements for our 50th Anniversary event at the OCLC Conference Center in the greater Columbus area on November 7 & 8th.  Please see the report below from Sara Klink, our CPC Chair and Vice President/President Elect, for additional planning updates.

Executive Board Meeting & Activities

My sincere thanks to the members of an Executive Board Task Force which was formed this past April to create and distribute a new ALAO Membership survey. Your responses will play a central role in the Board’s drafting of a new 5-year strategic plan for the Association this summer.

My heartfelt thanks as well to the members of a separate Board working group formed this past May that is investigating new ways we can welcome and onboard Association members, those in appointed positions, and our elected officers.  Their work will also factor directly into the Board’s strategic planning activities this summer.

And, I want to express special gratitude to ALAO Past President, Jerry Natal, who generously took on the role earlier this year of interim Public Relations Coordinator for the Association.  Thank you so much, Jerry!

Have a fantastic summer, everyone!