Diversity Committee News

ALAO values diversity in its membership, in the profession, and in future library professionals.  And for that reason, we are pleased to offer a $1,500 scholarship to a promising student enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS program who exemplifies the qualities needed to ensure a diverse library workforce.

This year, the Diversity Committee was proud to award its Diversity Award Scholarship to Catherine King of Case Western University.

Catherine King is a graduate student in the MLIS program at Kent State University, focusing on Metadata, DAM, and cataloging. She holds a BA in Sociology from Cleveland State University. She began her library career as a page at Cleveland Public Library, worked as a student assistant at Cleveland State University,and then held positions at Lutheran Hospital and CSU before moving into her current role in the Interlibrary Loan Department at the Health Sciences Library and Case Western Reserve University. This semester, she is volunteering virtually with the Library of Congress Law Library and taking courses in cataloging and cultural heritage institutions.

Congratulations, Catherine!

In addition to celebrating this year’s winner, we would also like to remind our membership that 2025’s Diversity Scholarship Award application will be opening soon (January 1). Over the years we have seen a decrease in applications, and we feel quite confident it is not from a lack of need in the LIS community but perhaps a lack of awareness that the scholarship exists and what it can be used for.

Students who currently live in the state of Ohio who are enrolled in, OR, recently accepted to an ALA-accredited MLS program are eligible to apply. The goal of our scholarship is to help diversify the field of librarianship, and so we look for applicants with diverse identities, including, but not limited to: race/ethnicity, dis/ability, sexual orientation, class, etc.

The goal of the award is to help ease some of the financial burden for current MLS students. Winners will be awarded the scholarship in the form of a check and can be used as and when they see fit. We envision that students will use these funds to help cover the ever growing costs of education and be used towards tuition, books, technology, etc.

Soon you will receive emails on behalf of the Diversity Committee asking to help promote this award to current students in your circles. We would be eternally grateful to our colleagues who help us spread this message and help us connect with students who could benefit from a scholarship like this.

If you have questions about the Diversity Scholarship Award, please feel free to contact the Diversity Committee at: diversity-committee@alaoweb.org

–Mandi Goodsett, Diversity Committee Co-Chair, Cleveland State University
–Brea McQueen, Diversity Committee Co-Chair, Miami University Regionals

Programming, Outreach, and Marketing Interest Group (PROMIG) News

The Programming, Outreach, and Marketing Interest Group (PROMIG) is excited to announce our new incoming co-chairs, Laura Birkenhauer and Jerry Natal! Laura is the Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement at Miami University. Jerry is Health and Human Services Librarian at the University of Toledo.

Save The Date! PROMIG wants to hear from you. What are your ideas for the future of this interest group? Join us in early February 2025 for one of two listening sessions, where we’ll gather member input and priorities. Secure your spot by registering through one of the links below:

• Tuesday, February 4, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Link to register
• Thursday, February 6, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Link to register

–Laura Birkenhauer, PROMIG Co-Chair, Miami University
–Jerry Natal, PROMIG Co-Chair, University of Toledo

Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG) News

We need your help! It is time to search for a new co-chair for the Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG). If you are interested or would like to nominate someone else, contact Peggy Rector (rector@denison.edu) as soon as possible. This IG cannot continue without the support of the members of ALAO.

The planning for our annual workshop, to be held virtually in the spring of 2025, is underway. The workshop will center on working or being considered for a position as a library support staff paraprofessional while holding an MLIS. Do you know a director or dean who could speak well on this topic? If you are interested in serving on the planning committee or have ideas to share, contact Peggy Rector at rector@denison.edu. 

Look for a save-the-date for the workshop early in the new year!

–Peggy Rector, Support Staff Interest Group Co-Chair, Denison University

STEM Interest Group News

The STEM Interest Group has held monthly open discussions this fall. These are an opportunity for STEM liaisons librarians to network and discuss current topics in the field or at their institutions. The group welcomed three new members this fall. The co-chairs have recently organized a listserv clean up, which hasn’t been done in a few years.

–Kristen Adams, STEM Interest Group Co-Chair, Miami University
–Ian McCullough, STEM Interest Group Co-Chair, The College of Wooster

Sustainability Interest Group (SusIG) News

The  Sustainability Interest Group is happy to report that our third annual Swap Table at the in-person ALAO Annual conference this year was a success! Many conference attendees brought swag for the table, and many others shopped the table and brought home new-to-them treasures. The remaining item was donated to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Please reach out with your feedback and ideas for next year’s swap table!

–Megan Jaskowiak, Sustainability Interest Group Co-Chair, Miami University