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

Here is the latest news on activities of the promotion/marketing/outreach interest group:
The recent Snapshots of Success, held on June 3rd, supplied a variety of appealing presentations. Thanks to all our participants and all who attended!

• Emily Henderson, Columbus State Community College, talked about a successful crafting event involving creating reusable tote bags.

• Jackie Mayse and Vivian McCallum, both from Cleveland Health Sciences Library at CWRU, shared how they introduced medical students to graphic medicine.

• Michelle Sweetser and Jennifer Long Morehart of Bowling Green State University, with Cecilia Seibert from the Ohio History Service Corps, described how they reached out to student volunteers to assist with transcribing historical documents written in cursive handwriting.

• Judy Carey Nevin, from Ohio University Lancaster, presented the process and benefits of a comfort dog program at her library.

• Jerry Natal, of The University of Toledo, provided examples of how hobbies and passions of library employees can become successful library outreach events.

• Diane Kolosionek and La’Metria Carlton, both of Cleveland State University, demonstrated how the academic library can serve as a place of care, connection and belonging.

To get information about future events like our Community Chats with themes such as wisdom for social media managers in academic libraries and shared processes for creating and publicizing library events, sign up for the PROMIG listserv:

Send an email to: promig+subscribe@alaoweb.org
OR
Go here and subscribe: https://groups.google.com/a/alaoweb.org/d/forum/promig/join

Also, consider the Resource Roundup to discover relevant articles, webinars, CFPs, meetings, and more related to programming, outreach, and marketing. We welcome your contributions to the Roundup–just send an email to promig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

Anyone interested in joining PROMIG, has ideas for programming, or who would like to know more about our activities, contact us at promig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

Stay tuned for the next PROMIG event!

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

TEDSIG (Technical, Electronic, and Digital Services Interest Group) update

TEDSIG welcomes new co-chair Marcie Boutwell, Electronic Resources and Discovery Librarian at Miami University, who will serve the 2026-2028 term.

Nominate a colleague for the TEDdy Award

The TEDdy Award recognizes distinguished service by an ALAO member in the fields of Technical, Electronic, and Digital Services. It recognizes an individual’s significant contributions to their colleagues and to the field. Such contributions may include, but are not limited to: sustained service to the community, pioneering innovative practices, influential publications or presentations, or demonstrated leadership to the profession.

The TEDdy Award is awarded annually at the ALAO Conference, and includes two waivers to any future TEDSIG event, along with the well-deserved fame and recognition amongst your colleagues.
To nominate a colleague for the TEDDY award, please send a brief nomination rationale to TEDSIG-chairs@alaoweb.org.

Nominees must be current ALAO members, who have worked in, or are currently working in, an Ohio academic library in the area of Technical, Electronic, or Digital Services. If you’re not sure if a potential nominee is an ALAO member, feel free to ask us (TEDSIG-chairs@alaoweb.org).

The deadline for this year’s nominations is September 11, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact the TEDSIG Co-Chairs via email at TEDSIG-chairs@alaoweb.org.

–Mike Monaco, University of Akron, TEDSIG Co-Chair
–Rebecca Belford, Oberlin College, TEDSIG Co-Chair

New Advocacy and Support Committee Call for Participation

The ALAO Executive Board has approved a proposal to merge our Diversity Committee and Advocacy Chair position into a single, collaborative unit: the Advocacy and Support Committee. Recognition of the political nature of diversity related initiatives and the expanding workload of the Advocacy Chair to keep pace with political developments affecting libraries were the basis for this decision. Additionally, we believe this new name could eliminate potential barriers to committee participation while still preserving the mission and spirit of the original committee’s charge. This new structure brings together two closely aligned efforts so we can better coordinate communication, share the workload, and more effectively support members across Ohio’s academic libraries.

The committee will be led by two co-chairs: an Advocacy Co-Chair appointed by the Board and a Supporting Co-Chair filled via volunteer interest. The co-chairs will work together to ensure cohesive collaboration, while also serving as points of contact for advocacy initiatives and member-facing resources, education, and support.

We are recruiting members now, especially someone interested in serving as the Supporting Co-Chair for a two-year, staggered term.

● The committee charge: share timely resources; offer education/programming; advise ALAO and help cultivate equitable, collegial professional environments; and support advocacy for diverse human experiences across race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, LGBTQIA identities, ability, and age.

● We are looking for: members interested in communication, programming, professional development, and/or advocacy; anyone who wants to help ALAO respond thoughtfully to issues affecting academic libraries and higher education in Ohio.

● Supporting Co-Chair responsibilities: co-lead meetings and planning; coordinate member-facing communications and resources with the Advocacy Co-Chair; help shape programs and educational opportunities; and attend and participate in ALAO Board meetings and the annual Board Retreat.

To express interest (or to nominate a colleague), please email diversity-committee@alaoweb.org. If you have questions or are curious but unsure whether the chair role is the right fit, we’d still love to hear from you!

–Brea McQueen, Board Member at Large, Miami University