Interest Group News

Posted on March 15, 2023 by anitaslack

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 20th 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

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 1 (March 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Funding Opportunities Column

Posted on March 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Student Conference Grant 2023 Application

Apply Online: Student Conference Grant Application

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m., August 4th, 2023

Statement of Purpose

The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) seeks to provide opportunities for students and new graduates to encourage participation and professional growth towards a career in academic libraries. To that end, each year the ALAO Executive Board may award one free registration plus up to $150 to an undergraduate student with a demonstrated interest in the library field, or to a student enrolled in a Library and Information Science (LIS) graduate program to support attendance or presenting at the ALAO Annual Conference. Grant monies are intended to assist with the costs incurred in preparing the presentation and modest travel costs associated with presenting at the conference. An ALAO Executive Board member or volunteer from the membership will be assigned as a mentor to help the recipient prepare their program, highlight ALAO membership benefits, and facilitate networking opportunities at the conference.

General Information

The Student Conference Grant is awarded to one person or program, either a presentation or poster session at the ALAO Annual Conference. Priority will be given to applicants with an accepted program proposal for the upcoming ALAO conference. If more than one student presenter is involved in a program, the grant is awarded to the program. Disbursement of grant monies amongst the student presenters is at the discretion of the eligible parties. Grant monies may be applied to registration, travel, lodging, and/or presentation-related expenses. If grant monies have been dispersed and the grant recipient fails to appear at the conference, ALAO may request the check be returned, depending on the extenuating circumstances around the absence.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in a library career (e.g. student workers, library volunteers, members of the Luminary program, etc.), students currently enrolled in an accredited LIS program, or a recent graduate (within one year) from an LIS program, are eligible to apply for the Student Conference Grant. Applicants may be full or part-time students who have expressed a career interest in academic librarianship. Priority will be given to applicants with an accepted program proposal for the upcoming ALAO conference. Completed applications include completed application form, plus an essay of 250 words or less describing how attending and presenting at the ALAO Conference will benefit the applicant in their future academic library career, and a program proposal submission if the student plans on presenting. ALAO membership is not required.

Support Staff Conference Grant 2023 Application

Apply for the ALAO Support Staff Conference Grant

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m., August 4th, 2023

Statement of Purpose

The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) seeks to encourage support staff development and participation in ALAO activities. To that end, the ALAO Executive Board may award one free registration and up to $150 annually to support and encourage support staff to attend and/or present at the ALAO Annual Conference.

General Information

All support staff currently employed in an Ohio academic library are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to applicants with an accepted program proposal for the upcoming ALAO conference. Co-presenters may apply jointly for the grant, in which case grant money may be shared amongst the awardees at their discretion. Grant monies may be applied to registration, travel, hotel, and presentation-related expenses. If grant monies have been dispersed and the grant recipient fails to appear at the conference, ALAO may request the check be returned, depending on the extenuating circumstances around the absence.

Eligibility

Support staff currently employed in an Ohio academic library are eligible to apply for the Support Staff Conference Grant. Priority will be given to applicants with an accepted program or poster proposal for the upcoming ALAO conference. Completed applications include completed application form and an essay of 250 words or less describing how attending the ALAO Conference will help enhance the applicant’s library and work experience. ALAO membership is not required.

–Kristen Peters, Professional Development Committee Chair, Wittenberg University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 1 (March 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

People & Library News

Posted on March 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Bryant & Stratton College News

Joseph Dudley (System Librarian, Bryant & Stratton College) recently participated in an international review of BIBFRAME records in the Share-VDE PCC data pool.

–Joseph Dudley, Bryant & Stratton College

Case Western Reserve University News

From January Through March (6th), Case Western Reserve University has hired 2 people:

Alyssa Pierce – Digital Preservation Manager Lisa Longenecker – Metadata Librarian

–Effy Brewer, Case Western Reserve University

Oberlin College News

The Oberlin College Libraries Discovery and Metadata Services team, led by Timothy Keller, has been working in collaboration with the Five Colleges of Ohio Collection Services Subcommittee to implement a LC subject term flagging project in the Oberlin College library catalog (OBIS), and in CONSORT, the shared catalog of Denison University, Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan University, and College of Wooster. The project went live to the public in mid-February, and small red flags now appear beside problematic subject headings, alerting library users that these subject terms are being reviewed.  The source for the flagged terms is the complete list of problematic subject terms maintained by The Cataloging Lab, an open, community-driven initiative that facilitates collaborative development of proposals for new and modified subject headings to be submitted to the Library of Congress. Clicking on the flag brings up a contextual note that leads to the “subject term flagging info” page on the libraries’ website.  Contact Tim Keller tkeller@oberlin.edu for more information.

–Alison Ricker, Oberlin College

Ohio Library Support Staff Institute Announcement

OLSSI: the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute will hold its annual conference July 23 – 25, 2023 at the University of Dayton.

–Michael Bradshaw, OLSSI Chair Emeritus, Supreme Count of Ohio

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 1 (March 2023) | Tagged | 1 Comment

President’s Report

Posted on December 15, 2022 by anitaslack

Introduction

Gerald Natal, Interim President and Vice President/President Elect

This fall has been a fickle season, one minute spring-like weather, the next falling snow. It is the traditional season for formally giving thanks, and I feel I have a lot for which to be thankful. I am thankful for the many blessings in my personal life. I am grateful for my career as a librarian, for the opportunity to have a positive impact on students, staff, and faculty, and for my library colleagues. I am appreciative of members of this year’s conference planning committee, my fellow ALAO Board members, and the many opportunities and experiences afforded to me as a member of ALAO. I wish everyone peace in the coming holiday and into the new year.

On to business…

ALAO Executive Board Meeting Report 10-21-22:

Minor changes were made to the Bylaws and Procedures Manual concerning the Continuing Education Grant and an update given on the mentoring and distinguished service awards selection in progress. Previously the revived Communications Committee met to review the charge and purpose of the committee and prepare a communications workflow for the ALAO Board; members of the committee presented to the board for comment a detailed document that addresses modes of communication, responsibilities for maintaining them, and a timeline for updates. The board was also informed about the revived process for updating the State Library of Ohio statewide calendar with ALAO events and received an update on the conference planning committee. The ALAO treasurer reported that an overall discontentment with the PayPal payment system has prompted a search for a more user-friendly system for ALAO events.

48th Annual Conference Update

This year’s conference “Tipping Point: Initiating Change in Academic Libraries” took place during two gorgeous days on November 3rd and 4th at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, north of Columbus. Attendance for the first in-person conference since 2019 was very respectable, with 27 pre-conference registrants and 217 registered for the day of the conference from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. Attendees were offered 26 concurrent sessions, 5 lightening sessions, and 9 posters (abstracts and links to many of the presentations can be found here). There was opportunity to see old friends, network, interact with our wonderful group of exhibitors and sponsors, swap items at the Sustainability Interest Group’s swag swap table, and mingle at Thursday night’s low-key social event. Conference feedback was generally favorable, and many were pleased to be attending the conference in person.

The pre-conference workshop Beyond Being “Good Colleagues:” Implementing and Sustaining Active Allyship Practices Within Academic Libraries was conducted by Alexia Hudson-Ward, Associate Director of Research and Learning of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Libraries and inaugural Editor-in-Chief of Towards Inclusive Leadership (TIE), a popular multimedia blog dedicated to diversity-centered research and discourse. Ms. Hudson-Ward also delivered an inspirational keynote for the conference, Active Allyship in Action. Both the workshop and keynote presentation addressed advanced active allyship practices, misconceptions surrounding allyship, and the systemic nature of bias and privilege, with a focus on data-driven and sustainable people-centered approaches. These themes are in keeping with ALAO’s strategic area Focus 1: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

As is the custom, each year the conference planning committee selects a cause to support. To help combat the current attacks on school curricula and the singling out of books for censorship, ALAO donated to The National Coalition Against Censorship. The coalition is made up of a diverse group of fifty-nine national not-for-profit organizations, representing the artistic, educational, religious, and labor communities, joined together in the interest of protecting First Amendment rights.

This year’s People’s Choice Poster Award was a tie, with the prize money going to three individuals. Hal Howard from Miami University received a $100.00 prize for the poster “Student Perspective on Strategic Project Engagement in the OhioLINK Luminaries Program.” Beth Anderson and Heather Back from Wright State University each received $50.00 for their poster “Remember: Building Displays to Promote a Prominent Collection in the Community.” Congratulations to you three!

While I am on the subject of awards, several of our library colleagues were recognized for having received ALAO grants and scholarships. Congratulations to the following individuals!

  • Cara Calabrese, Miami University – Research & Publications Committee Research Grant
  • Catherine Saavedra Pic, Columbus State Community College – Diversity Scholarship
  • Mike Monaco, The University of Akron – TEDdy Award (previous winners Ken Irwin and Derek Zoladz also received their TEDdy bears and certificates, having been denied receiving their awards in person due to the pandemic)
  • Madeline Gaiser, University of Cincinnati and Taryn Mirabello, Portsmouth Public Library – Professional Development Grant

I encourage everyone to visit ALAO’s web page to find out more about these opportunities, as well as the Support Staff Conference Grant and Student Presenter Grant.

The Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award

A highlight of the annual conference is the announcement of The Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award recipient. The award was established in 2016 to honor individuals who demonstrate excellence as a mentor. The award is named in memory of its first recipient, Kathryn Venditti, an exemplary librarian, and long-time ALAO member. This year’s award went to Paul Fehrmann, Emeritus Professor at Kent State University. Paul was described as having “Spent over 25 years welcoming and mentoring new librarians,” as “kind and supportive,” and as a “Strong advocate and ally of BIPOC librarians, demonstrating inclusive practices and behavior.” One nominator stated that Paul’s “support made a difference in my career and most importantly, in my life.” ALAO congratulates Paul on receiving this special honor.

The Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award

Another award that spotlights praiseworthy achievement at the conference is The Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award, named in honor of a former Ohio State University librarian who played a large part in the formation of ALAO. Recipients of this award must have broadly promoted academic libraries and librarianship and have a strong record of leadership. This year the award was presented to Krista McDonald, Director of the Rentschler Library at Miami University–Hamilton. Krista has a sustained record of service and was described as an “active and vocal member” of ALAO’s Diversity Committee, including her work on ALAO’s Diversity toolkit and Diversity Action Task Force. She is a former ALAO President and Board member and is active in OhioLINK. Krista’s nominator notes that while her work merits recognition, Krista is known for her “passion, creativity, good humor, and commitment to justice.” [I was urged to make mention of Krista’s passion for camels (the animal), an in-joke among her colleagues.] As a further distinction, Krista is only the second person besides Kathryn Venditti to receive both the mentoring award and the distinguished service award.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients and to the other worthy nominees!

Before I sign off, it is a perfect time to publicly thank everyone who had a hand in making this year’s conference a success. Without support from the conference center, sponsors, exhibitors, and the many who attended, we don’t have an event. My thanks go out to the members of the board who assisted with presenter introductions, and especially to the planning committee who gave of their precious time and energy (and who put up with my many, many emails)—you all rocked it!

If you didn’t have a chance to fill out our post-event survey or have additional feedback about the conference, please feel free to reach out to the Conference Planning Committee at
2022-cpc@alaoweb.org.

Elections — CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Dear ALAO Colleagues,

Are you looking for a leadership opportunity? Would you like to get involved in professional service for an ACRL chapter?  If so, please consider nominating yourself for the ALAO Board — or encourage a colleague to consider nomination! Elections will take place in spring 2023, and successful candidates will take office at the ALAO Board Retreat this summer.  Come join a fantastic group of Ohio library workers!

*A diverse board membership benefits the organization—all are encouraged to apply*

 In-person attendees of the 2022-2023 ALAO Executive Board Retreat

What does the ALAO Board do?

As the Ohio chapter of ACRL, we have a mission of advancing academic library services in our state and providing opportunities for education and growth for library personnel at all levels and at every career stage. We sponsor an annual conference and spring workshops that focus on innovative topics and showcase Ohio academic librarians; we provide scholarships and awards; and we maintain several active, diverse interest groups and committees. In addition, we have a mentoring program that pairs up Ohio academic librarians for peer-to-peer, inter-generational, leadership, or student mentoring relationships.

What is my role as a Board member?

  • Perform the duties described for your elected position – see the Procedures Manual for the specific duties and responsibilities of each position
  • Attend the annual retreat in July of each year
  • Attend scheduled Board meetings (announced at Board Retreat–these have been virtual through Zoom)

This year, we will be electing the following officers:

  • Vice President/President Elect
  • Public Relations Coordinator
  • Board Member-at-Large (3 positions)

Remember that you must be an ALAO member to run for office, so this is a perfect time to join or renew.

Submit the online nomination form by Monday, February 17, 2023, to be considered as a candidate!

If you have questions, please contact membership@alaoweb.org.

Thank you from the Nomination Committee!

Gerald Natal, ALAO President/Acting Past President and Nominating Committee Co-Chair

Laura Birkenhauer, Miami University, Nominating Committee Co-Chair

Gwen Short, Ohio State University

Clayton Hayes, Kenyon College

Alison Ricker, Oberlin College & Conservatory

Lynn Warner, University of Cincinnati

Posted in Vol. 40 no. 4 (Dec. 2022) | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vice President/President Elect Report

Posted on December 15, 2022 by anitaslack
Mark Eddy, Vice President/President Elect

Greetings to all in the ALAO community!

Seeing many friends and colleagues for the first time in two years in person at the 2022 ALAO Conference was so great! The Conference went well, and we are hoping to repeat this success with ALAO 2023.

The 2023 Conference Planning Committee met informally in late October and reviewed several potential themes for next year’s Conference.  We hope to finalize the theme at our next meeting in December and begin preparing a call for proposals that will go out to the membership and elsewhere some time early next year.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Posted in Vol. 40 no. 4 (Dec. 2022) | Tagged | Leave a comment

2022 People’s Choice Poster Awards

Posted on December 15, 2022 by anitaslack

At every ALAO Annual Conference, the Research & Publications Committee asks attendees to vote for the People’s Choice Poster Award. This award is typically given to one poster; however, this year, we had a two-way tie. Both posters will each be given the $100 award to split among co-authors. Please join us in congratulating the following People’s Choice Poster Award winners from the 2022 ALAO Annual Conference:

“Student Perspective on Strategic Project Engagement in the OhioLINK Luminaries Program.”

  • Hal Howard (Miami University)

 “Remember: Building Displays to Promote a Prominent Collection in the Community.”

  • Beth Anderson (Wright State University)
  • Heather Back (Wright State University)

–Paul Campbell, Research & Publications Committee Co-Chair, Ohio University
–Sarah Nagle, Research & Publications Committee Co-Chair, Miami University

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Member Spotlight

Posted on December 14, 2022 by anitaslack

Let’s shine the Member Spotlight on Lynn Warner from University of Cincinnati!

What is/are your role(s) in academic libraries?

I am the Research and Health Sciences Librarian at the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library at the University of Cincinnati. I work with the College of Nursing and the College of Allied Health Sciences. I’m new to UC, before this I worked for many years as a Teaching and Learning Librarian across the river at Northern Kentucky University.

What do you like most about academic library work?

I love teaching information literacy and working with students. Whether in a consult or instruction session, seeing their “aha!” moments is incredibly rewarding. Helping students connect to the information they need and guiding them to become more confident researchers makes me happy!

What are some interesting projects you’ve been involved with lately?

As a part of my role at UC, I assist faculty and students with developing searches for systematic reviews they are conducting. I’m currently working with Nursing faculty on a review about simulation-based education and nursing students.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I am a huge Golden Girls fan, and I recently attended the first ever “GoldenCon.”

Why did you join ALAO?

I joined ALAO when I started my new position at University of Cincinnati. I have attended ALAO conferences in the past, and they have always been so wonderful! I’m looking forward to attending the next one this fall.

–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University

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Membership Report

Posted on December 14, 2022 by anitaslack

The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 292 members consisting of 260 regular members, 4 retiree members, and 28 student members. We are excited to welcome new members who joined between September 3, 2022 and November 17, 2022.

Kathryn Albright, Otterbein University

Aja Bettencourt-McCarthy, University of Cincinnati

Robin Buser  Columbus State, Community College Library

Dana Carlsen , Miami University Hamilton Campu

Maddie Clawson, Defiance College

Rachael Clukey, Columbus State Community College

Leigh Dunewood, University of Maryland

Beate Gersch, Kent State University

Gregg Havey, Ohio Dominican University

Lisa Hechesky, Muskingum University

Rachelle Hippler, Baldwin Wallace University

Catherine King, Case Western Reserve University

Collette Knight, Defiance College

Meme Marlow, Edison State College

Jacqueline Mayse, Cleveland Institute of Art

Ian McCullough, The College of Wooster

Amanda McLellan, Wittenberg University

Karen Nelson, Smith Library, Muskingum University

Peace Oyebode, Student

Barbara Sedlock, Defiance College

Rhonda Stricklett, Columbus State Community College

Jenna Willhoit, Student

Alexander Zemskov, Case Western Reserve University

–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University

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Interest Group Reports

Posted on December 14, 2022 by anitaslack

Message from the Interest Group Coordinator

Greetings! I am the new Interest Group Coordinator, Abi Morgan, stepping into the role from Sara Klink. Thank you Sara, for your years of fantastic leadership in this role. 

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. 

At the 2022 Annual Conference, the interest groups staffed an informational table to spread awareness about our various offerings and encourage new membership. We had 14 new sign ups across our interest groups.

However, you can join an interest group at any time during the year! For more information visit the ALAO website or contact Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator.

–-Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator, Miami University

Community & Two Year College Libraries Interest Group (C2YCLIG) News

Calling all LibGuide wizards!

Has your library done innovative things with your LibGuides and you would like a chance to highlight your work and share with your colleagues? The Community & Two Year College Libraries Interest Group (C2YCLIG) is looking for 2-3 libraries to present to our group during our virtual meeting in February (date to be determined once presenters are selected). If you are interested in being a part of this panel, please email Co-Chairs Meagan Fowler and Zoe Orcutt to express your interest.

Please feel free to share this with colleagues who may be interested; they do not need to be a current member of ALAO or our IG.

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

Distance Learning Interest Group (DLIG) News

Please welcome Dr. Beate Gersch as the new co-chair of DLIG. Dr. Gersch serves as the Assistant Dean for Student & Research Success at Kent State University.

–Dana Knott, Distance Learning Interest Group Co-Chair, Columbus State Community College

Instruction Interest Group News

The Instruction Interest Group (IIG) is moving into the brainstorming phase for our spring/summer workshops and webinars for 2023 and we want to hear from you! Have you learned something new that you’d like to share with the group? Have a new lesson plan or presentation and are looking for guinea pigs? Or maybe you have an idea for a topic you’d like to see? Let us know! We always welcome ideas for sessions from our members, so please reach out.

If you’d like to join the workshop planning committee, we are seeking additional members! It’s a great way to get involved with ALAO and meet new colleagues. We will be sending out an email later in 2023 to solicit interest. In the meantime, please feel free to contact iig-chairs@alaoweb.org with any questions.

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

Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) News

In accordance with its mission, the Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) holds a workshop every spring centered around a special collections or archives-related topic. We are already starting to consider potential themes for our spring 2023 workshop, and would like to know what topics SCAig members are interested in learning more about. Look out for a short survey on topic preferences, to be sent out to the SCAig and general ALAO listservs during December. You should also feel free to reach out to the SCAig co-chairs directly with your suggestions at scaig-chairs@alaoweb.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Support Staff Interest Group News

It is time to begin a search for a new co-chair for the Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG)  . If you are interested or would like to nominate someone else, let the co-chairs know.

We are starting to plan the annual workshop, which will be held virtually in 2023. If you are interested in serving on the planning committee, please contact the co-chairs. Rob is currently gathering topics and workshop ideas. 

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

-Rob Withers, Co-Chair, Coordinator of Access Services, Miami University
-Peggy Rector, Co-Chair, Assistant to the Director of Libraries, Denison University

Sustainability Interest Group (SUSig) News

The Sustainability Interest Group  is happy to report that our inaugural 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 items were donated to Scrap It Up, a creative reuse nonprofit in Cincinnati, and the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. We hope to make this an annual tradition. Please reach out with your feedback and ideas for next year’s swap table!

On December 2nd at 10AM, please join us for a virtual discussion centered around an essay from the compilation volume, All We can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson. We will be discussing “Wakanda Doesn’t Have Suburbs’: How Movies Like Black Panther Could Help Us Save the Planet “, by Kendra Pierre-Louis, which is freely available online from Time magazine in addition to being published as an essay in the book. You can also find this essay available in audio format through the podcast Temperature Check. Event details are posted to the SUSIG web page.

In other big news, SUSIG is seeking a co-chair to finish out the current term ending in July of 2023. This is a great opportunity to try out a shorter-term service commitment. Creative programming and community-building ideas are welcome. This is your opportunity to make your mark on the sustainability committee!

Please reach out to the current co-chair, Megan Jaskowiak (jaskowma@miamioh.edu) for more information or to nominate yourself or someone you know! 

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

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People & Library News

Posted on December 14, 2022 by anitaslack

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College News

ALAO member co-chairs new Library of Congress SACO funnel

ALAO member Margaret Breidenbaugh, Library Specialist at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, co-chairs a collaborative cataloging group that began meeting virtually in June 2022. The Gender and Sexuality Funnel Project includes participants from all across North America and meets once a month to discuss current and upcoming projects. People of all experience levels are welcome to join this critical cataloging effort.

The Gender and Sexuality Funnel Project was formed in summer 2022 and falls under the Program for Cooperative Cataloging’s SACO Program (Subject Authority Cooperative Program). This project promotes and facilitates the creation and revision of authority records for Library of Congress controlled vocabularies used in the cataloging of resources about, for, and by transgender, gender diverse, intersex, asexual, and other queer, non-heteronormative or non-heterosexual people. The goal of this project is to improve access to gender- and sexuality-related resources, and to reflect more accurately the terminology used by non-heteronormative and/or non-heterosexual communities.

Additionally, the Gender and Sexuality Funnel Project is interested in the creation and revision of terminology addressing personal relationships, with a focus on subject authority records that perpetuate or normalize cisgender and heterosexual perspectives and relationships as the standard.

Anyone interested in becoming a participant in the funnel project should contact GenderAndSexualityFunnel@gmail.com.

Co-chairs:
Margaret Breidenbaugh (she/her/hers)
Library Specialist (Resource Sharing Coordinator and Serials)
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Cincinnati, Ohio

Maya Espersen (she/her/hers or they/them/theirs)
Cataloging Coordinator
Aurora Public Library, City of Aurora, Colorado

Adam L. Schiff (he/him/his)
Principal Cataloger
University of Washington Libraries, Seattle, Washington

–Margaret Breidenbaugh, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Posted in Vol. 40 no. 4 (Dec. 2022) | Tagged | Leave a comment